These delicious turkey meatballs are ready in just 30 minutes. Why are they so amazing? Well, first off, they’re low-carb, gluten-free, and totally keto-friendly. And guess what? These baked turkey meatballs guarantee a wholesome and mouthwatering experience every time.
These baked turkey meatballs are perfect for lunch or dinner, served with your favorite side dish!
Though I know the allure of fried food, these baked meatballs rival their fried counterparts in flavor and crunch. With just a hint of oil and the magic of a medium-heat oven, they emerge beautifully crispy on the outside, while retaining a juicy tenderness inside.
Enjoy them on their own, drench them in your favorite sauce, or pop them into other dishes for that protein punch.
Plus, they’re a win for the gluten-free gang!
Why Are You Going To Love This Recipe
- Healthier: By opting to bake instead of fry, these meatballs are lighter in calories. Win-win for those who love tasty and healthy!
- No-Fuss Cooking: This recipe is a breeze. It’s straightforward, with no complicated steps.
- Plan Ahead: Busy week? No worries. Whip these up in advance, and you’ve got a delicious meal ready when you are.
- Low-Carb: Keeping tabs on those carbs? Every ingredient in this recipe is naturally low-carb, making these meatballs a perfect fit for many dietary plans.
- Unbeatable Flavor and Texture: Bite into these, and you’re met with a symphony of flavors – tender, juicy, and oh-so-satisfying. It’s a flavor profile that’ll keep you coming back for more.
Turkey Meatballs Ingredients
The ingredients you will need for these delicious meatballs are easy to find. And since this recipe is extremely versatile, you can enhance the flavors by adding your favorite seasonings. Here is everything you will need:
- Ground Turkey – Ground turkey is the main ingredient in this recipe. Because turkey is lean meat, you can get ground meat from any cut. However, thigh meat tends to yield especially juicy meatballs.
- Onion – You can either chop or grate the onion.
- Parsley – Fresh parsley is the best; you can also use it to garnish the meatballs.
- Eggs – These act as the glue, binding all the ingredients together to ensure your meatballs keep their shape and remain moist.
- Garlic – Use fresh garlic for a more intense flavor, or you can replace it with garlic powder to taste.
- Worcestershire Sauce – This secret weapon imparts a lovely sweet and savory depth to the meatballs, making every bite even more memorable.
- Basil & oregano – While I’ve opted for dried herbs in this recipe for convenience, fresh basil and oregano can be a delightful substitution if you have them on hand.
- Salt & Pepper – to taste.
How To Make These Delicious Turkey Meatballs
You will be surprised to see how easy it is to make these delicious turkey meatballs just by following some easy steps. Here is everything you have to do:
Setting Up for Success
Oven Prep: Before diving into the meatball-making, preheat your oven to 400°F (around 200°C). This ensures your oven is ready and waiting, offering a consistent cooking environment for your meatballs.
Tray Prep: Grab your favorite baking tray and either lightly grease it with some oil or cooking spray. If you’re aiming for easier cleanup (and who isn’t?), lining the tray with parchment paper works wonders.
Creating the Perfect Meatball Mix
Combine Ingredients: In a large mixing bowl, add all your ingredients. Don’t rush this part. Take your time to mix everything until well combined. This ensures that each meatball gets an even distribution of flavors and textures.
A Handy Tip: Make sure your hands are clean. Mixing with your hands (though a tad messy) can often give you a better feel and mix than any utensil.
Forming the Meatballs
Scoop and Roll: Equip yourself with a small cookie scoop or if you don’t have one, your hands will do. Scoop out a portion of the meatball mixture.
Shape: Roll it between your palms gently to form a smooth ball. The consistency of your mixture should allow for easy rolling without too much sticking.
Place each formed meatball on your prepped tray, giving each one its own little space. This ensures they bake evenly without sticking together.
Baking to Perfection
Into the Oven: Slide your tray into the preheated oven. Let the magic happen as they bake and sizzle for 15-20 minutes.
You’ll know they’re ready when they turn a beautiful golden brown on top. The enticing aroma is just a bonus!
Once baked, allow them to cool slightly on the tray. This helps in retaining their shape and juices.
Tips and Variations
- Mind the Mix: Avoid overmixing your meatball batter. Doing so might lead to firmer, less tender meatballs once baked.
- Golden Indicator: Keep an eye on your meatballs while they’re baking. Once the edges turn a beautiful golden hue, they’re done to perfection.
- Cheese Boost: For an added layer of flavor, consider folding in some cheddar or parmesan cheese into the meatball mix.
- Turn Up the Heat: If you’re someone who enjoys a spicy kick, a dash of chili flakes or a drizzle of hot sauce can elevate the heat quotient.
