Tender, flavorful, and ready in about 40 minutes! These Greek Turkey Meatballs are the kind of dinner I find myself making on repeat every single week. I love that lean ground turkey keeps them light and high in protein without sacrificing any of that juicy, satisfying flavor. Topped with creamy homemade tzatziki, this is Mediterranean comfort food at its absolute best!

A Quick Look: Greek Turkey Meatballs
- ✅ Recipe Name: Greek Turkey Meatballs with Tzatziki Sauce
- 🕒 Ready In: About 40 minutes (20 min prep, 20 min cook)
- 👪 Serves: 14 meatballs (about 3–4 servings)
- 🍽 Calories: ~76 per meatball
- 📋 Protein: ~9g per meatball
- 🥬 Main Ingredients: Ground turkey, fresh dill, garlic, red onion, breadcrumbs, egg
- 📖 Dietary Info: Nut-free, easily made gluten-free
- 🥣 Best For: Meal prep, weeknight dinners, Greek bowls, snack boxes
BEST Ground Turkey Greek Meatballs
I have made a lot of meatballs on this blog, from my Thai turkey meatballs with peanut sauce to my butter chicken meatballs, but these Greek turkey meatballs hold a very special place in my heart. They are so easy to throw together on a weeknight, they reheat beautifully for meal prep, and here’s the part I love most: even the kiddos go absolutely crazy for them!
I love using lean ground turkey for this recipe (specifically 93/7) because it’s a bit more wholesome than beef while still being juicy and satisfying. Turkey is naturally lower in fat and still high in protein, which makes these meatballs a genuinely nutritious dinner choice. Mix everything together in one bowl, roll into balls, and you’re about 10 minutes away from getting them in the pan.
Paired with my homemade tzatziki sauce and a side of tomato cucumber feta salad, this meal is Mediterranean magic on a plate. It’s become one of those recipes I make almost every single week, and I’m not even a little bit sorry about it!
Table of contents
Why You’ll Love These Greek Turkey Meatballs
- Quick and easy. The whole Greek turkey meatballs recipe comes together in about 40 minutes with simple, straightforward steps, perfect for a busy weeknight.
- High in protein! At 9 grams of protein per meatball, these are a genuinely filling and nourishing meal.
- Meal prep friendly. Make a batch on Sunday and enjoy them in bowls, salads, or snack boxes all week long.
- Kid-approved! This might be the best part. The mild Mediterranean flavors are a total crowd-pleaser, and even little ones love them!
- Easily made gluten-free. A simple breadcrumb swap is all it takes to make this recipe work for everyone at the table.
Ingredients Needed
To make a batch of these juicy Greek turkey meatballs, you’ll need just a few simple ingredients! Here’s a bit more about what I used:

- Ground Turkey: My go-to protein whenever I make meatballs! I prefer to use 93/7 lean ground turkey as it has enough fat to keep the meatballs juicy. You’ll need about 1 pound.
- Garlic: 2 minced cloves of garlic add wonderful flavor to the meatballs. You can also use garlic powder if you don’t have fresh.
- Breadcrumbs: Adding in 1/2 cup of plain breadcrumbs helps bind the meatballs and keep them from falling apart. Panko breadcrumbs also work great! For a low-carb and gluten-free version, you can swap out the breadcrumbs for almond flour instead.
- Dill: Chopped fresh dill add authentic Mediterranean flavor. If you can’t find fresh, use 1 tablespoon of dried dill.
- Oregano: 1/2 teaspoon of dried oregano adds an earthy, aromatic flavor.
- Red Onion: Using a 1/4 of a red onion can add flavor and moisture. Not to mention a bite of tanginess.
- Egg: 1 beaten egg helps bind the meatballs and keep them together!
- Olive Oil: To cook the Greek turkey meatballs, you’ll need about 2 tablespoons of olive oil. You can also use avocado oil or coconut oil.
Tip: You can follow my recipe for healthy tzatziki sauce recipe to make a homemade version. Just cut the recipe in half!
Substitutions & Additions
- Swap the protein: Ground chicken works just as well as turkey. The meatballs will be slightly lighter in color and flavor but still delicious.
- Make it gluten-free: Use 1/2 cup almond flour in place of breadcrumbs.
- Add feta: Fold 2 to 3 tablespoons of crumbled feta cheese into the meatball mixture for a salty bite.
- Bake instead of pan-fry: Place meatballs on a parchment-lined baking sheet and bake at 375°F for 28–30 minutes, flipping halfway through. Several readers have also made these in the air fryer at 400°F for 12 minutes!
How to Make Greek Turkey Meatballs

