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Small, roughly rounded brown meatballs with a slightly uneven, crisp-looking exterior are served together on a plate, with reddish-brown tarhana coating visible on their surface.
●Low GI

Tarhanabasi meatball Calories

Traditional meatball made with bulgur and ground meat

CALORIES · 100 G

228kcal

GI

42low

POTASSIUM · 100 G

248mg

FIBER · 100 G

2.3g

Quick answer

1 piece (medium) of Tarhanabasi meatball (45 g) has 103 calories. That works out to 228 calories per 100 g. It contains 7.1 g of carbs, 6 g of protein, 5.4 g of fat and 1 g of fiber. Its 0.5 µg of B12 covers 21% of the Daily Value. Its glycemic index is 42 (low), so it raises blood sugar slowly.

Tarhanabasi meatball Nutrition Facts

Selected: 1 piece (medium) · 45 g

103

KCAL / 45G

Carbs

7.1g

· 3% DV

Protein

6g

· 12% DV

Fat

5.4g

· 7% DV

Fiber

1g

· 4% DV

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

Calories come from: Carbs 28% · Protein 24% · Fat 48%

Tarhanabasi meatball nutrition facts table · 1 piece (medium) (45 g)

NutrientAmount% DV
Calories103 kcal
Total fat5.4 g7%
Saturated fat1.85 g9%
Trans fat0.08 g
Sodium144 mg6%
Total carbohydrate7.1 g3%
Fiber1 g4%
Protein6 g12%

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 1 Medium Tarhanabasi meatball?

ServingAmountCalories
1 piece (medium)45 g103 kcal
1 piece (small)30 g68 kcal
1 piece (large)65 g148 kcal
½ cup (shredded)80 g182 kcal
2 piece (double)90 g205 kcal
100 g100 g228 kcal
3 piece (triple)135 g308 kcal
1 serving (medium)150 g342 kcal
1 serving (large)220 g502 kcal

Calculated from 228 calories per 100 g.

Frequently Asked Questions About Tarhanabasi meatball

What is a Tarhanabasi meatball?

A Tarhanabasi meatball is a Turkish-style meatball made with bulgur and ground meat mixed together, rather than a plain meat patty. Recipes may add onion and seasonings, with details varying between household and regional versions.

Is a Tarhanabasi meatball the same as Turkish kofta?

Not exactly. Kofta is a broad family of seasoned meat preparations, while a Tarhanabasi meatball specifically includes bulgur with the ground meat. The bulgur changes the mixture’s texture and helps distinguish this version.

How do you make a Tarhanabasi meatball?

To make a Tarhanabasi meatball, soften the bulgur as directed in your recipe, then knead it with ground meat and seasonings until the mixture holds together. Shape the meatballs and cook them thoroughly using the method in that recipe.

Why do Tarhanabasi meatballs fall apart?

Tarhanabasi meatballs can fall apart when the bulgur has not softened enough or the mixture has not been kneaded until cohesive. Let the bulgur absorb moisture as directed, knead thoroughly, and handle the meatballs gently while cooking.

Where does the Tarhanabasi meatball come from?

The Tarhanabasi meatball belongs to Turkish regional home cooking, but accounts do not consistently identify one place of origin. Local recipes can differ, so it is best not to assign the dish to a single region without a reliable local source.

Can Tarhanabasi meatballs be grilled?

They can be grilled if the mixture is firm enough to hold its shape, though cooking traditions and recipes vary. Shape them evenly and handle them gently; if the mixture is soft, use the cooking method recommended by your recipe instead.

What should you serve with Tarhanabasi meatballs?

Serve Tarhanabasi meatballs with plain yogurt, a crisp salad, or cooked vegetables. Their bulgur-and-meat mixture makes them substantial, so a fresh or tangy side can balance the meal without competing with the meatballs.

Can you prepare Tarhanabasi meatballs ahead of time?

Yes, you can shape Tarhanabasi meatballs ahead and keep them covered in the refrigerator until cooking. Avoid leaving the raw mixture at room temperature, and check that the shaped meatballs have not dried out before you cook them.

Can you freeze Tarhanabasi meatballs?

Yes, Tarhanabasi meatballs can be frozen. Freeze uncooked shaped meatballs in a single layer first, then transfer them to a sealed freezer container; thaw them in the refrigerator before cooking so they keep their shape.

Are Tarhanabasi meatballs the same as tarhana soup?

No. A Tarhanabasi meatball is a bulgur-and-ground-meat dish, while tarhana soup is made with tarhana, a fermented dried mixture commonly prepared with grain and yogurt. The similar names do not mean the dishes are interchangeable.

Tarhanabasi meatball Vitamins & Minerals

Vitamins

B12

0.5µg · 21% DV

B3

1.71mg · 11% DV

B6

0.13mg · 8% DV

Biotin

1.8µg · 6% DV

Minerals

Selenium

6.3µg · 11% DV

Zinc

1.22mg · 11% DV

Phosphorus

70mg · 10% DV

Manganese

0.19mg · 8% DV

Sodium

144mg · 6% DV

Potassium ⭐

112mg · 3% DV

Tarhanabasi meatball Glycemic Index

GLYCEMIC INDEX

42
Low
0 Low5570100

GLYCEMIC LOAD

3.2
Low

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

How to Burn Off Tarhanabasi meatball

To burn the 103 calories in 1 piece (medium) (45 g):

🚶

25min

Walking (5 km/h)

🏃

11min

Running (8 km/h)

🚴

14min

Cycling

🏊

12min

Swimming

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

What is Tarhanabasi meatball?

Tarhanabasi meatball is a traditional Turkish regional dish made by combining bulgur with ground meat, seasoning the mixture and shaping it into meatballs. Recipes vary from household to household, but the bulgur gives the cooked meat a gently grainy, hearty texture, while the seasoning brings a savoury, warming flavour.

It is usually served hot as part of a meal, with salad or yoghurt alongside; it also works well with soup or cooked vegetables. For English-speaking diners, it makes a filling alternative to plain meatballs, with bulgur contributing carbohydrates as well as texture. Each 100 g provides 13.4 g of protein. To keep the plate lighter, bake the meatballs with little or no added oil and serve them with plenty of salad.

How Nutritious Is Tarhanabasi meatball?

Nutrient density

Medium

46/ 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

49/ 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 Tarhanabasi meatball 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 Tarhanabasi meatball Contain Allergens?

Contains these allergens:

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

Which Diets Is Tarhanabasi meatball 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

Tarhanabasi meatball Fat Profile

SATURATED

1.85g

MONOUNSATURATED

2.25g

POLYUNSATURATED

0.54g

⚖️

Omega 6:3 ratio 23:1

Above the ideal 4:1 (23:1).

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Nutrition data compiled from USDA FoodData Central and scientific sources.