FOOD NEWS
The Best Type Of Meat To Use For Meatballs
By Nick Johnson
There are innumerable options for you to consider when deciding which type of meat to use in your meatballs. Whether it’s beef, lamb, or chicken, you’ll want to be sure to achieve the right ratio of lean meat to fat.
Many feel that the best mixture for a meatball combines ground beef, pork, and veal, because as Southern Living explains, "Pork gives the meatballs extra flavor, and veal helps keep them moist and tender." Veal, unlike beef, is made from young calves, and the lack of development in their muscles is what makes the cut so tender.
The right ratio of lean meat to fat is 70% to 30%, respectively, according to First We Feast. Additionally, it's imperative that the meat you use is ground, as the relatively short amount of time that a meatball should be cooked will be insufficient to tenderize intact cuts.