Step 1: Mix the meatball mixture. In a large bowl, combine ground turkey and minced garlic cloves. Grate 1/4 of a large red onion directly into the bowl (or chop it very finely). Add egg, breadcrumbs, chopped fresh dill, dried oregano, salt, and pepper. Mix until just combined.

Step 2: Form the meatballs: Divide the mixture into 14 equal meatballs. A small ice cream scoop makes this incredibly easy and keeps them uniform in size. You can also use a spoon and roll them in your palms.

Step 3: Cook the meatballs. Heat a sauté pan over medium heat and add 2 tablespoons of olive oil. Once hot, add the meatballs and cook for 7–8 minutes, turning constantly to ensure even browning on all sides. The meatballs are done when they reach an internal temperature of 165°F.

Step 4: Make tzatziki and serve. While the meatballs are cooking, whip up a half batch of my healthy tzatziki sauce. It only takes a few minutes and makes such a difference!
Tip: Add a little bit of olive oil to your hands before forming the meatballs to make the rolling easier!
Erins’ Expert Recipe Tips
- Don’t overmix the meat. Mix until the ingredients are just combined! Overmixing leads to dense, tough meatballs.
- Use a meat thermometer. Turkey meatballs can turn rubbery if overcooked. Pull them off the heat the moment they hit 165°F for perfectly moist, tender results every time.
- Use a small ice cream scoop. It’s the easiest way to get uniform meatballs that cook evenly.
- Grate (don’t chop) the onion. Grating releases more moisture and keeps the flavor subtle without any big chunks of onion in your meatballs!
- Serve it with: These Greek turkey meatballs are amazing served alongside Moroccan couscous salad, lemon garlic hummus, or baked falafel for the ultimate Mediterranean spread!
- Storage: Store cooked turkey Greek meatballs in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. They reheat wonderfully on the stovetop or in the microwave. These are my favorite meal prep meatballs!
- Freezing: To freeze, place formed (uncooked) Mediterranean turkey meatballs on a baking sheet and freeze for 1 hour until firm. Transfer to an airtight container or zip-top bag and freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge, then cook as directed.
Frequently Asked Questions
Ground chicken would also work great in this recipe. The end result may be slightly lighter in flavor and color but will still be tasty. You can use the same amount of ground chicken as the recipe calls for in ground turkey.
They can become rubbery if they are overcooked. Try reducing the cooking time to about 7-8 minutes or until an internal temperature of 165°F is reached. This will help keep the meatballs moist and tender.

If you liked this recipe, you’ll want to try these!
Here are some of my favorite Greek recipes you should make next. Enjoy!
- Greek Sheet Pan Chicken Thighs
- Healthy Greek Turkey Burgers with Tzatziki
- Grilled Greek Chicken Salad
- Gluten-Free Greek Pasta Salad
- Mediterranean Salmon Foil Packs
Recipe by Erin Morrissey and Photos by The Mindful Hapa
If you tried this recipe or any other recipes on my blog, please leave a 🌟 star rating and let me know how it went in the 📝 comments below. Follow @erinliveswhole on Instagram and tag me in any of the recipes you make so I can repost them!

