Savory Turkey and Sweet Potato Meatballs with Spicy Tomato Sauce
Delight in a wholesome and flavorful adaptation of a traditional Nigerian dish, featuring tender turkey meatballs combined with grated sweet potatoes, carrots, and onions. This healthier twist on a classic comes drenched in a rich, spicy tomato sauce infused with aromatic spices, perfect for enjoying over a bed of rice with a side of greens. The sweetness of the potatoes harmonizes beautifully with the tanginess of the tomatoes and the subtle heat of the peppers, offering a multi-layered taste experience.
N/A
Servings
350
Calories
15
Ingredients
Ingredients
ground turkey
2 lbs (none)
sweet potato
1 medium (peeled and grated)
carrots
2 medium (peeled and grated)
onion
1 large (peeled and grated)
pepper
1 teaspoon (none)
hot pepper sauce
to taste (none)
salt
to taste (none)
palm oil
3 tablespoons (none)
onions
2 medium (finely chopped)
tomato paste
8 ounces (none)
tomatoes
3 (chopped and mashed)
bay leaf
1 (none)
nutmeg
to taste (none)
black pepper
to taste (none)
cayenne pepper
to taste (none)
Instructions
1
To prepare the tomato sauce, heat 3 tablespoons of palm oil in a medium frying pan over medium heat. Add the finely chopped onions and sauté until they are translucent, about 3-4 minutes.
2
Stir in the tomato paste and mashed tomatoes, adding water as needed to ensure a smooth consistency. Season the sauce with the bay leaf, nutmeg, salt, black pepper, and cayenne pepper according to your taste preference.
3
Bring the sauce to a gentle boil, then reduce the heat and let it simmer for 10 minutes while you prepare the meatballs.
4
In a large mixing bowl, combine the ground turkey, grated sweet potato, grated carrots, grated onion, pepper, and a pinch of salt. Mix the ingredients thoroughly to evenly distribute them.
5
Form the mixture into 2-inch (approximately 6 cm) meatballs and place them on a tray. Chill the meatballs in the freezer for at least 10 minutes to help them hold their shape during cooking.
6
Meanwhile, bring a pot of water to a boil and cook the rice according to the package instructions.
7
In a large skillet, heat enough oil to cover the bottom of the pan over medium heat. Once hot, add the chilled meatballs and sear them on all sides until they are browned, about 6-8 minutes.
8
Carefully pour the prepared tomato sauce over the browned meatballs, ensuring they are fully covered. Add a few splashes of hot pepper sauce to enhance the flavor.
9
Bring the sauce to a boil, then reduce the heat to a simmer. Cover the skillet with a lid and let the meatballs cook in the sauce for 20 minutes, allowing the flavors to meld and the meat to cook through.
10
Serve the meatballs hot, generously ladled with the spicy tomato sauce, atop a bed of fluffy rice.
Nutrition Information
25g
Carbs
27g
Protein
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What are Savory Turkey and Sweet Potato Meatballs?
They are a wholesome and flavorful adaptation of a traditional Nigerian dish made with ground turkey, sweet potato, carrots, and onions in a spicy tomato sauce.
How many calories are in one serving?
Each serving contains approximately 350 calories.
What is the protein content of this dish?
This recipe provides 27g of protein per serving.
How many carbohydrates are in this recipe?
There are 25g of carbohydrates per serving.
What ingredients are needed for the meatballs?
The meatballs require ground turkey, grated sweet potato, grated carrots, grated onion, pepper, and salt.
How should the sweet potatoes be prepared?
The sweet potatoes should be peeled and grated before being added to the meatball mixture.
How should the carrots be prepared?
The carrots should be peeled and grated.
What size should the meatballs be?
The mixture should be formed into 2-inch (approximately 6 cm) meatballs.
Why do the meatballs need to be chilled?
Chilling the meatballs in the freezer for at least 10 minutes helps them hold their shape during the cooking process.
What kind of oil is used for the tomato sauce?
The recipe uses 3 tablespoons of palm oil to prepare the tomato sauce.
How long should the onions for the sauce be sautéed?
The finely chopped onions should be sautéed for about 3-4 minutes until they are translucent.
What ingredients make up the tomato sauce?
The sauce consists of palm oil, chopped onions, tomato paste, mashed tomatoes, bay leaf, nutmeg, salt, black pepper, and cayenne pepper.
How much tomato paste is used?
The recipe calls for 8 ounces of tomato paste.
How many fresh tomatoes are needed?
You will need 3 tomatoes, chopped and mashed.
What spices give the sauce its flavor?
The sauce is seasoned with bay leaf, nutmeg, salt, black pepper, and cayenne pepper.
How long does the tomato sauce simmer initially?
The sauce should simmer for 10 minutes while you prepare the meatballs.
How long should the meatballs be seared?
Sear the meatballs on all sides for about 6-8 minutes until they are browned.
How long do the meatballs cook in the sauce?
The meatballs should simmer in the sauce for 20 minutes with the lid covered.
What is the recommended side dish for these meatballs?
The meatballs are best served over a bed of fluffy rice with a side of greens.
Is this recipe spicy?
Yes, it includes cayenne pepper and optional hot pepper sauce to add heat.
How much ground turkey is required?
You will need 2 lbs of ground turkey.
What type of cuisine inspired this dish?
This dish is a healthier adaptation of traditional Nigerian cuisine.
Does the recipe use a bay leaf?
Yes, one bay leaf is added to the tomato sauce for aroma.
Can I add water to the sauce?
Yes, you should add water as needed to ensure the sauce has a smooth consistency.
When should the hot pepper sauce be added?
Add a few splashes of hot pepper sauce after pouring the tomato sauce over the browned meatballs.
How many onions are used in total?
The recipe uses 1 large onion for the meatballs and 2 medium onions for the sauce.
What is the total ingredient count?
There are 15 ingredients used in this recipe.
Is nutmeg used in the meatballs or the sauce?
Nutmeg is used to season the tomato sauce.
What are the tags associated with this recipe?
Tags include turkey meatballs, sweet potato, nigerian cuisine, tomato sauce, spicy, healthy, comfort food, and rice.
How should the meatballs be served?
Serve them hot, generously ladled with the spicy tomato sauce atop rice.