Description
Deliciously tender turkey meatballs cooked to golden perfection and simmered in a zesty lemon garlic butter sauce. This recipe combines lean ground turkey with savory herbs, Parmesan, and a bright citrus punch, making it a flavorful and healthy dinner option that’s quick to prepare and sure to impress.
Ingredients
Scale
Meatballs
- 1 pound ground turkey (93% lean)
- 1/2 cup breadcrumbs (plain or Italian style)
- 1 large egg
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1/4 cup parsley, finely chopped
- 1/4 cup Parmesan cheese, finely grated
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
Sauce
- 4 tablespoons butter
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1/4 cup lemon juice (about 2 lemons)
- 1 tablespoon lemon zest
- 1/2 cup chicken broth (optional, to stretch sauce)
- 1 tablespoon olive oil (for browning)
Instructions
- Heat the Skillet: Warm a large skillet over medium heat and add the olive oil to prepare for browning the meatballs.
- Prepare Meatball Mixture: In a mixing bowl, combine ground turkey, breadcrumbs, egg, minced garlic (3 cloves), parsley, Parmesan cheese, salt, and black pepper until just mixed; avoid overworking the mixture for tender meatballs.
- Shape Meatballs: Form the mixture into 1½-inch balls and chill them for 10 minutes if time allows. This helps them hold together during cooking.
- Brown Meatballs: Place meatballs in the hot skillet and cook for 6–8 minutes, turning occasionally until golden brown on all sides. Remove from skillet and set aside.
- Make Lemon Garlic Butter Sauce: In the same skillet, melt butter over medium heat. Add remaining minced garlic (2 cloves) and sauté until fragrant, about 1 minute. Stir in lemon juice, lemon zest, and chicken broth if using, scraping up any browned bits from the pan.
- Simmer Meatballs in Sauce: Return browned meatballs to the skillet. Simmer gently for 8–10 minutes, allowing the meatballs to cook through fully and the sauce to thicken slightly.
- Finish and Serve: Garnish with additional fresh parsley if desired. Serve the meatballs warm with the lemon garlic butter sauce spooned over them.
Notes
- For best texture, avoid overmixing the meatball mixture; gently combine ingredients.
- Chilling the meatballs before cooking helps them keep their shape and results in firmer meatballs.
- If chicken broth is not desired, simply omit it and use lemon juice and butter for a more concentrated sauce.
- These meatballs pair beautifully with pasta, mashed potatoes, or a fresh green salad for a complete meal.
- Use freshly grated Parmesan cheese for the best flavor and meltability.
- If you prefer a gluten-free version, substitute the breadcrumbs with gluten-free alternatives.
