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You are here: Crunchy Creamy Sweet / Dinner / Baked Turkey Meatballs

Baked Turkey Meatballs

Published: Jan 19, 2022 · Modified: Nov 1, 2022 by Anna 13 Comments · This post may contain affiliate links. If you make a purchase through links on our site, we may earn a commission.

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These baked Turkey Meatballs are juicy and delicious! It's an easy and healthy dinner for the whole family. Serve them with classic pasta sauce, creamy mushroom sauce, or make meatball subs!

Meatballs with lemon slices on white oval plate.
Jump to:
  • Why You'll Love This Recipe
  • Ingredients:
  • How to make turkey meatballs?
  • Ingredient substitutes:
  • My tips for moist turkey meatballs:
  • How to serve turkey meatballs?
  • How to freeze and reheat turkey meatballs?
  • Recipe FAQs:
  • More dinner recipes:
  • Baked Turkey Meatballs

Why You'll Love This Recipe

If you are looking for a healthier, leaner alternative to beef meatballs, turkey meat is a great choice. I always have a few pounds of ground turkey in my freezer and these meatballs are one of my favorite things to use them for.

You should know that turkey meat can be quite flavorless, especially since it does not contain much fat. Adding minced garlic and fresh onion (not in powdered spice form) is key to adding flavor. Grated Parmesan cheese and Italian herbs round up the flavor mixture!

You can cook the meatballs in a skillet but baking them in the oven is a mess-free way to make a large batch easier. Serve them with tomato sauce or use them to make Swedish meatballs. They are also delicious in sub sandwiches, soups, and salads.

Ingredients:

Ingredients for turkey meatballs on a marble board.
  • ground turkey: fresh or frozen (thawed before using);
  • egg: helps bind the ingredients and helps make the meatballs juicy;
  • bread crumbs: prevent meatballs from becoming dry, trap the juices inside;
  • garlic and onion: fresh, minced and chopped add flavor to bland turkey meat;
  • seasoning: paprika, Italian seasoning, salt and pepper;
  • Parmesan cheese: adds cheesy, salty flavor;
  • parsley: adds bright flavor.

How to make turkey meatballs?

  • Combine turkey meat with seasoning, garlic, and onion. Mix well.
  • Add egg and mix in well.
Ground turkey with onion, spices and egg in a glass bowl.
  • Add bread crumbs, parsley and Parmesan to the meat mixture.

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Turkey meat with cheese, parsley and breadcrumbs in a bowl.
  • Scoop meat into balls, roll in leftover bread crumbs, and place on baking sheet.
  • Bake in preheated oven for 15 minutes, flip meatballs and bake for 4 to 5 minutes more.
  • Remove from oven and serve.
Scoop in a bowl with turkey meat and meatballs on a baking sheet.

Ingredient substitutes:

  • use gluten-free bread crumbs or almond flour instead of classic bread crumbs,
  • use mayo in place of an egg; it will help bind the ingredients and prevent them from falling apart,
  • use ground chicken or pork in place of turkey.

My tips for moist turkey meatballs:

Turkey meat is much leaner than beef and tends to be dry. With three simple additions, you can ensure that your meatballs will be juicy and delicious:

  • Use egg - this ingredient not only helps bind the ingredients but also adds moisture to turkey meat that is low in fat.
  • Raw onion - another ingredient that not only adds flavor but also moisture.
  • Don't overcook the meatballs. Just like with Thanksgiving turkey, you don't want to overcook the meatballs either.

How to serve turkey meatballs?

These meatballs can be served with a classic tomato-based pasta sauce, like my simple marinara sauce, or with my creamy mushroom sauce. Stir it with pasta, noodles, or veggie noodles. They are also delicious in sandwiches!

How to freeze and reheat turkey meatballs?

Prepare the meat mixture and bake meatballs in the oven. You can also fry them in a pan. Cool them completely, then place them on a parchment paper-lined baking sheet and freeze for 1 hour. Place frozen meatballs in a freezer-safe bag or a container and keep in the freezer for up to 3 months. Thaw meatballs in the fridge.

To reheat meatballs, preheat your oven to 300 degrees. Place meatballs on a baking sheet and cook until heated through, about 12 minutes. You can also heat them up in a microwave or a skillet for 2 to 3 minutes.

Recipe FAQs:

How to form turkey meatballs?

I use a cookie scoop for making meatballs. The 1.5-tablespoon size works perfectly. Just scoop the meat mixture, roll meatballs in your hands, and place on a large plate or baking sheet. Bake or cook them in a skillet.

Can I make them in advance?

Absolutely! You can prepare the meatballs, bake them, cool and store in the fridge for up to 4 days. Add to the simmering sauce and reheat them.

Can I make them without bread crumbs?

Bread crumbs help bind the ingredients and trap the juices inside, preventing the meatballs from drying. If you need to avoid this ingredient, try almond flour instead.

How to prevent turkey meatballs from falling apart?

With egg and bread crumbs as binders, these meatballs won't fall apart, so don't skip these ingredients.

Baked turkey meatballs on a plate.

