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High in protein
In season: Spring · Summer · Autumn · Winter
CALORIES · 100 G
GI
POTASSIUM · 100 G
FIBER · 100 G
4 piece (medium) of Lightly Fried Meatballs (120 g) has 300 calories. That works out to 250 calories per 100 g. It contains 3.6 g of carbs, 28.8 g of protein, 19.8 g of fat and 0.2 g of fiber. Its 2.5 µg of B12 covers 105% of the Daily Value. Its glycemic index is 5 (low), so it raises blood sugar slowly.
Selected: 4 piece (medium) · 120 g
300
KCAL / 120G
Carbs
3.6g
· 1% DV
Protein
28.8g
· 58% DV
Fat
19.8g
· 25% DV
Fiber
0.2g
· 1% DV
DV is the share of the daily value covered, on a 2,000 kcal reference diet.
Calories come from: Carbs 5% · Protein 37% · Fat 58%
| Nutrient | Amount | % DV |
|---|---|---|
| Calories | 300 kcal | |
| Total fat | 19.8 g | 25% |
| Saturated fat | 7.56 g | 38% |
| Trans fat | 0.72 g | |
| Sodium | 456 mg | 20% |
| Total carbohydrate | 3.6 g | 1% |
| Fiber | 0.2 g | 1% |
| Protein | 28.8 g | 58% |
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 |
|---|---|---|
| 4 piece (medium) | 120 g | 300 kcal |
| 1 piece (mini) | 30 g | 75 kcal |
| 2 piece (small) | 60 g | 150 kcal |
| 3 piece (medium) | 90 g | 225 kcal |
| 100 g | 100 g | 250 kcal |
| 5 piece (large) | 150 g | 375 kcal |
| 1 serving (medium) | 150 g | 375 kcal |
| 6 piece (large) | 180 g | 450 kcal |
| 1 serving (large) | 225 g | 563 kcal |
Calculated from 250 calories per 100 g.
Lightly fried meatballs are made by mixing ground meat with seasoning and a binder such as breadcrumbs, shaping the mixture, then browning the patties in a lightly oiled pan. Let the mixture rest before shaping so the meatballs hold together better.
Lightly fried meatballs often fall apart when the mixture is too wet, under-mixed, or moved before the underside has browned. Squeeze excess liquid from grated onion, chill the shaped meatballs briefly, and turn them gently with a thin spatula.
Keep lightly fried meatballs tender by avoiding very lean mince, overworking the mixture, and cooking them for too long. Shape them evenly and use moderate heat so the outside browns without leaving the center raw or drying out the meat.
Yes, lightly fried meatballs can be cooked in an air fryer, though they will not have exactly the same pan-browned surface. Arrange them in a single layer, turn them partway through, and make sure the centers are fully cooked.
Usually, lightly fried meatballs are cooked uncovered so moisture can escape and the surfaces can brown. If thick meatballs brown before the middle cooks, lower the heat and briefly cover the pan, then uncover it again to finish browning.
Yes, you can shape lightly fried meatballs ahead and keep them covered in the refrigerator until cooking. Keep raw meat separate from ready-to-eat foods, and cook the meatballs thoroughly; do not leave the uncooked mixture at room temperature.
Reheat lightly fried meatballs gently in a covered pan with a small splash of water or broth. Turn them once and heat until the centers are hot; prolonged high heat makes the meat firm and can dry the surface.
Lightly fried meatballs go well with mashed potatoes, rice, roasted vegetables, or a crisp salad. For a sandwich, pair them with soft bread, sliced onion, and a tangy sauce; choose sides that balance the browned, savory meat.
Yes, cooked lightly fried meatballs freeze well when cooled and packed airtight. Freeze them in a single layer first if you want to take out individual pieces, then thaw safely and reheat until steaming hot throughout.
Lightly fried meatballs are fully cooked when the center reaches 71°C (160°F), the safe temperature for ground meat. Check the thickest one with a food thermometer rather than relying only on a browned exterior.
Vitamins
B12
2.52µg · 105% DV
B3
6.48mg · 41% DV
B6
0.37mg · 22% DV
B2
0.26mg · 20% DV
Minerals
Zinc
6.12mg · 56% DV
Selenium
25µg · 45% DV
Phosphorus
246mg · 35% DV
Sodium
456mg · 20% DV
Potassium ⭐
402mg · 12% DV
GLYCEMIC INDEX
GLYCEMIC LOAD
Accounts for portion size — a more realistic measure than GI alone.
To burn the 300 calories in 4 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.
Lightly Fried Meatballs are Turkish-style köfte: seasoned ground meat shaped into small, often oval patties and cooked in a pan with a little oil. Recipes vary by household, with additions such as onion, herbs and sometimes breadcrumbs or soaked bread to keep the mixture tender.
The outside browns while the middle stays soft and savoury. In Turkey, köfte commonly appears at lunch or dinner with rice, bread, salad or grilled vegetables, and may also be tucked into a sandwich or wrap. It is high in protein, with 24 g per 100 g. For a lighter plate, pair it with fresh vegetables and use just enough oil to coat the pan.
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.
No known major allergens
Vegan
— Not suitable
Vegetarian
— Not suitable
Gluten-Free
— Not suitable
Dairy-Free
— Not suitable
Mediterranean
✓ Suitable
Paleo
✓ Suitable
Whole30
— Not suitable
DASH
— Not suitable
Keto
— Not suitable
Low FODMAP
— Not suitable
SATURATED
7.56g
MONOUNSATURATED
8.64g
POLYUNSATURATED
1.08g
Omega 6:3 ratio 7.8:1
Above the ideal 4:1 (7.8:1).
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Nutrition data compiled from USDA FoodData Central and scientific sources.