If you want to enjoy the delicious and healthy flavors of the Mediterranean, try making some Greek turkey meatballs! This recipe is absolutely delicious and really easy to make. Served up with a homemade tzatziki sauce, this meal is perfect for meal prep bowls or salads.
Turkey meatballs are a delicious and healthier alternative to traditional beef and pork meatballs. With the right ingredients and techniques, turkey meatballs can be just as moist, tender and flavorful as any other meatball. In this article, I’ll share some of my favorite tips and recipes for making the best turkey meatballs.
Why Make Turkey Meatballs?
There are several benefits to choosing ground turkey over beef or pork for meatballs
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Lower in fat and calories – Ground turkey is much leaner than beef or pork. This makes the meatballs healthier overall.
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Budget-friendly – Ground turkey is usually cheaper than other ground meats
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Milder flavor – For those who find beef a bit too heavy, turkey has a lighter taste.
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Versatile – Turkey meatballs work great in pasta, sandwiches, salads and more.
The key is adding lots of flavor with herbs, spices and other ingredients since turkey alone can be a bit bland. But with the right recipe, turkey meatballs can be juicy, tender and packed with flavor.
Tips for Making Moist and Tender Turkey Meatballs
Here are some helpful tips to keep in mind:
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Use 93% lean ground turkey – Ground turkey that is 93% lean has the right ratio of meat to fat for the juiciest meatballs. Using 99% lean turkey can result in dry meatballs.
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Add breadcrumbs – Breadcrumbs help retain moisture. Use fresh breadcrumbs or panko.
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Include egg and cheese – Adding an egg and some ricotta or parmesan cheese also keeps turkey meatballs tender.
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Don’t overmix – Gently mix just until combined. Overmixing makes meatballs dense and rubbery.
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Cook properly – Cook at 400°F for 10-15 minutes until browned then reduce heat to 325°F until cooked through.
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Add sauce – Cooking meatballs in sauce helps keep them moist. Serve with marinara or gravy.
Follow those tips and you’ll be guaranteed tender and juicy turkey meatballs every time. Now let’s get to the recipes!
Classic Italian Turkey Meatballs
Italian herbs and cheese give these turkey meatballs tons of flavor. They’re great with pasta and marinara sauce.
Ingredients:
- 1 lb ground turkey (93% lean)
- 1/2 cup breadcrumbs
- 1/4 cup milk
- 1 egg
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1/4 cup grated parmesan
- 2 Tbsp fresh parsley
- 1 tsp dried oregano
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/4 tsp pepper
Instructions:
- In a large bowl, combine ground turkey, breadcrumbs, milk, egg, garlic, parmesan, parsley, oregano, salt and pepper. Gently mix just until combined.
- Form mixture into 1 1/2 inch balls. Should make 16-18 meatballs.
- Place meatballs on a lightly greased baking sheet. Bake at 400°F for 10-15 minutes until browned.
- Reduce heat to 325°F and bake another 15-20 minutes until cooked through (165°F internal temperature).
- Add to pasta with marinara sauce and enjoy!
Greek Turkey Meatballs
These Greek-inspired turkey meatballs are full of Mediterranean flavor. Topped with tzatziki sauce, they’re fresh and delicious.
Ingredients:
- 1 lb ground turkey (93% lean)
- 1/2 cup breadcrumbs
- 1/4 onion, grated
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 egg
- 1/4 cup fresh dill
- 1 tsp dried oregano
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/4 tsp pepper
- 2 Tbsp olive oil
Instructions:
- In a large bowl, mix together ground turkey, breadcrumbs, grated onion, garlic, egg, dill, oregano, salt and pepper until just combined.
- Form into 14 evenly sized meatballs.
- In a skillet over medium-high heat, add olive oil. Cook meatballs for 7-8 minutes, turning frequently until browned on all sides and cooked through (165°F internal temperature).
- Serve warm with tzatziki sauce and fresh veggies.
Balsamic Glazed Turkey Meatballs
The sweet and tangy balsamic glaze gives these turkey meatballs a delicious flavor. They make a great appetizer or meal.
Ingredients:
- 1 lb ground turkey (93% lean)
- 1/2 cup panko breadcrumbs
- 1/4 cup milk
- 1 egg
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 Tbsp fresh basil
- 1 tsp Italian seasoning
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/4 tsp pepper
- 1/2 cup balsamic vinegar
- 1 Tbsp brown sugar
Instructions:
- In a large bowl, combine ground turkey, panko, milk, egg, garlic, basil, Italian seasoning, salt and pepper. Mix gently.
- Form into 16 meatballs and place on a greased baking sheet.
- Bake at 400°F for 12-15 minutes until browned. Reduce heat to 325°F and bake 10 more minutes.
- In a small saucepan, whisk together balsamic vinegar and brown sugar. Simmer for 5 minutes until reduced to a glaze.
- Brush balsamic glaze over cooked meatballs before serving.
Southwest Turkey Meatballs
These Southwest turkey meatballs are full of zesty Tex-Mex flavor. Top with guacamole, salsa and more for an easy meal.
Ingredients:
- 1 lb ground turkey (93% lean)
- 1/2 cup panko breadcrumbs
- 1/4 cup milk
- 1 egg
- 1/2 onion, diced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 jalapeño, diced
- 2 Tbsp cilantro
- 1 tsp cumin
- 1 tsp chili powder
- 1/2 tsp salt
Instructions:
- In a large bowl, mix together ground turkey, panko, milk, egg, onion, garlic, jalapeño, cilantro, cumin, chili powder and salt until combined.
- Form into 16 meatballs and place on a lightly greased baking sheet.
