Meatballs are one of the most classic foods around. Whether you’re having them on top of spaghetti and meatballs or packed inside of a meatball sub, these tasty morsels are hard to beat as a delicious and versatile comfort food. But for a lot of people these days, red meat is off the menu. Here, we’ll dive into Trader Joe’s Turkey Meatballs to find out how they compare to the classic.
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Does Trader Joe’s Have Turkey Meatballs?
Trader Joe’s carries turkey meatballs in their frozen section. These convenient freezer meatballs are fully cooked and flame broiled, so all they need is to be heated before being served.
For those of you who aren’t shying away from red meat, Trader Joe’s also carries Italian Style Meatballs made from beef. And for any vegans out there, they also carry Meatless Meatballs.
How Much Is Trader Joe’s Turkey Meatballs?
Each bag of approximately 12 turkey meatballs at Trader Joe’s costs $4.99. At over 30 cents per meatball, I’m not actually sure how great of a deal that is. Keep reading to find out whether the nutrition and taste of these lean meatballs makes the price worth it.
Are Trader Joe’s Turkey Meatballs Healthy?
Turkey is typically thought of as a healthy and flavorful alternative to other meats such as beef and pork. So, in that respect, Trader Joe’s Turkey Meatballs can certainly be considered a lean, white-meat alternative to beef meatballs. However, due to their processed nature and added sugar content, Trader Joe’s Turkey Meatballs unfortunately aren’t the healthiest meat option out there. Especially for anyone with food allergies, these meatballs are probably best avoided, as they contain gluten, soy, and corn.
In addition to the expected ingredients such as turkey meat and seasonings, these flame-broiled meatballs also contain soy protein, corn syrup, and “mechanically separated” (in other words, processed) turkey meat. Due to these additions to the otherwise basic recipe, Trader Joe’s Turkey Meatballs contain 30 mg of cholesterol in just 2 meatballs, as well as 100 calories and 400 mg of sodium. They do, however, offer 12 grams of protein and just 1 gram of sugar per serving despite the added sugar.
How To Cook Trader Joe’s Turkey Meatballs?
The great thing about Trader Joe’s Turkey Meatballs is that they come fully cooked so that all you have to do is heat them to serve. These meatballs can be heated in a variety of ways, including microwaving, pan-frying, baking, and air-frying. They can also be added to soups or stews, casseroles, pastas, and more.
Here are some recipe ideas from Trader Joe’s that use their turkey meatballs:
What To Serve With Trader Joe’s Turkey Meatballs?
Meatballs are a super versatile food that can be served with a wide variety of side dishes and complimentary ingredients. Here are some ideas of foods to serve with Trader Joe’s Turkey Meatballs:
- Pasta
- Sub sandwiches
- Soups and stews
- Dipping sauces (ranch, BBQ, hot sauce, etc.)
Are Trader Joe’s Turkey Meatballs Good?
According to Trader Joe’s Grocery Reviews, Trader Joe’s Turkey Meatballs are good, but not quite as good as their regular meatballs (made with beef). They apparently have a slightly less meaty taste and texture, probably because they contain a few additives in addition to turkey meat. But as far as ease and convenience go, these pre-cooked meatballs are hard to beat.
According to Freezer Meal Frenzy, Trader Joe’s Turkey Meatballs make a better snack than a full meal since you’d probably have to eat the entire package to actually feel full. These reviewers also noted the subtler meat taste when compared to other meatballs and also noted that they seemed somewhat rubbery after being microwaved.
FAQs
How long do Trader Joe’s frozen turkey meatballs last?
Frozen ground meat, including frozen turkey meatballs, typically lasts between 3 and 4 months in the freezer. If kept in the refrigerator, meat should be consumed within 3-5 days.
Are Trader Joe’s turkey meatballs Whole30?
No. Trader Joe’s Turkey Meatballs are considered a processed food and contain additives such as gluten, soy, and corn syrup that are restricted from the Whole30 diet.
Is Trader Joe’s Turkey meatballs vegan?
No. Trader Joe’s Turkey Meatballs are made of real turkey meat and are not vegan. Trader Joe’s does, however, sell a Meatless Meatball.
Is Trader Joe’s Turkey meatballs gluten free?
No. Trader Joe’s Turkey Meatballs contain breadcrumbs and are not gluten free.
Can you cook Trader Joe’s Turkey meatballs in an air fryer?
Yes! Meatballs can be cooked in the air fryer no problem. Check out this 5-star recipe from Well Plated to find out how to do it.
Conclusion
As far as meatballs go, Trader Joe’s Turkey Meatballs might not be exactly what you would imagine. With a subtler taste than more traditional red meat-based meatballs and with the addition of some extra ingredients, Trader Joe’s Turkey Meatballs are a bit non-traditional, but they’re still a lean and tasty snack. With a relatively low price, though, they’re worth a try as a convenient freezer food to pop in the microwave or air fryer when you’re feeling hungry.
