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Oval, golden-brown bulgur shells are crisp-looking and slightly split open to reveal a finely crumbled brown minced-meat filling with small onion pieces, arranged on a plate with lemon wedges and parsley.

Stuffed Meatball Calories

Traditional Turkish dish made with bulgur and minced meat, stuffed with spiced ground beef.

In season: Spring · Summer · Autumn · Winter

CALORIES · 100 G

210kcal

GI

55medium

POTASSIUM · 100 G

210mg

FIBER · 100 G

2.5g

Quick answer

1 piece (medium) of Stuffed Meatball (80 g) has 168 calories. That works out to 210 calories per 100 g. It contains 16.8 g of carbs, 8.8 g of protein, 6.4 g of fat and 2 g of fiber. Its 0.9 µg of B12 covers 37% of the Daily Value. Its glycemic index is 55 (medium), so it raises blood sugar at a moderate pace.

Stuffed Meatball Nutrition Facts

Selected: 1 piece (medium) · 80 g

168

KCAL / 80G

Carbs

16.8g

· 6% DV

Protein

8.8g

· 18% DV

Fat

6.4g

· 8% DV

Fiber

2g

· 7% DV

DV is the share of the daily value covered, on a 2,000 kcal reference diet.

Calories come from: Carbs 42% · Protein 22% · Fat 36%

Stuffed Meatball nutrition facts table · 1 piece (medium) (80 g)

NutrientAmount% DV
Calories168 kcal
Total fat6.4 g8%
Saturated fat2.56 g13%
Trans fat0.04 g
Sodium256 mg11%
Total carbohydrate16.8 g6%
Fiber2 g7%
Protein8.8 g18%

Calories: Calories measure energy. Average daily need is 2,000 kcal. Excess calories are stored as fat, too few cause weight loss.

Carbs: Your body's primary energy source. The brain runs exclusively on carbs. Daily need: 275g.

Protein: Essential for muscle repair and cell growth. Daily need: 50g. Keeps you full and boosts metabolism.

Fat: Needed for hormone production and vitamin absorption. Daily need: 78g. Limit saturated fats, choose unsaturated.

Fiber: Critical for digestive health and satiety. Daily need: 28g. Stabilizes blood sugar, lowers cholesterol.

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How Many Calories in 1 Medium Stuffed Meatball?

ServingAmountCalories
1 piece (medium)80 g168 kcal
1 piece (extra small)40 g84 kcal
1 piece (small)60 g126 kcal
100 g100 g210 kcal
1 piece (large)120 g252 kcal
1 serving (medium)120 g252 kcal
2 piece (double)160 g336 kcal
1 serving (large)200 g420 kcal
3 piece (jumbo)240 g504 kcal

Calculated from 210 calories per 100 g.

Frequently Asked Questions About Stuffed Meatball

What is a Turkish stuffed meatball?

A Turkish stuffed meatball, known as içli köfte, has a bulgur-based shell wrapped around a seasoned minced-meat filling. It is a traditional dish, commonly fried or boiled, with recipes and shapes that vary by region.

What goes inside a Turkish stuffed meatball?

A Turkish stuffed meatball is usually filled with minced beef cooked with onion and spices; some regional recipes add walnuts or herbs. The filling is cooled before shaping so it is easier to enclose in the bulgur shell.

How do you stop a Turkish stuffed meatball from breaking apart?

Keep the bulgur shell evenly thick, seal the opening completely, and avoid overfilling a Turkish stuffed meatball. For frying, use properly heated oil and lower each piece in gently; cracks can let the filling escape.

Is a Turkish stuffed meatball fried or boiled?

A Turkish stuffed meatball can be either fried or boiled. Frying gives it a crisp exterior, while boiling leaves the shell softer; which version you find depends on the recipe and regional tradition.

Is a Turkish stuffed meatball the same as kibbeh?

