Description
Greek Turkey Meatballs with Tzatziki are a healthy and flavorful Mediterranean dish made with lean ground turkey, fresh herbs, warm spices, and a creamy yogurt-based sauce. This balanced recipe works well for meal prep, weeknight dinners, or casual entertaining.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 lb (450 g) ground turkey (lean)
- 1/3 cup breadcrumbs (regular or gluten-free)
- 1 large egg
- 3 garlic cloves, minced
- 1/4 cup finely chopped onion
- 1/4 cup fresh parsley, chopped
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1/2 teaspoon ground cumin
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- Olive oil, for cooking
- 1 cup Greek yogurt, plain
- 1/2 cucumber, grated and drained
- 1 garlic clove, minced
- 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
- 1 tablespoon fresh dill, chopped
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- Salt and pepper, to taste
Instructions
- Combine ground turkey, breadcrumbs, egg, garlic, onion, parsley, oregano, cumin, salt, and pepper in a large bowl.
- Mix gently until just combined, avoiding over-mixing.
- Roll the mixture into 1 to 1.5-inch meatballs, forming about 16–20 pieces.
- For oven baking, preheat oven to 400°F (200°C), place meatballs on a lined baking sheet, and bake for 15–20 minutes until cooked through.
- For pan-frying, heat olive oil in a skillet over medium heat and cook meatballs for 4–5 minutes per side until golden and done.
- For air frying, preheat air fryer to 380°F (193°C) and cook meatballs for 10–12 minutes, turning halfway.
- Grate cucumber and squeeze out excess moisture.
- Mix Greek yogurt, cucumber, garlic, lemon juice, dill, and olive oil until smooth.
- Season tzatziki with salt and pepper and chill for at least 30 minutes.
- Serve meatballs warm with tzatziki on the side.
Notes
- Do not over-mix the meatball mixture to keep them tender.
- Chilling the tzatziki improves flavor and texture.
- Serve with pita, rice, or a fresh salad for a complete meal.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Appetizer, Main Course
- Method: Baked, Pan-Fried, Air-Fried
- Cuisine: Greek, Mediterranean
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 450
- Sugar: 4
- Sodium: 620
- Fat: 24
- Saturated Fat: 6
- Unsaturated Fat: 16
- Trans Fat: 0
- Carbohydrates: 20
- Fiber: 2
- Protein: 38
- Cholesterol: 120