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Greek Turkey Meatballs with Tzatziki


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  • Author: Lina Judi
  • Total Time: 25-30 minutes
  • Yield: 4 servings (about 16-18 meatballs) 1x

Description

These Greek Turkey Meatballs are packed with flavor, featuring lean ground turkey, fresh herbs, and a blend of spices. Paired with a cool and creamy homemade tzatziki sauce, this dish is a perfect Mediterranean-inspired meal. Serve them as a main dish, appetizer, or in a pita for a healthy and delicious meal option.


Ingredients

Scale
  • For the Greek Turkey Meatballs:

    • 1 lb (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)

    For the Tzatziki Sauce:

    • 1 cup Greek yogurt (plain, full-fat or low-fat)

    • ½ cucumber, grated and drained

    • 1 garlic clove, minced

    • 1 tbsp lemon juice (freshly squeezed)

    • 1 tbsp fresh dill, chopped

    • 1 tbsp olive oil

    • Salt and pepper to taste


Instructions

  • For the Greek Turkey Meatballs:

    1. Preheat the oven to 400°F (200°C), or heat a large skillet over medium heat with a bit of olive oil for pan-frying.

    2. In a large bowl, combine the ground turkey, breadcrumbs, egg, garlic, onion, parsley, oregano, cumin, salt, and black pepper.

    3. Mix everything together until just combined. Be careful not to overwork the mixture.

    4. Roll the mixture into meatballs, about 1 to 1.5 inches in diameter.

    5. For baking: Arrange the meatballs on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper or greased. Bake for 15-20 minutes, or until they reach an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C).

      • For pan-frying: Heat olive oil in the skillet over medium heat. Cook the meatballs for 7-8 minutes on each side, or until they are golden brown and fully cooked through.

    For the Tzatziki Sauce:

    1. In a bowl, combine the Greek yogurt, grated cucumber (make sure it is drained well to remove excess moisture), garlic, lemon juice, fresh dill, and olive oil.

    2. Stir until well combined. Add salt and pepper to taste.

    3. Chill the tzatziki sauce in the refrigerator for at least 15 minutes before serving for the best flavor.

Notes

  • You can make the tzatziki sauce ahead of time to let the flavors meld together.

  • If you prefer, you can also serve these meatballs with pita bread, in a salad, or over rice.

  • Prep Time: 10 minutes
  • Cook Time: 15-20 minutes (baking) or 15-20 minutes (pan-frying)
  • Category: Main Dish
  • Method: Baked or Pan-Fried
  • Cuisine: Mediterranean, Greek