EASY GREEK TURKEY MEATBALLS

Picture this: savory, juicy meatballs bursting with fresh herbs and Mediterranean spices, a delightful tang of lemon, and the satisfying knowledge that you’re enjoying a healthy and delicious meal. These Greek Turkey Meatballs are incredibly simple to make, and I promise they’ll become a new family favorite, perfect for weeknight dinners or meal prep!

The Heart of the Matter: What You’ll Need

Meatball Ingredients:

• 1 pound ground turkey (93% lean or leaner)
• 1/2 cup breadcrumbs (panko or regular)
• 1/4 cup finely chopped red onion
• 1/4 cup finely chopped fresh parsley
• 1/4 cup crumbled feta cheese
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 large egg, lightly beaten
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 1 teaspoon dried oregano
• 1/2 teaspoon dried mint
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
• Zest of 1 lemon

Lemon-Herb Sauce Ingredients (Optional):

• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 1 clove garlic, minced
• 1/2 cup chicken broth
• 1/4 cup lemon juice
• 1 tablespoon chopped fresh dill
• 1 tablespoon chopped fresh parsley
• 1 teaspoon cornstarch (mixed with 1 tablespoon cold water)
• Salt and pepper to taste

Let’s Get Cooking: Step-by-Step Instructions

Prepping the Meatball Mixture:

1. In a large bowl, combine the ground turkey, breadcrumbs, red onion, parsley, feta cheese, garlic, egg, olive oil, oregano, mint, salt, pepper, and lemon zest.
2. Gently mix all ingredients together until just combined. Be careful not to overmix, as this can make the meatballs tough. I like to use my hands for this, it feels more natural!

Forming and Cooking the Meatballs:

1. Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper for easy cleanup.
2. Using a spoon or your hands, form the mixture into approximately 1-inch meatballs. Aim for consistency in size so they cook evenly.
3. Place the meatballs onto the prepared baking sheet, leaving a little space between each one.
4. Bake for 20-25 minutes, or until the meatballs are cooked through and lightly browned. The internal temperature should reach 165°F (74°C).

Whipping Up the Lemon-Herb Sauce (Optional):

1. While the meatballs are baking, prepare the sauce. In a saucepan, heat the olive oil over medium heat.
2. Add the minced garlic and cook for about 30 seconds, until fragrant. Don’t let it burn!
3. Pour in the chicken broth and lemon juice. Bring to a simmer.
4. In a small bowl, whisk together the cornstarch and cold water to create a slurry.
5. Slowly pour the cornstarch slurry into the simmering sauce, whisking constantly until the sauce thickens slightly.
6. Stir in the fresh dill and parsley. Season with salt and pepper to taste.

Serving Suggestions:

1. Once the meatballs are cooked, you can serve them as is, or toss them in the lemon-herb sauce.
2. Serve the Greek Turkey Meatballs over rice, quinoa, couscous, or pasta.
3. They’re also fantastic in pita bread with tzatziki sauce, lettuce, and tomatoes for a delicious Mediterranean-inspired sandwich.
4. For a low-carb option, serve them with a Greek salad or roasted vegetables.

Tips, Tricks, and Troubleshooting: Your Meatball Mastery Guide

Keeping Your Meatballs Tender:

Nobody wants tough meatballs! The key is to avoid overmixing the ingredients. Overmixing develops the gluten in the breadcrumbs and makes the turkey compact. Mix just until everything is combined. Also, using a higher fat content ground turkey (though less healthy) can help keep them moist. Consider adding a tablespoon of olive oil to the mixture if your turkey is very lean. Another tip is to not overcook them. Use a meat thermometer to ensure they reach 165°F (74°C) but don’t go beyond that.

Breadcrumb Breakdown: Choosing the Right Crumbs

Panko breadcrumbs will give your meatballs a lighter, crispier texture. Regular breadcrumbs will create a denser, more traditional meatball. You can even use gluten-free breadcrumbs if needed! If you don’t have breadcrumbs on hand, you can pulse a slice or two of bread in a food processor until finely ground. You can also use crushed crackers.

Flavor Boosters: Leveling Up Your Meatballs

Want to kick your Greek Turkey Meatballs up a notch? Try adding a pinch of red pepper flakes for a little heat. Sun-dried tomatoes, finely chopped, add a burst of intense flavor. A dash of Worcestershire sauce (yes, it works!) can add depth and umami. Don’t be afraid to experiment with different herbs and spices. Sometimes I add a little dried basil or even a pinch of cinnamon for a unique twist.

Freezing for Future Feasts: Make-Ahead Magic

These meatballs are perfect for meal prepping! You can easily make a big batch and freeze them for future meals. To freeze, place the cooked meatballs on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper and freeze for about 1-2 hours, or until solid. This prevents them from sticking together. Then, transfer them to a freezer-safe bag or container. They’ll keep in the freezer for up to 3 months. To reheat, simply bake them in a preheated oven at 350°F (175°C) until heated through, or microwave them in short intervals.

Healthy Dinner Prep Ideas: Streamlining Your Week

One of the things I love most about these Greek Turkey Meatballs is how easily they fit into my healthy dinner prep ideas. Make a big batch on Sunday and you’ve got a protein source ready to go for several meals during the week. Pair them with a variety of sides to keep things interesting. Roasted vegetables, salads, whole grains – the possibilities are endless! Having these meatballs on hand makes it so much easier to avoid unhealthy takeout options on busy weeknights. They really are one of my go-to yummy healthy dinner recipes.

