Delicious and Nutritious Spinach Feta Turkey Meatballs

Spinach feta turkey meatballs are a tasty and healthy way to add more vegetables and lean protein into your diet These flavorful meatballs are made with ground turkey, spinach, feta cheese, eggs, breadcrumbs, and spices. They are easy to make, versatile, and freezer-friendly Keep reading to learn all about spinach feta turkey meatballs and get tips for making them at home!

Benefits of Spinach Feta Turkey Meatballs

There are many reasons to love these meatballs:

• Packed with nutrients – Spinach is an excellent source of iron, vitamins A, C, E and K, magnesium, and more. Feta cheese provides protein, calcium, vitamin B12, and other vitamins and minerals. Turkey is a lean protein that contains selenium, zinc, vitamins B6 and B12. Eggs boost protein and supply vitamins D and B12. Together, these nutrient-dense ingredients make for a very healthy meatball.

• Vegetables and protein – Getting enough vegetables and protein into your diet can be challenging These meatballs make it easy by combining flavorful ground turkey with spinach in one recipe. It’s an effortless way to check off two important food groups

• Lower in fat and calories – Ground turkey tends to be lower in fat and calories than ground beef. Swapping out some of the meat for spinach further lightens up the meatballs. The overall result is a healthier alternative to all-beef meatballs.

• Delicious flavor – Even though they are light, these meatballs are far from bland. The spinach, feta, garlic, and seasonings give them bold Mediterranean flavor. Kids and adults alike will love them.

• Economical ingredient – Ground turkey is generally cheaper than ground beef. Spinach, feta, eggs, and breadcrumbs are all budget-friendly too. Making these meatballs is an inexpensive way to put dinner on the table.

• Endless uses – Serve spinach feta turkey meatballs over pasta with marinara sauce, on pita bread for meatball subs, on top of salads, alongside grains or roasted veggies, and more. They are extremely versatile!

With all these benefits, it’s easy to see why spinach feta turkey meatballs are such a winner. Now let’s look at tips for making them successfully at home.

Tips for Making Spinach Feta Turkey Meatballs

Making flavorful turkey meatballs with spinach and feta is simple. Just follow these handy tips:

• Use lean ground turkey – Lower fat options like 93% lean or 99% lean ground turkey work best. The meatballs hold together better than versions made with higher fat ground turkey.

• Squeeze out spinach moisture – Frozen chopped spinach is convenient, but it can water down the meatball mixture. Make sure to thaw it completely, then squeeze out as much liquid as possible. This helps the meatballs hold their shape.

• Add egg and breadcrumbs – The egg and breadcrumbs act as binders to hold the turkey and spinach together. Omitting them would result in crumbly meatballs.

• Don’t overmix – Gently mix just until the ingredients are incorporated. Overmixing develops gluten in the ground turkey, resulting in dense or rubbery meatballs.

• Shape evenly – Use about 1 heaping tablespoon of meat mixture per meatball. Shape them as uniformly as possible so they cook evenly.

• Brown properly – Browning the meatballs on all sides seals in moisture and gives great flavor. Don’t rush this step. Cook them in batches to avoid crowding the pan.

• Try baking – In addition to pan-frying or sautéing, you can bake the shaped meatballs on a sheet pan at 400°F for 15-20 minutes. This hands-off method works great.

• Store meatballs properly – Meatballs can be refrigerated for 3-4 days or frozen for several months. Freeze them on a baking sheet before transferring to freezer bags.

Follow these simple tips and you will be rewarded with tasty, healthy spinach feta turkey meatballs every time. Now let’s check out some recipe ideas.

Spinach Feta Turkey Meatball Recipes

There are endless ways to use spinach feta turkey meatballs in delicious recipes. Here are just a few ideas to try:

Baked Spinach Feta Turkey Meatballs

This easy recipe from AllRecipes bakes the meatballs in mini muffin tins for quick, even cooking. Serve them over pasta, on sandwiches, with dipping sauce, or on their own.

