Description
Juicy Mediterranean-inspired Greek turkey meatballs with fresh herbs and a creamy tzatziki sauce. This recipe captures authentic Greek flavors for a healthy and delicious meal.
Ingredients
Scale
- 450g ground turkey (preferably lean)
- ⅓ cup breadcrumbs (regular or gluten-free)
- 1 large egg
- 3 garlic cloves, minced
- ¼ cup finely chopped onion
- ¼ cup fresh parsley, chopped
- 1 tsp dried oregano
- ½ tsp ground cumin
- ½ tsp salt
- ¼ tsp black pepper
- Olive oil for cooking (if pan-frying)
- 1 cup plain Greek yogurt (full-fat or low-fat)
- ½ cucumber, grated and drained
- 1 garlic clove, minced
- 1 tbsp freshly squeezed lemon juice
- 1 tbsp fresh dill, chopped
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- In a large mixing bowl, combine ground turkey, breadcrumbs, egg, garlic, onion, parsley, oregano, cumin, salt, and pepper. Mix until all ingredients are well combined, avoiding over-mixing to prevent tough meatballs. This mixture forms the base for your Greek turkey meatballs.
- Using your hands, roll the mixture into small meatballs about 1 to 1.5 inches in diameter, yielding approximately 16-20 Greek turkey meatballs.
- Choose one cooking method: Oven-Baked (400°F/200°C for 15-20 minutes on a lined baking sheet), Pan-Fried (medium heat with olive oil, 4-5 minutes per side), or Air Fryer (380°F/193°C for 10-12 minutes, turning halfway). Ensure your Greek turkey meatballs are cooked through.
- Grate the cucumber and thoroughly drain using a paper towel or cheesecloth to remove excess moisture for the tzatziki sauce.
- In a bowl, combine the Greek yogurt, drained cucumber, garlic, lemon juice, dill, and olive oil. Stir well, then season with salt and pepper to taste for the accompanying tzatziki.
- For optimal flavor, refrigerate the tzatziki sauce for at least 30 minutes before serving with your Greek turkey meatballs.
- Plate the turkey meatballs with a generous portion of tzatziki sauce. Complete the meal with pita bread, rice, or a fresh Mediterranean salad. Enjoy your Greek turkey meatballs with tzatziki.
Notes
- These Greek turkey meatballs can be prepared ahead and stored in an airtight container for up to 3 days in the refrigerator.
- For a lower-carb option, replace breadcrumbs with almond flour in your Greek turkey meatballs.
- Ensure cucumber is well-drained for the best tzatziki texture.
- Allow tzatziki to chill for at least 30 minutes to let the flavors meld.
- Prep Time: 20 min
- Cook Time: 20 min
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baking, Pan-Frying, or Air Frying
- Cuisine: Mediterranean
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving (approx. 4-5 meatballs with tzatziki)
- Calories: 275
- Sugar: N/A
- Sodium: N/A
- Fat: 15.2 g
- Saturated Fat: N/A
- Unsaturated Fat: N/A
- Trans Fat: N/A
- Carbohydrates: 12.5 g
- Fiber: N/A
- Protein: 25.8 g
- Cholesterol: N/A
Keywords: Greek turkey meatballs, tzatziki, Mediterranean, turkey meatballs, healthy recipe, ground turkey, easy recipe, homemade tzatziki, Greek yogurt sauce