Turkey Feta Meatballs with Lemon-Yogurt Sauce Recipe
These Turkey Feta Meatballs are a flavorful and healthy twist on classic meatballs, combining lean ground turkey with fresh herbs, garlic, and tangy feta cheese. Baked to perfection and served with a zesty lemon-yogurt sauce, they make a delightful appetizer or main dish that’s both satisfying and nutritious.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Total Time: 35 minutes
- Yield: 16 meatballs (serves 4) 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Mediterranean
- Diet: Low Fat
Ingredients
Scale
Meatballs
- 1 lb. ground turkey
- 1/2 small yellow onion, finely chopped
- 1 large egg, lightly beaten
- 4 cloves garlic, finely chopped
- 1/2 cup panko bread crumbs
- 2 Tbsp. chopped fresh parsley
- 1 Tbsp. chopped fresh dill
- Pinch of red pepper flakes
- Kosher salt, to taste
- Freshly ground black pepper, to taste
- 1/2 cup crumbled feta (about 3 oz.)
- Extra-virgin olive oil, for greasing
Lemon-Yogurt Sauce
- 1/2 cup plain full-fat Greek yogurt
- Juice of 1/2 lemon
- Kosher salt, to taste
- Freshly ground black pepper, to taste
- Chopped fresh dill, for garnish
- Chopped fresh parsley, for garnish
- Lemon wedges, for serving
Instructions
- Preheat and Prepare Meatball Mixture: Preheat the oven to 400°F. In a large bowl, combine ground turkey, finely chopped onion, lightly beaten egg, chopped garlic, panko bread crumbs, parsley, dill, and red pepper flakes. Season with kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper. Gently fold in the crumbled feta cheese until just combined.
- Form and Arrange Meatballs: Shape the mixture into 16 evenly sized meatballs, about 2 tablespoons each. Line a baking sheet with foil and lightly grease the foil with extra-virgin olive oil. Place the meatballs on the foil and gently roll them in the oil to coat lightly on all sides.
- Bake the Meatballs: Bake the meatballs in the preheated oven for 18 to 20 minutes, or until they are golden brown on the outside and cooked through in the center.
- Prepare Lemon-Yogurt Sauce: While the meatballs bake, mix together the Greek yogurt and lemon juice in a medium bowl. Season the sauce with kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste.
- Assemble and Serve: Spread the lemon-yogurt sauce evenly on a serving platter. Arrange the cooked meatballs on top. Garnish with additional chopped fresh dill and parsley. Serve with lemon wedges on the side for squeezing over the meatballs.
Notes
- To ensure even cooking, try to make all meatballs the same size.
- If you prefer a bit more spice, increase the pinch of red pepper flakes slightly.
- Using panko breadcrumbs keeps the meatballs light and tender; regular breadcrumbs can be used but may make them denser.
- These meatballs can be made ahead and reheated gently in the oven before serving.
- For a lower-fat option, use low-fat Greek yogurt instead of full-fat in the sauce.
Keywords: Turkey meatballs, Feta cheese, Baked meatballs, Lemon yogurt sauce, Healthy meatballs, Mediterranean recipe
