In this study, the gelation of preheated KPI/MPI mixtures with TGase treatment increased, to compensate for the decline in gela- tion resulted from the addition of KPI, and avoid the detrimental effect. The emulsion properties of MPI/KPI mixtures were also improved significantly due to the proteineprotein cross-linking. Preheating of KPI could unfold protein structure which was bene- ficial to the cross-linking, and then could improve the gelation and emulsion properties of protein mixtures. The conclusions are meaningful in the practical application of heterologous proteins cross-linking. Moreover, the quality of chicken balls with the addition of KPI was improved significantly by TGase treatment and preheating of KPI. The study is of significance in providing theo- retical basis for adding kidney bean protein as non-meat protein into meat products.