These turkey meatballs for baby led weaning are the perfect food to introduce to your baby from six months old. They’re healthy, delicious, and a fun way to learn to eat! Babies, children, and adults alike will love these nutritious turkey meatballs!

They’re really easy to make since there’s no chopping, and no food processing. The meatballs freeze really well too – perfect to reheat when you’re short on time.

Furthermore, aside from seasonings, the recipe is 100% meat. There are no fillers like rice or breadcrumbs. And no egg is needed, either. The turkey sticks together beautifully without any persuasion.

The perfect first finger food

Meatballs really are a great first food for babies following baby led weaning. That’s because the meatballs stay together really well during eating – they won’t crumble away in your baby’s hand. However, given some gentle pressure from gums or teeth, they crumble apart, making them easy to eat.

Developing your baby’s skills

Offering a variety of finger foods to babies is vital to encourage their oral motor development, co-ordination, and fine motor skills. Learning to self-feed with meatballs is a lot of fun, widening your baby’s palate! what an adventure!

Babies increased need for iron at six months

Babies have a high iron-need from six months of age due to their diminishing stores of iron. Thankfully, these meatballs are rich in haem iron, which is more readily absorbed than non-haem iron found in plant sources. Pair the meatballs with a source of vitamin C, like strawberries, peppers, or broccoli to aid the iron’s absorption.

However, if you’re concerned about your child’s iron intake, please contact your doctor.

Protein-rich for baby growth

These meatballs really pack in the protein, which is essential for a growing baby. Meat is a complete protein meaning it contains all the amino acids necessary for growth, repair, and good health.

So, if you’re looking for a meatball recipe for your little one, this is the perfect recipe. All my four kids love turkey meatballs, and they have done since being babies! I hope you and your little ones love it too.

Why is turkey so good for baby led weaning?

These meatballs are high in protein, iron, and are easy to handle for your baby from 6 months. Additionally, turkey is a healthy addition to any diet! It is high in B-complex vitamins niacin, B6 and B12 and the essential nutrient choline.

Is it safe for babies to eat meatballs?

How do you know if your baby developmentally ready for solids? They are six months or older, and sitting up unaided. They will have lost their tongue thrust reflex, too.

Try these turkey meatballs for baby led weaning. They're a great first finger food for babies from six months and loved by all the family. The high-protein & iron-rich turkey meatballs for baby are perfect for busy parents following blw! Try these easy 5 ingredient meatballs today!

We don’t give babies enough credit when it comes to managing food. Because most babies will thrust food out of their mouth with their tongue if they can’t handle it. In general, if a baby tries to swallow something that they can’t manage, they will probably gag.

Gagging is an appropriate mechanism of small babies to keep them safe. And it’s totally normal! It helps to familiarise yourself with the differences between gagging and choking. Additionally, some babies will gag more than others. For this reason, it’s useful to learn what is normal for your baby and how they appear to be managing things.

Will my baby be able to hande a meatball?

Yes, it’s fine. So long as the meatball is at least 5cm, it will be big enough for your baby to grasp. Until your baby has developed a pincer grip, they will gnaw at the ball in their fist. Once they’ve got their pincer grip, you can tear the meatball into small pieces to let them practise using their pincer grip.

Serving suggestions

Here are some ways you can serve turkey meatballs for baby led weaning:

With spaghetti and tomato sauce, for an Italian feast
On a picky plate with fruit, veggies, and yogurt to dip
A deconstructed gyros with strips of pitta bread, Greek yogurt, and cucumber strips
In a chunky tomato soup with butter beans
With mashed potato, low salt gravy and runner beans

Turkey meatballs ingredients

Let’s take a look at what goes into the meatballs.

Turkey thigh mince: Why thigh mince for meatballs? Well, it’s higher in fat and so it gives a moister and tastier meatball. You could use beef, lamb, or pork mince, or even a mixture of different meats. It’s worth bearing in mind that some meats could give a firmer texture, so check that the texture is suitable for your baby before offering it.

Nutmeg and white pepper: Nutmeg and white pepper give these turkey meatballs a really traditional sausage-like taste. Kids and grown ups will love it too. It’s not too overpowering. You can leave these spices out if you want to.

Dried sage: A little dried sage brings a delicate aromatic taste to elevate the flavour of the meatballs. As an alternative meatball flavouring, you could try a bit of fresh sage (finely chopped), or substitute some oregano or marjoram, or experiment with some orange zest or garlic powder.

Olive oil: Light in colour olive oil is a healthy and versatile oil for frying. You can substitute any other suitable frying oil, for instance sunflower or vegetable oil.

Step by step directions

Gather the ingredients.

Mix all the ingredients in a large mixing bowl.

Shape the mixture into 9 evenly sized balls.

Brown the meatballs uncovered for about 15 minutes.

Cover and cook for a further 15 minutes or until done.

Storing instructions

Keep covered in the fridge for 2 to 3 days. Or put them in an airtight container and freeze for 3 months. Use greaseproof paper to stop the meatballs from sticking together.

Print Pin