Are you looking for some new and exciting healthy dinner recipes to add to your rotation? It is so easy to fall into a routine of making the same few meals over and over again. I completely understand. It is time to add some bright, fresh flavor to your dinner table without a lot of fuss.
Let me introduce you to these amazing Greek Turkey Meatballs. They are incredibly flavorful, surprisingly simple to put together, and so versatile. This is one of those healthy dinner meals that feels special but is easy enough for any night of the week. Let’s get cooking!
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Why You’ll Love This Recipe
First off, the flavor is just fantastic. We are talking fresh dill, zesty red onion, and savory oregano all mixed together. It is a taste of the Mediterranean right in your own kitchen. It really brings a pop of brightness to your plate.
This recipe is also incredibly quick. From start to finish, you can have these meatballs on the table in about 40 minutes. That makes it a wonderful choice for busy week nights when you do not have hours to spend cooking.
It is a wonderful choice for meal prep. You can make a batch of these meatballs on Sunday and enjoy them for lunches all week long. They are great on salads, in bowls with rice, or stuffed into a pita. The possibilities are endless.
Plus, this is one of those great kid friendly dinners. The meatballs are fun to eat and not too spicy. You can serve them with a dipping sauce like the tzatziki, which kids often enjoy. It is a great way to introduce new flavors.
Ingredients
The ingredient list for these healthy dinner recipes is full of fresh, simple items. You can find everything at your local grocery store. Nothing too complicated here, I promise.
For The Turkey Meatballs
- 1 pound ground turkey (93/7 lean is a good choice)
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1/4 of a large red onion
- 1 large egg
- 1/2 cup breadcrumbs or almond flour for a gluten free option
- 1/4 cup chopped fresh dill
- 1/2 tablespoon dried oregano
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 2 tablespoons olive oil for cooking
For The Simple Tzatziki Sauce
- 1 cup plain Greek yogurt
- 1/2 cucumber, grated and squeezed dry
- 1 clove garlic, minced
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- 1 tablespoon chopped fresh dill
- Salt and pepper to taste
Step By Step Instructions
Following these steps will give you tender, juicy meatballs every single time. It is a very straightforward process. You have got this!
Step 1: Combine Meatball Ingredients
Find a large mixing bowl. Add your ground turkey and the minced garlic to the bowl. Next, you will need to grate the red onion directly into the bowl. Using a box grater works well. If you do not have one, just chop the onion as finely as you possibly can.
Now, add the egg, breadcrumbs or almond flour, fresh dill, oregano, salt, and pepper. Use your hands to gently mix everything together. The key here is to mix only until the ingredients are just combined. Overmixing can make the meatballs tough.
Step 2: Form The Meatballs
Once your mixture is ready, it is time to form the meatballs. Lightly wet your hands with a little water to prevent the mixture from sticking. Roll the turkey mixture into about 14 evenly sized balls. They should be about one and a half inches in diameter.
Step 3: Cook The Meatballs
Place a large saucepan or skillet over medium heat and add the olive oil. Once the oil is hot and shimmering slightly, carefully place the meatballs in the pan. Be sure not to crowd them. You might need to cook them in two batches.
Cook the meatballs for about 7 to 8 minutes. You will need to turn them frequently with tongs so they brown evenly on all sides. The meatballs are done when they are cooked through and reach an internal temperature of 165 degrees Fahrenheit.
Step 4: Prepare The Tzatziki Sauce
While your meatballs are cooking, you can quickly whip up the tzatziki sauce. It is so easy. Just grab a small bowl. Combine the Greek yogurt, grated and squeezed cucumber, minced garlic, lemon juice, and fresh dill. Stir it all together and season with a little salt and pepper to your liking.
Step 5: Serve And Enjoy
Your delicious Greek turkey meatballs are now ready! Serve them warm over a bed of fluffy rice, with a generous dollop of the fresh tzatziki sauce on top. This is one of those healthy dinner recipes that looks as good as it tastes.
How To Store Leftovers
If you happen to have any leftovers, storing them is very simple. First, make sure the meatballs have cooled down completely to room temperature. This is important for food safety.
Place the cooled meatballs in an airtight container. They will keep well in the refrigerator for about 3 to 4 days. This makes them one of the best healthy dinner meals for planning ahead.
