Turkey meatballs make for a flavorful, protein-packed meal, but the right side dishes can take it to the next level. The ideal accompaniments complement the savory, herbal notes of the meatballs and add color and texture contrast. After much recipe testing, these are my 15 go-to pairings for serving with juicy, oven-baked turkey meatballs.
Overview of Complementary Side Dishes
- Focus on bright, fresh flavors
- Crunchy, creamy, and hearty textures
- Vibrant colors for visual appeal
- Nutrient-dense ingredients like veggies and whole grains
- Easy prep so focus stays on meatballs
- Familiar comfort foods and global flavors
Mashed Potatoes
- Creamy, buttery potatoes
- Comforting complement
- Contrasts meatball texture
- Infuse flavors like garlic, herbs
- Universal crowd pleaser
Rice Pilaf
- Fluffy, aromatic grains
- Toasted rice adds richness
- Absorbs meatball juices
- Dress up with veggies, nuts
- Satisfying flavor and texture
Roasted Vegetables
- Bright, seasonal veggies
- High roasting heat caramelizes
- Boosts sweetness and color
- Nutrient-dense side
- Endless variety like squash, carrots, Brussels sprouts
Garlic Bread
- Warm, crusty bread
- Spread with savory garlic butter
- Delightful crunch factor
- Soak up extra sauce
- Simple to make or buy
Caesar Salad
- Crisp romaine lettuce
- Creamy, tangy dressing
- Savory Parmesan and croutons
- Fresh counterpoint to meatballs
- Light yet satisfying
Spaghetti Squash
- Low-carb alternative to pasta
- Scrape into noodle-like strands
- Toasted nuts or crumbled sausage as mix-ins
- Healthy way to soak up sauce
Quinoa Salad
- Protein-rich ancient grain
- Toasted nutty flavor
- Chill with chopped veggies
- Vinaigrette balances meatiness
Greek Salad
- Cucumber, tomatoes, olives
- Feta cheese crumbles
- Lemon, oregano, olive oil dressing
- Vibrant flavors and colors
Couscous
- Light, fluffy grains
- Ready in minutes
- Mix in herbs, lemon, veggies
- Absorbs juices perfectly
Broccoli
- Fresh, tender florets
- Quickly steamed or roasted
- Retains crunch and color
- Healthy Vitamin C boost
Zucchini Noodles
- Spiralized raw zucchini
- Lower carb “pasta” swap
- Toss with light sauce
- Bright color and texture
Polenta
- Smooth, creamy cooked cornmeal
- Or bake into crispy fries
- Hearty base for meatballs
- Much more flavor than plain pasta
Ratatouille
- Classic veggie medley
- Eggplant, zucchini, tomatoes
- Rich flavors and colors
- Mediterranean style
Cauliflower Rice
- Lower carb substitute for rice
- Simply grate raw cauliflower
- Sauté for light, fluffy “rice”
- Soaks up sauce nicely
Grilled Asparagus
- High-heat cooking enhances flavor
- Char and caramelization
- Retains a slight crunch
- Vibrant green spears
With so many options for creating a balanced, colorful meatball dinner, you’ll enjoy finding new favorite pairings. Side dishes with contrasting flavors, textures, colors, and cooking methods guarantee seasonal, satisfying mealtimes.
The Best Homemade Meatballs Homemade hearty meatballs
- 1 lb. ground beef, pork, chicken or turkey
- 1 lb of hot or sweet Italian chicken sausage in bulk (if you can’t find bulk sausage, just take link sausage out of its casing).
- 2 Tablespoons diced onion
- 2 cloves crushed garlic
- 1 tsp Italian seasoning or 2 tsp fresh herbs (parsley, oregano, basil) mixed together
- 1/3 cup milk
- 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
- 2 eggs
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon pepper
- 2 slices sandwich bread
- 2 Tablespoons grated parmesan (optional)
- Olive oil spray
- Preheat oven to 375 degrees
- Whisk the onion, garlic, Italian seasoning, milk, Worcestershire sauce, eggs, salt, and pepper (plus parmesan if you want) together in a large bowl.
- Let the bread soak up the liquids for a few minutes after adding them. Then, stir the bread into the liquids until they are fully mixed.
- Add ground beef and sausage to bowl.
- Using your hands, mix just until all the ingredients are spread out evenly.
- Use the meatball mix to make balls about the size of golf balls.
- Sprinkle olive oil on a baking sheet and put the meatballs on it. Bake for 12 to 15 minutes, or until the meatballs are fully cooked.
- Let it cool down, then serve right away or put it on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Freeze overnight and then transfer to gallon freezer bags. Freeze up to 8 weeks.
This post is about what to serve with meatballs {13 low-carb side dishes}.
Are you looking for some tasty sides to go with your meatballs? I love making meatballs and always keep frozen ones in the freezer for an easy dinner at the last minute. Meatballs are such an easy recipe with so many different ways to enjoy them. They are the ultimate comfort food the whole family will enjoy.
