Turkey Meatballs, cooked to perfection in a skillet, are succulent, tender, and rich in flavor. A lighter take on a classic favorite!
Turkey Meatballs are a delicious substitute for beef in classic Spaghetti and Meatballs. Whether you’re trying to cut back on red meat, or just want to switch up your favorite comfort food, these juicy Turkey Meatballs taste just as good as Beef Meatballs and are sure to become a favorite recipe. Lighten up a classic Weeknight Dinner with this flavorful, amazing meatball recipe. For more non-beef meatballs recipes, try my Chicken Florentine Meatballs next!
Table of contents
Sabrina’s Turkey Meatball Recipe
My easy Turkey Meatballs recipe is a simple, delicious recipe with the perfect amount of Italian flavor. They are made in just three steps: mix, shape, and fry! With some cooked pasta and marinara sauce, you have a quick and tasty dinner recipe in no time. Plus you can also use them in all your favorite meatball recipes like Swedish Meatballs, Cocktail Meatballs, hoagies, and more!
Ingredients
- 1 pound Lean Ground Turkey: Ground turkey is an excellent source of protein, is lower in saturated fat and still tastes just as delicious as ground beef. Look for a lean blend with dark meat, it will have more flavor and your meatballs than all white-meat ground turkey.
- 3 cloves Garlic: Garlic adds a robust flavor to the meatballs. If fresh garlic cloves are unavailable, 1 tablespoon garlic powder can be used as a substitute.
- ¼ yellow Onion: Minced onion gives a subtle sweetness and depth of flavor to the meatballs. White onion or red onion can be used as alternatives.
- ¼ cup Parsley: Chopped fresh parsley adds freshness and brightness to the meatballs.
- ½ teaspoon Salt: Kosher salt seasons the meatballs. Its larger flakes distribute more evenly throughout the mixture compared to table salt.
- ½ teaspoon Coarse Ground Black Pepper: Black pepper adds a subtle kick and depth of flavor to the meatballs.
- ½ teaspoon Dried Oregano: Dried oregano contributes earthy and aromatic notes to the meatballs.
- ½ teaspoon Rosemary: Rosemary has a woody, pine-like taste but mincing it and using a small amount give just the right amount of flavor without overwhelming the light meat.
- 1 large Egg: The egg mixes with the breadcrumbs and meat to add moisture and bind the ingredients together.
- ½ cup Breadcrumbs: Panko bread crumbs absorb the juices from the turkey so that the meatballs stay juicy instead of drying out while they cook.
- 2 tablespoons Vegetable Oil: Vegetable oil is used for cooking the meatballs in the skillet. Other neutral oils such as canola or olive oil can be used as substitutes.
Kitchen Tools & Equipment
- Large Bowl: A large mixing bowl is needed to mix the ingredients all together. Pick a bowl that can hold all the ingredients without spilling over.
- Skillet: A Dutch oven or skillet, preferably a large heavy one, is needed for cooking the turkey meatballs. Opt for a non-stick skillet to prevent the meatballs from sticking during cooking. A cast iron skillet can also be used for a nice sear on the meatballs.
- Chef’s Knife: A sharp chef’s knife is needed for mincing garlic, onion, parsley, and rosemary. A sharp knife makes the chopping process easier.
- Measuring Spoons: Accurate measurement of spices and seasonings, such as salt, pepper, oregano, and rosemary, is crucial for getting the desired flavor profile in the meatballs. You can use an ice cream scoop for perfectly portioned meatballs.
- Spatula or Tongs: A spatula or tongs are useful for flipping and turning the turkey meatballs while they cook in the skillet.
How to Make Turkey Meatballs
Time needed: 20 minutes.
- Mix Meatball Ingredients
Combine ground turkey, minced garlic, minced onion, chopped parsley, salt, black pepper, dried oregano, minced rosemary, egg, and breadcrumbs in a large bowl. Mix until just combined, being careful not to overwork the mixture.
- Shape Meatballs
Take portions of the mixture and roll them into 1-inch balls using your hands – wet hands are best for this.
- Heat Skillet
Heat vegetable oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Make sure the skillet is nice and hot before adding the uncooked meatballs.
- Cook Meatballs
Add the shaped meatballs to the skillet in batches, making sure not to overcrowd the pan. Cook them for about 5-6 minutes, turning occasionally, until they are golden brown on all sides and cooked through.
- Serve and Enjoy
Once cooked, transfer the juicy meatballs to a serving plate and serve them with your favorite marinara sauce and favorite pasta. These flavorful turkey meatballs are sure to be a hit at the dinner table!
