Turkey Meatballs
on Oct 17, 2023, Updated Apr 23, 2024
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Delicious and tender Turkey Meatballs are easy to make and bursting with meaty and herby flavor! You can serve these juicy meatballs with pasta, rice, or on a sandwich for a quick week-night meal.
I love these turkey meatballs because they’re quick, easy, and I can use them for so many different meals! One of my favorite ways to serve these yummy meatballs is over rice made in the Instant Pot with a homemade sweet and sour sauce and cooked bell peppers! But of course, you could go the traditional route and pair them with easy spaghetti sauce and spaghetti.
Although these turkey meatballs are a leaner option, they don’t skimp when it comes to flavor. The eggs in this recipe keep the meatballs juicy and tender, while the seasonings give them a savory kick. Plus, turkey is a great source of protein, and a nice change of pace from the typical beef meatballs.
Table of Contents
Recipe Ingredients
- Ground Turkey— I typically use the extra-lean option, but any type of ground turkey will work.
- Eggs—The binding agent in this recipe.
- Italian Breadcrumbs—To prevent the meatballs from becoming dry.
- Seasonings—I throw in a dash of garlic powder and dried oregano for some extra flavor!
See the recipe card for full information on ingredients and quantities.
Popular Substitutions and Variations
Not a fan of turkey? You can use any kind of ground meat to make these homemade meatballs! Try using ground beef, pork, chicken, venison, veal, or a combination.
You can easily make these turkey meatballs gluten free by using almond or oat flour. It’s also relatively easy to find gluten-free breadcrumbs at the grocery store.
Turn this recipe into a stand-alone dish by baking it into meatloaf! Simply mix all the ingredients together as normal before pressing the mixture into a parchment-lined loaf pan. Bake at 350°F for 45-60 minutes.
How to Make Baked Turkey Meatballs
Step #1. In a medium bowl, mix together the ground turkey, eggs, breadcrumbs, garlic powder, and oregano. Use your hands or a large spoon to work the ingredients together until fully combined.
Step #2. Divide the mixture into balls about 2 inches in diameter. Place them on a baking sheet.
Step #3. Bake your meatballs until they are heated throughout and slightly darkened on the outside.
Step #4. Serve and Enjoy!
Recipe FAQs
There are so many alternatives to using breadcrumbs for meatballs and some of them might surprise you! First, you can use rolled oats that have been blended or pulsed in a food processor. You can also crush up pretzels, chips, crackers, or cornflakes. If none of those are your speed, you can use finely blended cooked rice as an alternative. All of these ingredients will work to keep the meatballs tender and juicy. Once everything is baked together, you won’t even be able to tell the difference!
This depends on your preference! Most of the time, you will hear that it is better to bake meatballs. Baking is quicker, easier, and results in meatballs that are slightly crunchy on the outside. In addition, many consider baking meatballs to be the healthier option. If you want to, you can fry these turkey meatballs, but it will be a longer and messier process. You will need to flip the meatballs several times to ensure that they cook evenly. It’ll be a bit tedious, but I will admit that the caramelized exterior of pan-fried meatballs is hard to beat!
Expert Tips
- If you only have plain breadcrumbs, don’t worry! You can add 1 teaspoon each of oregano, basil, garlic powder, onion powder, and ground thyme to make them Italian breadcrumbs.
- You can add a little sharpness to your meatballs by adding ¼ cup of grated parmesan cheese to the meat mixture!
- You may want to turn on your oven’s broiler for the last 2-4 minutes of cooking to make sure the meatballs are slightly golden on the outside.
- When forming the meatballs, do not overpack them as they may become too dense and will have a hard time cooking. Gently pack them into small balls and place them on your baking sheet.
How to Serve and Store Turkey Meatballs
There are so many ways to serve turkey meatballs! Keep things classic and serve these meatballs over spaghetti and top them with marinara sauce. You can also use these meatballs in sub sandwiches or serve them over rice with the sauce of your choice! I’ll often smother these lean meatballs with a sweet and sour sauce or some brown gravy. Complete any of these meals with a side of zucchini, brussels sprouts, or a crispy garden salad!
If you have leftover turkey meatballs, you can store them in the fridge for up to 4 days. Simply reheat the meatballs in the microwave when you’re ready to eat them! You can also freeze these meatballs for an easy meal prep. After creating the meatballs, place them on a lined sheet pan to freeze, then transfer to a freezer-safe bag to be stored for up to 2 months. When you are ready to cook them, place the frozen meatballs in the oven for 25 minutes at 400°F.
More Turkey Recipes To Consider
Soups, Stews & Chowders
Easy Turkey Pumpkin Chili
Turkey Recipes
Simple and Juicy Oven Roasted Turkey Breast
Quick Dinner Ideas
Leftover Turkey Taquitos
From Scratch Recipes
The Ultimate Turkey Sandwich
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Turkey Meatballs
Ingredients
- 1 pound ground turkey
- 2 large eggs
- ½ cup Italian bread crumbs
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 400°F.
- In a medium sized bowl, combine the ground turkey, eggs, bread crumbs, garlic powder, and dried oregano. Use your hands or a large spoon to work the ingredients together until fully combined.
- Divide the meat into balls about 2 inches in diameter and place them on a baking sheet.
- Cook your meatballs for 15-17 minutes, or until they reach an internal temperature of 165°F.
- Serve and enjoy!
Notes
- These meatballs are great served with some pasta and marinara sauce. You can also use these meatballs in subs or top them with a sweet and sour asian sauce and rice.
- You can store these meatballs in the fridge for up to 4 days. You can also freeze these meatballs before they are cooked for up to 2 months. When you are ready to cook your frozen meatballs, place them in the oven for 25 minutes at 400°F.
- If you only have plain breadcrumbs, you can add 1 teaspoon each of oregano, basil, garlic powder, onion powder, and ground thyme to the plain breadcrumbs.
- If you want to add a little sharpness to your meatballs, you can add ¼ cup of grated parmesan cheese to your meatball mixture.
- The eggs are important in ensuring that the meatballs stay together and do not fall part as they cook.
