Okay, Mom Tribe, let’s talk about those nights when the 5 PM panic hits, and you’re staring into the fridge wondering what in the world you’re going to feed your tiny humans (and let’s be honest, yourselves!). I’ve been there, and I’ve got a sanity-saving solution for you: Greek Turkey Meatballs with Tzatziki Sauce.
I remember the first time I made these. It was a Tuesday (because isn’t it always a Tuesday?!), the kids were bouncing off the walls, and I needed something quick, healthy, and that everyone would actually eat. I had some ground turkey on hand, and I stumbled across a recipe for Greek Turkey Meatballs with Tzatziki Sauce. I tweaked it to my liking, and BAM! Dinner was saved.
What made it memorable was the look on my son’s face when he tried them. He’s my pickiest eater, and he devoured them! That’s when I knew this Greek Turkey Meatballs with Tzatziki Sauce recipe was a keeper. It’s become a regular in our rotation.
This Greek Turkey Meatballs with Tzatziki Sauce is more than just a meal; it’s a lifesaver on busy weeknights. It fits perfectly into our family life because it’s easy to make, packed with flavor, and something we all genuinely enjoy.
Ready to ditch the dinner stress and join me in the kitchen? Let’s make some Greek Turkey Meatballs with Tzatziki Sauce together, fellow kitchen warriors!
INGREDIENTS You’ll Need:
Okay, let’s gather our ingredients for these delicious Greek Turkey Meatballs with Tzatziki Sauce. Trust me, this list is short and sweet because mama doesn’t have time for complicated!
- 1 pound ground turkey
- 1/2 cup breadcrumbs
- 1/4 cup finely chopped red onion
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 egg, lightly beaten
- 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley
- 1 tablespoon chopped fresh dill
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 cucumber, grated and squeezed dry
- 1 cup plain Greek yogurt
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- 1 clove garlic, minced
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
No worries if you don’t have fresh dill – I use dried dill all the time in my Greek Turkey Meatballs with Tzatziki Sauce. Just use about 1 teaspoon of dried dill. It works like a charm!
You can grab most of these ingredients at any grocery store, even Target or Walmart, while doing your regular grocery run. This Greek Turkey Meatballs with Tzatziki Sauce recipe doesn’t have to break the bank, either. Ground turkey is often cheaper than ground beef, making this a budget-friendly option.
Here’s a mom hack that saved my sanity: I often prep the red onion, garlic, parsley, and dill ahead of time. I chop them all up on Sunday and store them in the fridge. Then, when it’s time to make the Greek Turkey Meatballs with Tzatziki Sauce, everything is ready to go!
For the tzatziki sauce, squeezing the grated cucumber dry is crucial. You don’t want watery tzatziki! I usually wrap the grated cucumber in a clean kitchen towel and squeeze out as much liquid as possible.
My family loves when I add a little extra lemon juice to the tzatziki sauce. It gives it a nice zing! Feel free to adjust the ingredients to your family’s preferences. That’s what cooking is all about, right?
Leftovers of these Greek Turkey Meatballs with Tzatziki Sauce can be stored in the fridge for up to 3 days. They’re great for lunch the next day!
Let’s Make it Happen!
Alright, Mom Tribe, let’s get cooking! Here’s how to make these delicious Greek Turkey Meatballs with Tzatziki Sauce, step-by-step.
- Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). While the oven is heating up, it’s a perfect time to start gathering your ingredients.
- In a large bowl, combine the ground turkey, breadcrumbs, red onion, minced garlic, egg, parsley, dill, oregano, salt, and pepper. Mix everything together until just combined. Don’t overmix!
- Form the mixture into small meatballs, about 1-inch in diameter. I usually get about 20-24 meatballs from this recipe. Place the Greek Turkey Meatballs with Tzatziki Sauce on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper.
- Bake for 20-25 minutes, or until the meatballs are cooked through and lightly browned. In my chaotic kitchen, this Greek Turkey Meatballs with Tzatziki Sauce usually takes closer to 25 minutes, but keep an eye on them!
- While the meatballs are baking, prepare the tzatziki sauce. In a medium bowl, combine the grated and squeezed cucumber, Greek yogurt, lemon juice, minced garlic, and olive oil. Mix well and season with salt and pepper to taste.
- Once the meatballs are cooked, let them cool slightly before serving. This is the perfect time to fold that laundry pile that’s been staring at you all day!