Ingredients:

• 1 lb lean ground turkey
• 10 oz frozen chopped spinach, thawed and drained
• 6 oz crumbled feta cheese
• 1⁄2 tsp paprika
• 1⁄2 tsp onion powder
• Salt and pepper

Instructions:

1. Preheat oven to 350°F. Spray mini muffin tins with cooking spray.
2. In a large bowl, mix together all ingredients until well combined.
3. Roll mixture into 24 meatballs and place in muffin tins.
4. Bake for 20-25 minutes until cooked through.

Greek Spinach Feta Turkey Meatball Bowls

These meatballs shine served over a bowl of grains or greens with traditional Greek toppings. The recipe is from Clean Eat Feed on Instagram.

Ingredients:

• 1 lb ground turkey
• 2 eggs
• 1/3 cup breadcrumbs
• 1⁄4 cup crumbled feta cheese
• 2 Tbsp fresh dill, chopped
• 1 tsp dried oregano
• 1⁄2 tsp garlic powder
• Salt and pepper

Instructions:

1. In a large bowl, combine all ingredients. Mix gently just until combined.
2. Form into 16-20 meatballs.
3. Cook meatballs by pan-frying, baking, or air frying until cooked through.
4. Serve over salad greens or quinoa/rice with tzatziki sauce, tomatoes, cucumbers, olives, and feta.

Spinach Feta Turkey Meatballs with Marinara

These easy meatballs from Budget Bytes include sautéed spinach for extra flavor. Serve them with pasta and marinara sauce for a fast dinner.

Ingredients:

• 4 oz fresh spinach
• 1 lb 93% lean ground turkey
• 1⁄2 cup breadcrumbs
• 1⁄4 tsp garlic powder
• Salt and pepper
• 1 egg
• 2 oz feta cheese, crumbled

Instructions:

1. Sauté spinach in 1 Tbsp oil over medium heat until wilted.
2. In a large bowl, combine breadcrumbs, garlic powder, salt, pepper, egg, turkey, spinach, and feta. Mix gently.
3. Shape into 24 meatballs.
4. Cook meatballs in batches in a skillet with oil over medium heat until browned on all sides.
5. Serve over pasta with marinara sauce.

Get creative with these easy spinach feta turkey meatball recipes! Change up the seasonings, mix up the cooking method, or vary the serving style. No matter how you prepare them, these tasty, good-for-you meatballs will become a new family favorite.

Frequently Asked Questions about Spinach Feta Turkey Meatballs

If you are new to making turkey meatballs at home, you probably have some questions. Here are answers to some of the most common inquiries.

Are spinach feta turkey meatballs gluten-free?

Most spinach feta turkey meatball recipes do contain gluten due to the breadcrumbs used as a binder. To make them gluten-free, replace the breadcrumbs with gluten-free panko-style crumbs, almond meal, or cooked quinoa.

Can I freeze raw or cooked turkey meatballs?

Yes, you can freeze both raw and cooked turkey meatballs. To freeze raw, shape the meatballs first, then arrange in a single layer on a baking sheet and freeze solid. Transfer to freezer bags. To freeze cooked, let cool completely before freezing. Thaw in the refrigerator before reheating.

How long do turkey meatballs last in the refrigerator?

Properly stored, cooked turkey meatballs last 3-4 days in the refrigerator. Raw uncooked meatballs keep 1-2 days. Make sure to use an airtight container and store meatballs in the coldest part of the fridge.

What’s the best way to reheat turkey meatballs?

You can reheat cooked turkey meatballs in the oven at 350°F until warmed through, about 15-20 minutes. Microwaving and pan frying work too. Add a little water or sauce to prevent them from drying out.

Can I use breadcrumbs instead of panko in turkey meatballs?

Yes, regular unseasoned breadcrumbs can be substituted for panko breadcrumbs. The texture may be a little denser and finer compared to panko, but they work well. Use fresh breadcrumbs rather than dried for the best results.

How do I know when turkey meatballs are done?

Turkey meatballs