You can add these tasty, healthy turkey feta meatballs with a Greek twist to any salad or bowl. They are juicy, full of flavor, and a great source of lean protein.
I have always loved Greek culture and cuisine. When I first had the opportunity to go to Greece I instantly fell in love with the country. I loved the food, the people, the way Greeks eat, and the sunsets. That’s why I knew I had to find a way to bring some Greek culture into my home. Weve been making Greek-inspired bowls often and love adding these turkey feta meatballs for an easy protein.
These turkey feta meatballs with a Greek twist are a weeknight staple in my house, and I hope they become one in yours too!
Turkey feta meatballs baked to perfection are my new favorite way to enjoy a delicious, protein-packed meal or appetizer! This Mediterranean-inspired recipe yields tender, juicy meatballs packed with flavor. With simple ingredients like ground turkey, spinach, feta, fresh herbs, and a couple secret binding ingredients, these baked turkey feta meatballs are a breeze to whip up and enjoy anytime.
An Easy Baked Turkey and Feta Meatballs Recipe
If you’re looking for an easy way to prepare turkey feta meatballs, this straightforward recipe is just what you need. There’s minimal prep work involved – no lengthy marinating or chilling required
Here’s a quick rundown of how easy these baked meatballs are to make
- Toast 1 slice of bread: This adds moisture and binds the meatballs.
- Cook 2 cups fresh spinach: Wilting spinach concentrates its flavor.
- Mix ground turkey with spinach, feta, eggs, herbs and spices.
- Form into balls and bake until cooked through.
That’s it! In about 40 minutes you can have these tasty turkey feta meatballs on the table.
Big Mediterranean Flavors in Every Bite
These meatballs showcase the fresh, bold flavors of the Mediterranean with ingredients like garlic, spinach, feta cheese, parsley, and mint. Feta in particular adds a lovely briny, salty accent in each bite.
I also like to finish them off with a touch of lemon zest for a bright pop of citrus. But the possibilities don’t end there…feel free to experiment with different fresh herbs to put your own spin on this basic recipe.
Juicy Turkey Meatballs That Won’t Fall Apart
Let’s talk about the key to keeping these turkey meatballs moist and tender.
Lean ground turkey can easily turn dry and crumbly when cooked. But adding a slice of bread soaked in water helps bind the meatballs and lock in moisture. Along with the egg, this helps prevent shrinkage and keeps the meatballs tender.
Between the bread and egg binders, these turkey feta meatballs hold together beautifully without falling apart. Even after freezing and reheating, they maintain their texture and juiciness.
Healthy Baked Turkey Meatballs
Not only are these turkey meatballs delicious, they’re a healthier alternative to beef and pork meatballs. Turkey breast is leaner, lower in saturated fat, and packed with protein.
I also sneak in some spinach for extra vitamins and minerals. Adding vegetables is a great way to up the nutrition in kid-friendly meals.
With only 50 calories and 3 grams of fat per meatball, these make a light yet filling choice. Enjoy them on their own, over salad, with pasta, or however you like.
Tips for Making the Best Turkey Feta Meatballs
Follow these tips for maximum success when preparing baked turkey feta meatballs:
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Use block feta, not pre-crumbled: Block feta crumbles better and adds more moisture.
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Don’t skip toasting the bread: This boosts the flavor and helps the bread absorb moisture for binding.
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Bake at 400°F until 165°F internal temperature: This ensures the meatballs cook through.
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Broil briefly after baking: Broiling gives them color and crunch.
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Cool completely before freezing: Letting the cooked meatballs come to room temperature prevents freezer burn.
More Delicious Ways to Enjoy Them
Baked on their own, these turkey feta meatballs make a simple protein to pair with veggie sides or salads. But they’re also fantastic served:
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In pasta sauce over spaghetti
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On slider buns for an easy appetizer
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Stirred into soup or stew for added protein
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As the star of a meatball sub sandwich
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Skewered as an appetizer with tzatziki sauce for dipping
However you choose to enjoy them, these easy baked turkey feta meatballs will satisfy your cravings with their incredible flavor and tender texture. This recipe is sure to become a regular in your meal rotation!
Here is the full turkey feta meatballs baked recipe with step-by-step instructions and a handy video tutorial:
Turkey Feta Meatballs Baked Recipe
Ingredients:
- 2 cups baby spinach
- 1 slice whole wheat bread, crust removed
- 1 pound ground turkey
- 1 yellow onion, grated
- 3 garlic cloves, minced
- 1/2 cup feta cheese, crumbled
- 1 egg, beaten
- 1/2 cup chopped fresh parsley
- 1 tablespoon dried crushed mint
- 1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
- Kosher salt and black pepper
Instructions:
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Preheat the oven to 400°F.
