Healthy Greek Turkey Meatballs With Tzatziki

If you want to enjoy the delicious and healthy flavors of the Mediterranean, try making some Greek turkey meatballs! This recipe is absolutely delicious and really easy to make. Served up with a homemade tzatziki sauce, this meal is perfect for meal prep bowls or salads.

Healthy Mediterranean meatballs with fresh tzatziki sauce

I’ve been looking for new recipes to add to my meal prep rotation, and these Greek turkey meatballs work perfectly. They are super simple to make, and the ingredients are easy to find!

One of my favorite things about this recipe is that it’s made with lean ground turkey. This means that the meatballs are packed with nutritious protein and are much lower in fat than other types of meatballs.

Plus, the addition of garlic, onions, and fresh herbs gives the meatballs a flavorful Mediterranean twist.

Drizzle with some homemade tzatziki sauce, and you’ve got yourself an incredibly tasty and healthy dinner!

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, consider swapping 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 Tzatziki to make a homemade version. Just cut the recipe in half!

Kitchen tools required

Here’s a bit more information about what I used to make these Mediterranean turkey meatballs…

• Large bowls
• Grater
• Knife
• Saute pan
• Meat thermometer (optional)

For measuring, you will need 1 cup, 1/2 cup, 1/4 cup, a tablespoon, a teaspoon, and 1/2 teaspoon.

How to make Greek turkey meatballs

To make turkey meatballs, start by putting ground turkey and minced garlic in a large bowl. Then, add the grated (or finely chopped) red onion, along with an egg, breadcrumbs, dill, oregano, salt, and pepper.

Mix everything together using your hands and then divide the mixture into 14 meatballs.

Tip: The easiest way to form the meatballs is to use a small ice cream scoop! You can also use a spoon to scoop a bit of the turkey mixture into the palm of your hand and roll it into even balls. Add a little bit of olive oil to your hands to make the rolling easier.

Heat up some olive oil in a skillet over medium-high heat, and then add the meatballs.

Next, heat olive oil in a saucepan over medium heat. Once the oil is hot, add the meatballs and cook them for 7-8 minutes, turning them constantly to ensure they cook evenly on all sides.

Once the meatballs reach an internal temperature of 165°F, they are ready. You can use a meat thermometer to check the temperature of the meat.

While the meatballs are cooking, you can make the Tzatziki sauce.

Serve and enjoy!

Below are some common turkey meatball questions. Don’t see the answer you’re looking for? Leave a comment at the bottom of this post!

Can I use ground chicken instead of turkey?

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.

How do I make the meatballs gluten-free?

To make the meatballs gluten-free, simply swap out the 1/2 cup of breadcrumbs for 1/2 cup of almond flour or a gluten-free breadcrumb substitute. This will help bind the meatballs without the gluten!

Why are my turkey meatballs rubbery?

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.

What can I serve with these Greek meatballs?

These Greek turkey meatballs are perfect for meal prep bowls and salads! I love to serve them with a big bowl of roasted veggies and rice and topped with crumbled feta cheese.

Sometimes, I will whip up a batch of this Moroccan couscous salad and serve them with meatballs and lemon garlic hummus.

You can also make yourself a little protein snack box! I like to add these Mediterranean meatballs, baked falafels, tzatziki sauce, and tomato cucumber salad.

Once your Greek turkey meatballs have been cooked, you can store them in an airtight container for up to 4 days.

Can I freeze the turkey meatballs?

Yes, the Greek turkey meatballs can be frozen for up to 3 months!

• After shaping the meatballs, place them on a baking sheet and freeze for 1 hour until firm.
• Then, transfer to an airtight container or food storage bag.
• When you are ready to eat them, simply thaw the meatballs in the refrigerator overnight and then bake or sauté as directed in the recipe.
• Serve and enjoy!

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

★★★★★ 5 from 59 reviews

Greek Turkey Meatballs with Tzatziki

If you want to enjoy the delicious and healthy flavors of the Mediterranean, try making some Greek turkey meatballs! This recipe is absolutely delicious and really easy to make. Served up with a homemade tzatziki sauce, this meal is perfect for meal prep bowls or salads.

Prep: 20Cook: 20Total: 40 minutes

Yield 14 meatballs 1x

1x2x3x

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Ingredients

• 1lb ground turkey (I prefer 93/7 lean)
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1/4 large red onion
• 1 egg
• 1/2 cup breadcrumbs or almond flour
• 1/4 cup chopped fresh dill
• 1/2 tbsp dried oregano
• 1 tsp salt
• 1/2 tsp pepper
• 2 tbsp olive oil

Tzatziki Recipe (cut in half)

Tomato Cucumber Feta Salad

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Instructions

1. In a large bowl, add ground turkey and minced garlic.
2. Grate 1/4 red onion into turkey, alternatively chop red onion very small.
3. Add egg, breadcrumbs, dill, oregano, salt, and pepper. Mix until just combined, I use my hands.
4. Form into 14 meatballs.
5. 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.
6. While meatballs are cooking, make Tzatziki.
7. Serve over rice!

Author: ErinCategory: dinner, lunch, meal-prep, gluten-freeMethod: ovenCuisine: GreekDiet: Gluten Free