A Turkish stuffed meatball is closely related to kibbeh, a family of bulgur-and-meat dishes found across the Middle East. The names, shapes, seasonings, and cooking methods differ among cuisines, so the dishes are related rather than identical.

Can you bake a Turkish stuffed meatball instead of frying it?

Yes, you can bake a Turkish stuffed meatball after brushing the outside lightly with oil. Baking avoids deep-frying, but the shell may not become as crisp as the traditional fried version.

Can you freeze Turkish stuffed meatballs?

Yes, freeze Turkish stuffed meatballs uncooked after shaping them. First arrange them separately on a tray; once firm, transfer them to a sealed freezer container so they do not stick together.

What do you serve with a Turkish stuffed meatball?

Serve a Turkish stuffed meatball with lemon, fresh herbs, or a crisp salad. Yogurt, cacık, or ayran also make cooling accompaniments, especially alongside the richer fried version.

How do you reheat a Turkish stuffed meatball without making it soggy?

Reheat a Turkish stuffed meatball in an oven or air fryer to help the outside stay crisp. A microwave warms it quickly but tends to soften the bulgur shell; heat leftovers until the center is hot.

How long do cooked Turkish stuffed meatballs keep in the fridge?

Cooked Turkish stuffed meatballs generally keep for 3–4 days in a covered container in the refrigerator. Refrigerate them promptly after the meal, and reheat only the portion you plan to eat.

Stuffed Meatball Vitamins & Minerals

Vitamins

B12

0.88µg · 37% DV

B5

0.56mg · 11% DV

B3

1.76mg · 11% DV

Biotin

3.2µg · 11% DV

Minerals

Selenium

8.8µg · 16% DV

Zinc

1.68mg · 15% DV

Phosphorus

88mg · 13% DV

Copper

0.1mg · 11% DV

Sodium

256mg · 11% DV

Potassium ⭐

168mg · 5% DV

Stuffed Meatball Glycemic Index

GLYCEMIC INDEX

55
Medium
0 Low5570100

GLYCEMIC LOAD

9.6
Low

Accounts for portion size — a more realistic measure than GI alone.

How to Burn Off Stuffed Meatball

To burn the 168 calories in 1 piece (medium) (80 g):

🚶

42min

Walking (5 km/h)

🏃

17min

Running (8 km/h)

🚴

23min

Cycling

🏊

20min

Swimming

Times are calculated with the MET equation for a 70 kg adult. Actual burn varies with your weight, age and pace.

What is Stuffed Meatball?

Stuffed Meatball, known in Turkey as içli köfte, is made by enclosing a spiced minced-meat filling in a shell of fine bulgur. It is especially associated with southeastern Turkey, where families shape the shells by hand; the filling often includes onion and may contain walnuts, depending on the recipe.

The bulgur casing is tender yet slightly firm, while the centre is savoury and fragrant. İçli köfte is either boiled or fried and usually served hot, often with lemon and a fresh salad. It appears at family meals and festive tables in Turkey, and is also enjoyed in Turkish communities abroad. A filling choice built around grains and meat, it provides 11 g of protein per 100 g; boiling it rather than frying makes for a lighter serving.

How Nutritious Is Stuffed Meatball?

Nutrient density

Medium

45/ 100

How many vitamins, minerals and how much fiber this food carries per calorie. A high score means a lot of nutrition for few calories.

Satiety score

Medium

48/ 100

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.

Is Stuffed Meatball Processed?

NOVA 3

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.

Does Stuffed Meatball Contain Allergens?

Contains these allergens:

Gluten yes
Dairy free
Eggs free
Peanuts free
Tree nuts free
Fish free
Soy free
Sesame free

Which Diets Is Stuffed Meatball Good For?

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

Stuffed Meatball Fat Profile

SATURATED

2.56g

MONOUNSATURATED

2.16g

POLYUNSATURATED

0.88g

⚖️

Omega 6:3 ratio 2.5:1

Below the ideal 4:1 — a good omega balance.

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Nutrition data compiled from USDA FoodData Central and scientific sources.