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Tarhana, minced meat, spiced meatball, traditional Anatolian dish
In season: Autumn · Winter
CALORIES · 100 G
GI
POTASSIUM · 100 G
FIBER · 100 G
4 piece (medium) of Tarhana meatball (120 g) has 222 calories. That works out to 185 calories per 100 g. It contains 22.2 g of carbs, 12.2 g of protein, 8.6 g of fat and 2.5 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: 4 piece (medium) · 120 g
222
KCAL / 120G
Carbs
22.2g
· 8% DV
Protein
12.2g
· 24% DV
Fat
8.6g
· 11% DV
Fiber
2.5g
· 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 | 222 kcal | |
| Total fat | 8.6 g | 11% |
| Saturated fat | 2.88 g | 14% |
| Trans fat | 0.02 g | |
| Sodium | 504 mg | 22% |
| Total carbohydrate | 22.2 g | 8% |
| Fiber | 2.5 g | 9% |
| Protein | 12.2 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 4 piece (medium) | 120 g | 222 kcal |
| 1 piece (mini) | 30 g | 56 kcal |
| 2 piece (small) | 60 g | 111 kcal |
| 100 g | 100 g | 185 kcal |
| 1 serving (medium) | 150 g | 278 kcal |
| 6 piece (large) | 180 g | 333 kcal |
| 8 piece (extra large) | 240 g | 444 kcal |
| 10 piece (jumbo) | 300 g | 555 kcal |
Calculated from 185 calories per 100 g.
Tarhana meatballs are a traditional Anatolian dish made with tarhana and minced meat. Recipes vary: some mix the tarhana into the meatball mixture, while others cook the shaped meatballs in a broth or sauce.
To make tarhana meatballs, combine tarhana with minced meat and seasonings, shape the mixture into small balls, then cook them according to the recipe. The mixture should hold together when shaped; add the tarhana gradually if its texture varies.
Tarhana gives tarhana meatballs a distinctive tangy, savory flavor and helps make the dish more substantial. Because tarhana is a fermented grain-and-yogurt preparation, its sourness and texture can differ noticeably between homemade batches and regional varieties.
Tarhana meatballs can fall apart if the mixture is too dry, has not been kneaded enough, or is dropped roughly into the cooking liquid. Knead until cohesive, let the shaped balls rest briefly, and lower them gently into the liquid.
No, tarhana meatballs are not simply ordinary meatballs: tarhana is a defining ingredient that changes their flavor and texture. Regular meatballs are usually built around meat and seasonings, whereas tarhana meatballs follow a distinct Anatolian preparation.
Tarhana meatballs are generally made with dried tarhana, crumbled or powdered for mixing. Its coarseness and tartness affect how the mixture comes together, so add it gradually and adjust the texture rather than assuming every variety behaves alike.
Tarhana meatballs are associated with Anatolian home cooking, but there is no single version shared by every region. Local tarhana, seasonings, cooking liquids, and serving customs all shape the dish, so recipes can differ from household to household.
Tarhana meatballs are often served with yogurt, garlic yogurt, or a tomato-based sauce. A simple salad or bread can round out the meal; choose the accompaniment to suit whether the meatballs are served in broth or as a sauced dish.
Yes, cooked tarhana meatballs can be frozen in airtight, meal-sized portions once cooled. Thaw them in the refrigerator and reheat thoroughly; freezing them with their sauce can help keep the meatballs from drying out.
Yes, you can make a meat-free variation of tarhana meatballs, but it will differ from the traditional minced-meat version. Use a recipe designed to bind tarhana with its other ingredients, since simply leaving out the meat can make the mixture crumble.
Vitamins
B12
0.84µg · 35% DV
B3
2.52mg · 16% DV
B5
0.72mg · 14% DV
B2
0.17mg · 13% DV
Minerals
Sodium
504mg · 22% DV
Phosphorus
132mg · 19% DV
Selenium
7.8µg · 14% DV
Zinc
1.44mg · 13% DV
Potassium ⭐
252mg · 7% DV
GLYCEMIC INDEX
GLYCEMIC LOAD
Accounts for portion size — a more realistic measure than GI alone.
To burn the 222 calories in 4 piece (medium) (120 g):
🚶
Walking (5 km/h)
🏃
Running (8 km/h)
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Cycling
🏊
Swimming
Times are calculated with the MET equation for a 70 kg adult. Actual burn varies with your weight, age and pace.
Tarhana meatball is an Anatolian-style dish made by combining tarhana with minced meat and spices, then shaping the mixture into meatballs. Tarhana gives the mixture a distinctive tang, with recipes varying from one household or region to another.
Serve it hot as a main dish, often alongside rice or bulgur, yoghurt, or a fresh salad. The combination makes for a filling meal with both protein and carbohydrates; it provides 10.2 g of protein per 100 g. For a lighter plate, pair it with plenty of salad and use a measured amount of oil when cooking.
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 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.
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
2.88g
MONOUNSATURATED
3.24g
POLYUNSATURATED
0.6g
Omega 6:3 ratio 7:1
Above the ideal 4:1 (7:1).
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Nutrition data compiled from USDA FoodData Central and scientific sources.