Best High Protein Turkey Meatballs for a Lean Tasty Dinner
Dig into high-protein turkey meatballs—juicy, flavorful, and meal-prep friendly. A fun, healthy twist that makes dinner seriously crave-worthy! 🍽️🔥
Equipment
- 1 baking sheet with parchment paper
- 1 large bowl
- 1 spatula
Ingredients
- 1.5 pounds lean ground turkey (93% lean is ideal)
- ½ cup plain nonfat Greek yogurt
- ⅓ cup finely grated yellow onion (with juices)
- 2 large cloves garlic, minced
- ½ cup whole wheat breadcrumbs (or almond flour for gluten-free)
- 1 large egg
- 2 tbsp chopped fresh parsley
- 1 tsp dried oregano
- 1 tsp dried basil or Italian seasoning
- 1 tsp smoked paprika
- ½ tsp red pepper flakes (optional)
- 1 tsp kosher salt
- ½ tsp black pepper
- 1 tbsp olive oil (for brushing or pan)
- Optional for serving: marinara sauce, lemon wedges, fresh basil, grated Parmesan
Instructions
- Preheat and prep: Heat the oven to 400°F (200°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment and lightly brush with olive oil or spray with cooking spray.1 tbsp olive oil (for brushing or pan)
- Mix the wet ingredients: In a large bowl, combine Greek yogurt, grated onion, and minced garlic. Stir until smooth.½ cup plain nonfat Greek yogurt, ⅓ cup finely grated yellow onion (with juices), 2 large cloves garlic, minced
- Add seasonings: Mix in parsley, oregano, basil, smoked paprika, red pepper flakes, salt, and pepper.2 tbsp chopped fresh parsley, 1 tsp dried oregano, 1 tsp dried basil or Italian seasoning, 1 tsp smoked paprika, ½ tsp red pepper flakes (optional), ½ tsp black pepper, 1 tsp kosher salt
- Bind it together: Add the egg and breadcrumbs. Stir until you have a thick, even mixture.1 large egg, ½ cup whole wheat breadcrumbs
- Add the turkey: Gently fold in the ground turkey with a spatula or your hands. Do not overmix; stop as soon as it looks uniform.1.5 pounds lean ground turkey (93% lean is ideal)
- Shape the meatballs: Use a 2-tablespoon scoop or your hands to form 18–22 meatballs of equal size. Place them on the prepared baking sheet.
- Bake: Brush the tops lightly with olive oil. Bake for 14–18 minutes, until the centers reach 165°F (74°C).1 tbsp olive oil (for brushing or pan)
- Optional browning: For a deeper golden crust, broil the meatballs for 2–3 minutes at the end. Watch closely.
- Serve: Spoon warm marinara over the meatballs, sprinkle with fresh basil, and finish with a squeeze of lemon or a pinch of Parmesan.Optional for serving: marinara sauce, lemon wedges, fresh basil, grated Parmesan
