This Greek Turkey Meatballs recipe comes together in about 30 minutes and bakes up beautifully for a satisfying family dinner that your family will love! Switch up the ingredients to suit your taste or use it as a “clean out the fridge” meal to get rid of leftovers, it’s a great way to add a Mediterranean twist to your dinner table!
Key Ingredients for Your Greek Turkey Meatballs
What You’ll Need
- 1.25 lbs 93% lean ground turkey: This lean protein keeps the meatballs moist and healthy!
- 1 cup grated zucchini: Adds moisture and sneaks in some veggies! Just make sure to squeeze out the excess liquid, nobody likes soggy meatballs.
- 2 slices whole wheat bread (or gluten-free bread): This helps bind the mixture without being too heavy. Just wet the bread with a bit of water, squeeze out the excess moisture, and tear it into bits.
- 1/4 cup seasoned whole wheat breadcrumbs (or gluten-free panko): Adds extra texture!
- 1 large egg: This helps hold everything together.
- 3 cloves garlic, minced: Because who doesn’t love garlic?
- 1/4 red onion, grated: Grating it means you won’t bite into big chunks, just tons of flavor.
- 2 tbsp fresh oregano, chopped: If you have dried, feel free to use that too, just go a bit lighter since dried herbs are more potent.
- 1/4 cup fresh parsley, chopped: This adds a bright freshness.
- 2 tbsp fresh spearmint, chopped: Wait, don’t skip this! It’s a key ingredient that adds a delightful, unexpected twist.
- 1 tsp kosher salt & fresh black pepper: A couple pinches of each to bring out all those flavors!
- Olive oil cooking spray: For that crispy finish!
Substitutions and Tips
- Ground Turkey: Swap for ground chicken if you like.
- Zucchini: Grated carrots or even bell peppers work if you want to change things up!
- Bread: Any kind of bread will work! You could even use stale bread, my grandma always said that was the best.
- Herbs: You can mix and match the herbs based on what you have. Basil or thyme would be great substitutes.
How to Make These Flavorful Greek Turkey Meatballs
Prep the Bread: Start by wetting the bread. Just put a little water on it and squeeze out the excess. Tear it into small pieces and toss it into a large mixing bowl. It’s a little messy, but hey, that’s part of the fun!
Mix It Up: Add in the ground turkey, egg, grated zucchini, breadcrumbs, minced garlic, grated onion, oregano, parsley, spearmint, a couple pinches of salt and pepper, and mix everything with your hands until just combined. You want it all mixed together, but don’t overwork it, it should be a little bit messy but not falling apart!
Form the Meatballs: Using a 1/4 cup measure, scoop the mixture and form them into balls. I like to slightly flatten them into patties; it just makes them cook more evenly. Place them on a tray and, if you have time, refrigerate for about 10-15 minutes. Chill time helps them keep their shape when cooking!
Cooking Time!: You have a few options here, if you want to go the easy route, just spray a large nonstick frying pan with some olive oil and cook over low heat until cooked through, about 5-6 minutes on each side. You’re looking for that lovely golden brown color!Alternately, you could bake them in the oven at 350°F (175°C) for about 20-25 minutes. They will puff up a bit and be juicy! If you’re feeling super adventurous, grill them over medium heat for that smoky flavor, it’s perfect for summer nights!
Enjoy: These Greek turkey meatballs should smell incredible by now, golden brown and aromatic! Use them in a pita, over a salad, or simply with a side of your favorite dipping sauce. Seriously, the possibilities are endless.
If you loved this Greek Turkey Meatballs recipe, be sure to check out my White Turkey Chili!
Why This Recipe Works
Quick & Easy
This recipe comes together in under 30 minutes! If you’re running late (who isn’t?), these meatballs are perfect for a weeknight dinner, love that!
One-Pot Wonder
Minimal cleanup required! You just need one bowl to mix and one pan for cooking. Easy peasy!
Budget-Friendly
Uses affordable, everyday ingredients, making it easy on the wallet! Who doesn’t love saving a few bucks?
Customizable
The best part is, you can use whatever’s in your fridge or pantry. Toss in herbs you have on hand, or replace things based on your preferences, get creative!
Comfort Food
These flavorful meatballs are loaded with tons of flavor! They’ll warm your heart and tummy, just like grandma used to make when we needed a pick-me-up.
Serving Suggestions
These Greek Turkey Meatballs are incredibly versatile, here are some serving ideas:
- Pita Pockets: Stuff them in a pita with tzatziki sauce, fresh veggies, and feta cheese.
- Salad: Serve on a bed of greens with a light lemon vinaigrette for a lighter meal.
- Spaghetti: Toss with some whole wheat spaghettini or zucchini noodles and a gorgeous marinara sauce.
- Grain Bowls: Pair with quinoa, feta, olives, and roasted veggies for a hit of Mediterranean flavors.
Storage and Reheating
- How Long They Keep: Store leftover meatballs in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3-4 days.
- Reheating: Best method? Reheat in the oven at 350°F until warmed through, or in the microwave for a quick option.
- Freezer Friendly: You bet! Just place them in a single layer on a baking sheet and freeze until solid. Then transfer to a zip-top bag, it’ll keep for about 3 months. Perfect for meal prep!
Cooking at home doesn’t have to feel stressful or overwhelming. This Greek Turkey Meatballs recipe is all about bringing people together, enjoying great food, and filling your family’s bellies with comfort food they’ll actually look forward to. Whether you’re meal prepping or looking for a quick weeknight meal, these meatballs are just what you need. Make sure to give them a try, your family will love them!
So, what are you waiting for? Put on your apron, get those ingredients, and let’s get cooking! And for more recipes, follow us on Pinterest.
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Easy Greek Turkey Meatballs
- Total Time: 40 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Diet: Low Carb
Description
A quick and easy recipe for Greek turkey meatballs that are moist, healthy, and perfect for a satisfying family dinner.
Ingredients
- 1.25 lbs 93% lean ground turkey
- 1 cup grated zucchini
- 2 slices whole wheat bread (or gluten-free bread)
- 1/4 cup seasoned whole wheat breadcrumbs (or gluten-free panko)
- 1 large egg
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1/4 red onion, grated
- 2 tbsp fresh oregano, chopped
- 1/4 cup fresh parsley, chopped
- 2 tbsp fresh spearmint, chopped
- 1 tsp kosher salt
- 1 tsp fresh black pepper
- Olive oil cooking spray
Instructions
- Wet the bread with a little water, squeeze out excess moisture, tear into small pieces, and add it to a large mixing bowl.
- Add the ground turkey, egg, grated zucchini, breadcrumbs, minced garlic, grated onion, oregano, parsley, spearmint, salt, and pepper to the bowl, and mix until just combined.
- Form the mixture into meatballs using a 1/4 cup measure, and place them on a tray. Refrigerate for about 10-15 minutes.
- Cook the meatballs in a sprayed nonstick frying pan over low heat for about 5-6 minutes on each side or bake in the oven at 350°F for about 20-25 minutes until golden brown.
Notes
These meatballs are customizable, you can swap ground turkey for chicken, and use different vegetables or herbs based on what you have on hand.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Mediterranean
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 320
- Sugar: 3g
- Sodium: 450mg
- Fat: 10g
- Saturated Fat: 2g
- Unsaturated Fat: 7g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 28g
- Fiber: 4g
- Protein: 25g
- Cholesterol: 70mg