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Traditional Turkish meatball with bulgur and ground meat
In season: Spring · Summer · Autumn · Winter
CALORIES · 100 G
GI
POTASSIUM · 100 G
FIBER · 100 G
3 piece (medium) of İvli köfte (120 g) has 216 calories. That works out to 180 calories per 100 g. It contains 21.6 g of carbs, 12 g of protein, 8.4 g of fat and 2.6 g of fiber. Its 0.8 µg of B12 covers 35% of the Daily Value. Its glycemic index is 55 (medium), so it raises blood sugar at a moderate pace.
Selected: 3 piece (medium) · 120 g
216
KCAL / 120G
Carbs
21.6g
· 8% DV
Protein
12g
· 24% DV
Fat
8.4g
· 11% DV
Fiber
2.6g
· 9% DV
DV is the share of the daily value covered, on a 2,000 kcal reference diet.
Calories come from: Carbs 41% · Protein 23% · Fat 36%
| Nutrient | Amount | % DV |
|---|---|---|
| Calories | 216 kcal | |
| Total fat | 8.4 g | 11% |
| Saturated fat | 3.12 g | 16% |
| Trans fat | 0.06 g | |
| Sodium | 456 mg | 20% |
| Total carbohydrate | 21.6 g | 8% |
| Fiber | 2.6 g | 9% |
| Protein | 12 g | 24% |
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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| Serving | Amount | Calories |
|---|---|---|
| 3 piece (medium) | 120 g | 216 kcal |
| 1 piece (extra small) | 30 g | 54 kcal |
| 1 piece (small) | 40 g | 72 kcal |
| 1 piece (large) | 60 g | 108 kcal |
| 100 g | 100 g | 180 kcal |
| 1 serving (medium) | 150 g | 270 kcal |
| 5 piece (large) | 200 g | 360 kcal |
| 2 serving (large) | 300 g | 540 kcal |
Calculated from 180 calories per 100 g.
İvli köfte is a traditional Turkish meatball made with bulgur and ground meat. Its shape and preparation can vary by recipe, so descriptions of one local version may not apply to every version.
To make İvli köfte, combine softened bulgur with ground meat and the seasonings in your chosen recipe, then knead until the mixture holds together. Shape it as directed and cook it through using that recipe’s method.
Fine köftelik bulgur is commonly used for İvli köfte because it blends readily into a cohesive meat mixture. Follow your recipe’s instructions for softening it; coarse bulgur may need a different treatment and can change the texture.
İvli köfte can fall apart if the bulgur has not softened enough or the mixture has not been kneaded until cohesive. Add water gradually while kneading, and test-cook one small piece before cooking the whole batch.
Yes, you can bake İvli köfte, although baking may give it a different exterior and texture from the method in your recipe. Arrange the pieces with space between them and check that the centers are fully cooked.
Not necessarily. İçli köfte is commonly made with a bulgur shell enclosing a separate filling, while İvli köfte’s exact form can vary by recipe. Check the specific preparation rather than assuming the names mean the same dish.
İvli köfte is described as a traditional Turkish dish, but the information available does not establish one specific town or region as its origin. It is better not to assign it to a particular place without a reliable local source.
Serve İvli köfte with a crisp salad, yogurt, or cacık, a Turkish cucumber-and-yogurt dish. These cool, fresh sides complement the rich meat and bulgur without turning the meal into another heavy course.
Yes. Cool cooked İvli köfte before freezing it in an airtight container, or freeze uncooked shaped pieces separately before packing them together. Thaw them safely before reheating or cooking, and make sure they are hot all the way through.
İvli köfte can be part of a balanced meal: it combines ground meat with bulgur, and the preparation method affects how rich it is. Pairing a moderate serving with vegetables or salad makes for a more balanced plate.
Vitamins
B12
0.84µg · 35% DV
B3
2.52mg · 16% DV
B5
0.54mg · 11% DV
Biotin
3µg · 10% DV
Minerals
Sodium
456mg · 20% DV
Phosphorus
114mg · 16% DV
Selenium
8.4µg · 15% DV
Zinc
1.32mg · 12% DV
Potassium ⭐
252mg · 7% DV
GLYCEMIC INDEX
GLYCEMIC LOAD
Accounts for portion size — a more realistic measure than GI alone.
To burn the 216 calories in 3 piece (medium) (120 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.
İvli köfte is a traditional Turkish meatball made with bulgur and ground meat. The bulgur gives it a heartier, grain-flecked texture than a meat-only meatball, while the meat makes it filling enough to serve as part of a main meal. It belongs to the broad tradition of Turkish home-style köfte, with recipes and shapes varying from kitchen to kitchen.
Serve it warm with salad, yogurt or ayran for a straightforward lunch or dinner. At 10 g of protein and 18 g of carbohydrate per 100 g, it combines meat with a substantial bulgur component. For a lighter plate, pair it with plenty of fresh vegetables and choose a preparation that uses less added oil.
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.
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
3.12g
MONOUNSATURATED
3g
POLYUNSATURATED
0.48g
Omega 6:3 ratio 4.9:1
Above the ideal 4:1 (4.9:1).
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Nutrition data compiled from USDA FoodData Central and scientific sources.