Savory Turkey Bento Bites
These Savory Turkey Bento Bites are a delightful twist on traditional hamburgers, perfect for our adventurous days out in nature. My kids and I relish our Wednesday excursions, whether we’re hiking through the woods, biking along scenic trails, or discovering hidden gems via letterboxing. We always pack a hearty bento lunch, and these turkey bites are the favorite protein option! They are crafted to be mess-free and easy to eat, providing a tender, flavorful experience without the need for messy condiments. The key is to combine savory ingredients that create moist patties, all while ensuring they hold their shape. This recipe allows for customization and makes excellent leftovers, encouraging creativity in your bento box. Nutritional and fun, these bento bites are designed to keep energy levels up during our outdoor adventures.
N/A
Servings
N/A
Calories
11
Ingredients
Ingredients
fine dry breadcrumb
1 cup (none)
Havarti cheese with dill
1 cup (grated)
prepared horseradish
3 tablespoons (none)
dried onion
3 tablespoons (none)
salt or Creole seasoning
1 teaspoon (none)
cottage cheese
1/2 cup (or substitute with 1/4 cup of dairy)
large egg
1 (beaten)
ground turkey
1.5 lbs (none)
butter
1/2 cup (melted)
ketchup
1/2 cup (none)
soy sauce
1-2 tablespoons (none)
Instructions
1
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and prepare a baking sheet by lining it with parchment paper or aluminum foil.
2
Lightly coat the parchment or foil with cooking spray to prevent sticking.
3
In a large mixing bowl, combine the fine dry breadcrumbs, grated Havarti cheese, prepared horseradish, dried onion, and salt (or your preferred spice mix).
4
Add in the cottage cheese and egg into the mixture. Blend well and let it rest for about 5 minutes, allowing the breadcrumbs to soften.
5
Gently fold in the ground turkey until thoroughly combined, taking care not to overwork the mixture as it will be quite soft.
6
Shape the mixture into evenly sized balls that are suitable for your bento box, then flatten them slightly to resemble patties.
7
Place the patties on the prepared baking sheet and bake for 20 minutes.
8
Meanwhile, prepare the basting sauce by mixing the melted butter, ketchup, and soy sauce in a small bowl.
9
After 20 minutes, flip the patties carefully and return them to the oven. Continue baking until cooked through, about another 20 minutes, depending on the size of the patties.
10
Approximately 20 minutes before the patties are fully cooked, baste one side with the prepared sauce before returning them to the oven for an additional 10 minutes.
11
Afterwards, turn the patties, baste the other side, and bake for the remaining 10 minutes until fully cooked.
12
Once done, let them cool slightly before packing into your bento box. Enjoy your outdoor adventures!
Nutrition Information
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What are Savory Turkey Bento Bites?
Savory Turkey Bento Bites are flavorful, tender turkey patties designed to be a mess-free protein option for bento box lunches.
What oven temperature is required for this recipe?
The oven should be preheated to 350 degrees Fahrenheit (175 degrees Celsius).
How much ground turkey is needed?
The recipe calls for 1.5 lbs of ground turkey.
What type of cheese is used in these bento bites?
The recipe uses 1 cup of grated Havarti cheese with dill.
Can I substitute the cottage cheese?
Yes, you can substitute the 1/2 cup of cottage cheese with 1/4 cup of another dairy product.
How long should the mixture rest before adding the turkey?
Allow the mixture to rest for about 5 minutes so the breadcrumbs can soften.
What is in the basting sauce?
The basting sauce is a mixture of 1/2 cup melted butter, 1/2 cup ketchup, and 1 to 2 tablespoons of soy sauce.
How do I prevent the patties from sticking to the baking sheet?
Line the baking sheet with parchment paper or aluminum foil and lightly coat it with cooking spray.
What seasoning is recommended for these bites?
You can use 1 teaspoon of salt or Creole seasoning.
How much horseradish is used in the recipe?
The recipe uses 3 tablespoons of prepared horseradish.
Is the onion fresh or dried?
The recipe requires 3 tablespoons of dried onion.
How should the turkey be added to the mixture?
Gently fold the ground turkey into the mixture without overworking it to keep the patties soft.
What shape should the bento bites be?
Shape them into balls suitable for your bento box and then flatten them slightly to resemble small patties.
How long do the patties bake before being flipped?
Bake the patties for 20 minutes before flipping them carefully.
When should I apply the basting sauce?
Start basting approximately 20 minutes before the patties are fully cooked, applying sauce to each side for the final stages of baking.
How long is the final bake after basting?
Baste one side and bake for 10 minutes, then turn, baste the other side, and bake for a final 10 minutes.
What makes these ideal for outdoor activities?
They are designed to be mess-free and easy to eat without the need for extra condiments during hiking or biking.
Can children enjoy these turkey bites?
Yes, they are a family-friendly favorite and specifically designed for kids' bento lunches.
Are these turkey bites good for leftovers?
Yes, this recipe allows for customization and makes excellent leftovers for future meals.
How much soy sauce is in the recipe?
The recipe calls for 1 to 2 tablespoons of soy sauce.
What type of breadcrumbs are best for this recipe?
The recipe specifies 1 cup of fine dry breadcrumbs.
Does the egg need to be prepared in a specific way?
One large egg should be beaten before being added to the mixture.
What kind of activities are suggested for these bento bites?
They are perfect for hiking, biking, and letterboxing excursions.
How many ingredients are in this recipe?
There are 11 ingredients in total for the turkey bites and basting sauce.
Are condiments necessary when eating these?
No, they are crafted to be flavorful and moist enough to enjoy without messy condiments.
Should the bites be packed while hot?
It is recommended to let them cool slightly before packing them into a bento box.
What provides the moisture in these turkey patties?
The combination of cottage cheese, Havarti cheese, and the butter-based basting sauce helps keep them moist.
Is there a specific way to prepare the Havarti cheese?
The Havarti cheese should be grated before mixing.
Can I use aluminum foil on the baking sheet?
Yes, you can use either parchment paper or aluminum foil to line the sheet.
How long is the total baking time?
The total baking time is approximately 60 minutes: 20 initially, 20 after flipping, and 20 during the basting stages.