- Stuffed Surprise: Ever thought about stuffing your meatballs? Inserting a small chunk of mozzarella inside each meatball can result in a delightfully cheesy center. Trust me, they’re as amazing as they sound.
- Non-Stick Hands: Before shaping those meatballs, dampen your hands with some cold water. This simple trick prevents the mixture from adhering to your hands, especially if you’re crafting a large batch.
How To Serve
I like to eat some of them right away when they’re done, fresh and hot, but there are plenty of other ways to serve them:
Storing Leftovers
- In the Fridge: Any leftover meatballs can be safely stored in the refrigerator. Simply place them in an airtight container, and they’ll stay fresh for up to a week.
- In the Freezer: These meatballs freeze beautifully! For longer storage, transfer them to a freezer-safe bag or container. They’ll remain tasty and ready for reheating for up to two months.
- Reheating from Frozen: When you’re ready to enjoy them again, transfer the frozen meatballs to a baking dish. Bake for 20 minutes in a preheated oven. For that extra touch, spray them with a bit of cooking spray about 5 minutes before they finish baking. This will give them a crispy and golden finish.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I Make Air Fryer Turkey Meatballs?
Definitely, this is a great idea. First, prepare the meatball mixture as directed in this recipe, roll the meatballs, and cook for about 12-15 minutes at 350F in the air fryer.
Can I Fry These Turkey Meatballs?
Absolutely yes. In a large skillet or frying pan, heat about 2-3 tablespoons of oil (olive oil, canola, or any other preferred cooking oil) over medium heat. Once the oil is hot, gently place the meatballs in the pan, making sure not to overcrowd them. Fry each side for about 3-4 minutes or until they are browned all over and cooked through. Once cooked, place the meatballs on a plate lined with paper towels to absorb any excess oil.
Can I Make This Recipe Ahead Of Time?
Prepare As Directed: Begin by shaping your meatballs according to the recipe.
Initial Freeze: Before bundling them together, place the meatballs out on a baking dish to prevent them from sticking together. Pop this into the freezer for a short while, just until the meatballs firm up.
Store and Label: Once they’ve hardened a bit, transfer your meatballs into a freezer-safe bag. This way, you won’t end up with a big clump of meatballs but individual pieces that are easy to take out and cook. Seal the bag, making sure to squeeze out as much air as possible. Don’t forget to label your bag with the date and contents!
Long-Term Storage: Your meatballs are now ready for their cold storage journey. They’ll happily wait in the freezer, retaining their flavor and freshness, for up to two months.
How To Tell If My Meatballs Are Ready?
The best way to check if the meatballs are ready is by using an internal thermometer. For example, use a meat thermometer to ensure they’ve reached an internal temperature of at least 165°F (74°C).
Can I Make This Recipe With Another Type Of Meat?
Yes, if you don’t have ground turkey, you can replace it with lean ground beef or lean ground chicken.
More Meatballs Recipes
- Easy Chicken Meatballs
- Chicken Meatballs Alfredo
- Sausage Balls – Keto & Low Carb
- The Best Keto Meatballs Recipe
Turkey Meatballs
Description
Ingredients
- 2 pounds ground turkey
- 2/3 cup onion minced
- 1/2 cup parsley
- 2 large eggs
- 3 cloves garlic minced
- 2 tsp Worcestershire sauce
- 1/2 tsp dried basil
- 1/2 tsp dried oregano
- 1 tsp salt or more to taste
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
Instructions
Prepare the meatballs:
- In a large mixing bowl, combine the ground turkey, minced onion, parsley, eggs, minced garlic, Worcestershire sauce, dried basil, dried oregano, salt, and black pepper.
- Using a spatula or your hands, mix the ingredients together until well combined. Be careful not to over-mix to avoid tough meatballs.
- Shape the mixture into 1-inch balls and place them on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper, ensuring they're spaced evenly apart.
Bake the meatballs:
- Preheat the oven to 400 degrees Fahrenheit (205°C).
- Once the oven reaches the desired temperature, place the baking sheet in the oven and bake the meatballs for 15 to 20 minutes, or until they're cooked through and have a light golden color on the outside.
- After removing the meatballs from the oven, let them rest for a few minutes. This allows the juices to redistribute throughout the meatball, ensuring a juicy result.
- Serve them as desired, whether on their own, with a dipping sauce, or incorporated into another dish.
How do we calculate the nutrition info?
These nutrition facts listed are determined using nutrition information from the USDA Food Database. Our nutrition facts are accurate, but if you are using different products, please make your calculations. Net carb count is calculated by subtracting both fiber and sugar alcohols because they don’t raise blood sugar.
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