- Serve the Greek Turkey Meatballs with Tzatziki Sauce with a generous dollop of tzatziki sauce. Your Greek Turkey Meatballs with Tzatziki Sauce should smell amazing by now. I love the aroma of the herbs and spices.
Here’s where I used to mess up my Greek Turkey Meatballs with Tzatziki Sauce – I would overmix the meat mixture. Don’t make my mistake! Overmixing makes the meatballs tough.
Don’t panic if your Greek Turkey Meatballs with Tzatziki Sauce looks a little uneven. They’re homemade, not perfect! That’s part of their charm.
I often double the tzatziki recipe because my family devours it. It’s also great as a dip for veggies or pita bread. While your Greek Turkey Meatballs with Tzatziki Sauce is doing its thing, pour yourself that well-deserved coffee! You deserve it, Mom! These are some healthy meatballs that the whole family will enjoy.
How We Love to Eat This!
Okay, so you’ve made these amazing Greek Turkey Meatballs with Tzatziki Sauce… now what? Let’s talk about how we love to eat them in my house!
The kids devour this Greek Turkey Meatballs with Tzatziki Sauce when I serve it with pita bread, a simple Greek salad, and some hummus. It’s like a mini Greek feast! I love to serve these turkey keftedes with some lemon wedges and a sprinkle of feta cheese.
These Greek Turkey Meatballs with Tzatziki Sauce are perfect for those crazy weeknight dinners when you need something quick and easy. They’re also great for meal prepping. I often make a big batch on Sunday and pack them in lunches for the week.
For presentation, I like to drizzle a little extra olive oil over the Greek Turkey Meatballs with Tzatziki Sauce and sprinkle with some fresh dill. It makes them look extra fancy, even though they’re super simple to make.
Leftover Greek Turkey Meatballs with Tzatziki Sauce are fantastic in a Greek salad or served over rice. You can even chop them up and use them as a filling for pita pockets. I find that if you have leftover meat, it is easy to whip up some pita pockets the next day!
In the summer, I love to grill these Greek Turkey Meatballs with Tzatziki Sauce. They get a nice smoky flavor that’s absolutely delicious.
My friend Sarah tried these Greek Turkey Meatballs with Tzatziki Sauce at a playdate and raved about them. She said they were the best meatballs she’d ever had!
If your kids love this, they’ll go crazy for my Chicken Stir Fry with Homemade Sauce! It’s another family favorite that’s quick, easy, and packed with flavor. The Mediterranean meatballs are delicious with so many other sides.
FAQs: Your Questions Answered
Alright, Mom Tribe, let’s tackle some of those burning questions you might have about making these Greek Turkey Meatballs with Tzatziki Sauce. I’m here to help!
Can my picky eater handle this Greek Turkey Meatballs with Tzatziki Sauce?
It’s possible! The mild flavor of the turkey, combined with the creamy tzatziki sauce, can be surprisingly appealing to picky eaters. Try serving them with a side of their favorite dipping sauce, like ketchup or honey mustard, to ease them in.
What if I burn my Greek Turkey Meatballs with Tzatziki Sauce? (Asking for a friend… okay, it was me!)
Been there! If they’re just slightly burnt, you can try scraping off the burnt parts. If they’re completely charred, it’s probably best to start over. Don’t beat yourself up – it happens to the best of us!
Can I make this Greek Turkey Meatballs with Tzatziki Sauce ahead for meal prep?
Absolutely! You can make the meatballs and tzatziki sauce separately and store them in the fridge for up to 3 days. When you’re ready to eat, simply reheat the meatballs and serve with the tzatziki sauce.
What if I don’t have Greek yogurt for the tzatziki sauce?
You can substitute sour cream or plain yogurt, but the tzatziki won’t be quite as thick and tangy. If you use plain yogurt, you might want to strain it through cheesecloth for a few hours to remove some of the excess liquid.
Can I freeze these Greek Turkey Meatballs with Tzatziki Sauce?
Yes! Cook the meatballs completely, let them cool, and then freeze them in a single layer on a baking sheet. Once they’re frozen solid, transfer them to a freezer bag or container. They’ll keep in the freezer for up to 3 months.
My tzatziki sauce is too watery. What did I do wrong?
The key is to squeeze as much liquid as possible out of the grated cucumber. Wrap it in a clean kitchen towel and squeeze until it’s almost dry. This will prevent the tzatziki sauce from becoming watery.
Can I use ground chicken instead of ground turkey?
