Greek Turkey Meatballs with Tzatziki Recipe
These Greek Turkey Meatballs with Tzatziki are a flavorful and healthy dish featuring lean ground turkey blended with fresh herbs and spices, cooked to juicy perfection on the stovetop, and served with a refreshing homemade tzatziki sauce. Ideal for a quick weeknight dinner, they offer a Mediterranean twist that's both satisfying and nutritious.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Total Time: 40 minutes
- Yield: 14 meatballs (serves 14)
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Greek
- Diet: Low Fat
Ingredients
Meatballs
- 1 lb ground turkey (93/7 lean)
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1/4 large red onion, grated or finely chopped
- 1 egg
- 1/2 cup breadcrumbs or almond flour
- 1/4 cup chopped fresh dill
- 1/2 tbsp dried oregano
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp pepper
- 2 tbsp olive oil
Tzatziki Sauce
- 1 cup Greek yogurt
- 1/2 cucumber, grated and drained
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tbsp fresh lemon juice
- 2 tbsp chopped fresh dill
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Combine Meatball Ingredients: In a large bowl, add the ground turkey and minced garlic. Grate or finely chop 1/4 of the red onion and add it to the bowl. Then add the egg, breadcrumbs or almond flour, chopped fresh dill, dried oregano, salt, and pepper. Mix gently with your hands until just combined to avoid overworking the meat.
- Form Meatballs: Shape the mixture into 14 evenly sized meatballs, ensuring they are compact to hold together during cooking.
- Cook Meatballs: Heat a saucepan with 2 tablespoons of olive oil over medium heat. Once the oil is hot, carefully add the meatballs. Cook them for 7 to 8 minutes total, turning frequently to brown all sides evenly. Use a meat thermometer to check that the internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C) to ensure they are fully cooked.
- Prepare Tzatziki Sauce: While the meatballs cook, combine Greek yogurt, grated and drained cucumber, minced garlic, lemon juice, chopped dill, salt, and pepper in a bowl. Mix well and refrigerate until ready to serve.
- Serve: Plate the warm meatballs over cooked rice and spoon with generous amounts of the fresh tzatziki sauce for a delicious and balanced meal.
Notes
- You can substitute almond flour for breadcrumbs for a gluten-free option.
- Make sure to drain the grated cucumber well to prevent watery tzatziki sauce.
- Use fresh herbs like dill to enhance the authentic Greek flavors.
- Serve with additional sides like lemon wedges or Greek salad for a complete meal.