Greek Turkey Meatballs with Tzatziki
Ingredients
Method
- In a large bowl, add ground turkey and minced garlic.
- Grate 1/4 red onion into turkey, alternatively chop red onion very small.
- Add egg, breadcrumbs, dill, oregano, salt, and pepper. Mix until just combined, I use my hands.
- Form into 14 meatballs.
- Heat sauce pan with olive oil over medium heat. Once hot, add meatballs and cook for 7-8 minutes, turning every constantly to ensure even cooking on all sides. Once meatballs reach 165F they are done.
- While meatballs are cooking, make Tzatziki.
- Serve over rice!
Nutrition
Notes
- Use 93/7 lean ground turkey. This is my go-to for meatballs! It has just enough fat to keep them juicy and flavorful without drying out.
- Use a small ice cream scoop to form the meatballs. It’s the easiest way to get even, uniform balls every time! You can also use a spoon and roll them in your hands, just add a little olive oil to your palms to keep the mixture from sticking.
- Keep a meat thermometer handy and don’t overcook! Turkey meatballs can turn rubbery if they go too long. Pull them off the heat as soon as they hit 165°F — that’s the sweet spot for perfectly moist and tender meatballs every single time.
- Storage: Refrigerate in an airtight container for up to 4 days, or freeze for up to 3 months.






Meredith C says
Loved this recipe! Delicious, well-seasoned meatballs. Awesome for dinner with pita, and leftovers for lunch later in the week. Adding this to our summer meal rotation!
Erin says
Hi Meredith, so happy you loved them so much and great idea!!
Amber H says
A delicious fast and easy recipe that reheats great for meal prep. My husband commented on how delicious the house smelled and even my 13 month old scarfed these down – and she is not typically a meat fan. This will definitely become a weekly staple in our house!
Erin says
Hi Amber, so happy you all loved them!! 🙂
Sarah Coyne says
These were so easy and a huge hit! The meatballs are so tasty and a great addition to a Greek bowl. I actually cooked mine in the air fryers at 400F for 12 mins and they came out perfect.
Erin says
Hi Sarah, so glad you all loved them! 🙂
Anna Bliss says
These are AMAZING!!! Will definitely be another staple in our house. Made with the suggested tomato/cucumber/feta salad and excellent. Love that these are so good on their own or versatile can add whatever you want to a greek bowl. Someone said that “bowls” are millennials version of casseroles and so true! Thanks Erin!!!
Erin says
Hi Anna, so happy you loved them and great idea!! 🙂
Jess says
Such a delicious recipe! This is a frequent rotation in our house and the whole family loves it. I use a cookie scoop size and roll the meatballs and bake at 375F for 30-35 minutes
Erin says
Hi Jess, so happy you all loved it and great tip!!
Kate says
SO easy to meal prep and extremely flavorful. Made these while I was pregnant to have postpartum – they freeze well!
Alisha says
So easy and so good. Subbed ground chicken.
Brittany says
One of our go to dinner recipes! So yummy
Thea says
These are INSANE
Erin says
Hi Thea, so happy you loved them!!
Avery Ehler says
5/5! An absolute staple in our house paired with her cucumber tomato feta salad. So delicious and so easy! My husband’s only complaint is that I don’t double the recipe when I make it!
Erin says
Hi Avery, so happy you both love them! 🙂
Alice says
My boyfriend and I just made these last week and all I can say is WOW!! They were absolutely amazing. The flavors, the texture, just everything. It’s really hard to agree on meals for us and this will definitely be a new staple. Can’t wait to try more of your recipes.
Erin says
Hi Alice, so happy you both loved them! 🙂
Kay says
I’m obsessed with these (and I make tzatziki and veggie salad with it). So delicious and healthy, good as leftovers. Sometimes I pop the meatballs in oven after cooking on stove if needed.
Erin says
Hi Kay, so happy you loved them so much!!
Anna says
These are so good! I baked them instead of pan frying then per another comments suggestion. These are great with a salad and some tzatziki.
Erin says
Hi Anna, so glad you loved them! 🙂
Brant Duell says
I made this for my wife a few weeks ago. She is an ED nurse and I try to always find different meals for her. She loved these and so did her eleven year old son. Im actually making a double batch tonight. Thanks for the recipe.
Erin says
Hi Brant, so happy they were a big hit!! 🙂
Christine says
Tasted great with the homemade tzatziki sauce!
Erin says
Hi Christine, so glad you loved them! 🙂