Turkey Meatballs may have disappointed you in the past, but this recipe will change your mind. These meatballs come out juicy, tender, and full of flavor! The secret is a little bit of olive oil for extra moistness, and baking them for the right amount of time so they don't get too dry.
About This Recipe
These turkey meatballs are the best that I've ever had. They're incredibly flavorful, made with ground turkey, parmesan cheese, fresh parsley, and a mix of savory spices. They come out crisp and lightly browned on the outside while still being juicy and tender on the inside. Serve them on top of pasta, tucked into bread, or on toothpicks with marinara sauce for dipping. There are so many ways to enjoy these meatballs!
The amount of time you cook the meatballs is very important to how juicy they turn out. Even just a few extra minutes will dry them out a lot. I like baking them at a slightly hotter temperature (450F) so that they get a bit of color on top, but that means they will cook faster too. In my tests, they took anywhere from 10 to 14 minutes to cook through. It depends on how big you roll your meatballs.
Key Ingredients
Ground Turkey: The cheapest way to make your own turkey meatballs is to grind your own turkey, which is what I did. I butchered a 14-pound turkey, and I ended up with around 8 pounds of ground meat (without skin or excess fat). For the grinding, I used my KitchenAid stand mixer with a meat grinder attachment. You can also just buy your ground turkey. You'll need two pounds for this recipe.
Breadcrumbs: Breadcrumbs help break up the meat so the meatballs are more tender. They also absorb the juices squeezed out during baking, helping keep the meatballs moist.
Parmesan cheese: For salty, savory flavor. Freshly grated is always the best.
Fresh parsley: For fresh, herby flavor.
Olive oil: I use olive oil to keep the meatballs moist, as turkey meat is generally very lean.
Eggs: They help bind all the ingredients together.
Seasonings: All you need are onion powder, garlic powder, Italian seasoning, salt, and black pepper.
Instructions
STEP 1: Add all the ingredients to a large bowl and mix with your hands until well combined.
STEP 2: Roll the mixture into small balls and place on the baking sheet with some space between each one.
STEP 3: Bake for 10-14 minutes until lightly browned and cooked through. You can use an instant-read thermometer to check the doneness. They should reach 165°F in the center.
Baked Turkey Meatballs
Ingredients
- 2 pounds ground turkey (93% lean)
- 1 cup breadcrumbs
- ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
- ¼ cup chopped fresh parsley
- 2 large eggs
- 3 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon black pepper
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 450°F. Line a large baking sheet with parchment paper.
- Add all the ingredients to a large bowl and mix with your hands until well combined.
- Roll the mixture into small balls and place on the baking sheet with some space between each one.
- Bake for 10-14 minutes until lightly browned and cooked through (the center of the meatball should reach 165°F on an instant-read thermometer). Start checking the meatballs around the 10-minute mark so they don't overcook.
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