Turkey Meatballs For Babies And Toddlers

Turkey Meatballs for Babies and Toddlers

Meatballs are so easy to whip up, budget-friendly, and you really can pack in a lot of nutrition into them. And because I make them all the time, they sure are a freezer staple around here. I can always count on them to come to the rescue on days when I’m running on fumes. What makes turkey meatballs special? The rice! In Asian countries, rice porridge is extremely popular as a first food. In fact, it was what my family members insisted was the only food acceptable for my back then baby. They genuinely thought that I had lost my mind when I told them that I was going to do baby led weaning and offer their precious grandson soft finger foods. Oh those were the days… And to make clear, if you’ve decided to take the traditional approach of spoon-feeding purees, that’s perfectly fine! You do You! What’s super important to know is that if you started out with purees, be sure to move forward with texture by 9 months. I can’t emphasize this enough. This will lead to fewer feeding problems down the line and greater food acceptance.

Ingredients

I am highlighting just the ones that need further explanation. The complete list is in the recipe card below.

Ground turkey – I recommend not going any leaner than 93% lean turkey for the best flavor and texture. Feel free to swap with ground chicken, pork, or beef, if you wish. Vegetables – you can use whatever you have on hand. Be sure to chop finely. I love using my mini food chopper for small tasks like this. Go ahead and make extra to enjoy throughout the week in oatmeal, French toast, omelette, etc. Rice – short or medium grain will work best.

Step-by-Step Directions

This is a trick I learned during our trip to Korea! In a small oven-safe dish(es), add some water and place in the pan alongside the meatballs. This helps create steam and helps to achieve tender meatballs.

Tips for Success

Combine all the ingredients before adding the ground turkey. This will allow you to gently mix in the meat. Don’t overwork the meat. Your hands are seriously the best tools for mixing meatballs. You just want to mix until everything is combined. Otherwise, the meatballs will turn out tough. I recommend using a small ice cream scooper to make them the same size. When shaping the balls, work with slightly wet hands to prevent them from sticking to your hands. Otherwise, you may accidentally overwork them. Flip halfway through to prevent the bottoms from browning.

Serving Suggestions

For 6-9 month old baby

Meatballs were one of the first foods I served to both of my kids. Don’t be surprised if not much makes it into your baby’s belly at first. They will most likely just suck on the meatballs, which is great! It allows for:

Exposure to a variety of different flavors and texture Iron and zinc consumption – yes! they are found in the juices Engagement of all senses as they explore food through sight, touch, smell, and taste Development of fine-motor and oral-motor skills (like chewing).

Having said all this, if you’re feeling terrified about offering meatballs to your baby, then don’t! Your baby will sense your energy, and it won’t be good for anyone involved. There are other ways to serve meat (like chicken and beef) and rice, the two main ingredients in these meatballs. So don’t feel pressured. Ever. These meatballs will be here for you when you’re ready. I promise ;). Here’s how to build a well-balanced plate for babies

For 9+ month old baby

You can start cutting the meatballs into bite-sized pieces once your baby develops their pincer grasp.

For toddlers

You can cut the meatballs into small pieces to make them easier to eat. But do continue offering a whole meatball so they can learn to take bites.

Storage

Store in an airtight container for 3-4 days in the refrigerator. Freeze for up to 3 months in freezer safe container or bag. I recommend using the flash freeze method to prevent them from sticking together.