Savory Greek Turkey Meatballs with Tzatziki Sauce

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Our Best Greek Turkey Meatballs with Tzatziki Recipe

Are you longing for a dish that whisks you away to a sun-kissed Greek shoreline, but without all the effort or extra calories? A meal that is both light and deeply satisfying, and brimming with fresh, zesty flavours? We have just the thing for you. Our recipe for Greek Turkey Meatballs with Tzatziki is set to revolutionise your midweek dinners, blending lean protein with fragrant herbs and a wonderfully cool, creamy yoghurt sauce. It’s the sort of wholesome, tasty meal you’ll find yourself returning to time and again.

We’ll walk you through each straightforward step, from mixing the perfectly seasoned meatballs to whipping up a truly authentic tzatziki sauce. You can forget about dry, uninspired turkey meatballs; our version promises tender, juicy results that are packed with flavour. Let’s head to the kitchen and bring a taste of the Mediterranean to your dining table!

Why You’ll Adore This Recipe

Wonderfully Flavourful: We employ a classic blend of fresh mint, parsley, garlic, and a touch of lemon to ensure every single meatball is infused with a bright, zesty Mediterranean character.
Wholesome and Lean: Crafted with lean turkey mince and a yoghurt-based sauce, these are truly Healthy Greek meatballs. They are rich in protein and naturally low in fat, making them an excellent addition to a balanced diet.
Quick and Effortless: This entire meal can be on the table in around 30 minutes! It’s the perfect solution for a busy weeknight when you desire something special without spending hours cooking.
Excellent for Meal Prep: Both the meatballs and the tzatziki keep beautifully. You can prepare a large batch at the weekend for convenient lunches or quick dinners throughout the week.
Versatile Serving Ideas: Serve them as a tempting appetiser, tuck them into a warm pitta bread, or arrange them over a fresh salad or grain bowl. The serving possibilities are truly endless!

Ingredients You’ll Need

To craft these delightful Mediterranean turkey meatballs, we require a small selection of fresh, straightforward ingredients. We’ve separated the list for the meatballs and the all-important tzatziki sauce to keep everything clear and organised.

For the Turkey Meatballs:

500g turkey mince (we recommend 7% fat for the best flavour and texture)
1 small red onion, very finely chopped
2 cloves of garlic, minced
50g breadcrumbs (panko or homemade work well)
1 large free-range egg, lightly beaten
2 tbsp fresh parsley, finely chopped
1 tbsp fresh mint, finely chopped
1 tsp dried oregano
Zest of 1 lemon
½ tsp salt
¼ tsp black pepper
1 tbsp olive oil, for frying

For the Creamy Tzatziki Sauce:

200g full-fat Greek yogurt
½ a cucumber, grated and squeezed of excess water
1 clove of garlic, minced or grated
1 tbsp fresh dill, finely chopped
1 tbsp fresh lemon juice
1 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
A pinch of salt and pepper

Step-by-Step Instructions to Make Greek Turkey Meatballs with Tzatziki

We shall begin by preparing the tzatziki sauce, which allows its flavours to mingle and deepen. Afterwards, we’ll turn our attention to the star of the dish: the meatballs themselves!

Part 1: Prepare the Authentic Tzatziki Sauce

Prep the Cucumber: Using the large holes on a box grater, grate the cucumber. Transfer the grated cucumber into a clean tea towel or several sheets of kitchen paper and squeeze very firmly to extract as much liquid as you can. This is a vital step to avoid a runny sauce!
Combine the Ingredients: In a medium-sized bowl, mix together the drained cucumber, Greek yoghurt, minced garlic, chopped dill, lemon juice, and extra virgin olive oil.
Season and Chill: Stir all the components until they are thoroughly combined. Season to your liking with a pinch of salt and pepper. For the most delicious result, cover the bowl and chill it in the fridge for a minimum of 20 minutes while you get on with the meatballs. This allows the garlic and dill to infuse the yoghurt beautifully.

