Ground Turkey Meatballs

Name: Ground Turkey Meatballs
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 20 min
Total time: 30 min
Ingredients: Ground Turkey: 1 lb (93% lean is best for moisture; avoid 99% lean to prevent dryness); Breadcrumbs: 1/3 cup Italian or plain breadcrumbs (or panko); 1 large egg; 1/4 cup onion finely diced; 2 garlic cloves minced; 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese; Salt 1 tsp; 1 tps Italian seasoning; 1/2 tsp pepper; 1 tbsp fresh parsley chopped; 1 tbsp olive oil For rolling; Dash of red pepper flakes optional

6 steps

Prep:10minCook:20min

Ground turkey meatballs are a lean, flavorful alternative to traditional beef or pork meatballs. They are typically lighter in texture, seasoned with herbs and breadcrumbs to retain moisture, and easily adapt to various cuisines—ranging from classic Italian in marinara to Middle Eastern spiced profiles.

Updated at: Sat, 27 Jun 2026 16:39:30 GMT

Nutrition balance score

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Ingredients

13 servings

1 lbGround Turkey

93% lean is best for moisture, avoid 99% lean to prevent dryness

⅓ cupItalian breadcrumbs

¼ cuponion

¼ cupgrated parmesan cheese

1 tspsalt

1 tpsItalian seasoning

½ tsppepper

1 Tbspfresh parsley

1 Tbspolive oil

Instructions

Step 1

Preheat & Prep: Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C) and line a rimmed baking sheet with parchment paper or lightly grease it.

Step 2

Mix Ingredients: In a large bowl, combine the egg, breadcrumbs, onion, garlic, Parmesan, salt, pepper, Italian seasoning, and parsley. Whisk or stir them together into a paste.

Step 3

Add Turkey: Add the ground turkey to the bowl. Gently mix with your hands just until everything is evenly combined. Do not overmix, or the meatballs will become tough.

Step 4

Form Meatballs: Lightly rub your hands with a drop of olive oil to prevent sticking. Portion the mixture into even 1.5-inch balls (about 2 tablespoons each) and space them out on your baking sheet.

Step 5

Bake: Bake in the preheated oven for 15 to 20 minutes, or until the meatballs are golden brown and reach an internal temperature of 165° F (use an instant-read meat thermometer).

Step 6

If you prefer not to bake them, you can also pan-fry them. Heat 1 tablespoon of olive oil in a skillet over medium-high heat. Cook the meatballs in batches, turning frequently, for 8-10 minutes until cooked through and nicely browned on all sides.