Easy Turkey Meatballs
User Reviews
5
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Prep Time
20 mins
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Cook Time
20 mins
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Total Time
40 mins
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Servings
6
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Calories
200 kcal
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Course
Main Course
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Cuisine
American
Easy Turkey Meatballs
Description
Easy Turkey Meatballs combine ground turkey with aromatic ingredients including finely chopped onion, garlic, parsley, lemon juice, and Worcestershire sauce. Panko breadcrumbs and Parmesan cheese bind the mixture and add subtle flavor. The meatballs are shaped into small ones around 1 inch in diameter to ensure they cook through evenly.
You can choose to pan-fry these meatballs, which gives them a well-browned exterior and richer flavor due to direct contact with the skillet and olive oil. Alternatively, baking them in the oven offers a hands-off method with less added fat, resulting in a tender, lightly browned meatball. Both methods require careful handling so as not to overwork the mixture, which can toughen the texture.
The meatballs pair well with tomato-based sauces or can be served alongside grains or vegetables. Their size makes them easy to portion or use in sliders and sandwiches.
For larger meatballs, searing in batches and then finishing in the oven at 375°F helps achieve even cooking without burning. Maintaining a moderate size helps avoid burning when frying. This recipe appears in the Salt & Lavender: Everyday Essentials cookbook, illustrating its tested balance of flavor and texture.
Ingredients
- 1 pound ground turkey
- 1 egg
- 2 tablespoons olive oil + more for frying
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
- 1/2 cup panko breadcrumbs
- 1/2 cup Parmesan Cheese freshly grated
- 1/3 cup onion finely chopped or grated
- 2 tablespoons parsley chopped, fresh
- 3 cloves garlic minced
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- black pepper to taste
Instructions
- Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or foil for easy clean-up.
- Add all ingredients to a prep bowl and mix together using your hands (a delicate touch is best... don't over-work the mixture).
- Form 1" meatballs (it'll make about 24) and add them to the baking sheet as you go along.
- Choose from one of the cooking methods below:Frying instructions: You can get better browning on meatballs if you sear them in a skillet (meatballs in photos were fried). Add 2-3 tablespoons of olive oil to a large skillet and let it heat up for a few minutes over medium heat. Fry the meatballs in two batches until all sides are browned and they're cooked through (an instant read thermometer will indicate 165F). This will take about 7-10 minutes/batch. It's easiest to turn the meatballs with tongs. You may need to add a splash more oil for the second batch. Baking instructions: Preheat oven to 400F. Position the rack in the middle. Bake for 15-20 minutes or until they're cooked through (an instant read thermometer will indicate 165F). You may want to turn them halfway to get more even browning.
- Meatballs can be portioned up and frozen after they've cooled (I add 4-5 meatballs to small bags like a Ziploc or sandwich bag and then place them in a larger Tupperware container and freeze the whole thing).
Notes
- Keep meatballs small, about 1 inch, for even cooking and to avoid burning, especially when frying.
- For larger meatballs, sear them in an ovenproof skillet then finish cooking in a 375°F oven for 5-10 minutes to ensure thorough cooking.
- Pan-frying yields better browning and flavor compared to baking, but baking is a convenient alternative.
Nutrition Information
Show DetailsNutrition Facts
Serving: 6Serving
Amount Per Serving
Calories 200 kcal
% Daily Value*
| Calories | 200kcal | 10% |
| Carbohydrates | 6g | 2% |
| Protein | 23g | 46% |
| Fat | 10g | 15% |
| Saturated Fat | 3g | 15% |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 1g | 6% |
| Monounsaturated Fat | 5g | 25% |
| Trans Fat | 1g | 50% |
| Cholesterol | 76mg | 25% |
| Sodium | 418mg | 17% |
| Potassium | 290mg | 6% |
| Fiber | 1g | 4% |
| Sugar | 1g | 2% |
| Vitamin A | 244IU | 5% |
| Vitamin C | 4mg | 4% |
| Calcium | 116mg | 12% |
| Iron | 1mg | 6% |
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.
User Reviews
Overall Rating
5
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