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Traditional dish with meat, chickpea, and small bulgur dumplings; balanced in protein and fiber
In season: Autumn · Winter
CALORIES · 100 G
GI
POTASSIUM · 100 G
FIBER · 100 G
1 serving (medium) of Meat chickpea topalak (250 g) has 320 calories. That works out to 128 calories per 100 g. It contains 31 g of carbs, 20.3 g of protein, 12.8 g of fat and 6.5 g of fiber. Its 1.3 µg of B12 covers 54% of the Daily Value. Its glycemic index is 42 (low), so it raises blood sugar slowly.
Selected: 1 serving (medium) · 250 g
320
KCAL / 250G
Carbs
31g
· 11% DV
Protein
20.3g
· 41% DV
Fat
12.8g
· 16% DV
Fiber
6.5g
· 23% DV
DV is the share of the daily value covered, on a 2,000 kcal reference diet.
Calories come from: Carbs 39% · Protein 25% · Fat 36%
| Nutrient | Amount | % DV |
|---|---|---|
| Calories | 320 kcal | |
| Total fat | 12.8 g | 16% |
| Saturated fat | 4 g | 20% |
| Trans fat | 0.1 g | |
| Sodium | 600 mg | 26% |
| Total carbohydrate | 31 g | 11% |
| Fiber | 6.5 g | 23% |
| Protein | 20.3 g | 41% |
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 |
|---|---|---|
| 1 serving (medium) | 250 g | 320 kcal |
| 1 piece (small) | 22 g | 28 kcal |
| 100 g | 100 g | 128 kcal |
| 6 piece (medium) | 132 g | 169 kcal |
| 1 serving (small) | 180 g | 230 kcal |
| 1 cup (medium) | 240 g | 307 kcal |
| 1 serving (large) | 350 g | 448 kcal |
| 1.5 cup (large) | 360 g | 461 kcal |
| 2 cup (jumbo) | 480 g | 614 kcal |
Calculated from 128 calories per 100 g.
Meat chickpea topalak is a Turkish stew of meat and chickpeas cooked with small bulgur dumplings. The broth is commonly flavored with onion and tomato or pepper paste, while dumpling ingredients and seasoning vary among household recipes.
To make meat chickpea topalak, cook the meat and chickpeas until tender, then simmer them with small bulgur dumplings in seasoned broth. The dumpling mixture is kneaded and rolled into little pieces before it goes into the pot.
The dumplings in meat chickpea topalak can fall apart if the bulgur mixture is too loose or has not been kneaded enough to bind. Shape them firmly and add them to the simmering stew gently, avoiding frequent stirring until they set.
Meat chickpea topalak is associated particularly with Central Anatolian cooking, including the Konya area, though versions are made elsewhere in Türkiye. Recipes differ in the meat used, the dumpling mixture, and how the broth is seasoned.
Meat chickpea topalak dumplings are usually made with fine bulgur, flour, and seasonings, with water added to form a kneadable mixture. Some cooks use additional binders or adjust the proportions, so the dumplings can vary in texture.
Meat chickpea topalak is commonly made with cubed beef or lamb, while some recipes use ground meat. Cubed meat is usually simmered until tender before the chickpeas and bulgur dumplings finish cooking in the broth.
Meat chickpea topalak is served hot as a hearty main dish. Plain yogurt, pickles, or a fresh salad make suitable accompaniments; because the stew already contains chickpeas and bulgur dumplings, rice or bread is optional.
Yes, meat chickpea topalak can be made without chickpeas, although it will be a variation rather than the usual combination. The meat and bulgur dumplings can still cook in a tomato-seasoned broth, with cooking time adjusted to suit the recipe.
Meat chickpea topalak keeps for about three days in the refrigerator when cooled promptly and stored in a covered container. Reheat it thoroughly in a saucepan; add a little water if the bulgur dumplings have thickened the broth.
Yes, meat chickpea topalak can be frozen in airtight portions, though the bulgur dumplings may soften or break up after thawing. Defrost it in the refrigerator and reheat gently on the stove, stirring as little as possible.
Vitamins
B12
1.3µg · 54% DV
B3
4.75mg · 30% DV
B6
0.35mg · 21% DV
Biotin
5.25µg · 18% DV
Minerals
Manganese
1.05mg · 46% DV
Selenium
25µg · 45% DV
Copper
0.4mg · 44% DV
Phosphorus
255mg · 36% DV
Sodium
600mg · 26% DV
Potassium ⭐
570mg · 17% DV
GLYCEMIC INDEX
GLYCEMIC LOAD
Accounts for portion size — a more realistic measure than GI alone.
To burn the 320 calories in 1 serving (medium) (250 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.
Meat chickpea topalak is a Turkish home-style stew of meat and chickpeas cooked with small, hand-rolled bulgur dumplings. Topalak is associated with regional cooking across Turkey, including parts of central and southern Anatolia, and recipes vary from household to household.
The broth sits between a soup and a stew, with tender chickpeas and soft, pleasantly chewy dumplings. In Turkey it is served hot as a filling main meal, often alongside salad, pickles or yogurt; it also works well as a warming supper. Meat and chickpeas contribute protein, while the chickpeas and bulgur provide fibre. A 100 g portion has 8.1 g of protein. For a lighter pot, choose leaner meat and keep the added oil modest.
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
4g
MONOUNSATURATED
5g
POLYUNSATURATED
1.88g
Omega 6:3 ratio 11.9:1
Above the ideal 4:1 (11.9:1).
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Nutrition data compiled from USDA FoodData Central and scientific sources.