For longer storage, you can freeze them. Arrange the cooked and cooled meatballs on a baking sheet in a single layer. Freeze them for about an hour, then transfer the frozen meatballs to a freezer safe bag. They can be frozen for up to 3 months.
Store the tzatziki sauce separately in its own airtight container in the refrigerator. It is best enjoyed within 2 to 3 days. I do not recommend freezing the sauce as the texture can change.
Tips
Want to make these healthy dinner recipes even better? Here are a few simple tips to help you out. These little tricks can make a big difference in your final dish.
To keep your meatballs extra moist, use ground turkey that is not too lean. A 93/7 blend is great because it has enough fat to provide flavor and moisture without being greasy. Also, grating the onion adds moisture.
Feel free to change up the herbs. If you do not have fresh dill, you could try fresh parsley or mint for a slightly different flavor profile. Fresh herbs really do add a lot of brightness to many supper ideas.
For the best tzatziki, make sure you squeeze as much water out of the grated cucumber as possible. You can use a clean kitchen towel or cheesecloth. This step prevents the sauce from becoming watery.
These meatballs are so versatile. Think beyond just serving them with rice. They are amazing in a grain bowl with quinoa, cucumbers, tomatoes, and feta cheese. You can also stuff them into warm pita bread for a tasty sandwich. They are great supper ideas for any occasion.
Conclusion
So there you have it! A simple, delicious, and fresh meal that is sure to become a new family favorite. These Greek Turkey Meatballs check all the boxes. They are easy, fast, and packed with wonderful flavor.
This is truly one of the best healthy dinner recipes to have in your collection. It is satisfying, light, and a great way to bring some Mediterranean sunshine to your dinner table. I hope you and your family enjoy this recipe as much as I do.
FAQ
Can I Make These Ahead Of Time?
Yes, absolutely! You can prepare the meatball mixture and form the meatballs up to 24 hours in advance. Just store them in an airtight container in the refrigerator. You can also cook them completely and reheat them when you are ready to serve.
Are These Meatballs Gluten Free?
They certainly can be. The recipe provides the option to use almond flour instead of breadcrumbs. This makes it a fantastic gluten free option without sacrificing any flavor or texture. Many healthy dinner recipes can be adapted this way.
What Can I Serve With These Meatballs?
There are so many great serving options. They are wonderful with rice or quinoa. You can also serve them with a simple Greek salad of tomatoes, cucumbers, and olives. Warm pita bread is also a great choice for scooping up the meatballs and sauce. They make for such fun kid friendly dinners.
My Meatballs Are Dry, What Went Wrong?
Dry meatballs are usually caused by one of two things. The first is overmixing the ground turkey mixture. Be gentle and mix just until combined. The second cause is overcooking. Use a meat thermometer to check for an internal temperature of 165 degrees Fahrenheit to ensure they are cooked perfectly.
Greek Turkey Meatballs
These Greek Turkey Meatballs are incredibly flavorful, surprisingly simple, and so versatile. This easy recipe is a healthy dinner meal that feels special but is great for any night of the week.
Requirements
Ingredients
Instructions
- In a large mixing bowl, combine the ground turkey, minced garlic, grated red onion, egg, breadcrumbs (or almond flour), fresh dill, oregano, salt, and black pepper. Gently mix with your hands until just combined to avoid tough meatballs.
- Lightly wet your hands and roll the mixture into about 14 evenly sized balls, approximately one and a half inches in diameter.
- Heat the olive oil in a large saucepan or skillet over medium heat. Carefully place the meatballs in the pan, cooking in batches if necessary to avoid crowding. Cook for 7 to 8 minutes, turning frequently to brown all sides. Ensure an internal temperature of 165 degrees Fahrenheit using a meat thermometer.
- In a small bowl, combine the plain Greek yogurt, grated and squeezed cucumber, minced garlic, lemon juice, and fresh dill. Stir well and season with salt and pepper to taste.
- Serve the warm Greek turkey meatballs with a generous dollop of tzatziki sauce, perhaps over rice or in pita bread.
Notes
To keep meatballs moist, use 93/7 lean ground turkey. Grating the onion also adds moisture.
Experiment with other fresh herbs like parsley or mint if dill isn’t available.
Squeeze as much water as possible from the grated cucumber for a thick tzatziki sauce.
These versatile meatballs are great with rice, in a grain bowl with quinoa and feta, or in warm pita bread.
Nutrition
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