Baked Turkey Meatballs
Before we dive into the recipe for baked turkey meatballs, let’s talk about what you can serve alongside them. The beauty of turkey meatballs is their versatility. You could easily complement them with traditional sides like spaghetti and marinara sauce, but there are plenty of other creative options.
Equipment
- Oven, Bowl
Ingredients
- 2 large eggs lightly beaten
- ½ teaspoon sea salt
- 1 pound lean ground turkey meat
- 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
- 1 cup seasoned Italian-style breadcrumbs
- ½ teaspoon dried oregano or Italian herb blend
- ¼ teaspoon freshly cracked black pepper
- 3 garlic cloves crushed or minced
- 1 small shallot or yellow onion finely chopped
Instructions
Step 1: Prepare Your Oven
- Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). This temperature helps to achieve optimum crispiness on the outside of the meatballs while keeping them moist inside.
Step 2: Mix the Ingredients
- In a large mixing bowl, combine your ground turkey, beaten eggs, Worcestershire sauce, breadcrumbs, oregano, sea salt, black pepper, minced garlic, and chopped shallots. Use your hands to mix everything together thoroughly but gently. Overmixing can result in tough meatballs, and nobody likes that!
Step 3: Form the Meatballs
- Once your mixture is well combined, use a tablespoon or a small ice cream scoop to portion out the meat. Roll each portion into a ball, about the size of a golf ball, and place them evenly on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. This prevents them from sticking and makes for easy cleanup.
Step 4: Bake the Meatballs
- Place the baking sheet in your preheated oven and bake for about 20-25 minutes, or until the meatballs reach an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C). The outside will be golden brown, which is exactly what you want.
Step 5: Serve and Enjoy!
- Once they’re cooked, let the meatballs rest for a few minutes. This allows the juices to redistribute. Ban the wait after cooking! Serve with your favorite marinara sauce, over pasta, or slipped into a sub roll with melted cheese. Get creative!
Notes
Take your turkey meatballs from good to great with these handy tips:
- Don’t Overmix: As mentioned earlier, mixing too much can make the meat tough. Gentle hands are your friend!
- Use Fresh Ingredients: Fresh herbs and garlic lead to better flavor.
- Test a Meatball First: Cook one meatball to taste for seasoning adjustments before baking the entire batch.
- Keep Size Consistent: Aim for uniformity in size for even cooking.
- Add Flavor Variants: Experiment with spices like smoked paprika or chopped fresh parsley for a twist.
- Use Fresh Ingredients: Fresh herbs and garlic lead to better flavor.
- Test a Meatball First: Cook one meatball to taste for seasoning adjustments before baking the entire batch.
- Keep Size Consistent: Aim for uniformity in size for even cooking.
- Add Flavor Variants: Experiment with spices like smoked paprika or chopped fresh parsley for a twist.
Nutrition
Calories: 80kcalCarbohydrates: 7gProtein: 9gFat: 3gSodium: 140mgFiber: 1g
Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!