Description
These turkey veggie meatballs are packed with flavor, loaded with hidden veggies, and so moist and tender, you won’t even miss the traditional beef versions. Perfect for busy weeknights, meal prepping, or serving fresh for dinner.
Ingredients
- 1 lb (450g) lean ground turkey
- 1 medium zucchini, grated and moisture squeezed out
- 1 medium carrot, grated
- 1/3 cup (40g) breadcrumbs (use gluten-free breadcrumbs if needed)
- 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley
- 1 clove garlic, minced
- 1 egg, beaten
- 1/4 cup (25g) grated parmesan cheese (optional)
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- Optional: 1/4 teaspoon paprika or Italian seasoning
Instructions
- Grate the veggies: Using a box grater or food processor, grate 1 medium zucchini and 1 medium carrot. Squeeze out any excess moisture from the zucchini using paper towels.
- Mix the ingredients: In a large mixing bowl, combine ground turkey, grated veggies, breadcrumbs, parsley, garlic, egg, parmesan cheese, salt, and pepper. Add optional spices if desired.
- Form the meatballs: Using your hands or a small scoop, shape the mixture into golf ball-sized meatballs. You should get about 20 meatballs.
- Heat the skillet: Heat olive oil in a large non-stick skillet over medium heat.
- Cook the meatballs: Place the meatballs in the skillet in a single layer, making sure not to overcrowd. Cook for 8-10 minutes, turning occasionally, until browned on all sides and cooked through. The internal temperature should reach 165°F (74°C).
- Serve: Remove the meatballs from the skillet using tongs and serve hot with your favorite sides or sauce.
Notes
[‘Squeeze out excess moisture from the zucchini to prevent the meatballs from falling apart.’, ‘Avoid overmixing the meatball mixture to keep them tender.’, ‘Test seasoning by frying a small piece of the mixture before shaping all the meatballs.’, ‘Cook in batches if your skillet is small to ensure even browning.’, ‘Use a meat thermometer to check that the internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C).’, ‘You can bake the meatballs at 375°F (190°C) for 20-25 minutes as an alternative to frying.’]
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4 meatballs
- Calories: 150
- Sugar: 1
- Sodium: 250
- Fat: 5
- Saturated Fat: 1
- Carbohydrates: 6
- Fiber: 1
- Protein: 20
Keywords: turkey meatballs, healthy dinner, veggie meatballs, easy recipe, meal prep, gluten-free option, kid-friendly, low-fat