Name: Turkey Meatballs
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 15 min
Total time: 25 min
Yield: 4
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 1 pound ground turkey; 2 large eggs; ½ cup Italian bread crumbs; 1 teaspoon garlic powder; 1 teaspoon dried oregano

Delicious and tenderTurkey Meatballsare easy to make and bursting with meaty and herby flavor! You can serve these juicy meatballs with pasta, rice, or on a sandwich for a quick week-night meal.

long plate with a baked stack of turkey meatballs

I love these turkey meatballs because they’re quick, easy, and I can use them for so many different meals! One of my favorite ways to serve these yummy meatballs is overrice made in the Instant Potwith ahomemade sweet and sour sauceand cooked bell peppers! But of course, you could go the traditional route and pair them witheasy spaghetti sauceand spaghetti.

Although these turkey meatballs are a leaner option, they don’t skimp when it comes to flavor. The eggs in this recipe keep the meatballs juicy and tender, while the seasonings give them a savory kick. Plus, turkey is a great source of protein, and a nice change of pace from the typical beef meatballs.

Recipe Ingredients

Ground Turkey—I typically use the extra-lean option, but any type of ground turkey will work.
Eggs—The binding agent in this recipe.
Italian Breadcrumbs—To prevent the meatballs from becoming dry.
Seasonings—I throw in a dash of garlic powder and dried oregano for some extra flavor!

See the recipe card for full information on ingredients and quantities.

Popular Substitutions and Variations

Not a fan of turkey? You canuse any kind of ground meatto make these homemade meatballs! Try using ground beef, pork, chicken, venison, veal, or a combination.

You can easilymake these turkey meatballs gluten freeby using almond or oat flour. It’s also relatively easy to find gluten-free breadcrumbs at the grocery store.

Turn this recipe into a stand-alone dish bybaking it intomeatloaf! Simply mix all the ingredients together as normal before pressing the mixture into a parchment-lined loaf pan. Bake at 350°F for 45-60 minutes.

How to Make Baked Turkey Meatballs

Step #1.In a medium bowl, mix together the ground turkey, eggs, breadcrumbs, garlic powder, and oregano. Use your hands or a large spoon to work the ingredients together until fully combined.

Step #2.Divide the mixture into balls about 2 inches in diameter. Place them on a baking sheet.

Step #3.Bake your meatballs until they are heated throughout and slightly darkened on the outside.

stack of turkey meatballs on a round plate

Step #4.Serve and Enjoy!

Recipe FAQs

What can I use instead of breadcrumbs in meatballs?

There are so many alternatives to using breadcrumbs for meatballs and some of them might surprise you! First, you can use rolled oats that have been blended or pulsed in a food processor. You can also crush up pretzels, chips, crackers, or cornflakes. If none of those are your speed, you can use finely blended cooked rice as an alternative. All of these ingredients will work to keep the meatballs tender and juicy. Once everything is baked together, you won’t even be able to tell the difference!

Is it better to fry or bake meatballs?

This depends on your preference! Most of the time, you will hear that it is better to bake meatballs. Baking is quicker, easier, and results in meatballs that are slightly crunchy on the outside. In addition, many consider baking meatballs to be the healthier option. If you want to, you can fry these turkey meatballs, but it will be a longer and messier process. You will need to flip the meatballs several times to ensure that they cook evenly. It’ll be a bit tedious, but I will admit that the caramelized exterior of pan-fried meatballs is hard to beat!

Expert Tips

If you only have plain breadcrumbs, don’t worry!You can add 1 teaspoon each of oregano, basil, garlic powder, onion powder, and groundthyme to make them Italian breadcrumbs.
You canadd a little sharpness to your meatballs by adding ¼ cup of grated parmesan cheeseto the meat mixture!
You may want toturn on your oven’s broiler for the last 2-4 minutes of cooking to make sure the meatballs are slightly golden on the outside.
When forming the meatballs,do not overpack them as they may become too dense and will have a hard time cooking.Gently pack them into small balls and place them on your baking sheet.

How to Serve and Store Turkey Meatballs

There are so many ways to serve turkey meatballs! Keep things classic and serve these meatballs over spaghetti and top them withmarinara sauce. You can also use these meatballs insub sandwichesor serve them overricewith the sauce of your choice! I’ll often smother these lean meatballs with a sweet and sour sauce or somebrown gravy. Complete any of these meals with a side of zucchini, brussels sprouts, or a crispy garden salad!

These meatballs make an excellentappetizer for any kind of game day partyor buffet style gatherings. They can be made smaller and cooked for a shorter time if you want to use them as appetizers.

If you have leftover turkey meatballs, you can store them in the fridge for up to 4 days. Simply reheat the meatballs in the microwave when you’re ready to eat them! You can also freeze these meatballs for an easy meal prep. After creating the meatballs, place them on a lined sheet pan to freeze, then transfer to a freezer-safe bag to be stored for up to 2 months. When you are ready to cook them, place the frozen meatballs in the oven for 25 minutes at 400°F.