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Zaatar Meatballs with Green Tahini Sauce can be made with ground turkey, chicken, lamb or beef. A quick, low carb meal that is full of flavor. #meatballs #zaatar

Zaatar Meatballs with Green Tahini Sauce

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star 4.8 from 23 reviews
  • Author: Sylvia Fountaine
  • Prep Time: 15
  • Cook Time: 20
  • Total Time: 35 minutes
  • Yield: 4 1x
  • Category: main
  • Method: stovetop
  • Cuisine: Middle Eastern
  • Diet: Gluten Free

Description

Zaatar Meatballs with Green Tahini Sauce can be made with ground turkey, chicken, lamb or beef. A quick, low-carb weeknight meal that is full of flavor. Serve with Israeli salad or Lebanese Slaw on the side.


Ingredients

Units Scale

Zaatar Meatballs

  • 1 lb ground turkey, beef, chicken or lamb
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1 tablespoon zaatar spice
  • 1 teaspoon sumac or sub 1 tablespoon lemon zest
  • 1/2 teaspoon turmeric
  • 1/3 cup onion, very finely chopped (or 2-3 scallions)
  • 3 garlic cloves, finely minced
  • 1/41/2 cup chopped herbs (mint, dill, Italian parsley or cilantro- a mix is nice)
  • 1/2 teaspoon aleppo or chili flakes (optional)
  • 12 tablespoons sesame seeds or zaatar to coat (optional)

Green Tahini Sauce

  • 1/2 cup water
  • 2 tablespoons lemon juice
  • 3 tablespoons olive oil
  • 2 fat garlic cloves
  • 3/4 cup fresh herbs (cilantro, Italian parsley, dill or basil or a combo!)
  • 23 slices jalapeno (optional)
  • 1/2- 1 teaspoon salt ( start with 1/2, add more to taste)
  • 1/2 cup tahini paste, stirred

Instructions

  1. Make the meatballs: Place ground meat, salt and spices in a bowl and mix and toss with a fork to distribute evenly. Add onion, garlic, herbs and chili flakes, mixing again with a fork.
  2. With wet hands, knead the mixture a couple of times adding olive oil if need be (please see notes). Divide into 4 balls, then form into 12 meatballs with wet hands (3 meatballs per ball).
  3. Optional: Coat the meatballs in sesame seeds by rolling them or sprinkle lightly with zaatar  (if using zaatar, know it may contain more salt so go light or do a tester first)
  4. Heat a large skillet with 1-2 tablespoon olive oil over medium-low heat, add the meatballs turning as each side gets golden. Lower heat to low to continue cooking all the way through or cook through in a 350F oven.
  5. While the meatballs are cooking make the Green Tahini Sauce: Place all the ingredients (except the tahini paste) in a blender or food processer and blend until combined but not overly smooth. Add tahini paste. Blend until creamy. Taste, and adjust salt, acid and heat. If you want a “looser “sauce, add a little more water until the desired consistency.
  6. Serve the meatballs over the Green Tahini Sauce with a side salad.

Notes

If using very low-fat turkey or chicken, knead in 2 teaspoons olive oil- or meatballs will be rubbery. 😉

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 3 Turkey Meatballs w/ 3 tablespoons Green Tahini Sauce
  • Calories: 387
  • Sugar: 2.7 g
  • Sodium: 796.1 mg
  • Fat: 28.5 g
  • Saturated Fat: 5.1 g
  • Carbohydrates: 10 g
  • Fiber: 2.7 g
  • Protein: 26.2 g
  • Cholesterol: 78.2 mg