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Toast the bread until just brown then transfer to a bowl with water to cover. Allow to soak for 5 minutes until tender. Squeeze out excess liquid.
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In a skillet, heat 1 Tbsp olive oil over medium heat. Add spinach and cook until just wilted. Let cool slightly.
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Make the meatball mixture: In a large bowl, combine ground turkey, grated onion, garlic, feta, egg, parsley, mint, soaked bread, and wilted spinach. Season with salt and pepper. Mix well.
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Form into golf ball-sized meatballs on a lightly oiled baking sheet, evenly spaced.
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Bake for 30 minutes until cooked through and reaching an internal temperature of 165°F.
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Turn broiler on high for 2 minutes to brown the tops.
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Serve meatballs warm as desired. Enjoy!
Notes:
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Makes 4 servings, or 24 meatballs.
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You can freeze cooked meatballs up to 3 months. Thaw frozen meatballs in the refrigerator before reheating.
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Try serving these flavorful turkey feta meatballs over salad, with tzatziki sauce, in pasta sauce, on slider buns, or skewer as an appetizer.
So there you have it – a simple yet delicious recipe for baked turkey feta meatballs with spinach and Mediterranean flavors. They’re tender, juicy, protein-packed, and boldly flavored. I hope you’ll give this easy recipe a try soon and enjoy these meatballs as much as I do!
More Healthy Dinner Recipes
Loving the easy dinner recipes? Here are more favorites from the Nourished kitchen:
PS. I love seeing my recipes in action! If you decide to make these turkey feta meatballs, dont forget to snap a photo and tag me on Instagram- @nourishedbynic or leave a comment and rating below letting me know how you liked it!
Why This Dietitian Loves This Recipe
Heres why you need to make my turkey feta meatballs.
- Lean protein option. There are 7 grams of protein in each meatball. I love ground turkey because it is a leaner protein that is lower in fat.
- Packed with flavour. It’s fresh from the herbs and salty from the feta, making it the perfect bite-sized treat.
- Versatile. This meatballs are easy to add to many meals during the week, like bowls, sandwiches, salads, and pitas. They taste great in EVERYTHING!.
- Ground turkey
- Olive oil
- Oregano
- Red pepper flakes
- Salt and pepper
- Garlic
- Feta cheese
- Breadcrumbs
- Garlic
- Fresh parsley
Preheat oven to 350F. In a large mixing bowl, add all the ingredients and mix with your hands until fully combined.
Measure out heaped tablespoons and roll using your hands until a ball begins to form. Recipe will make approximately 27 meatballs.
Place rolled meatballs onto a parchment paper lined baking sheet.
Bake the meatballs for about 20 minutes, or until a meat thermometer inserted into the middle of one of them reads 165 F. Make sure to flip the meatballs halfway.
Once meatballs are done, carefully remove them from the oven enjoy!
To make gluten-free: Use gluten-free breadcrumbs.
To make dairy-free: Use a dairy-free feta like this one.
To make vegan: For a vegan meatball recipe, try my tofu meatballs!
To make nut-free: This recipe is naturally nut-free.
Switching up ingredients? Try these:
- White onion: Swap for red or yellow onion.
- This recipe can be made with any ground meat, but I chose turkey because it is a leaner protein. They can also be made with lean ground beef, veal, or chicken.
- Spinach: In order to make spinach feta, add 1 cup of chopped spinach.
Because they don’t let air in, these turkey feta meatballs can be kept in the fridge for up to 4 days after they are cooked.
To freeze, store in an airtight container in the freezer for up to 3 months. To defrost: use the defrost function on the microwave or place them in the fridge overnight.
Don’t forget to flip the meatballs halfway through cooking. This helps create an even bake and will ensure your meatballs are fully cooked through.
I love adding these meatballs to my Greek bowls. Theyre also delicious with a burrata caprese salad, quinoa salad, or any air fried veggies. For a quick meal idea, toss it in a pita with veggies and tzatziki. So yummy!.
I think the secret ingredient to any Mediterranean dish is fresh parsley. You are able to replace this for dried parsley, however the flavour will change slightly.
Yes! You can bake these at 350F for about 10–12 minutes in the air fryer. Just remember to flip the meatballs halfway through cooking.
Yes! These are a great meal prep protein option. I love making a batch to use for lunches and dinners for the week ahead.
