Greek Turkey Meatballs With Tzatziki (Printable Version)
Herb-infused turkey meatballs with creamy tzatziki sauce, ready in 45 minutes for a wholesome Mediterranean meal.
# What You Need:
→ Turkey Meatballs
01 - 1 lb ground turkey
02 - 1 small onion, finely grated
03 - 2 cloves garlic, minced
04 - 1/2 cup breadcrumbs (use gluten-free if desired)
05 - 1 large egg
06 - 2 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped
07 - 1 tbsp fresh dill, chopped
08 - 1 tsp dried oregano
09 - 1/2 tsp ground cumin
10 - Zest of 1 lemon
11 - 1 tsp salt
12 - 1/2 tsp black pepper
13 - 2 tbsp olive oil (for frying or baking)
→ Tzatziki Sauce
14 - 3/4 cup Greek yogurt
15 - 1/2 cucumber, finely grated and drained
16 - 1 clove garlic, minced
17 - 1 tbsp fresh dill, chopped
18 - 1 tbsp fresh mint, chopped (optional)
19 - 1 tbsp olive oil
20 - 1 tbsp lemon juice
21 - Salt and pepper, to taste
→ To Serve
22 - Lemon wedges
23 - Fresh parsley or dill, chopped
24 - Pita bread or salad (optional)
# How To Make It:
01 - In a medium bowl, combine grated cucumber (squeeze out excess liquid), Greek yogurt, garlic, dill, mint (if using), olive oil, lemon juice, salt, and pepper. Mix well and refrigerate to chill while preparing the meatballs.
02 - In a large bowl, combine the ground turkey, grated onion, minced garlic, breadcrumbs, egg, parsley, dill, oregano, cumin, lemon zest, salt, and pepper. Mix until just combined—do not overwork the mixture to keep the meatballs tender.
03 - Form the mixture into 20 to 24 small meatballs, about 1 tablespoon each, rolling gently between your palms for uniform shape.
04 - To pan-fry: Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the meatballs in batches, turning to brown on all sides, about 8 to 10 minutes until cooked through. To bake: Preheat oven to 400°F. Place meatballs on a greased baking sheet and drizzle with olive oil. Bake for 18 to 20 minutes or until golden and cooked through to an internal temperature of 165°F.
05 - Serve the meatballs hot with chilled tzatziki sauce, lemon wedges, and a garnish of fresh herbs. Accompany with pita bread or a side salad if desired.
# Expert Suggestions:
01 -
- These meatballs come together in under 45 minutes, which means dinner is handled even on your most chaotic nights.
- The tzatziki is so good you will want to put it on everything from grilled chicken to a simple piece of toast.
02 -
- Overmixing the turkey mixture is the fastest path to rubbery meatballs, so stop mixing the instant everything looks combined.
- Squeezing the cucumber completely dry transforms tzatziki from a soupy disappointment into a thick, scoopable sauce worth savoring.
03 -
- Wet your hands slightly before rolling each meatball to prevent the mixture from sticking and to get a smoother, more even shape.
- Make a double batch of tzatziki and keep it in the fridge for the week, as it improves with time and pairs beautifully with nearly everything.