Low Calorie Party Meatballs
Juicy turkey party meatballs in a sweet and tangy sauce. Only 80 calories each with 7g protein. A crowd-pleasing appetizer for any gathering.
Low Calorie Party Meatballs has 80 calories per serving, with 7g protein, 5g carbs, 4g fat, and 0g fiber. Prep 15 min, cook 18 min.
Nutrition per serving
8 serving(s)
80
Calories
7g
Protein
14% DV
5g
Carbs
2% DV
4g
Fat
5% DV
* %DV based on a 2000 calorie diet
📊 80 calories per serving.
🔥 8.8g protein per 100 cal.
Nutrition values are estimates based on standard ingredient data and may vary with the brands and portions you use. How we calculate nutrition.
Prep Time
15 min
Cook Time
18 min
Servings
8
Est. Cost
$7.00
Low Calorie Party Meatballs
The classic grape-jelly meatball appetizer is a party legend - and a calorie bomb hiding in plain sight. This version uses lean ground turkey instead of frozen beef-pork meatballs, and a smaller amount of reduced-sugar jelly and BBQ sauce for the signature sweet-tangy glaze. You still get the sticky, saucy, fork-and-toothpick appeal, but each meatball is just 80 calories with 7 grams of protein. Perfect for game day, potlucks, or a holiday buffet.
Ingredients
- 20 oz lean ground turkey (93/7)
- 1/2 cup panko breadcrumbs
- 1 large egg
- 1 tsp onion powder
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1/2 tsp salt and 1/4 tsp black pepper
- 1/2 cup lower-sugar BBQ sauce
- 1/4 cup reduced-sugar grape jelly
- 1 tbsp apple cider vinegar
Instructions
-
Preheat oven to 400°F and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
-
Mix the ground turkey, panko, egg, onion powder, garlic powder, salt, and pepper in a large bowl just until combined - don’t overmix or the meatballs get tough.
-
Roll into 1-inch meatballs (about 32 total) and arrange on the baking sheet with space between them.
-
Bake for 15-18 minutes, until cooked through and lightly browned.
-
Simmer the BBQ sauce, grape jelly, and vinegar in a large skillet over medium heat until smooth and bubbly, about 3 minutes.
-
Toss the baked meatballs in the sauce to coat. Serve warm with toothpicks, or keep warm in a slow cooker on low.
Nutrition Facts
| Nutrient | Amount (per meatball) |
|---|---|
| Calories | 80 kcal |
| Protein | 7g |
| Carbs | 5g |
| Fat | 4g |
| Fiber | 0g |
Tips
- Make ahead: bake the meatballs a day in advance and refrigerate, then warm in the sauce right before serving.
- Keep them warm in a slow cooker on the “keep warm” setting for easy party serving.
- Swap the grape jelly for cranberry sauce during the holidays for a seasonal twist.
- For a gluten-free version, use gluten-free panko or crushed rice cereal.
Dietary tags
What do these tags mean?
- High protein
- ≥ 25g protein per serving.
- High fiber
- ≥ 8g fiber per serving.
- Meal prep
- Stores 3+ days in the fridge or is freezer-friendly with reheat instructions.
- Low calorie
- Under 300 calories per serving.
- No cook
- No heat source required — assemble and eat.
Definitions are consistent across the site. Nutrition values are estimates based on standard U.S. database values; actual results vary by brand and portion.
🧊 Storage & Reheat
Fridge
Store in an airtight container for up to 3 days.
Freezer
Freezer-friendly — store up to 2 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge before reheating.
Reheat
Microwave 700W for 60–90 seconds, or until steaming hot throughout.
Equipment
skillet
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