Ready & Packaged Foods
All →Vegetables & Legumes
All →Desserts & Confectionery
All →Meat & Protein
All →Grains & Bakery
All →Beverages
All →Milk & Dairy
All →
Traditional Turkish boiled stuffed meatball made with bulgur and ground meat
In season: Spring · Autumn · Winter
CALORIES
GI
POTASSIUM
FIBER
1 piece (medium) of Boiled Stuffed Meatball (70 g) has 126 calories. That works out to 180 calories per 100 g. It contains 15.4 g of carbs, 6.7 g of protein, 4.6 g of fat and 1.5 g of fiber. Its 0.4 µg of B12 covers 18% of the Daily Value. Its glycemic index is 55 (medium), so it raises blood sugar at a moderate pace.
Boiled stuffed meatball is a traditional Turkish dish, particularly associated with the country’s southeast. A shell made from fine bulgur is shaped around a filling of minced meat and onion, often with walnuts and spices. Unlike the familiar fried version, these pieces are cooked in water.
The shell is tender and gently chewy, while the filling is savoury and moist. In Turkey, they’re served hot, often with lemon and a fresh salad or yoghurt on the side. Bulgur contributes most of the carbohydrates and some fibre, while the meat filling adds protein; richness varies with the meat used. For a lighter meal, pair one with plenty of greens.
Selected: 100 g
180
KCAL / 100G
Carbs
22g
· 8% DV
Protein
9.5g
· 19% DV
Fat
6.5g
· 8% DV
Fiber
2.2g
· 8% DV
DV is the share of the daily value covered, on a 2,000 kcal reference diet.
Calories come from: Carbs 48% · Protein 21% · Fat 31%
Vitamins
B12
0.6µg · 25% DV
B3
2.1mg · 13% DV
B6
0.18mg · 11% DV
Biotin
3.2µg · 11% DV
Minerals
Sodium
320mg · 14% DV
Selenium
7.5µg · 14% DV
Phosphorus
95mg · 14% DV
Zinc
1mg · 9% DV
Medium
How many vitamins, minerals and how much fiber this food carries per calorie. A high score means a lot of nutrition for few calories.
Medium
An EatBetter score computed from fiber, protein and calorie density. A high score means staying full longer on the same calories.
Both scores are calculated per 100 g and do not change with the selected portion. The satiety score is EatBetter's own calculation, not a clinical measure.
GLYCEMIC INDEX
GLYCEMIC LOAD
Accounts for portion size — a more realistic measure than GI alone.
To burn the 180 calories in 100 g:
🚶
Walking (5 km/h)
🏃
Running (8 km/h)
🚴
Cycling
🏊
Swimming
Times are calculated with the MET equation for a 70 kg adult. Actual burn varies with your weight, age and pace.
NOVA 2
Minimally Processed
1. Unprocessed
2. Minimally Processed
3. Processed
4. Ultra-Processed
NOVA classifies foods into 4 groups by industrial processing. NOVA 1 (unprocessed) is the healthiest.
Contains these allergens:
Vegan
— Not suitable
Vegetarian
— Not suitable
Gluten-Free
— Not suitable
Dairy-Free
— Not suitable
Mediterranean
✓ Suitable
Paleo
— Not suitable
Whole30
— Not suitable
DASH
— Not suitable
Keto
— Not suitable
Low FODMAP
— Not suitable
SATURATED
2.2g
MONOUNSATURATED
2.3g
POLYUNSATURATED
1g
Omega 6:3 ratio 6:1
Above the ideal 4:1 (6:1).
A Boiled Stuffed Meatball is a Turkish bulgur dumpling, known locally as içli köfte, filled with seasoned minced meat. Its shell is shaped around the filling and cooked in water, giving it a softer texture than the commonly fried version.
A Boiled Stuffed Meatball is traditionally filled with browned minced meat and onion, often seasoned with pepper and spices; some recipes add walnuts. The exact filling varies by family and region, while the outer shell is made from bulgur-based dough.
To make a Boiled Stuffed Meatball, knead softened fine bulgur with seasonings into pliable dough, shape it into a thin shell, and seal it around cooked meat filling. Lower the pieces gently into simmering water and cook until the shell is tender.
A Boiled Stuffed Meatball may fall apart if its bulgur shell has cracks, is too thin, or has not been kneaded until cohesive. A vigorous rolling boil can also damage it, so seal each piece carefully and keep the water at a gentle simmer.
A Boiled Stuffed Meatball is tender and moist because it cooks in water, while its fried counterpart develops a crisp, browned exterior. Both use a bulgur shell around a savory filling, but the cooking method changes the texture and richness.
A Boiled Stuffed Meatball is a Turkish form of kibbeh, rather than a completely separate dish. Similar bulgur-and-meat combinations are found across the Middle East, but Turkish içli köfte has its own shaping, fillings, and boiled or fried preparations.
A Boiled Stuffed Meatball is usually served hot, often with lemon, garlic yogurt, or a spicy butter or pepper sauce. A crisp salad or fresh herbs can balance its rich meat filling and soft bulgur shell.
Yes, you can freeze a Boiled Stuffed Meatball, and freezing it uncooked usually helps preserve its shape. Arrange the pieces separately on a tray until firm, then pack them in a sealed container; cook them from frozen rather than thawing them first.
Yes, you can prepare the filling and bulgur shell for a Boiled Stuffed Meatball ahead of time, then keep them covered and chilled until shaping. Assemble the dumplings close to cooking time so the shells do not dry out or crack.
Reheat a Boiled Stuffed Meatball gently in a covered pan with a splash of water, or briefly in simmering water, until hot throughout. Avoid vigorous boiling, which can split the bulgur shell, and avoid prolonged microwave heating, which can make it tough.
Ask the AI nutrition coach — calories, portions, alternatives and more, answered in seconds in the app.
Nutrition data compiled from USDA FoodData Central and scientific sources.