When I post about these ground turkey meatballs on FlavCity, you guys always ask me for the recipe. So this blog post is long overdue, but it will be worth the wait. Turkey thigh meat that has been ground up, then seared in a pan and finished cooking in a zesty marinara sauce The turkey meatballs are already tasty, but why not add more shredded cheese on top and broil them until the cheese melts and the meatballs are hot and bubbly?
This recipe is low carb and keto approved because there are no breadcrumbs in the mixture. Ground turkey thighs are so soft you don’t need them. You may notice that this recipe looks a lot like my ultimate Italian meatballs and sauce. If you want to make it keto, just swap out the breadcrumbs for almond flour.
Following a low-carb or keto diet often means saying goodbye to beloved carb-heavy dishes like pasta, rice, and bread. But fortunately, with a bit of creativity, you can recreate delicious no-carb versions of classic comfort foods using ingredients like cauliflower, zucchini, and almond flour. Turkey meatballs are one popular dish that can easily be made carb-free!
Why Make No-Carb Turkey Meatballs?
Turkey meatballs are a nutritious high-protein meal or snack on their own. But loading them up with starchy binders like breadcrumbs or oats adds extra carbs you may want to avoid on low-carb diets.
By swapping the typical carb-heavy binders for low-carb veggies and spices, you can make flavorful turkey meatballs that align with keto, Atkins, paleo, or other low-carb lifestyles. They provide the same tasty protein punch without the added carbs.
No-carb turkey meatballs can be prepped ahead for quick meals and snacks throughout the busy week, Keep a batch in the fridge or freezer for whenever you need a protein boost or mini-meal with little prep,
Tips for Making No-Carb Turkey Meatballs
Making tasty no-carb turkey meatballs takes a bit more finesse than regular meatballs. Here are some tips for success:
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Drain moisture from veggies Grate zucchini, spinach or other low-carb veggies and squeeze out excess moisture before mixing in This prevents mushy meatballs
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Use egg as binder: Since you are avoiding typical binders like bread, use 1-2 eggs to help stick the mixture together.
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Add spices for flavor: Onion powder, garlic powder, oregano, basil and others pack flavors since you omit carby sauces.
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Refrigerate before cooking: Chilling the meat mixture helps the meatballs hold their shape better when baking.
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Cook on a wire rack: Placing meatballs on a rack over a baking sheet allows air flow under them as they cook.
Follow these tips and you’ll have tender, juicy low-carb turkey meatballs ready in no time!
Recipes for No-Carb Turkey Meatballs
Here are a couple tasty no-carb turkey meatball options to try:
Zucchini Turkey Meatballs
This recipe uses shredded zucchini in place of breadcrumbs along with basil, oregano, cheese and spices. The zucchini provides moisture and nutrients without the carbs.
Ingredients:
- 1 lb ground turkey
- 1 zucchini, grated and drained
- 1 egg
- 1/4 cup Parmesan cheese
- 1 tsp dried basil
- 1 tsp dried oregano
- 1/2 tsp garlic powder
- Salt and pepper
Instructions:
- Preheat oven to 400°F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- In a bowl, combine all ingredients and mix well.
- Form into 16 meatballs and arrange on baking sheet.
- Bake for 18-20 minutes until cooked through.
Spinach Feta Turkey Meatballs
These meatballs use spinach in place of breadcrumbs for moisture and nutrients. Feta cheese adds creamy richness.
Ingredients:
- 1 lb ground turkey
- 2 cups spinach, chopped and drained
- 1/2 cup feta cheese, crumbled
- 1 egg
- 1/4 cup almond flour
- 1 tsp dried dill
- 1/2 tsp garlic powder
- Salt and pepper
Instructions:
- Preheat oven to 375°F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- In a bowl, mix together all ingredients until evenly combined.
- Form into 20 meatballs and arrange on baking sheet.
- Bake for 20-25 minutes until cooked through.
Serving Suggestions for No-Carb Meatballs
Once you’ve cooked up a batch of no-carb turkey meatballs, get creative with how you serve them! Here are some keto-friendly ideas:
- Toss meatballs in a greens-based salad for added protein.
- Serve over zucchini noodles with low-carb marinara sauce.
- Add to a bowl with riced cauliflower and pesto.
- Skewer onto kabobs with onions, peppers and mushrooms.
- Top a pizza crust made with almond flour and cheese.
- Simmer in bone broth with veggies for a mini soup.
The possibilities are endless for how to enjoy carb-free turkey meatballs while sticking to your low-carb diet goals. Just remember the tips above for making no-carb meatballs that hold together and have lots of flavor. Get creative with recipes and serving suggestions to keep your low-carb meals exciting and satisfying.
How To Make Low Carb Turkey Meatballs
To make the best turkey meatballs, add one pound of ground turkey thighs to a large bowl. I like to buy the organic ground turkey thighs from Trader Joe’s – they have a great price. Add one egg, parsley, dried oregano, pepper flakes, salt, and grated pecorino or Parmesan cheese to the turkey to make it taste better. Because ground turkey is so smooth, you don’t need to soak breadcrumbs in milk for this recipe. This means that the recipe is low carb and keto friendly.
After making meatballs about the size of golf balls, freeze them for 20 minutes to make them firm. While that’s going on, put your meatballs in a pot big enough to hold them and add your favorite marinara sauce. To make my red sauce for meatballs, you can use it, or I like to buy Rao’s Marinara from Costco. The price is right and that sauce is by far my favorite!.
Pan sear and gently simmer the turkey meatballs in the sauce for 25 minutes and they are ready. You can stop there, but I never know when to do that. So good ahead and add 1 cup of freshly grated mozzarella cheese over the top of the meatballs. Alternatively, you can use any good melting cheese you want such as brie style cheese or tallegio. Brie cheese is what I used for this blog post. The nutty flavor of the brie was divine and the cheese melted so well.
Put the turkey meatballs with cheese on top under the broiler for a few minutes, or until the cheese melts and bubbles.
Can I Make Meatballs From Ground Turkey Breast?
Ground turkey breast is very lean and the meatballs will be dry if you use that. It is much better to use ground turkey thighs. The added fat helps prevent the meatballs from drying out and they are still leaner than ground beef.
Easy Zero Carb Carnivore Meatballs – Deliciously Simple
FAQ
Do Turkey Meatballs have carbs?
Does turkey have no carbs?
Can I eat meatballs on keto?