Greek Turkey Meatballs With Tzatziki (Print Version)
Juicy Mediterranean turkey meatballs served with cool, creamy homemade tzatziki sauce.
# What You'll Need:
→ Turkey Meatballs
01 - 1 lb ground turkey
02 - 1/2 cup breadcrumbs
03 - 1 large egg
04 - 2 garlic cloves, minced
05 - 1 small onion, finely grated
06 - 2 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped
07 - 1 tbsp fresh mint, chopped
08 - 1 tsp dried oregano
09 - 1 tsp ground cumin
10 - 1/2 tsp salt
11 - 1/4 tsp black pepper
12 - 2 tbsp olive oil for frying or baking
→ Tzatziki
13 - 1 cup full-fat Greek yogurt
14 - 1/2 large cucumber, peeled, seeded and grated
15 - 1 garlic clove, minced
16 - 1 tbsp fresh dill, chopped
17 - 1 tbsp lemon juice
18 - 1 tbsp extra-virgin olive oil
19 - Salt and pepper to taste
→ For Serving
20 - Lemon wedges
21 - Fresh parsley or dill for garnish
22 - Warm pita bread or salad (optional)
# How to Make It:
01 - Squeeze excess moisture from the grated cucumber using a clean kitchen towel or paper towels. In a mixing bowl, combine Greek yogurt, cucumber, garlic, dill, lemon juice, olive oil, salt and pepper. Stir until smooth and well blended. Refrigerate until ready to serve for the best flavor.
02 - In a large bowl, combine ground turkey, breadcrumbs, egg, garlic, onion, parsley, mint, oregano, cumin, salt and pepper. Mix gently until just combined, being careful not to overwork the mixture.
03 - Form the mixture into 18 to 20 walnut-sized meatballs, rolling each one gently between your palms for a uniform shape.
04 - Heat olive oil in a large nonstick skillet over medium heat. Add meatballs in batches and cook for 8 to 10 minutes, turning regularly, until golden brown on all sides and cooked through to an internal temperature of 165°F.
05 - Preheat oven to 400°F. Arrange meatballs on a parchment-lined baking sheet and brush or spray lightly with olive oil. Bake for 15 to 18 minutes, turning halfway through, until golden and cooked through.
06 - Arrange meatballs on a platter with a generous dollop of tzatziki. Garnish with fresh herbs and serve alongside lemon wedges. Accompany with warm pita bread or a side salad if desired.
# Expert Advice:
01 -
- Turkey stays incredibly juicy when you handle the mix gently and grate the onion directly into the bowl for hidden moisture.
- The homemade tzatziki comes together in five minutes and tastes dramatically better than anything from a store.
- Everything cooks in under half an hour, which means dinner on the table with almost no stress.
02 -
- Wet cucumber in tzatziki will turn your beautiful sauce into a watery puddle, so squeeze it like you mean it.
- Turkey meatballs dry out fast if overcooked, so pull them from the heat the moment they are no longer pink inside.
03 -
- Wet your hands slightly before rolling meatballs to prevent the mixture from sticking and to get smoother, more even shapes.
- Let the shaped meatballs rest in the fridge for ten minutes before cooking so they hold their shape better in the pan.