Group Turkey Recipes: Sharing the Deliciousness

These meatballs are also fantastic for gatherings! They’re a crowd-pleasing appetizer or main course that’s sure to impress. Their Mediterranean Meat flavor profile is always a winner. Consider serving them with a variety of dips and spreads, such as tzatziki, hummus, or baba ghanoush. You could also create a build-your-own-meatball-pita bar with all sorts of toppings and sauces. This makes for a fun and interactive meal that everyone will enjoy. As far as group turkey recipes go, this is a definite winner!

Mediterranean Magic: Exploring the Flavors

The beauty of these Greek Turkey Meatballs lies in their vibrant Mediterranean flavors. The combination of fresh herbs, lemon, and feta cheese creates a truly irresistible taste. The Mediterranean diet is known for its health benefits, and this recipe is a delicious way to incorporate more of those flavors into your diet. Don’t be afraid to explore other Mediterranean ingredients like olives, artichoke hearts, and roasted red peppers to add even more complexity to your meals. You can chop these up and add them directly into the meatball mixture or serve them as a side. The goal is to create a delicious and satisfying meal that nourishes your body and soul.

Make it Your Own: Customizing the Recipe

While this recipe is fantastic as is, don’t hesitate to experiment and make it your own! Try different types of cheese, like Parmesan or ricotta. Add different vegetables, such as chopped spinach or zucchini. Use different herbs and spices to create your own unique flavor profile. The possibilities are endless! The most important thing is to have fun and enjoy the process of creating a delicious and healthy meal. Remember, cooking should be a joyful experience, so don’t be afraid to get creative and experiment with different flavors and ingredients.

Easy Greek Turkey Meatballs

Amelia Chen-Morrison

These Greek Turkey Meatballs are a healthy and delicious meal option, perfect for weeknight dinners or meal prep. Bursting with fresh herbs, Mediterranean spices, and a touch of lemon, they are incredibly simple to make and sure to become a family favorite.

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 20 minutes mins

Cook Time 25 minutes mins

Total Time 45 minutes mins

Course Main Course

Cuisine Greek

Servings 4

Calories 350 kcal

Equipment

• Large bowl
• Measuring cups
• Measuring spoons
• Baking Sheet
• Parchment paper
• Spoon or hands
• Saucepan (optional)
• Whisk (optional)
• Meat thermometer

Ingredients

  

• 1 pound ground turkey 93% lean or leaner
• ½ cup breadcrumbs panko or regular
• ¼ cup finely chopped red onion
• ¼ cup finely chopped fresh parsley
• ¼ cup crumbled feta cheese
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 large egg, lightly beaten
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 1 teaspoon dried oregano
• ½ teaspoon dried mint
• ½ teaspoon salt
• ¼ teaspoon black pepper
• Zest of 1 lemon
• 1 tablespoon olive oil for sauce, optional
• 1 clove garlic, minced for sauce, optional
• ½ cup chicken broth for sauce, optional
• ¼ cup lemon juice for sauce, optional
• 1 tablespoon chopped fresh dill for sauce, optional
• 1 tablespoon chopped fresh parsley for sauce, optional
• 1 teaspoon cornstarch for sauce, optional
• 1 tablespoon cold water for sauce, optional
• Salt and pepper to taste for sauce, optional

Instructions

 

• Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
• In a large bowl, combine the ground turkey, breadcrumbs, red onion, parsley, feta cheese, garlic, egg, olive oil, oregano, mint, salt, pepper, and lemon zest.
• Gently mix all ingredients together until just combined. Be careful not to overmix.
• Using a spoon or your hands, form the mixture into approximately 1-inch meatballs.
• Place the meatballs onto the prepared baking sheet, leaving a little space between each one.
• Bake for 20-25 minutes, or until the meatballs are cooked through and lightly browned. The internal temperature should reach 165°F (74°C).
• While the meatballs are baking, prepare the sauce (optional): In a saucepan, heat the olive oil over medium heat.
• Add the minced garlic to the saucepan and cook for about 30 seconds, until fragrant.
• Pour in the chicken broth and lemon juice to the saucepan. Bring to a simmer.
• In a small bowl, whisk together the cornstarch and cold water to create a slurry.
• Slowly pour the cornstarch slurry into the simmering sauce, whisking constantly until the sauce thickens slightly.
• Stir in the fresh dill and parsley to the sauce. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
• Serve the Greek Turkey Meatballs as is, or toss them in the lemon-herb sauce (optional).
• Serve over rice, quinoa, couscous, or pasta. Alternatively, serve in pita bread with tzatziki sauce, lettuce, and tomatoes.

Notes

To keep meatballs tender, avoid overmixing the ingredients. Panko breadcrumbs will give a lighter texture, while regular breadcrumbs create a denser meatball. These meatballs can be frozen for up to 3 months. Freeze cooked meatballs on a baking sheet before transferring to a freezer-safe bag. Reheat in a preheated oven at 350°F (175°C) or microwave. Add a pinch of red pepper flakes for heat, sun-dried tomatoes for intense flavor, or Worcestershire sauce for depth. Experiment with different cheeses, vegetables, and herbs to customize the recipe.