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healthy turkey meatballs and zucchini noodles and marinara sauce on a white plate with a fork set on a wooden board with a glass of red wine
Andrea

Healthy Turkey Meatballs - Baked or Fried

5 from 6 votes
These easy turkey meatballs are healthy & delicious, and can be baked or pan fried for a stress-free weeknight dinner!
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Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 15 minutes
Course: Main Dish
Cuisine: American
Calories: 197
Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients
  

  • 1 pound 93% lean ground turkey
  • ⅓ cup panko bread crumbs or ¼ almond flour if making gluten free
  • 1 large egg
  • Greens from 2 scallions sliced thin
  • 2 tablespoons finely chopped fresh parsley or 1 tablespoon dried parsley
  • 2 teaspoons grated lemon zest
  • 1 teaspoon salt & ½ teaspoon pepper

Method
 

  1. Combine all ingredients in a medium bowl until well combined. Roll heaping tablespoons of turkey mixture into small meatballs about 1.5" in diameter. Place on a lined baking sheet and bake at 400 for 15 minutes, or until center of meatballs registers 160 degrees.
  2. Alternately, if pan frying, cover raw meatballs with plastic wrap or paper towels and refrigerate tray for at least 15 minutes to allow to firm up.
  3. Heat 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat and cook meatballs for about 10 minutes, rotating half way through cooking to brown on each side. Drain on a paper towel lined plate and serve.

Notes

Make sure yo use 93% ground turkey, not 99%, as the meatballs will become dry and tough.
Also, cooked meatballs can be frozen in airtight bag or container for up to 3 months.