- Bake at 400°F for 12-15 minutes until browned. Reduce heat to 325°F and bake 8-10 more minutes until cooked through.
- Serve with desired taco toppings like guacamole, salsa and more.
Healthy Turkey Meatballs
These clean eating turkey meatballs are made with simple whole food ingredients. They’re gluten-free, dairy-free and delicious.
Ingredients:
- 1 lb ground turkey (93% lean)
- 1/2 cup almond meal
- 1/4 cup chopped mushrooms
- 1/4 onion, diced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 egg
- 2 Tbsp parsley
- 1/2 tsp dried thyme
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/4 tsp black pepper
Instructions:
- In a large bowl, mix together ground turkey, almond meal, mushrooms, onion, garlic, egg, parsley, thyme, salt and pepper.
- Form into 16 evenly sized meatballs.
- Place on a lightly greased baking sheet. Bake at 400°F for 10 minutes.
- Reduce heat to 325°F and bake another 15-20 minutes until cooked through (165°F internal temperature).
- Enjoy as a healthy main dish or appetizer!
Perfect Easy Weeknight Turkey Meatballs
These are my go-to easy turkey meatballs for busy weeknights. The recipe comes together quickly.
Ingredients:
- 1 lb ground turkey (93% lean)
- 1/2 cup panko breadcrumbs
- 1/4 cup milk
- 1 egg
- 1 shallot, minced
- 3 garlic cloves, minced
- 2 Tbsp fresh parsley
- 1 tsp dried oregano
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/4 tsp pepper
Instructions:
- In a large bowl, combine ground turkey, panko, milk, egg, shallot, garlic, parsley, oregano, salt and pepper. Mix gently.
- Form into 16 meatballs and place on a lightly oiled baking sheet.
- Bake at 400°F for 12-15 minutes until browned. Reduce temperature to 325°F and bake 8-10 more minutes until cooked through.
- Serve with pasta and marinara sauce for an easy dinner!
The Perfect Turkey Meatball Recipe
Healthy Mediterranean meatballs with fresh tzatziki sauce
I’ve been looking for new recipes to add to my meal prep rotation, and these Greek turkey meatballs work perfectly. They are super simple to make, and the ingredients are easy to find!
One of my favorite things about this recipe is that it’s made with lean ground turkey. This means that the meatballs are packed with nutritious protein and are much lower in fat than other types of meatballs.
Plus, the addition of garlic, onions, and fresh herbs gives the meatballs a flavorful Mediterranean twist.
Drizzle with some homemade tzatziki sauce, and you’ve got yourself an incredibly tasty and healthy dinner!
To make a batch of these juicy Greek turkey meatballs, you’ll need just a few simple ingredients!
Here’s a bit more about what I used:
- Ground Turkey: My go-to protein whenever I make meatballs! I prefer to use 93/7 lean ground turkey as it has enough fat to keep the meatballs juicy. You’ll need about 1 pound.
- Garlic: 2 minced cloves of garlic add wonderful flavor to the meatballs. You can also use garlic powder if you don’t have fresh.
- Breadcrumbs: Adding in 1/2 cup of plain breadcrumbs helps bind the meatballs and keep them from falling apart. Panko breadcrumbs also work great! For a low-carb and gluten-free version, consider swapping out the breadcrumbs for almond flour instead.
- Dill: Chopped fresh dill add authentic Mediterranean flavor. If you can’t find fresh, use 1 tablespoon of dried dill.
- Oregano: 1/2 teaspoon of dried oregano adds an earthy, aromatic flavor.
- Red Onion: Using a 1/4 of a red onion can add flavor and moisture. Not to mention a bite of tanginess.
- Egg: 1 beaten egg helps bind the meatballs and keep them together.
- Olive Oil: To cook the Greek turkey meatballs, you’ll need about 2 tablespoons of olive oil. You can also use avocado oil or coconut oil.
Tip: You can follow my recipe for Tzatziki to make a homemade version. Just cut the recipe in half!
Here’s a bit more information about what I used to make these Mediterranean turkey meatballs…
- Large bowls
- Grater
- Knife
- Saute pan
- Meat thermometer (optional)
For measuring, you will need 1 cup, 1/2 cup, 1/4 cup, a tablespoon, a teaspoon, and 1/2 teaspoon.
How do I make the meatballs gluten-free?
To make the meatballs gluten-free, simply swap out the 1/2 cup of breadcrumbs for 1/2 cup of almond flour or a gluten-free breadcrumb substitute. This will help bind the meatballs without the gluten!
The BEST Baked Turkey Meatballs | LOADED With of Flavor!
FAQ
What spices to use in turkey meatballs?
In a mixing bowl, combine ground turkey, egg, breadcrumbs, onion, garlic powder, oregano, basil, parsley, salt, and pepper. Mix everything in the bowl thoroughly with either a spoon or your hands. Use your hands or an ice cream scoop to form each meatball.
How do you keep turkey meatballs from falling apart?
Breadcrumbs: Breadcrumbs combine with the egg to help bind the turkey together to keep the turkey meatballs from falling apart. They also hold moisture, which helps keep the meatballs tender.
What sauce with turkey meatballs?
Pan-frying them in olive oil not only boosts flavor but also keeps things simple—just one skillet for the meatballs and sauce makes cleanup easy. If you have a good homemade tomato sauce, use it, but for those busy weeknights, a high-quality jarred marinara like Rao’s works perfectly.
Is it better to pan fry or oven bake meatballs?
While pan-fried meatballs have a little more flavor, baking meatballs in the oven is easier, healthier for you, and makes less of a mess!