Greek Turkey Meatballs with Tzatziki

Get ready for the Mediterranean vacation your taste buds have been dreaming of! These Greek turkey meatballs are incredibly juicy, packed with fresh herbs, and paired with a cooling tzatziki sauce that’ll make you want to lick the plate clean.

The secret to these meatballs’ amazing flavor? It’s all in the fresh dill and grated onion that melts right into the meat as it cooks. Plus, they’re lighter than traditional beef meatballs but trust me – you won’t miss a thing.

Ingredients

For the Meatballs:

• 1 lb ground turkey (93/7 lean)
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1/4 large red onion
• 1 egg
• 1/2 cup breadcrumbs or almond flour
• 1/4 cup fresh dill, chopped
• 1/2 tbsp dried oregano
• 1 tsp salt
• 1/2 tsp pepper
• 2 tbsp olive oil

For Serving:

• Tzatziki Recipe (cut in half)
• Tomato Cucumber Feta Salad

Steps

1. In a large bowl, add ground turkey and minced garlic.
2. Grate 1/4 red onion into turkey, alternatively chop red onion very small.
3. Add egg, breadcrumbs, dill, oregano, salt, and pepper. Mix until just combined, using hands.
4. Form into 14 meatballs.
5. Heat sauce pan with olive oil over medium heat. Once hot, add meatballs and cook for 7-8 minutes, turning constantly for even cooking.
6. Cook until internal temperature reaches 165°F.
7. While meatballs are cooking, prepare Tzatziki.
8. Serve over rice!

Smart Swaps

• Ground chicken for turkey (same ratio) – equally lean option
• Panko breadcrumbs for regular breadcrumbs – crispier exterior
• Fresh oregano for dried (use 1.5 tbsp) – brighter flavor

Make It Diabetes-Friendly

• Replace breadcrumbs with almond flour (reduces carbs by 18g per serving)
• Serve over cauliflower rice instead of regular rice (saves 30g carbs per cup)
• Add extra vegetables to increase fiber (reduces glycemic impact)
• Portion size: 3-4 meatballs per serving with 1/4 cup tzatziki
• Best served with a side of greens to slow carb absorption

Pro Tips

• Don’t overmix the meat mixture – keeps meatballs tender
• Use an ice cream scoop for uniform sizing
• Let meatballs rest 5 minutes before serving
• Grate onion directly over meat to catch all juices