These Turkey Meatballs are a delicious healthy alternative to traditional meatballs. Juicy and flavorful, you can eat them on their own or incorporate into your favorite recipes!
Turkey meatballs get a bad rap for being dry and flavorless, but you’ll never have that problem again after making our easy recipe. Carrots, onion, mushroom, and garlic, add loads of flavor and keep the meatballs super moist.
These are the best turkey meatballs you’ll ever make – try serving them with some cabbage steaks and a loaf of beer bread!
Turkey Meatballs
Turkey Meatball Ingredients
Ground turkey – I prefer to use lean ground turkey in this recipe. Don’t worry about the meatballs being dry, as the addition of veggies keeps them super moist and delicious.
Onion – I like a sweet yellow onion or a white onion for this recipe.
Garlic – Fresh garlic is best and will give the most vibrant flavor, but in a pinch you can use jarred garlic or even garlic powder.
Mushrooms – White mushrooms are great because they add a very subtle flavor and a lot of moisture. If you’re looking for a stronger mushroom flavor, feel free to experiment with other types.
Carrots – The carrots will give our meatballs a slightly orange hue, but more importantly, they’ll add lots of nutrients, lots of moisture, and a great layer of flavor.
Bread crumbs – My preference is Italian breadcrumbs, but plain breadcrumbs or even panko can be used in a pinch. If you substitute unseasoned breadcrumbs, make sure to add some seasoned salt to the recipe to make up for it.
Olive oil – We saute the veggies in a small amount of olive oil, but you could also use clarified butter or another fat or oil.
How Do You Make Turkey Meatballs
First, saute onion, mushrooms, garlic, and carrots in olive oil until carrots are soft and onions are translucent.
Next, puree cooked onion, mushrooms, garlic and carrots in a food processor.
Then, combine vegetable puree, ground turkey, eggs and bread crumbs. Knead gently.
Finally, form meatballs, sprinkle with salt and pepper, and bake.
Cooking Tips
How Long Do You Cook Turkey Meatballs
These baked turkey meatballs take about 25 minutes to cook. Alternatively, you can prepare them on the stove top in a small amount of oil or butter until browned on all sides and cooked through.
How Do You Know When Turkey Meatballs Are Done
Poultry should reach an internal temperature of 165 degrees Fahrenheit before consuming. This is especially true when using ground meat as it has a higher risk of contamination.
The best way to be sure your meat has reached a safe internal temperature is with a meat thermometer.
Storage Tips
Can You Freeze Ground Turkey Meatballs
You can freeze turkey meatballs and they will last for several months. In a standard upright freezer they will last for about three months, and in a deep freezer as long as six months.
After that time the meatballs will still be edible but they will begin to deteriorate in flavor and texture.
How Do You Freeze Turkey Meatballs
Allow the meatballs to cool, then arrange in a single layer on a sheet pan and place in the freezer. When the meatballs are frozen solid, add them to a freezer bag or container and return to the freezer.
How to Store Leftovers
Leftover baked turkey meatballs can be stored in the refrigerator for 3 – 4 days or in the freezer for up to six months.
Frequently Asked Questions
How Do You Reheat Turkey Meatballs
The meatballs can be reheated on the stovetop (my boys love turkey meatballs in tomato sauce), in the microwave, or in the oven.
Our favorite way to reheat them is with a little garlic and butter in a skillet, but they’re also delicious in Meatball Soup or Puttanesca!
Are Turkey Meatballs Dry
Turkey meatballs have a bad reputation for being dry and flavorless, but this recipe is moist and amazing thanks to the sauteed vegetables we add. It is truly the best turkey meatball recipe!
How Do You Keep Meatballs From Falling Apart
The egg in our recipe works as a binder or glue to keep the meatballs from falling apart. Definitely don’t skip the egg!
Turkey Meatball Variations
★ Form into patties for turkey burgers instead of meatballs.
★ Add some crushed red pepper for a turkey meatball with a kick.
★ Mix in a tablespoon of curry powder before forming the meatballs for a Middle Eastern flair.
★ Stir into Zucchinis in Red Sauce for an easy and healthy skillet meal.
Serving Suggestions
More Like Turkey Meatballs
Suggested Tools
- Santuko knife – My favorite knife for cutting vegetables! This knife is the perfect size and shape, handles great, and is super reasonably priced. Also, I just love that it’s fun and colorful!
- Silicone baking mats – Nothing sticks to these! Whaaaa?! Perfect for baking sugary cookies, or cheesy croissants. You know why? Because nothing sticks to these!!!
- Garlic press – Need fresh minced or sliced garlic, but don’t want to peel or chop your garlic? This garlic press is the bessssssst. We’ve had ours for as long as I can remember (maybe a wedding present?), and I use it several times a week!
- Bakers half sheet – It’s cool, we only have about six of these bakers half sheets because they’re good for absolutely everything. Cookies? Yes! Steak? Yes! Cake? Oh yeh! Roasted veggies? Uhhhh huh!
How to Make Healthy Turkey Meatballs
Turkey Meatballs
Ingredients
- 1 Tbsp olive oil
- One small onion chopped
- 3 cloves garlic chopped
- 8 oz white mushrooms chopped
- 1 cup carrots chopped
- Lean ground turkey 2 pounds
- 2 eggs
- ½ cup Italian bread crumbs
- salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Saute onion, mushrooms, garlic, and carrots in olive oil for about 5 minutes (until carrots are soft and onions are translucent).
- Puree cooked onion, mushrooms, garlic and carrots in food processor.
- In a large bowl combine vegetable puree, ground turkey, eggs and bread crumbs. Knead with your hands until thoroughly mixed. Do not overknead.
- Form bite-sized meatballs on a parchment or silicone lined baking sheet. Sprinkle with salt and pepper.
- Bake at 365 degrees for 20-25 minutes (until browned). Remove from oven and allow to rest for 5 minutes.
Video
Notes
Nutrition
Try our easy baked salmon recipe for another healthy dinner idea!
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Cecilia says
August 1, 2010 at 10:11 pmYour Tasty meatballs were very tasty!!! My husband never liked ground turkey, but you changed his mind with your tasty tasty meatballs..
Karla aka Ditzy says
August 6, 2012 at 2:58 pmI skipped these when you posted them, now all I use is ground turkey! Keep linking in your pertinite recipes since I am certainly making the slow cooker marinara annd garlic knots to go with these yummy sounding gems!
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August 31, 2016 at 10:42 amI just want to let you know that I have tried this recipe last week and everyone loved it. It was so tasty. Thanks for the sharing it 🙂
soli says
January 30, 2018 at 6:20 amWhat a wonderful and useful post, thank you so much for sharing this delicious dish.
Nessie says
June 29, 2018 at 10:40 amI usually make a green salad or green beans when I make turkey meatballs. Sometimes I make a mixed vegetable dish to serve with them. Turkey meatballs are good with either a tomato based sauce or a white cheese-based sauce.