More dinner recipes:

  • Tater Tot Casserole on white board.
    Tater Tot Casserole
  • Square image of chicken nuggets with parsley on a white plate.
    Air Fryer Chicken Nuggets Recipe
  • Baked pork chop on a baking sheet.
    Baked Pork Chops
  • Filet mignon on a plate.
    How to Cook Filet Mignon

If you like this recipe and make it, let me know in the comments below! Don't forget to rate it if you enjoyed it!

Meatballs with lemon slices on white oval plate.

Baked Turkey Meatballs

Author: Anna
These Turkey Meatballs are juicy and delicious! It’s an easy and healthy dinner for the whole family. Serve them with classic pasta sauce, creamy mushroom sauce, or make meatball subs!
4.92 from 12 votes
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time 15 minutes mins
Cook Time 20 minutes mins
Total Time 35 minutes mins
Course Main Dish
Cuisine American
Servings 4 servings
Calories 258 kcal
Prevent your screen from going dark

Ingredients
 
 

  • 1 lb ground turkey
  • 2 teaspoons minced garlic
  • ¼ cup finely chopped or grated yellow onion
  • ½ teaspoon Italian seasoning
  • ½ teaspoon paprika not smoked
  • 1 large egg
  • ½ cup bread crumbs
  • ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
  • 1 tablespoon fresh parsley chopped
  • ½ teaspoon salt
  • ¼ teaspoon black pepper

Instructions
 

  • Preheat oven to 400° F. Line a large baking sheet with parchment paper.
  • In a large mixing bowl, combine turkey meat with garlic, onion, Italian seasoning and paprika. Add salt and pepper. Mix everything well.
    1 lb ground turkey, 2 teaspoons minced garlic, ¼ cup finely chopped or grated yellow onion, ½ teaspoon Italian seasoning, ½ teaspoon paprika, ½ teaspoon salt, ¼ teaspoon black pepper
  • Break the egg into meat mixture, slightly beat it with a fork, then mix into the meat mixture.
    1 large egg
  • Add half of the bread crumbs, all grated Parmesan and parsley. Mix well.
    ½ cup bread crumbs, ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese, 1 tablespoon fresh parsley
  • Using a 1.5 tablespoon size scoop, form the meat mixture into balls, roll in hands, then in remaining bread crumbs. This adds more crispy texture to the outside of the meatballs.
  • Place meatballs on prepared baking sheet. Bake in preheated oven for 15 minutes, flip the meatballs and cook for 3 to 5 minutes more.
  • Remove from oven and serve right away or cool completely to store for later.

Notes

  • These meatballs can be served with a classic tomato-based pasta sauce, like my simple marinara sauce, or with my creamy mushroom sauce. Stir it with pasta, noodles, or veggie noodles. They are also delicious in sandwiches!
  • You can prepare the meatballs, bake them, cool and store in the fridge for up to 4 days. Add to the simmering sauce and reheat them.
  • Please note, that the nutrition value can vary depending on what product you use. The information below is an estimate. Always use calorie counter you are familiar with.

Nutrition

Calories: 258kcal | Carbohydrates: 12g | Protein: 35g | Fat: 8g | Saturated Fat: 3g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 2g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 114mg | Sodium: 656mg | Potassium: 429mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 1g | Vitamin A: 409IU | Vitamin C: 3mg | Calcium: 185mg | Iron: 2mg
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    Reader Interactions

    Comments

      4.92 from 12 votes (3 ratings without comment)

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      Recipe Rating




    1. Anton says

      February 21, 2025 at 12:45 pm

      5 stars
      I didn't really like turkey until my wife made those meatballs. I love them

      Reply
    2. Sandra says

      February 17, 2025 at 9:05 am

      5 stars
      They're so delicious with cheese. Thanks for the recipe

      Reply
    3. Sophie says

      February 13, 2025 at 12:54 pm

      5 stars
      How good are these meatballs!!

      Reply
    4. Jola says

      October 18, 2024 at 9:42 am

      5 stars
      My son's favorite meatballs

      Reply
    5. Przyprawione sercem says

      April 03, 2024 at 12:12 pm

      5 stars
      Great recipe

      Reply
    6. imsen says

      January 31, 2022 at 10:05 am

      5 stars
      LOVE this meatball recipe. It’s my go-to favorite recipe for meatballs.

      Reply
      • Anna says

        February 06, 2022 at 12:04 am

        I am so glad! Thank you!

        Reply
    7. Gayle Fox says

      January 20, 2022 at 5:10 am

      5 stars
      Great recipe, I love baking them instead of frying! So yummy!

      Reply
      • Anna says

        February 06, 2022 at 12:15 am

        Exactly! Thank you, Gayle!

        Reply
    8. Allyssa says

      January 20, 2022 at 4:05 am

      5 stars
      Thank you so much for sharing this amazing turkey meatballs recipe! Will surely have this again! It's really easy to make and it tasted so delicious! Highly recommended!

      Reply
      • Anna says

        February 06, 2022 at 12:15 am

        Thank you, Allyssa!

        Reply
    9. Stephanie says

      January 19, 2022 at 11:44 pm

      5 stars
      Love these so much, I could eat them every day! The flavor is amazing! PINNED!

      Reply
      • Anna says

        February 06, 2022 at 12:15 am

        Awesome! Thank you, Stephanie!

        Reply

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