Yes, ground chicken works just as well! The flavor will be slightly different, but it will still be delicious. Ground beef is also an option, but it will change the overall flavor profile of the Greek Turkey Meatballs with Tzatziki Sauce to be less Mediterranean meatballs.
Final Thoughts:
This Greek Turkey Meatballs with Tzatziki Sauce is special to my family because it’s a recipe that everyone enjoys. It’s also a reminder that healthy, delicious meals don’t have to be complicated. The kids love the flavor and the tzatziki is delicious.
Here are a few of my Greek Turkey Meatballs with Tzatziki Sauce Mom Hacks:
- Prep Ahead: Chop the veggies and make the tzatziki sauce in advance to save time on busy weeknights.
- Double the Batch: Make a double batch of the meatballs and freeze half for later.
- Get the Kids Involved: Let your kids help form the meatballs. It’s a fun and easy way to get them involved in the cooking process.
Here are a few family-tested Greek Turkey Meatballs with Tzatziki Sauce variations:
- Spicy Meatballs: Add a pinch of red pepper flakes to the meatball mixture for a little kick.
- Feta-Stuffed Meatballs: Stuff the meatballs with a small cube of feta cheese before baking.
- Lemon-Herb Meatballs: Add a tablespoon of lemon zest and extra fresh herbs to the meatball mixture.
My son prefers the spicy meatballs, while my daughter loves the feta-stuffed version. I hope you make it your own! Feel free to experiment with different herbs, spices, and toppings to create your own unique Greek Turkey Meatballs with Tzatziki Sauce masterpiece.
I hope this Greek Turkey Meatballs with Tzatziki Sauce helps you conquer those weeknight dinner struggles and brings a little joy to your kitchen. Remember, you’ve got this, Mom! Now go forth and create some mealtime magic! I was inspired to make these meatballs after reading the article from Erin Lives Whole about Healthy Greek Turkey Meatballs With Tzatziki and I am so happy to have found this recipe.
Remember the family will also enjoy recipes like Crockpot Cinnamon Applesauce or even Marinara Sauce.
It is easy to want to try the recipe from All the Healthy Things that focuses on Greek Meatballs with Tzatziki Sauce.
Give it a try and tell me what you think! One more option is to try the recipe that Kalefornia Kravings has for Greek Turkey Meatballs with Tzatziki Sauce.
I can’t wait to hear what you think about these Greek Turkey Meatballs with Tzatziki Sauce!
Greek Turkey Meatballs with Tzatziki Sauce
These Greek Turkey Meatballs are a flavorful and healthy twist on classic meatballs, perfect served with a cool and creamy homemade Tzatziki Sauce. They’re easy to make and a guaranteed crowd-pleaser!
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Total Time: 35 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Skillet
- Cuisine: Greek
Ingredients
- For the Meatballs:
- 1 lb ground turkey
- 1/2 cup breadcrumbs (panko or regular)
- 1/4 cup finely chopped red onion
- 1/4 cup finely chopped fresh parsley
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 large egg, lightly beaten
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 1 tsp dried oregano
- 1/2 tsp dried dill
- 1/4 tsp salt
- 1/4 tsp black pepper
- For the Tzatziki Sauce:
- 1 cup Greek yogurt (plain, full-fat or low-fat)
- 1/2 cup grated cucumber, squeezed to remove excess moisture
- 1 clove garlic, minced
- 1 tbsp lemon juice
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 1 tbsp chopped fresh dill
- Pinch of salt
- Pinch of black pepper
Instructions
- Prepare the Meatballs: In a large bowl, combine ground turkey, breadcrumbs, red onion, parsley, garlic, egg, olive oil, oregano, dill, salt, and pepper. Mix gently until just combined. Do not overmix.
- Roll the mixture into approximately 1-inch meatballs.
- Cook the Meatballs: Heat a large skillet over medium heat. Add the meatballs and cook for about 8-10 minutes, turning occasionally, until browned and cooked through. Internal temperature should reach 165°F (74°C). Alternatively, bake the meatballs at 400°F (200°C) for 15-20 minutes.
- Prepare the Tzatziki Sauce: In a medium bowl, combine Greek yogurt, grated cucumber (squeezed dry), garlic, lemon juice, olive oil, dill, salt, and pepper. Stir well to combine.
- Serve: Serve the meatballs warm with a generous dollop of Tzatziki Sauce. Garnish with extra dill if desired.
Notes
Serve the meatballs over rice, in pita bread, or with a side salad for a complete meal. For extra flavor, add a pinch of red pepper flakes to the meatball mixture.