Turkey Meatballs and Cilantro Lime Rice

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by Hannah McClure While meatballs are traditionally made with beef and pork, turkey meatballs are a great alternative and offer a wonderful flavor to classic meatball dishes.

For me, the alternative comes due to an intolerance to beef. I was in my early 20s when I noticed that every time I ate beef, I got extremely sick and had to eliminate it completely from my diet. Which meant turkey and chicken took the place of beef in nearly everything. I’ve since learned to add in venison and pork; however, for meatballs and burgers, turkey is still the king in my kitchen.

With some simple ingredients, you can easily whip up this delicious and healthy dish. I hope y’all enjoy.

INGREDIENTS

MEATBALLS:

• 1 pound ground turkey (93% is best)
• ½ cup plus 2 tablespoons panko breadcrumbs
• 2 eggs (if you have large or jumbo eggs, use only one and start with less panko)
• 2 tablespoons taco seasoning of choice
• 2 tablespoons thinly sliced greens from scallions
• 2 cloves garlic, minced

CILANTRO LIME RICE:

• 1½ cups long-grain white rice
• 3 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
• 2¼ cups water
• 1 teaspoon sea salt
• 1 cup chopped cilantro
• Juice and finely grated zest of one lime

INSTRUCTIONS

1. In a medium-sized bowl, mix turkey, panko, eggs, taco seasoning, scallions, and minced garlic till well-blended.
2. Once mixed, spoon out 1 tablespoon of meat and roll into a ball. Place on a parchment-lined baking sheet and repeat till all meat mixture is rolled into meatballs; be sure to leave a little space in between each meatball.
3. Bake Meatballs for 15 to 20 minutes at 400 degrees F.
4. While meatballs cook, prepare cilantro lime rice as follows: In a medium pan, brown rice in olive oil on medium heat.
5. Once rice begins to brown slightly, add water, zest, and salt.
6. Bring to a rolling boil, then cover and reduce heat to low. Simmer for 20 minutes.
7. Remove from heat and let stand for 10 minutes.
8. Add in lime juice and cilantro and stir until just combined.
9. Serve turkey meatballs over cilantro lime rice and enjoy!

*Note: Cooled cooked meatballs can be stored in the freezer for future meals for up to three months.

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HANNAH MCCLURE is an old soul homemaker and mother of four from Ohio. Gardening, keeping bees, sewing, raising chickens/seasonal hogs, and baking/ cooking from scratch are a few things she enjoys in her homemaking. Always learning and always chasing her littles.
Find Hannah on Instagram@muddyoakhennhouse.