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Several small, round, slightly uneven meatballs with browned, lightly textured surfaces are served plain on a plate, with no sauce.
●Low GI
💪High Protein

Meatball (without sauce) Calories

Classic meatball made from ground beef or mixed meat, without sauce

In season: Spring · Summer · Autumn · Winter

CALORIES · 100 G

210kcal

GI

35low

POTASSIUM · 100 G

260mg

FIBER · 100 G

0.5g

Quick answer

3 piece (medium) of Meatball (without sauce) (90 g) has 189 calories. That works out to 210 calories per 100 g. It contains 6.3 g of carbs, 14 g of protein, 11.7 g of fat and 0.5 g of fiber. Its 1.2 µg of B12 covers 49% of the Daily Value. Its glycemic index is 35 (low), so it raises blood sugar slowly.

Meatball (without sauce) Nutrition Facts

Selected: 3 piece (medium) · 90 g

189

KCAL / 90G

Carbs

6.3g

· 2% DV

Protein

14g

· 28% DV

Fat

11.7g

· 15% DV

Fiber

0.5g

· 2% DV

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

Calories come from: Carbs 14% · Protein 30% · Fat 56%

Meatball (without sauce) nutrition facts table · 3 piece (medium) (90 g)

NutrientAmount% DV
Calories189 kcal
Total fat11.7 g15%
Saturated fat4.5 g23%
Trans fat0.09 g
Sodium369 mg16%
Total carbohydrate6.3 g2%
Fiber0.5 g2%
Protein14 g28%

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 3 Pieces of Meatball (without sauce)?

ServingAmountCalories
3 piece (medium)90 g189 kcal
1 piece (thin)20 g42 kcal
1 piece (small)30 g63 kcal
1 piece (thick)45 g95 kcal
2 piece (medium)60 g126 kcal
100 g100 g210 kcal
1 serving (large)120 g252 kcal
5 piece (large)150 g315 kcal
1 serving (extra large)200 g420 kcal

Calculated from 210 calories per 100 g.

Frequently Asked Questions About Meatball (without sauce)

What are meatballs without sauce?

Meatballs without sauce are seasoned balls or patties of ground meat served without a sauce poured over or alongside them. The name describes how they are served, not one fixed recipe; ingredients and cooking methods vary.

How do you make meatballs without sauce?

Mix ground meat with seasoning and, if your recipe uses them, egg and breadcrumbs or soaked bread. Shape the mixture, then pan-fry, bake, or grill the meatballs without sauce until they are cooked through.

Why do meatballs without sauce fall apart?

Meatballs without sauce often fall apart when the mixture is too wet, poorly bound, or turned before a crust forms. Drain excess liquid from grated onion, mix the ingredients evenly, and let the shaped meatballs rest before cooking.

What meat is best for meatballs without sauce?

Ground beef or a beef-and-pork mixture both work well for meatballs without sauce. Meat with some fat usually makes a juicier result, while very lean ground meat can turn dry; the best choice also depends on your preferred flavor.

Are meatballs without sauce better baked, pan-fried, or grilled?

Meatballs without sauce can be baked, pan-fried, or grilled, and none is universally best. Pan-frying gives a browned crust, baking is convenient for cooking a batch, and grilling adds a smoky flavor; cook them thoroughly whichever method you use.

How can you tell when meatballs without sauce are cooked through?

The safest way to check meatballs without sauce is to measure the center with a food thermometer: ground beef should reach 160°F (71°C). Without a thermometer, cut one open and make sure the center is no longer raw, though appearance is less reliable.

Can you freeze meatballs without sauce?

Yes, you can freeze meatballs without sauce either raw or cooked. Freeze raw pieces separately before packing them together so they do not stick; cool cooked meatballs first, then store them in a tightly sealed freezer-safe container.

What should you serve with meatballs without sauce?

Serve meatballs without sauce with pasta, rice, roasted vegetables, salad, or mashed potatoes. Since there is no sauce to add moisture, a fresh salad, a dip, or a little cooking juice can make the plate feel less dry.

How do you keep meatballs without sauce moist?

Use ground meat that is not extremely lean, avoid overmixing, and stop cooking the meatballs without sauce as soon as they are safely done. Letting them rest briefly after cooking also helps keep their juices from running out when cut.

How long do cooked meatballs without sauce last in the fridge?

Cooked meatballs without sauce keep for about three to four days in a refrigerator at 40°F (4°C) or colder. Refrigerate them promptly in a covered container, and reheat only the portion you plan to eat until it is steaming hot.

Meatball (without sauce) Vitamins & Minerals

Vitamins

B12

1.17µg · 49% DV

B3

2.88mg · 18% DV

B5

0.63mg · 13% DV

B2

0.16mg · 12% DV

Minerals

Zinc

2.52mg · 23% DV

Phosphorus

131mg · 19% DV

Selenium

9µg · 16% DV

Sodium

369mg · 16% DV

Potassium ⭐

234mg · 7% DV

Meatball (without sauce) Glycemic Index

GLYCEMIC INDEX

35
Low
0 Low5570100

GLYCEMIC LOAD

1.8
Low

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

How to Burn Off Meatball (without sauce)

To burn the 189 calories in 3 piece (medium) (90 g):

🚶

47min

Walking (5 km/h)

🏃

19min

Running (8 km/h)

🚴

26min

Cycling

🏊

22min

Swimming

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

What is Meatball (without sauce)?

Meatball (without sauce) is a shaped, cooked patty made from ground beef or a mixture of meats. In Turkey, köfte is a familiar home-cooked and restaurant dish, with seasonings and shapes that vary from one family or region to another. This version is served without a sauce, so the browned exterior and savoury meat remain the focus.

It makes an easy main meal alongside rice, bread, grilled vegetables or salad; in Turkey, yoghurt is another common pairing. It provides protein, with 15.5 g per 100 g, and is filling without needing a rich accompaniment. For a lighter plate, choose leaner mince, grill the meatballs and serve them with plenty of vegetables.

How Nutritious Is Meatball (without sauce)?

Nutrient density

Medium

55/ 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

45/ 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 Meatball (without sauce) Processed?

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.

Does Meatball (without sauce) Contain Allergens?

Contains these allergens:

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

Which Diets Is Meatball (without sauce) 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

Meatball (without sauce) Fat Profile

SATURATED

4.5g

MONOUNSATURATED

4.95g

POLYUNSATURATED

0.9g

⚖️

Omega 6:3 ratio 3.3:1

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

Compare Meatball (without sauce)

🥩vs🥩
Meatball (without sauce) vs Ground Beef40 kcal fewer per 100 g
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🥩vs🍢
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🥩vs🥩
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🥩vs🍗
Meatball (without sauce) vs Smoked Turkey100 kcal more per 100 g
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Foods Similar to Meatball (without sauce)

🥩

Ground Beef

250 kcal

🍢

Chicken Skewer

140 kcal

🥩

Sauteed Lamb

230 kcal

🍗

Smoked Turkey

110 kcal

🥩

Beef Kavurma

230 kcal

🍆🍖

Meatballs with Eggplant Purée

155 kcal

🥩

Beef Cubed

250 kcal

🍗

Chicken (Sauteed)

165 kcal

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Nutrition data compiled from USDA FoodData Central and scientific sources.