Can These Be Made Ahead?
Yes, you can prepare the meatball mixture ahead of time and store it in the refrigerator for up to one day before cooking. Shape the meatballs when ready to cook for the freshest taste and texture. See below for freezing cooked meatballs.
Nutritional Facts
Serving Ideas for Turkey Meatballs
Meatball Sub: Besides serving on top of pasta, you can also turn these flavorful meatballs into a tasty meatball sub sandwich. Just serve the meatballs up on a toasted hoagie roll with tomato sauce spooned over the top. Sprinkle on mozzarella and Parmesan cheese then pop the open-faced subs under the broiler to melt the cheese before adding the top roll. It’s the ultimate homemade sub!
Appetizers: While meatballs are a great protein option for any number of amazing dinner recipes, you can also serve them as a party appetizer. They’re the perfect finger food to put out with dips like Marinara Sauce, BBQ Sauce, or Pesto Sauce.
How to Store
Storing
Don’t leave Turkey Meatballs at room temperature for more than 2 hours. Keep covered wit a lid or plastic wrap. Let leftover meatballs cool to room temperature before you transfer them to an airtight container to store in the fridge. They’ll stay good for 3-4 days.
Reheating Tips
For reheating, place the cooked meatballs in a preheated oven at 350 for about 10 minutes or until heated through. Alternatively, you can reheat them in a skillet over medium heat with a splash of your favorite sauce until warmed. You can also reheat the cooked meatballs in an air fryer at 350 for about 5-7 minutes until they are warmed through and crispy on the outside. Keep an eye on them to prevent overcooking
Freezing
For meal prep, you can keep the meatballs in the freezer for up to 3 months. Line a rimmed baking sheet with parchment paper and place the meatballs in a single layer on the prepared baking sheet. Then freeze them for 1-2 hours. Once they’re hardened, transfer the frozen meatballs to a freezer-safe container for long-term storage.
Frequent Questions
If your meatballs are falling apart, it’s possible that the mixture was not adequately combined or lacked enough binding agents like egg or breadcrumbs. Ensure all ingredients are evenly distributed and gently shape the meatballs to prevent them from crumbling during cooking.
Yes, you can adjust the size of the meatballs to your preference. Just keep in mind that larger meatballs will require longer cooking time, while smaller ones will cook faster. Adjust cooking time accordingly to ensure they are cooked through.
While it’s not necessary to check every meatball individually, it’s a good idea to spot-check a few to ensure they are all cooked through evenly. If you don’t have an instant-read thermometer, you can check for doneness by cutting into a meatball to ensure there are no pink spots and the juices run clear. Alternatively, you can break apart a meatball to check its internal color.
Recipe Card
Ingredients
- 1 pound lean ground turkey
- 3 cloves garlic , minced
- 1/4 yellow onion , minced
- 1/4 cup parsley , chopped
- 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1/2 teaspoon coarse ground black pepper
- 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1/2 teaspoon rosemary , minced
- 1 large egg
- 1/2 cup breadcrumbs
- 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
Instructions
- In a large bowl mix ground turkey, garlic, onion, parsley, salt, black pepper, oregano, rosemary, egg, and breadcrumbs until just combined.
- Shape mixture into 1 inch balls.
- Add vegetable oil into large heavy skillet on medium-high heat.
- Cook the turkey meatballs in small batches for 5-6 minutes or until cooked through.
- Serve with marinara sauce and pasta.
Notes
- Click on the yield amount to slide and change the number of servings and the recipe will automatically update!
- Click on times in the instructions to start a kitchen timer while cooking.
- To convert measurements to grams, click on the Metric option next to Ingredients in the recipe card.
Nutrition
Want to save this recipe? Create a free account to easily save your favorite recipes
Variations on Turkey Meatballs
- Meat: I used lean ground turkey for a healthy spin on meatballs. However, you can use any kind of ground meat that you have. Ground beef or ground pork would taste delicious. Or, you could use lean ground chicken as another healthy option for chicken meatballs.
- Seasonings: Experiment with the combination of flavors by adding different seasonings like thyme, garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, fresh basil, sage, cayenne pepper, or crushed red pepper flakes to the recipe for extra flavor.
- Cheese: Try adding shredded cheese to the meat mixture. Parmesan or mozzarella are great options to go with the Italian flavors. You could also add in cheddar, provolone, Pepper Jack, Monterey Jack, or Gouda.
Related Recipes
More Favorite Meatball Recipes
