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Traditional meatball made with bulgur and ground meat
CALORIES · 100 G
GI
POTASSIUM · 100 G
FIBER · 100 G
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.
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%
| Nutrient | Amount | % DV |
|---|---|---|
| Calories | 103 kcal | |
| Total fat | 5.4 g | 7% |
| Saturated fat | 1.85 g | 9% |
| Trans fat | 0.08 g | |
| Sodium | 144 mg | 6% |
| Total carbohydrate | 7.1 g | 3% |
| Fiber | 1 g | 4% |
| Protein | 6 g | 12% |
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 piece (medium) | 45 g | 103 kcal |
| 1 piece (small) | 30 g | 68 kcal |
| 1 piece (large) | 65 g | 148 kcal |
| ½ cup (shredded) | 80 g | 182 kcal |
| 2 piece (double) | 90 g | 205 kcal |
| 100 g | 100 g | 228 kcal |
| 3 piece (triple) | 135 g | 308 kcal |
| 1 serving (medium) | 150 g | 342 kcal |
| 1 serving (large) | 220 g | 502 kcal |
Calculated from 228 calories per 100 g.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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
GLYCEMIC INDEX
GLYCEMIC LOAD
Accounts for portion size — a more realistic measure than GI alone.
To burn the 103 calories in 1 piece (medium) (45 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.
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.
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
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.