Greek Turkey Meatballs with Tzatziki
These Greek Turkey Meatballs with Tzatziki are a healthy and flavorful dish featuring lean turkey, fresh herbs, and a creamy yogurt sauce.Perfect for meal prep or a balanced dinner, this recipe captures the essence of Mediterranean cuisine at your table.
Ingredients
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
Mix the Meatballs
- In a large bowl, I combine 1 lb ground turkey, ½ cup breadcrumbs, 1 egg, 2 minced garlic cloves, ¼ cup chopped onion, 2 tbsp parsley, 1 tsp oregano, ½ tsp cumin, ½ tsp salt, and ¼ tsp pepper. I mix gently until just combined to keep the meatballs tender for this Mediterranean Meatball Dish.
Shape the Meatballs
- I roll the mixture into 16 equal-sized meatballs (about 1–1.5 inches each), ensuring uniform size for even cooking.
Cook the Meatballs
- Oven-Baked: I preheat the oven to 400°F (200°C), place meatballs on a parchment-lined baking sheet, and bake for 15–20 minutes until the internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C).
- Pan-Fried: I heat 1 tbsp olive oil in a skillet over medium heat, cooking meatballs for 4–5 minutes per side until golden and cooked through.
- Air-Fried: I air-fry at 380°F (193°C) for 10–12 minutes, flipping halfway, until fully cooked for Greek Turkey Meatballs with Tzatziki.
Make the Tzatziki
- I grate ½ cup cucumber, drain excess liquid using a paper towel, and mix with 1 cup Greek yogurt, 1 minced garlic clove, 1 tbsp lemon juice, 1 tbsp dill, 1 tsp olive oil, and a pinch of salt and pepper. I chill the tzatziki for 30 minutes to meld flavors.
Serve
- I serve the meatballs warm with a generous dollop of tzatziki, perfect for dipping or drizzling over this Mediterranean Meatball Dish.