Skip to Content
Menu

Easy Turkey Meatballs

  • Jump to Recipe
  • Save
By Holly Lofthouse
Updated Jun 29, 2024
  • Save
  • Share
  • Jump to Recipe

Show them how you roll! Homemade meatballs are a great way to score a win with the family at dinner, even on the busiest weeknight. Just like their name implies, these yummy little wonders are made from ground meat, rolled into a ball. Often they are mixed with ingredients like breadcrumbs, eggs, and spices to help them hold together and to add layers of flavor. Simple, right? But the variety comes in with the type of meat and the mix-ins. You can make them from practically any kind of meat—beef, pork, chicken, lamb, or turkey like this amazingly easy and versatile recipe.

Featuring lean ground turkey, breadcrumbs, Parmesan cheese and savory spices, these tasty turkey meatballs fit right in with a variety of different dishes. Serve them on a bed of freshly cooked spaghetti and red sauce, or plate them up next to some steamed veggies and rice. They'd also make the perfect filling for a hearty meatball sub, or a great appetizer, served on a skewer for dipping. Basically, there's no wrong way to eat these scrumptious ground turkey meatballs! Explore other recipes that use meatballs for even more inspiration.

Plus, these oven baked turkey meatballs are a fun way to get the whole family involved in the kitchen. Rolling out homemade meatballs is a task even little hands can handle, turning meal prep into fun family time. This simple turkey meatball recipe comes together so quickly that you can all be proud of making something special together, in less time than it would have taken to grab takeout.

Meatballs are a win on so many levels—they're customizable, nutritious, delicious, and a great way to bring the family together. So next time you're stuck on what to cook, remember: meatballs to the rescue!

Types of Meatballs

If there's one thing food lovers across the globe can agree on, it’s that meatballs are downright delicious. Different cultures have their own unique takes, so let’s take a quick spin around the world and check out a few popular varieties.

Starting in Sweden, we have the famous Swedish köttbullar. These are typically smaller than their Italian cousins, seasoned with allspice and nutmeg for a distinctive warm, slightly sweet flavor. They're often served with creamy gravy, lingonberry jam, and mashed potatoes—true comfort food!

In Italy, meatballs, or polpette, are much smaller than what we are accustomed to and are usually mixed with garlic, parsley, and Parmesan, giving them a signature Italian zest. Unlike in the U.S., Italians often serve polpette on their own or as a side, hold the sauce. Sometimes, they’re even added to soups.

In Greece, you’ll find keftedes, which are usually made with ground lamb or beef mixed with mint, onions, and bread soaked in milk. These are typically fried to crispy perfection and served with tzatziki sauce and a squeeze of lemon for an extra tang. If you’d like to try out some of these savory greek flavors, Greek-Style Meatball Bites are a great dish to try.

Then, there’s the Spanish version—albóndigas. These meatballs can be found simmering in tomato-based or clear soup and are infused with flavors of garlic, parsley, and sometimes a bit of Spanish smoked paprika for a kick.

There are so many more varieties of meatballs, but these are just a few of the most popular. The most common style of meatball in America is very similar to the Italian polpettes, but they’re larger, often have cheese added to them, and are most often served with pasta.

Meatball Ingredients

With just a few simple ingredients, you can whip up these homemade ground turkey meatballs in no time. Here’s what you’ll need.

Ground turkey: Ground turkey is a stellar pick for meatballs! It's leaner than beef but still packs a juicy punch, making it a lighter choice without skimping on flavor. Plus, its subtle taste takes on herbs and spices like a champ, so you can go wild with your favorite flavors.

Breadcrumbs: This easy turkey meatball recipe uses Progresso™ Italian style bread crumbs, but you can use panko if you prefer. Breadcrumbs give a tighter bind and a soft texture, perfect for a classic feel. Panko, on the other hand, keeps things lighter and airier, adding a bit of crunch. It's all about the texture you’re craving!

Parmesan cheese: Parmesan adds salty, nutty goodness to your homemade meatballs, while helping to bind ingredients together, giving your meatballs a perfect texture.

Milk & eggs: The dynamic duo of meatball-making. Eggs act as the main binding agent, while milk keeps the mixture moist and tender. Together, they ensure your meatballs turn out just right—flavorful, succulent, and downright delicious! You can use whatever kind of milk you have on hand: skim, low fat or whole. Even non-dairy soy milk will do the trick. The higher the fat content, the richer your final dish—but any kind of milk will add the moisture you need.

Seasoning: This recipe features onion powder, garlic salt, and Italian seasoning, but you can experiment with different seasonings to suit your taste. Add crushed red pepper for a hint of heat, or fresh herbs like parsley or oregano for a bit of brightness.

These ingredients are ultra-versatile and contribute to many other meals for meat lovers, so why not try something new while you have them on hand?

How to Make Meatballs

Making these delicious oven baked turkey meatballs is so quick and simple. The full detailed directions for this recipe are below, but here’s how to mix and roll your way to dinner in no time.

Mix

Stir up your turkey, bread crumbs, cheese, onion powder, garlic salt and Italian seasoning in a large bowl until all the ingredients are well-mixed. Then add your milk and eggs and stir again until just combined. You or little ones have the choice to dive in hands first knowing you’ll get messy in the next step, or opt for your favorite utensil to combine. Just be sure everything is mixed together well for a consistent quality in your meatballs.