Part 2: Mix and Cook the Meatballs

Combine the Meatball Mixture: In a large mixing bowl, place the turkey mince, finely chopped red onion, minced garlic, breadcrumbs, beaten egg, fresh parsley, mint, dried oregano, and lemon zest. Season with the salt and pepper.
Mix Gently: With your hands, gently combine all the ingredients until they are just incorporated. Take care not to overmix, as this can result in tough meatballs. The final mixture will be slightly sticky.
Shape the Meatballs: Moisten your hands with a little water to stop the mixture from sticking. Roll the mixture into balls of a uniform size, roughly 1.5 inches in diameter. This should yield approximately 18-20 meatballs. Their style is reminiscent of traditional Kefta meatballs but with a uniquely Greek flavour profile.
Cook the Meatballs: There are two excellent methods for cooking these meatballs.
- Pan-Frying (Recommended): Warm 1 tablespoon of olive oil in a large, non-stick frying pan over a medium-high heat. Gently place the meatballs into the pan, making sure not to overcrowd it (work in batches if you need to). Cook for about 8-10 minutes, turning them frequently, until they are golden brown on all sides and cooked right through.
- Baking: Preheat your oven to 200°C (180°C Fan). Place the meatballs on a baking tray lined with baking parchment. Bake for 15-20 minutes, or until they are cooked through and have a light golden colour.
Serve and Enjoy: Once ready, serve the warm Greek turkey meatballs straight away with a generous spoonful of your homemade tzatziki sauce.

Top Tips for Perfect Turkey Meatballs

To guarantee your meatballs are wonderfully juicy and flavourful every single time, we have compiled our very best advice and techniques.

Don’t Overwork the Meat

The golden rule for tender meatballs is to use a light touch when mixing the ingredients. The more you handle the mince, the tougher your meatballs will be. You should only mix until everything is just incorporated.

The Secret to Moisture

Turkey mince is exceptionally lean, which can sometimes result in dry meatballs. The egg and breadcrumbs in our recipe serve as binders while also adding essential moisture. Opting for turkey mince with a bit of fat (around 7%) instead of the fat-free variety also contributes significantly to their succulence.

How to Serve Your Meatballs

These Yogurt sauce meatballs are remarkably versatile. Here are a handful of our preferred ways to serve them:

As an Appetiser: Arrange them on a platter with your tzatziki, hummus, and a few olives for a fabulous Mediterranean-inspired starter.
In a Pitta: Fill warm pitta breads with a few meatballs, some shredded lettuce, sliced tomatoes, and a generous drizzle of tzatziki for a truly satisfying lunch.
With a Salad: Assemble a hearty Greek salad using romaine lettuce, cucumber, tomatoes, red onion, feta cheese, and Kalamata olives. Top it with the meatballs and use the tzatziki as a delicious dressing.
As a Main Course: Pair them with lemon-infused rice, couscous, or roasted vegetables for a well-rounded and healthy dinner. This serves as a great alternative to our other healthy meal suggestions, such as this Lemon Garlic Chicken.

Storage and Meal Prep

This recipe is a dream for anyone who likes to meal prep. For storage, let the meatballs cool down completely before placing them in an airtight container. They will keep in the fridge for up to 4 days. The tzatziki should be stored in a separate airtight container and will last for about 3 days. You can also freeze the cooked meatballs for up to 3 months. Simply thaw them overnight in the fridge before you plan to reheat them.

The health credentials of this dish align beautifully with the principles of the Mediterranean diet, which is widely praised for its benefits to heart health and general well-being. For more details, you can read about the Mediterranean diet on the NHS website. It is a fantastic way of eating that champions whole foods, lean proteins, and healthy fats—much like this recipe. If you’re seeking further inspiration, we offer a wide array of Healthy Chicken Recipes that embrace a similar food philosophy.

FAQ

Q: Can I use a different type of meat?

A: Of course! While we opt for turkey as a leaner choice, this recipe is also delicious with chicken, lamb, or beef mince. Using lamb, in particular, will give the meatballs a very traditional Greek taste.

Q: How can I make this recipe gluten-free?

A: Adapting this recipe is very straightforward. Simply swap the standard breadcrumbs for a gluten-free alternative. You could also use almond flour or even finely crushed gluten-free crackers as an effective binder.

Q: My tzatziki is a bit runny. What did I do wrong?

A: The most frequent cause of runny tzatziki is not removing enough water from the grated cucumber. It’s crucial to wring it out thoroughly in a tea towel. Using a full-fat Greek yoghurt, which is naturally thicker, also helps to achieve that perfect, creamy consistency.

Q: Can I prepare the meatballs ahead of time?

A: Yes, certainly. You have the option to either mix and shape the meatballs, storing them raw in the fridge for up to 24 hours before cooking, or you can cook them completely and simply reheat them when you’re ready to eat.

A Taste of Greece in Your Own Home

And there you have it—a simple, wholesome, and unbelievably tasty recipe for Greek Turkey Meatballs with Tzatziki that we are confident will become a firm favourite in your household. It serves as delicious proof that healthy eating can be exciting and full of flavour. The marriage of juicy, herb-infused meatballs with the cool, tangy tzatziki is truly second to none.

We do hope you give this recipe a go this week. It is perfectly suited for a family meal, a relaxed gathering with friends, or as part of your weekly meal plan. If you decide to make it, we would love for you to leave a comment below to let us know how you got on. We always enjoy hearing from you!