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Greek Turkey Meatballs with Tzatziki Recipe

Greek Turkey Meatballs with Tzatziki Recipe
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★★★★★

5.1 from 17 reviews

Enjoy a flavorful and healthy meal with these Greek Turkey Meatballs served with a refreshing homemade Tzatziki sauce. This recipe offers a delicious balance of lean protein and creamy yogurt dip, perfect for a light lunch or dinner inspired by Mediterranean cuisine.

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 plain Greek yogurt (full-fat or low-fat)
  • ½ cucumber, grated and drained
  • 1 garlic clove, minced
  • 1 tbsp freshly squeezed lemon juice
  • 1 tbsp fresh dill, chopped
  • 1 tbsp olive oil
  • Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions

  1. Prepare the Meatballs: In a large mixing bowl, combine the ground turkey, breadcrumbs, egg, garlic, onion, parsley, oregano, cumin, salt, and pepper. Mix until all ingredients are well incorporated, but avoid over-mixing to keep the meatballs tender. Using your hands, form small meatballs about 1 to 1.5 inches in diameter, yielding around 16-20 meatballs.
  2. Cook the Meatballs: Choose your preferred cooking method: Oven-Baked: Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C). Place meatballs on a lined baking sheet and bake for 15-20 minutes until cooked through and golden brown. Pan-Fried: Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium heat, cook meatballs in batches for 4-5 minutes each side until browned and fully cooked. Air Fryer: Preheat to 380°F (193°C), cook meatballs for 10-12 minutes, turning halfway, until cooked inside.
  3. Make the Tzatziki Sauce: Grate the cucumber and drain well using a paper towel or cheesecloth to remove excess moisture. In a bowl, mix Greek yogurt, grated cucumber, minced garlic, lemon juice, fresh dill, and olive oil. Season with salt and pepper to taste. For best flavor, chill the sauce in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes before serving.
  4. Serve: Plate the turkey meatballs and serve with a generous dollop of tzatziki sauce on the side. Enjoy with warm pita bread, steamed rice, or a crisp fresh salad to complete your meal.

Notes

  • Use lean ground turkey to keep the meatballs healthy and light.
  • Breadcrumbs can be substituted with gluten-free options if needed.
  • Draining the cucumber thoroughly prevents the tzatziki from becoming watery.
  • Letting the tzatziki chill enhances the flavor and texture.
  • To keep meatballs moist, avoid over-mixing the meat mixture.
  • Leftover meatballs can be refrigerated for up to 3 days or frozen for up to 3 months.

Nutrition

Keywords: Greek turkey meatballs, Tzatziki sauce, Mediterranean recipe, healthy meatballs, lean turkey recipe, easy dinner, low-fat Greek food

Find it online: https://bakedbylisa.com/greek-turkey-meatballs-with-tzatziki-recipe/