Greek Turkey Meatballs Recipe - Evolving Table (2024)

Greek Turkey Meatballsare full of fresh mint and parsley and loaded with Mediterranean flavor. You can quickly cook these healthy meatballs in a skillet to get a crusty sear or bake them in the oven for easy clean-up. This low-carb and gluten-free Greek dish can also be meal prepped for busy weeks or frozen for later!

EasyGreek MeatballsRecipe

Perfectly round balls of ground turkey meat bursting with fresh mint, parsley, andGreek seasoning.

These Greek meatballs are like little flavor bombs of Mediterranean flavor goodness!

And while they taste almost exactly like the delightful gyro lamb meat found spinning on a rotisserie…

They’re actually SO much quicker and easier to make at home by either baking them in the oven or pan-searing them in a skillet.

You can meal prep them ahead of time for busy weeks, or even freeze a batch for later!

They also make the best party appetizer when served with a side of thisTzatziki sauce.

Turn your kitchen into your new favorite Greek restaurant and whip up this delicious healthy dinner yourself!

Ingredients

The ingredients you will need for these healthy turkey meatballs recipe are relatively easy to find and consist of:

• Ground turkey. A 93/7 lean ground turkey was used and tested in this recipe. A 90/10 or 98/2 may also be used. Ground chicken, beef, or pork can be substituted as well. You need one pound of ground turkey for this recipe.
• Egg. One large egg that has been whisked helps to bind the meatballs together.
• Breadcrumbs. Regular or Panko breadcrumbs may be used in this recipe. Thisgluten-free brandwas used for testing. You can also substitute with alow-carb pork Pankoif you’re on a low-carb diet.
• Mint. While spearmint is the most authentic mint variety to use, sweet mint may also be used. Peppermint is not recommended.
• Fresh Parsley. Curly-leaf parsley is the best type to use, but flat-leaf Italian parsley may be substituted if that’s what you have available.
• Onion. A diced red onion is the most authentic in Mediterranean cuisine, but a sweet, yellow, or white onion will work too.
• Greek Seasoning. Thishomemade Greek seasoningis quick and easy to make and adds a TON of flavor to these meatballs. You can also use a store-bought kind if you’re a little pressed for time.

How to Make Greek Turkey Meatballs?

Below you’ll find the step-by-step instructions for making healthy Greek turkey meatballs at home:

Combine the Meatball Ingredients

In a large bowl, mix together the ground turkey, whisked egg, breadcrumbs, onion, mint, parsley, Greek seasoning, and kosher salt.

Stir until well combined by either using a spatula or your hands.

Shape the Meatballs

Scoop out 2 tablespoons of the meatball mixture and roll into a ball.Spray a bit of non-stick cooking spray on your hands if you’re having trouble with the mixture sticking.

Repeat with the remaining meat mixture until you have 19-20 meatballs.

Prepare a Crusty Sear (Optional)

This step is completely optional, but is a secret trick for getting a perfectly crusty sear on the outside of your meatballs.

However, only do this step if you arecooking them in a skillet. Skip this step if you will be baking them in the oven!

Place 3 tablespoons of flour in a medium-sized shallow bowl. Roll the meatballs in the flour and shake off to remove any excess flour.

This extra flour coating sears up beautifully in the skillet and is a traditional Mediterranean cooking method for getting meatballs with a crisp exterior.

Option 1: Cook in a Skillet

Pan-searing your meatballs in a skillet will give you the best texture for your meatballs. It does take a little more time and attention than baking, but it’s totally worth it!

Place a large skillet over medium or medium-high heat along with 1 tablespoon of oil.

Add meatballs to the skillet in a single layer, about 10 at a time. Cook for 7-9 minutes, turning every 1-2 minutes.

You’ll know the meatballs are done cooking when theinternal temperature on a meat thermometer reaches 165°F. (For turkey, you can follow the same temperature guidelines as the doneness for chicken.)

Option 2: Bake in the Oven

Baking meatballs in the oven is another quick and easy way that also has very minimal clean-up. However, the outside of the meatballs will be softer and not as crisp as if you’d cooked them in a skillet.

Preheat oven to 375°F.

Line alarge rimmed baking sheetwith a piece of parchment paper and mist with nonstick cooking spray. Evenly space the uncooked meatballs on the baking sheet.

Bake in preheated oven for 18-22 minutes, or until meatballs are cooked through.

Serve the Meatballs

Once you’ve got your juicy turkey meatballs cooked and ready to eat, there are so many ways you can serve them!

• A creamyTzatziki Sauce (or a store bought one) is the perfect accompaniment.
• Make a batch ofPita Breadand load them with some of these meatballs.
• Serve them over a bed of rice with some of thisMediterranean Chickpea Salad.
• Pair them with aMediterranean Couscous Salad.
• Go all out with the Greek theme and make someVegan Falafel, too!

Meal Prep and Storage

• How to prep ahead of time:Much like other meatball recipes, you can easily meal prep these up to 2-3 days in advance. When you’re ready to eat, bring them to room temperature and either pop them in the oven or in the skillet and cook until done.
• How to store:Leftover Greek meatballs will last forup to 3-4 daysif stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator.
• How to freeze:Place them on a large sheet pan and flash-freeze for 3-4 hours. Once firm, add the meatballs to a freezer-safe container or gallon-sized Ziploc bag. These meatballs will freeze well for up to a year but frozen meatballs do start to lose their quality after 3-4 months.
• How to reheat:You can warm up meatballs in the microwave, in a skillet, or back in the oven.

Can you serve Greek meatballs cold?

You can serve Greek meatballs cold or hot—it’s completely up to you.Be aware the texture is quite different when cold rather than warm, though.

Can you freeze Greek meatballs?

Yes! Greek meatballs are a fantastic dish to prep ahead and freeze.Be sure to flash freeze them first on a baking sheet, then transfer to a freezer-safe container for up 3 to 4 months for best results. This meatball is a great make-ahead meal.

Expert Tips and Tricks

• Make it work.While this recipe calls for turkey, you can use ground pork, chicken, or beef.
• Less cleanup.The easiest way to avoid extra dishes is to bake meatballs in the oven, but the skillet gives them a nice sear.
• DIY.You can grab store-bought tzatziki sauce, but it’s so simple to make your own.
• Crisp them up.​For a beautiful, crusty sear, roll the meatballs in flour before cooking them in a skillet.
• Eat them anytime.While you can enjoy them at dinner, these meatballs make the perfect appetizer or snack.

What to Serve with Greek Meatballs?

These Greek meatballs are a delicious main dish that pair perfectly with a variety of sauces and sides.

The classic dip,Tzatziki Sauceis one of the best bets.

Stick with the Greek flavors and serve upGreek Cucumber Tomato Salad,Greek Pasta Salad, orMediterranean Couscous Salad.

You can also enjoy a green salad withGreek Salad Dressing.

Or, stick with a veggie side likeAir Fryer BroccoliorInstant Pot Mashed Potatoes.

More Greek Main Dish Recipes

If these Greek meatballs have you craving more recipes with those Mediterranean flavors, put one of these Greek-inspired recipes on your menu soon.

Greek Turkey BurgersandLamb Kofta Kebabsare along the same lines as the meatballs.

Greek Chicken Kebabsare perfect in the summer. Or, add some chicken to thisGreek Pasta Saladfor a complete meal.