Heart-Healthy Indonesian Bakso (Meatball Soup)

Warm, nourishing, and packed with wholesome flavors, this Heart-Healthy Indonesian Bakso (Meatball Soup) is a lighter take on the beloved comfort food of Southeast Asia. Made with a lean blend of ground chicken and turkey, these tender meatballs are seasoned with aromatics like garlic and shallots, then gently simmered in a reduced-sodium chicken broth infused with fresh vegetables, including carrots, daikon radish, and spinach. Low-sodium soy sauce and a squeeze of lime add a tangy depth, while fresh cilantro and optional chili sauce provide a vibrant finishing touch. Ready in just an hour, this healthy soup is perfect for cozy dinners or meal prep, offering a delicious blend of bold, authentic Indonesian flavors with a heart-smart twist. Whether you're looking to boost your nutrition or enjoy a guilt-free indulgence, this recipe is sure to satisfy!

Nutriscore Rating: 76/100

Prep Time:20 mins

Cook Time:40 mins

Total Time:60 mins

Servings: 6

Ingredients

• 500 grams Ground chicken breast
• 250 grams Ground turkey breast
• 2 pieces Egg whites
• 3 pieces Garlic cloves, minced
• 2 pieces Shallots, finely chopped
• 1 teaspoon Baking powder
• 0.5 teaspoon Black pepper
• 1 teaspoon Low-sodium salt
• 50 grams Whole wheat breadcrumbs
• 1.5 liters Reduced sodium chicken broth
• 1 large Carrot, sliced
• 1 medium Daikon radish, sliced
• 100 grams Spinach leaves
• 2 tablespoons Low-sodium soy sauce
• 1 piece Lime
• 2 tablespoons Fresh cilantro leaves
• 1 teaspoon Chili sauce (optional for garnish)

Directions

Step 1

In a large mixing bowl, combine the ground chicken, ground turkey, egg whites, minced garlic, chopped shallots, baking powder, black pepper, low-sodium salt, and whole wheat breadcrumbs. Mix well until all ingredients are evenly incorporated.

Step 2

Using your hands, shape the mixture into small meatballs, about 1 inch in diameter. This should yield around 18-20 meatballs.

Step 3

In a large pot, bring the reduced sodium chicken broth to a gentle boil over medium heat.

Step 4

Once the broth reaches a boil, carefully add the meatballs to the pot. Allow them to cook for about 10-12 minutes, until they float to the surface and are cooked through.

Step 5

Add the sliced carrots and daikon radish to the pot. Simmer for another 10 minutes until the vegetables are tender.

Step 6

Stir in the spinach leaves and low-sodium soy sauce. Cook for an additional 2-3 minutes until the spinach has wilted.

Step 7

Ladle the soup into bowls. Squeeze a bit of lime juice into each bowl and garnish with fresh cilantro leaves and optional chili sauce for an added kick.

Step 8

Serve hot, savoring the robust flavors of the Indonesian bakso!

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	(2942.1g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	1725.6

Total Fat 25.5g	0%
Saturated Fat 6.8g	0%
Polyunsaturated Fat 0.0g
Cholesterol 600mg	0%
Sodium 7345.3mg	0%
Total Carbohydrate 85.9g	0%
Dietary Fiber 17.3g	0%
Total Sugars 20.9g
Protein 271.2g	0%

Vitamin D 65IU	0%
Calcium 525.0mg	0%
Iron 20.7mg	0%
Potassium 6904.7mg	0%

*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.

Source of Calories

Fat: 13.8%

Protein: 65.4%

Carbs: 20.7%