Julie Clark
Posted:
Turkey Meatballs
This post may contain affiliate links. Read our disclosure policy.
Use ground turkey to make these easy turkey meatballs. A secret ingredient, feta cheese, adds tangy and salty flavor and keeps the meatballs tender and delicious.
Whether it’s for an appetizer with toothpicks or served on top of a pile of pasta with fresh herbs and parmesan cheese garnishing the dinner, I’m all about meatballs! It’s my go-to comfort food for parties and for easy weeknight meals with easy cleanup.
This Turkey Meatballs recipe is a delicious twist on traditional Italian meatballs. Turkey meatballs may have gotten a reputation for being dry and flavorless, but our recipe beats those odds.
Our secret ingredient of feta cheese folded into the meat mixture not only adds flavor but moisture to every bite. The turkey meatballs bind together with cheese, eggs and breadcrumbs, making them the perfect pasta topper!
Ingredients for Turkey Meatballs
The list may look long, but most ingredients are pantry staples…dried herbs to help give your turkey meatballs the best flavor.
- To make gluten-free meatballs, use gluten-free bread crumbs.
- If you’re buying fresh basil for a topping, consider using fresh basil in the turkey meatballs, too! Use a tablespoon of fresh basil in place of the teaspoon of dried basil.
✨ See the recipe card for full ingredients and amounts. ✨
How do you keep turkey meatballs from falling apart?
To keep turkey meatballs from falling apart, the key is to use a combination of binding ingredients, moisture, and careful handling. Here are a few tips:
- Use breadcrumbs and eggs: Breadcrumbs help absorb moisture and provide structure, while eggs act as a binder to hold everything together. If you’re using a lean turkey (which has less fat), these ingredients are especially important.
- Add cheese: Cheese can help keep the meatballs moist and less likely to crumble.
- Don’t overmix: When combining the meat mixture, mix just until they’re incorporated. Overworking the mixture can make the meatballs tough and prone to falling apart.
- Cook gently: Don’t overcrowd the pan or baking sheet. Giving each meatball some space allows for even cooking and reduces the chance of them breaking apart.
Serving Suggestions
Serve the high protein turkey meatballs on a bed of zucchini noodles, cauliflower rice or over veggies like broccoli, squash or green beans for a low-carb option. This is what we serve our gluten-free chicken meatballs with!
Are you a pasta lover? Try spaghetti or a fun pasta shape like orecchiette.
Other Meatball Recipes
Meatballs make for great meal prep because they freeze so well. Try one of our other varieties, too!
Delicious and Easy Turkey Meatballs
Use ground turkey to make this easy turkey meatball recipe. A secret ingredient, feta cheese, adds tangy and salty flavor and keeps the meatballs tender and delicious.
Servings 4
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 16 minutes
Total Time 26 minutes
Ingredients
- 1 pound lean ground turkey 85% lean
- 1/2 cup Italian breadcrumbs
- 1/2 cup panko breadcrumbs
- 1/2 cup finely grated Parmesan cheese
- 2 cloves garlic minced
- 1/2 small white onion finely diced
- 1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley
- 1 large egg beaten
- 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1/2 teaspoon dried basil
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper
- 1/2 cup crumbled feta cheese
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 jar marinara sauce 28 ounces
Instructions
- In a large bowl, combine the ground turkey, breadcrumbs, Parmesan cheese, garlic, onion, parsley, egg, oregano, basil, salt, and black pepper. Mix well. 1 pound lean ground turkey, ½ cup Italian breadcrumbs, ½ cup panko breadcrumbs, ½ cup finely grated Parmesan cheese, 2 cloves garlic, ½ small white onion, ¼ cup chopped fresh parsley, 1 large egg, ½ teaspoon dried oregano, ½ teaspoon dried basil, ½ teaspoon salt, ¼ teaspoon ground black pepper
- Add the crumbled feta cheese to the turkey mixture and gently mix until just combined. ½ cup crumbled feta cheese
- Using a small cookie scoop or a spoon, form the mixture into small balls and place them on a baking sheet (you'll get 20-25 small meatballs). Heat a skillet over medium heat and drizzle the olive oil until it coats the pan. Gently place the meatballs on the skillet, arranging them so they do not touch. 2 tablespoons olive oil
- Cook the meatballs for 2-3 minutes and then turn them, allowing each side to brown. Pour in a jar of marinara sauce and allow the meatballs to simmer for 3-4 more minutes. Check the internal temperature of the meatballs with a thermometer to make sure it reaches 165ºF. 1 jar marinara sauce
- Serve the turkey meatballs hot over spaghetti, with garlic bread or a vegetable like roasted broccoli. Garnish with fresh parsley or basil.
Notes
- To bake in the oven: Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper or spray the sheet with a cooking spray.
Place the meatballs on the prepared baking sheet. Brush each of the tops of meatballs with olive oil using a cooking brush. Bake for 14-16 minutes, or until they are browned and cooked through. Check the internal temperature with a thermometer to make sure it reaches 165ºF. - Use any mixture of meat you’d like: ground beef, pork sausage, even ground chicken.
- Storage: Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Freeze for up to 6 weeks.
- Refer to the article above for more tips and tricks. The calories shown are based on the recipe serving 4, with 1 serving being ¼ of the meatballs and sauce. Since different brands of ingredients have different nutritional information, the calories shown are just an estimate. **We are not dietitians and recommend you seek a nutritionist for exact nutritional information. **
Nutrition
Calories: 443kcal | Carbohydrates: 28g | Protein: 41g | Fat: 19g | Saturated Fat: 7g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 3g | Monounsaturated Fat: 8g | Trans Fat: 0.03g | Cholesterol: 134mg | Sodium: 1845mg | Potassium: 981mg | Fiber: 4g | Sugar: 8g | Vitamin A: 1356IU | Vitamin C: 19mg | Calcium: 330mg | Iron: 5mg