You can also eat meatballs if you want an easy and tasty way to eat healthy and lose weight.
You can make Italian meatballs, Asian inspired meatballs, barbecue meatballs and so much more. It’s all about what herbs and spices you decide to put in the meat mixture. The possibilities are truly endless.
Whether you want to make ground pork, beef, turkey, or chicken meatballs. They are such a great option when it comes to easy meal prep.
The best side dishes for your favorite meatball recipes are in this post, and BONUS: they’re all low-carb! When we think of meatball recipes, we usually think of bread, pasta, and meatball subs. But the next time you want to make meatballs, I think you should try one of these low-carb ideas instead!
You can make a full and healthy meal with just your favorite meatball recipe and one or two of these ideas below. I’ve included my favorite homemade meatball recipe below.
- Another name for zucchini noodles is “zoodles.” They are a great low-carb way to serve meatballs. They are delicious with traditional meatballs and tomato sauce sauce.
2. One of my favorite sides to go with meatballs is roasted green beans. Homemade meatballs with a side like this is a hearty and tasty meal. You can even cook your meatballs and roast your green beans at the same time.
3. If you want a low-carb basic that goes with almost everything, try cauliflower rice! You can make it into cauliflower fried rice or just serve it with butter, salt, and pepper.
4. Salad is pretty much my favorite thing and you can definitely get creative. A simple green salad or Caesar salad goes well with a hearty meatball dish to make a tasty and filling meal.
5. Grilled mixed veggies are so simple and you’ll be surprised how filling they are. Toss your favorite garden veggies with some olive oil, salt and black pepper and grill to perfection. When they’re done on the grill, I like to use a grill basket and spritz them with lemon juice.
6. Asparagus is one of my favorite side dishes. You can easily cook it up in about 4 minutes in the microwave. Talk about a tasty and healthy side dish!.
7. Shirataki noodles may be the simplest low-carb side dish you can make! All you have to do is give them a quick rinse and then top them with marinara sauce or any other sauce that goes well with your meatball recipe.
8. Although spaghetti squash doesn’t taste very good on its own, this makes it a great side dish for meatballs and a tangy sauce. It is a blank slate that lends itself well to any meatball recipe.
9. Broccoli is unexpectedly delicious and filling when paired with your favorite meatball recipe. One of our favorites is this Air Fryer Broccoli. You can also just microwave a bag of broccoli to steam it.
10. Roasted Eggplant is such a delicious side dish. If you’re making Greek meatballs, this would be my top pick!.
11. Cauliflower mash seriously tastes just like mashed potatoes. Even your kids won’t know the difference. This is perfect for your favorite Swedish meatball recipe.
12. One of my new favorite things is roasted mushrooms, and they go so well with almost any meatball recipe! I know that most people either love or hate mushrooms, but if you do, serve them with your next meatball dinner!
13. Grilled zucchini deserves a spot on this list. Even though we already talked about zucchini noodles, grilled zucchini has a different texture and flavor. You’ll find it fills you up and and an easy way to prepare zucchini.
I hope you enjoyed these low-carb side dish ideas. You can make any meatball recipe taste even better with fresh vegetables and a few easy ingredients.
The BEST Baked Turkey Meatballs | LOADED With of Flavor!
FAQ
What is good to serve with meatballs?
Are turkey meatballs good for a diet?
What do people eat with BBQ meatballs?
What can I serve with Mushroom Turkey meatballs?
Mushroom turkey meatballs are seared and simmered in a rich and delicious mushroom sauce. Serve the mushroom turkey meatballs over a bed of cauliflower rice. It’s the perfect dinner!
What type of meat should diabetics eat?
Lean red meat cuts, rump, duckling and lizard, contain micronutrients such as Vitamin B12 and Iron, which help in the diet of diabetics.
Can you eat a side dish with turkey meatballs?
Yes, you can eat a side dish with turkey meatballs. Doing so will allow you to eat more turkey meatballs because there will be less room in your stomach for other foods. It also means you’ll have less room for less healthy options.
What to eat with meatballs?
So stop worrying about what to eat with meatballs, because we’ve got you covered. Whether you’re using beef meatballs, a mix of meats like ground beef and pork, turkey meatballs, chicken meatball, or some other meat, you can find the perfect side dish to enhance your meatball experience.
Can you make meatballs with ground turkey?
For example, if you’re watching fat and calories, you can make meatballs with ground turkey. Also, meatballs made with pork sausage or Italian sausage add tons of flavor to a main dish. Meatballs are a versatile and delicious main dish that can be the star of any meal.
Are turkey meatballs tender?
Turkey meatballs are tender and juicy. These 10 easy turkey meatball dinner recipes include creamy turkey meatballs, turkey meatball casserole, and baked turkey meatballs. They are all super easy to make and result in a healthy dinner that your whole family will love!