These easy turkey meatballs are tender, juicy, and full of flavor. Made with just a few simple ingredients in under 30 minutes, these baked meatballs are perfect for adding to your favorite dishes.
I make meatballs a lot because they’re quick, versatile, and crowd-pleasing. This easy turkey meatballs recipe uses lean ground turkey for a lighter take on a classic favorite. Baked instead of fried, these meatballs are simple to prepare and pair well with a variety of sauces and sides.
Why You’ll Love This Easy Turkey Meatballs Recipe
- Uses simple pantry ingredients that deliver great flavor.
- Baked, not fried — less mess and lower in added fat.
- Ready in about 30 minutes with minimal cleanup.
- Lean ground turkey keeps the meatballs lower in calories while still providing protein.
- Extremely versatile — serve with pasta, in subs, on salads, and more.
Ingredients You’ll Need
- Ground turkey – lean ground turkey keeps these meatballs lighter. You can substitute ground chicken, beef, pork, or Italian sausage if you prefer.
- Egg – helps bind the mixture so the meatballs hold their shape.
- Bread crumbs – Italian-style bread crumbs are used here to help retain moisture and shape. Use gluten-free breadcrumbs, panko, or almond flour for low-carb options.
- Parmesan cheese – freshly grated Parmesan boosts savory flavor.
- Onion – grated or finely chopped. About half a medium yellow onion works well; use onion powder as an alternative if needed.
- Garlic – fresh minced garlic is best for flavor; garlic powder works in a pinch.
- Worcestershire sauce – adds a subtle tang and depth. Soy sauce or tamari can be used instead.
- Parsley – fresh chopped parsley adds color and brightness. Fresh basil, rosemary, or thyme are good alternatives.
- Seasonings – Italian seasoning plus salt and black pepper to taste.
How to Make Turkey Meatballs
- Mix the ingredients. In a large bowl, combine the ground turkey, egg, bread crumbs, grated onion, minced garlic, Parmesan, Worcestershire sauce, Italian seasoning, chopped parsley, and salt and pepper. Mix gently until just combined — over-mixing can make meatballs dense.
- Form the meatballs. Shape the mixture into 1-inch balls (a small cookie scoop helps ensure uniform size). Arrange them on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper or lightly sprayed with nonstick spray. This recipe makes about 30 small meatballs.
- Bake. Preheat the oven to 400°F (204°C). Bake the meatballs for 16–20 minutes, until they’re lightly browned and cooked through. The safe internal temperature for turkey is 165°F (74°C); use a meat thermometer to confirm doneness.
How to Serve Turkey Meatballs
- As a main dish – serve over rice, orzo, or cauliflower rice with steamed vegetables for a complete meal.
- Spaghetti and meatballs – toss with your favorite marinara or tomato sauce and serve over pasta, spaghetti squash, or zucchini noodles.
- In a sub sandwich – tuck meatballs into a roll with melted cheese and sauce for a hearty sandwich.
- Added to soup – make smaller meatballs to add to minestrone-style soups, tortellini soup, or other brothy or tomato-based soups.
- In a salad – top a Greek, Caesar, or Mediterranean salad with warm meatballs for extra protein.
- As an appetizer – double or triple the batch and serve warm with toothpicks and dipping sauces.
Prepping and Storage Tips
To prep ahead: Form the meatballs and store them covered in the refrigerator for 2–3 days before baking. You can also prepare sauce ahead of time and reheat when ready to serve.
To store: Let baked meatballs cool completely, then refrigerate in an airtight container for 3–4 days. Sauce will keep up to two weeks in the fridge; for longer storage freeze sauce separately.
To freeze: Freeze cooked or uncooked meatballs in a sealed container or freezer bag for 3–4 months. Thaw in the refrigerator before reheating. Reheat gently in a skillet over low heat until warmed through or microwave in short intervals.
Recipe: Easy Turkey Meatballs
Servings: 15 (about 30 small meatballs)
Prep Time: 10 mins · Cook Time: 20 mins · Total Time: 30 mins
Ingredients
- 1 lb ground turkey
- 1 egg
- 1/2 cup grated yellow onion (about half a medium onion)
- 2 garlic cloves, minced
- 1/3 cup bread crumbs (Italian-style)
- 1/4 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
- 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped
- 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 400°F (204°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or lightly grease it.
- In a large bowl, combine ground turkey, egg, bread crumbs, grated onion, minced garlic, Parmesan, Worcestershire sauce, parsley, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper. Mix gently until just combined.
- Form 1-inch meatballs (about 30) using a small scoop or by hand and place them on the prepared baking sheet.
- Bake for 16–20 minutes, until lightly browned and an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C) is reached.
- Serve immediately with sauce or allow to cool and store for later use.
Nutrition (per serving: 2 meatballs)
Calories: 66 kcal · Carbohydrates: 2.2 g · Protein: 7.2 g · Fat: 3.1 g · Saturated Fat: 0.9 g · Cholesterol: 34.4 mg · Sodium: 87.9 mg · Fiber: 0.3 g · Sugar: 0.4 g
Nutrition information is an estimate and should be used as an approximation.
Variations and Tips
- For extra moisture, add a tablespoon of olive oil or a spoonful of Greek yogurt to the mixture.
- To make low-carb meatballs, swap breadcrumbs for almond flour or crushed pork rinds.
- For bolder flavor, mix in a pinch of red pepper flakes or swap Italian seasoning for a mix of fresh herbs.
- Use a thermometer to ensure the internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C) for safety and best texture.
More Meatball Ideas
- Asian-style glazed turkey meatballs
- Mediterranean chicken meatballs
- Honey sriracha glazed meatballs
- Buffalo chicken meatballs
- Cheesy meatball casserole
I hope you enjoy these easy turkey meatballs. If you try the recipe, consider leaving a rating or comment with your variations — I love hearing how you make it your own!