Description
These Greek Turkey Meatballs are a flavorful and healthy twist on traditional meatballs, featuring ground turkey seasoned with Mediterranean spices and baked to perfection. Served alongside a creamy, refreshing homemade tzatziki sauce made with Greek yogurt, cucumber, fresh herbs, and lemon, this dish offers a light yet satisfying meal that’s perfect for weeknight dinners or entertaining guests.
Ingredients
Scale
Meatballs
- 1 pound ground turkey
- 1/3 cup Italian breadcrumbs
- 1/4 cup diced red onion
- 2 large egg yolks
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- Zest of 1 lemon
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1/2 teaspoon ground cumin
- Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
Tzatziki Sauce
- 1 cup plain Greek yogurt
- 1 English cucumber, finely diced
- 2 cloves garlic, pressed
- 1 tablespoon chopped fresh dill
- 1 tablespoon freshly squeezed lemon juice
- 1 teaspoon lemon zest
- 1 teaspoon chopped fresh mint (optional)
- Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
Instructions
- Prepare the tzatziki sauce: In a small bowl, combine Greek yogurt, finely diced cucumber, pressed garlic, chopped fresh dill, freshly squeezed lemon juice, lemon zest, and chopped fresh mint if using. Season with kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste. Drizzle 2 tablespoons of olive oil on top. Mix well, then refrigerate for at least 10 minutes to allow the flavors to meld. Set aside.
- Preheat the oven: Set your oven to 400°F (200°C). Lightly oil a 9×13 inch baking dish or coat it with nonstick cooking spray to prevent sticking.
- Mix the meatball ingredients: In a large bowl, combine ground turkey, Italian breadcrumbs, diced red onion, egg yolks, minced garlic, lemon zest, dried oregano, ground cumin, and season with kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste. Using a wooden spoon or clean hands, mix the ingredients thoroughly until well combined.
- Form the meatballs: Roll the turkey mixture into approximately 18 to 20 meatballs, each measuring about 1 1/4 to 1 1/2 inches in diameter. Ensure the meatballs are compact but not overly dense.
- Bake the meatballs: Arrange the formed meatballs evenly in the prepared baking dish. Bake in the preheated oven for 18 to 20 minutes, or until the meatballs are browned on all sides and cooked through to an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C).
- Serve: Remove the meatballs from the oven and serve immediately with the chilled tzatziki sauce on the side. Garnish with additional fresh dill and lemon zest if desired for extra flavor and presentation.
Notes
- Ensure ground turkey is lean for best texture and flavor.
- The mint in the tzatziki sauce is optional but adds a refreshing note.
- You can prepare the meatballs and tzatziki sauce ahead of time; just refrigerate separately and reheat the meatballs before serving.
- Serve with warm pita bread or over a Greek salad for a complete meal.
- Make sure not to overmix the meatball mixture to keep them tender.