Roll

Next, shape your mixture into balls. Aim for about 15 balls of slightly less than ¼ cup each. A cookie scoop makes quick work of portioning the meat mixture so your easy turkey meatballs are all the same size. Wear food-safe gloves or lightly wet hands when rolling so the meat doesn’t stick. Place meatballs on a greased baking sheet and they’re ready for the oven!

Storing Leftover Meatballs

Leftover ground turkey meatballs can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to four days. Ground turkey meatballs are also great stashed in the freezer to make quick work for dinner later, so feel free to double this Easy Turkey Meatballs recipe. Portion out the meatballs onto a large parchment-lined baking pan and freeze them until firm. Transfer them to an airtight container (you decide the right amount for quick meals) for up to 1 month. Remove from the freezer and thaw in the refrigerator before baking.

Reheating leftover baked turkey meatballs is a breeze! Place meatballs on a baking sheet, and cover with foil to keep them moist. Heat in a 350°F oven for about 10-15 minutes until warmed through. In the microwave, place meatballs on a microwave-safe plate, cover with a damp paper towel, and heat in 30-second intervals until hot. Or pop them in the air fryer at 350°F for 5-7 minutes for a crispy finish.

Frequently Asked Questions

How to Keep Turkey Meatballs from Falling Apart?

So, you wanna make sure those turkey meatballs stay in one piece? Here are two tips you can use separately or together for surefire meatball success.

First, if your meatballs tend to be dry, consider adding an extra egg. Afterall, they’re the glue that holds everything together, acting as a binder—so adding an extra egg to your meatball mix helps ensure everything sticks together nicely, and you don’t end up with a crumbly mess.

Next, try soaking your breadcrumbs. Soaking breadcrumbs in milk before mixing them into the meat helps create what’s called a panade. Think of it as a supercharged moisture bomb that keeps your meatballs nice and juicy and prevents the meatballs from becoming too dense or tough.

Together, the extra egg and panade work their magic to give this baked turkey meatball recipe the ideal texture—tender, moist, and holding together like a dream. So next time you’re rolling up a batch, don’t skip these steps—they’re the key to the perfect meatball!

How to Avoid Dry Homemade Meatballs

Dry meatballs? No way, we're all about juicy, flavorful bites here! First off, watch that baking time—take your meatballs out of the oven as soon as they're cooked through, or use a meat thermometer to be sure.

Secondly, don’t go overboard with the seasoning and dry ingredients. Too much can suck the moisture right out of your meatballs. Keep it simple and let the flavors shine without overpowering.

And here’s a game-changer: finish them in sauce! Simmering your meatballs in a tasty sauce not only adds a flavor boost but also helps keep them moist. They soak up all that saucy goodness like a sponge, ensuring every bite is juicy and delicious.

Practice these simple tips and you can banish dry meatballs from your kitchen forever. With a little TLC and some smart cooking techniques, you'll be serving up the juiciest, most mouthwatering meatballs around.

Easy Turkey Meatballs

  • Prep Time 25 min
  • Total 45 min
  • Ingredients 8
  • Servings 5
  • Save
  • Share
  • Print
  • Keep Screen On

Ingredients

  • 1 lb lean ground turkey
  • 1/2 cup Progresso™ Italian style bread crumbs
  • 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
  • 1 teaspoon onion powder
  • 1 teaspoon garlic salt
  • 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
  • 1/4 cup milk
  • 1 egg, beaten

Instructions

  • Step 
    1
    Heat oven to 375°F. Spray large cookie sheet with cooking spray.
  • Step 
    2
    In large bowl, mix turkey, bread crumbs, cheese, onion powder, garlic salt and Italian seasoning. Add milk and egg; mix until just combined.
  • Step 
    3
    Shape mixture into 15 balls of slightly less than 1/4 cup each. Place on cookie sheet.
  • Step 
    4
    Bake 16 to 20 minutes or until thermometer inserted in center of meatballs reads at least 165°F. Serve with pasta and marinara sauce, or use in your favorite meatball dinner.

Nutrition

250 Calories
12g Total Fat
25g Protein
9g Total Carbohydrate
2g Sugars

Nutrition Facts

Serving Size: 3 Meatballs
Calories
250
Calories from Fat
110
Total Fat
12g
19%
Saturated Fat
4 1/2g
22%
Trans Fat
0g
Cholesterol
115mg
38%
Sodium
590mg
24%
Potassium
250mg
7%
Total Carbohydrate
9g
3%
Dietary Fiber
1g
4%
Sugars
2g
Protein
25g
% Daily Value*:
Vitamin A
4%
4%
Vitamin C
0%
0%
Calcium
20%
20%
Iron
10%
10%
Exchanges:
0 Starch; 0 Fruit; 1/2 Other Carbohydrate; 0 Skim Milk; 0 Low-Fat Milk; 0 Milk; 0 Vegetable; 0 Very Lean Meat; 3 1/2 Lean Meat; 0 High-Fat Meat; 1/2 Fat;
Carbohydrate Choice
1/2
*Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.

Tips from the

Pillsbury Kitchens

© 2024 ®/TM General Mills All Rights Reserved