Description
These Greek Turkey Meatballs with Tzatziki are a flavorful and healthy main course inspired by Mediterranean cuisine. Made with lean ground turkey, fresh herbs, and crumbled feta, these meatballs are cooked on the stovetop to a juicy perfection and served with a refreshing homemade tzatziki sauce. Perfect for a quick weeknight dinner or meal prep, they pair wonderfully with rice, couscous, or pita bread.
Ingredients
Scale
Meatballs
- 1 pound ground turkey
- 1/4 cup finely chopped red onion
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley
- 1 tablespoon chopped fresh dill
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/2 teaspoon ground cumin
- 1/4 cup plain breadcrumbs
- 1 large egg
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1/2 cup crumbled feta cheese
Tzatziki Sauce
- 1 cup plain Greek yogurt
- 1/2 cup grated cucumber, squeezed dry
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- 1 clove garlic, minced
- 1 tablespoon chopped fresh dill
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Prepare the Meatball Mixture: In a large bowl, combine ground turkey, finely chopped red onion, minced garlic, fresh parsley, fresh dill, dried oregano, salt, black pepper, ground cumin, plain breadcrumbs, large egg, and crumbled feta cheese. Mix gently until just combined to avoid overworking the meat mixture which can toughen the meatballs.
- Form the Meatballs: Using a cookie scoop or your hands, shape the mixture into 1 1/2-inch meatballs, ensuring they are uniform in size for even cooking.
- Cook the Meatballs: Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Place the meatballs in a single layer, ensuring they are not overcrowded. Cook for 8–10 minutes, turning occasionally to brown all sides and cook through until the internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C).
- Prepare the Tzatziki Sauce: While the meatballs cook, mix Greek yogurt, grated and squeezed cucumber, olive oil, lemon juice, minced garlic, fresh dill, and a pinch of salt and pepper in a small bowl. Stir well, then chill the sauce until ready to serve to enhance the flavors.
- Serve: Serve the meatballs warm with a generous dollop of the chilled tzatziki sauce on the side. These can be enjoyed as is, or served over rice, couscous, or in pita bread for a complete meal.
Notes
- Prepare meatballs in advance and refrigerate or freeze for quick meals later.
- Substitute ground chicken if preferred for a lighter flavor.
- For extra zest, serve with fresh lemon wedges.
- Pair with a traditional Greek salad to complete the meal.
