I’m always lookin for family friendly meals that give my children the valuable protein they need, that pairs well with some complex carbohydrates. These Buffalo Ranch Turkey Meatballs are their new favorite!
No, they don’t like buffalo sauce. But that’s ok! You can make these without and top with buffalo sauce at the table for those that want it. I make all of ours up plain, then bring the hot sauce to the table. Everyone is happy.
If your children are more adventurous than mine, you can mix in a couple tablespoons of hot sauce into the balls for even more balanced flavors.
Why turkey?
I’ve gotten onto a ground turkey kick lately. I’ve found it terribly versatile so I’ve been experimenting with it more than I used to. Ground turkey is a great lean protein source. 1 meatball here has 6g of protein.
Turkey is a great food to support energy, mood, and mental health. It’s rich in tryptophan, an amino acid that helps your body make serotonin, which boosts mood and promotes calm. It also has protein to keep your blood sugar steady—so you’re less likely to crash and get irritable or exhausted.
Plus, turkey has B6, which helps your brain make mood-regulating chemicals, and minerals like zinc, selenium, and ironthat support brain function and help fight fatigue.
For the best effect, pair turkey with a complex carb and some veggies to keep your energy and mood even more stable.
Related: Simple amino acids to aid in depression recovery
What kind of ranch seasoning?
To make yourself, try this recipe here.
If not, ranch seasonings are available near the salad dressings.
Fresh chopped parsley, give these meatballs the color they need.
For the balanced plate,
All meals should be eaten in balance. If you don’t know what I’m talking about, check out this post, for how to build a balanced meal.
You’ll learn what to look for to make your plate nutritiously balanced and understand how it pertains to overall health.
When I meal plan, I start with the protein. After I’ve decided the protein, I pair it with complex fiber rich carbohydrates. Our foods are naturally cooked with quality fats, and by having those elements on our plate- I’ve created a perfectly balanced meal with a macronutrients.
These meatballs I have paired with organic rice, and roasted green beans for perfect fat, carb, protein, fiber balance.
*This post may contain affiliate links. This means I may receive a small commission at no extra cost to you. I do not recommend products I have not personally vetted.*
Test it out and let me know what you think!
Onto the recipe:
Turkey Buffalo Ranch Meatballs
Ingredients
- 1 lb ground turkey
- 1/2 cup GF breadcrumbs
- 1 egg whole
- 3 tablespoons ranch seasoning
- salt
- red pepper flakes optional
- Hot sauce optional
- 1 cup rice rinsed
- 1 lb green beans trimmed
- avocado oil spray
- Fresh parsley chopped
Instructions
- Rinse rice and cook as desired. I prefer cooking my rice in the instant pot in a 1:1 ratio with cold water. Cook at medium pressure for 3 minutes, natural release for 10 minutes. Manual release rest of pressure and it's perfect every time. Recipe here for more details: https://www.pressurecookrecipes.com/instant-pot-rice/
- Mix all meatball ingredients together. Make into balls and put on greased bakings sheet. Bake on 350 degrees for 25 to 30 minutes.
- Spread green beans out on a sheet pan. Sparywith avocado oil spray. Season with salt. Roast at 425* for 15 minutes. (Steam beans if you don't have access to a separate oven for roasting temp)
- Cover meatballs with hot sauce if desired. I keep the hot sauce off initially and bring the bottle to the table.
- Serve with rice and roasted green beans
