These healthy turkey meatballs without breadcrumbs are juicy, flavorful, and packed with protein! They’re super easy to make and ready in just 40 minutes.
The secret to my healthy turkey meatballs recipe is to use old-fashioned oats instead of breadcrumbs to help bind them together!
Breadcrumbs are tedious to make from scratch, and many store-bought brands are full of sugar. Using oats makes the meatballs much healthier.
Turkey meatballs are a delicious and healthier alternative to traditional beef or pork meatballs. By omitting breadcrumbs, you can create tender and moist turkey meatballs that are lower in carbs and calories. Breadcrumbs are often used in meatballs as a binder, but with a few simple tricks, you can make amazing no breadcrumb turkey meatballs right at home.
Why Make Turkey Meatballs Without Breadcrumbs
There are several benefits to skipping the breadcrumbs when preparing turkey meatballs:
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Lower Carb and Calories – Breadcrumbs add extra carbs and calories that aren’t really needed. Removing them creates a lighter meatball.
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Easier to Digest – For those with gluten sensitivity or celiac disease, eliminating breadcrumbs makes turkey meatballs gluten-free.
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Naturally Tender and Moist – Without breadcrumbs, techniques like mixing in eggs or mayo are used to keep the meatballs juicy
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More Room for Flavor – No fillers means you can pack in more herbs, spices, cheese, etc. to make them extra flavorful.
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Cost Effective – Breadcrumbs are an added ingredient that costs money Skipping them keeps the recipe simple and budget-friendly
Tips for Making Tender No Breadcrumb Turkey Meatballs
Making flavorful turkey meatballs without dryness or crumbling is easy with a few helpful guidelines:
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Use Egg and Mayo – Mixing in an egg and mayonnaise helps bind the meatballs and adds moisture.
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Choose Dark Turkey Meat – Opt for ground turkey that contains more fat and flavor from dark meat.
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Add Cheese – Grated parmesan or other cheese contributes fat and richness.
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Increase Herbs and Spices – Abundant fresh herbs, garlic, spices, citrus zest give lots of flavor.
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Chill Before Cooking – Letting the meatballs chill for 30 minutes firms them up for better shaping.
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Gently Shape – Handling the meatballs gently when shaping prevents them from getting tough.
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Cook Low and Slow – Baking at a lower temp or simmering in sauce keeps them tender.
Step-by-Step Instructions for Making No Breadcrumb Turkey Meatballs
Follow these simple steps for easy, delicious no breadcrumb turkey meatballs every time:
Prep the ingredients – Place ground turkey, egg, mayo or oil, grated cheese, chopped herbs, garlic, spices, salt, and pepper in a large bowl.
Gently mix – Fold everything together gently but thoroughly with your hands or a spoon. Don’t overmix.
Chill – Cover and refrigerate for 30 minutes to firm up the meatball mixture for shaping.
Shape into balls – Use a small cookie scoop or spoon to shape into 1 1⁄2 inch balls. Roll gently with your hands.
Cook – For baked meatballs, arrange on a parchment-lined baking sheet and bake at 375°F for 20-25 minutes until cooked through. For simmered meatballs, add to sauce and simmer for 15 minutes.
Check temperature – Internal temperature should reach 165°F.
Serve – Enjoy your tender, flavorful turkey meatballs! Serve with your favorite sauce and pasta or as an appetizer.
Flavor Variations for Turkey Meatballs
The great thing about no breadcrumb turkey meatballs is you can customize the flavors easily. Try these tasty variations:
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Italian – basil, oregano, parsley, garlic, parmesan
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Greek – spinach, feta, lemon, oregano, dill
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Southwest – cumin, chili powder, cilantro, pepper jack
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Asian – ginger, sesame oil, scallions, soy sauce
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Mediterranean – olives, sun-dried tomatoes, basil, feta
The options are endless when you have a flavorful base recipe without fillers! Adjust herbs, spices, cheeses, veggies, etc. to create your own signature turkey meatballs.
Serving Suggestions for No Breadcrumb Turkey Meatballs
No breadcrumb turkey meatballs are so versatile. Here are some delicious ways to serve them:
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Classic spaghetti and meatballs with marinara sauce
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Meatball subs with mozzarella and marinara on sub rolls
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Meatball skewers as an appetizer with a dipping sauce
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Over pasta or zoodles with alfredo or pesto sauce
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In meatball soup with veggies and broth
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On top of a salad for extra protein
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In sliders on Hawaiian rolls for an easy meal
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Baked in the oven and served with roasted veggies
However you choose to enjoy them, no breadcrumb turkey meatballs make for a hearty, healthy and satisfying meal. Ditch the breadcrumbs and give this easy recipe a try soon!
More healthy turkey recipes
I LOVE turkey! It’s such a tasty lean protein that goes so well in a variety of recipes. Here are a few of my favorites that you’ll find me cooking on a regular basis:
If you’re someone who cooks with chicken more often than turkey, then be sure to check out my roundup of the best healthy diabetic chicken recipes!
Why you will love healthy turkey meatballs
- They’re low-carb and naturally gluten-free.
- They’re full of lean protein (31 grams in 3 meatballs!)
- You can make them for weekly meal prep.
- They’re packed with veggies.
- They’re great for quick, versatile meals.
No Breadcrumbs Turkey Meatballs
FAQ
What can you use instead of breadcrumbs in turkey meatballs?
Almond flour – When not using breadcrumbs, almond flour helps us bind these meatballs together. Spices – Salt, paprika, onion powder, garlic powder, and pepper.
What if I don’t have breadcrumbs for my meatballs?
If you’re looking for alternatives to breadcrumbs in meatballs, there are several options you can consider: Oats: Rolled oats or quick oats can provide a similar texture and help bind the ingredients together. Crushed crackers: Any type of cracker can be crushed and used as a substitute.
How to do meatballs without breadcrumbs?
Ground oats or nut flours can also be used as a replacement. Why do I need a substitute for breadcrumbs? Technically you don’t, you could just roll the meat into balls without using anything added to fill the mixture. However, this can create meatballs that are a little more tough to form and may fall apart.
What happens if you leave breadcrumbs out of meatballs?
Will meatballs fall apart without breadcrumbs? No. In fact, if you add too many breadcrumbs, you risk them becoming too dry and falling apart. But when you make them with just ground beef and seasonings, as long as the beef is fatty enough, they are perfect.