Turkey Meatballs with Lemony Brown Rice and Sun-Dried Tomatoes
By America's Test KitchenPublished on December 9, 2019
Time
1½ hours
Yield
Serves 4
Ingredients
1 slice hearty 100 percent whole-wheat sandwich bread, torn into 1-inch pieces1 pound organic 93 percent lean ground turkey 1 large organic egg 4 scallions, white and green parts separated and sliced thin¼ cup chopped fresh parsley 2 teaspoons grated lemon zest plus 2 tablespoons juiceSalt and pepper 2 tablespoons cold-pressed extra-virgin olive oil 1 cup long-grain brown rice, rinsed3 garlic cloves, minced4 cups homemade or low-sodium chicken broth ½ cup oil-packed sun-dried tomatoes, rinsed, patted dry, and sliced thin¼ cup grated Parmesan cheese
Before You Begin
Be sure to use 93 percent lean ground turkey, not 99 percent fat-free ground turkey breast, or the meatballs will be tough. You will need a 12-inch nonstick skillet with a tight-fitting lid.
Instructions
- Pulse bread in food processor to fine crumbs, 10 to 15 pulses; transfer to large bowl. Add turkey, egg, 3 tablespoons scallion greens, 2 tablespoons parsley, 1½ teaspoons lemon zest, ½ teaspoon salt, and ½ teaspoon pepper to bowl and using your hands, gently knead mixture until combined. Using wet hands, roll heaping tablespoons of meat mixture into meatballs and transfer to baking sheet. (You should have 20 meatballs.) Cover with greased plastic wrap and refrigerate for 15 minutes.
- Heat oil in 12-inch nonstick skillet over medium-high heat until shimmering. Add meatballs and cook until well browned all over, 5 to 7 minutes. Transfer meatballs to paper towel-lined plate.
- Return now-empty skillet to medium-high heat. Stir in rice and cook until edges of rice begin to turn translucent, about 1 minute. Add scallion whites and garlic and cook until fragrant, about 1 minute. Stir in broth and remaining ½ teaspoon lemon zest and juice and bring to boil.
- Reduce heat to medium-low, cover, and cook for 15 minutes. Return meatballs to skillet, cover, and cook until rice is tender and meatballs are cooked through, about 15 minutes.
- Off heat, scatter sun-dried tomatoes over rice and let sit, covered, for 5 minutes. Sprinkle with Parmesan, remaining scallion greens, and remaining 2 tablespoons parsley. Serve.
Time
1½ hoursYield
Serves 4Ingredients
1 slice hearty 100 percent whole-wheat sandwich bread, torn into 1-inch pieces
1 pound organic 93 percent lean ground turkey
1 large organic egg
4 scallions, white and green parts separated and sliced thin
¼ cup chopped fresh parsley
2 teaspoons grated lemon zest plus 2 tablespoons juice
Salt and pepper
2 tablespoons cold-pressed extra-virgin olive oil
1 cup long-grain brown rice, rinsed
3 garlic cloves, minced
4 cups homemade or low-sodium chicken broth
½ cup oil-packed sun-dried tomatoes, rinsed, patted dry, and sliced thin
¼ cup grated Parmesan cheese
Test Kitchen Techniques
Ingredients
1 slice hearty 100 percent whole-wheat sandwich bread, torn into 1-inch pieces
1 pound organic 93 percent lean ground turkey
1 large organic egg
4 scallions, white and green parts separated and sliced thin
¼ cup chopped fresh parsley
2 teaspoons grated lemon zest plus 2 tablespoons juice
Salt and pepper
2 tablespoons cold-pressed extra-virgin olive oil
1 cup long-grain brown rice, rinsed
3 garlic cloves, minced
4 cups homemade or low-sodium chicken broth
½ cup oil-packed sun-dried tomatoes, rinsed, patted dry, and sliced thin
¼ cup grated Parmesan cheese
Test Kitchen Techniques
Ingredients
1 slice hearty 100 percent whole-wheat sandwich bread, torn into 1-inch pieces
1 pound organic 93 percent lean ground turkey
1 large organic egg
4 scallions, white and green parts separated and sliced thin
¼ cup chopped fresh parsley
2 teaspoons grated lemon zest plus 2 tablespoons juice
Salt and pepper
2 tablespoons cold-pressed extra-virgin olive oil
1 cup long-grain brown rice, rinsed
3 garlic cloves, minced
4 cups homemade or low-sodium chicken broth
½ cup oil-packed sun-dried tomatoes, rinsed, patted dry, and sliced thin
¼ cup grated Parmesan cheese
Test Kitchen Techniques
Why This Recipe Works
To perk up the flavor of these mild-mannered ingredients, we used a heavy dose of lemon, garlic, scallions, and parsley. Cooking the brown rice in chicken broth instead of water intensified its richness, adding a meaty backbone to the dish. We scattered sliced sun-dried tomatoes atop the finished dish to add a beautiful pop of red and a sweet, chewy bite. A mere ¼ cup of Parmesan cheese contributed a salty, umami finish.
Before You Begin
Be sure to use 93 percent lean ground turkey, not 99 percent fat-free ground turkey breast, or the meatballs will be tough. You will need a 12-inch nonstick skillet with a tight-fitting lid.
Instructions
- Pulse bread in food processor to fine crumbs, 10 to 15 pulses; transfer to large bowl. Add turkey, egg, 3 tablespoons scallion greens, 2 tablespoons parsley, 1½ teaspoons lemon zest, ½ teaspoon salt, and ½ teaspoon pepper to bowl and using your hands, gently knead mixture until combined. Using wet hands, roll heaping tablespoons of meat mixture into meatballs and transfer to baking sheet. (You should have 20 meatballs.) Cover with greased plastic wrap and refrigerate for 15 minutes.
- Heat oil in 12-inch nonstick skillet over medium-high heat until shimmering. Add meatballs and cook until well browned all over, 5 to 7 minutes. Transfer meatballs to paper towel-lined plate.
- Return now-empty skillet to medium-high heat. Stir in rice and cook until edges of rice begin to turn translucent, about 1 minute. Add scallion whites and garlic and cook until fragrant, about 1 minute. Stir in broth and remaining ½ teaspoon lemon zest and juice and bring to boil.
- Reduce heat to medium-low, cover, and cook for 15 minutes. Return meatballs to skillet, cover, and cook until rice is tender and meatballs are cooked through, about 15 minutes.
- Off heat, scatter sun-dried tomatoes over rice and let sit, covered, for 5 minutes. Sprinkle with Parmesan, remaining scallion greens, and remaining 2 tablespoons parsley. Serve.
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