These Greek Turkey Meatballs are tender and juicy and topped with a fresh and creamy homemade tzatziki sauce. This healthy dish is packed with bright and bold Greek flavors. It’s perfect for meal prep, salads, wraps, gyros, as a main course or as an appetizer.
This post was updated in 2022 with new tips, photos, and explanations.
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Why you’ll love this recipe
- Fast and easy. Dinner will be ready in under 45 minutes!
- Bold flavors. Tons of flavors that pop, like crisp cucumbers and red onion, salty feta, and fresh herbs.
- Meal Prep. These healthy turkey meatballs work so well for meal prepping for the week. You can also make a double batch and freeze some for later! If you love meatballs, try my Easy Meatball and Couscous Soup next.
- Versatile. Can be used as the main course or appetizer, or served in wraps, gyros, pita bread, or in a Greek salad.
- Healthy. Made with lean ground turkey, fresh veggies, and no oil. These healthy Greek turkey meatballs are great for a lighter meal.
Ingredients and Substitutions
- Ground turkey - I used 90% lean ground turkey in this Greek turkey meatball recipe. You can also substitute for ground beef, ground chicken, or ground lamb.
- Breadcrumbs - I used panko breadcrumbs, but regular or seasoned breadcrumbs will also work.
- Garlic cloves - Freshly minced garlic is best in this recipe, but you can use garlic powder if you need to.
- Feta cheese - I used crumbled full-fat feta cheese but use a feta block in brine for more flavor.
- Herbs - Dried oregano, fresh dill and fresh parsley. You can also add in fresh mint if you wish. Dried dill will also work if you can't find fresh dill.
- Tzatziki sauce - I recommend Greek or Icelandic Skyr yogurt. Store-bought tzatziki will also work if you are short on time.
See the recipe card below for quantities and remaining ingredients.
Instructions
- Mix. In a large bowl, combine the ground turkey with the rest of the meatball ingredients. Use your hands to mix until it just comes together. Don’t over-mix!
- Form the meatballs. Use a small cookie scoop or ice cream scoop to portion the meatball mixture then roll it in between the palms of your hands to form balls. Next, place the meatballs in a single layer on the parchment paper lined baking sheet.
- Bake. Bake the meatballs for 25-20 minutes or until they are cooked through (165°F internal temperature).
- Make the sauce. While the meatballs are cooking, make the tzatziki sauce. Add the cucumber to a food processor and pulse until finely chopped. Next combine the cucumber along with the lemon juice, salt, garlic powder, dill and yogurt in a small bowl.
Recipe FAQs
The meatballs can be stored in an airtight container in the fridge for 3-5 days. They can also be stored in a freezer-safe container in the freezer for 2-3 months.
I used a food processor to finely dice the cucumber in the tzatziki sauce. However, you can also use a high-powered blender to do the same thing or you can dice the cucumber finely with a sharp knife.
To make these meatballs gluten-free, simply swap out panko breadcrumbs for gluten-free breadcrumbs.
Make sure you combine the meatball ingredients together gently. Overworking the mix will give you tough meatballs.
Chef Tips
- Don’t overmix your turkey for the most tender and juicy meatballs.
- Use a cookie scoop to easily portion out meatballs.
- Save time on busy weeknights by using store-bought tzatziki.
Serving
Serve the meatballs for dinner with a simple salad or your favorite vegetables plus some Lemon Herb Pearled Couscous and a drizzle of tzatziki. The meatballs can also be stuffed into a pita with lettuce, tomato, and bell peppers for a Greek pita sandwich. The meatballs also pair great with my Mediterranean Lemon Orzo Salad.
More Recipes Great for Meal Prep
🍳Recipe
Healthy Greek Turkey Meatballs
Equipment
- Knife and cutting board
- Measuring spoons and cups
Ingredients
Turkey Meatballs
- 1 pound ground turkey
- 1 egg
- ¼ cup panko breadcrumbs
- ¼ cup red onion, finely diced
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- ½ lemon, juiced
- ¼ cup crumbled feta cheese
- ½ teaspoon dried oregano
- 1 tablespoon fresh dill, chopped
- 1 tablespoon fresh parsley, chopped
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
Tzatziki Sauce
- 1 cup Greek or Icelandic Skyr yogurt
- ½ teaspoon fresh or dried dill
- ½ lemon, juiced
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ½ cup finely diced or chopped cucumber
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
Instructions
Turkey Meatballs
- Preheat oven to 450 degrees F and line a sheet pan with parchment paper.
- In a large bowl, combine the ground turkey with the rest of the meatball ingredients. Use your hands to mix everything together.
- Use a cookie or ice cream scoop to form the meatballs and then roll them in between the palm of your hands. Place the meatballs on the parchment paper lined baking sheet.
- Lightly spray the meatballs with cooking spray and bake for 25-30 minutes or until cooked through. Meatballs should be 165 degrees F internally.
Tzatziki Sauce
- While the meatballs are cooking, make the tzatziki sauce. Begin by adding the cucumber to a food processor and pulse until finely chopped.
- Add the cucumber to a small bowl along with the lemon juice, salt, garlic powder, dill and yogurt. Mix everything to combine and serve with the meatballs.
Notes
- Don’t overmix your turkey for the most tender and juicy meatballs.
- Use a cookie scoop to easily portion out meatballs.
- Save time on busy weeknights by using store-bought tzatziki.
- Store in the refrigerator in an airtight container for 3-5 days.
- Freeze cooked meatballs on a baking sheet for about an hour, then transfer to a freezer-safe container or freezer bag and store in the freezer for 2-3 months.
Nutrition
Nutritional information is based on third-party calculations and should be considered estimates. Actual nutritional content will vary with brands used, measuring methods, portion sizes and more.
Nancy says
Made these last night, so easy, quick and yummy!! Served with the sauce and a side salad.
Sarah Holt says
One of our favorites, glad you enjoyed them!
David says
This was easy to make and delicious as well as healthy. Thank you. I cheated and purchased the tzatziki.
Sarah Holt says
Hi David, really happy you enjoyed the meatballs!
Cindy Denton says
Sounds delicious