The Best (Actually Moist!) Turkey Meatballs
While meatball purists might declare blasphemy, turkey meatballs are actually my favorite meatballs. The reason is twofold. It’s partially nostalgia — the only kind of meatballs my dad made growing up were made with turkey — and partially because I enjoy their lighter flavor and texture.
Ingredients
- 2/3 cup fresh breadcrumbs, or 2 slices white sandwich bread (about 1 ounce)
- 3/4 ounce Parmesan cheese (about 1/4 cup grated)
- 1 large shallot
- 1/4 cup loosely packed fresh parsley leaves
- 3 cloves garlic
- 1/4 cup plain whole-milk Greek yogurt
- 1 large egg
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
- 1 pound ground turkey (93% lean / 7% fat)
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1/4 cup water
- 1 (about 24-ounce) jar store-bought or homemade marinara sauce (about 3 cups)
Equipment
- Knife
- Cutting board
- Food processor
- Large mixing bowl
- Wooden spoon
- Baking sheet
- High-sided sauté pan
- Tongs
- Large plate
- If using white sandwich bread, tear 2 slices into pieces and pulse in a food processor fitted with the blade attachment into coarse breadcrumbs. Place the breadcrumbs in a large bowl. If using fresh breadcrumbs, place 2/3 cup in a large bowl.
- Depiction of the instructions in Instructions step 1
- Prepare the following, adding each to the large bowl with the breadcrumbs as you complete it: Finely grate 3/4 ounce Parmesan cheese (about 1/4 cup). Finely chop 1 large shallot. Mince 3 garlic cloves. Coarsely chop 1/4 cup loosely packed fresh parsley leaves.
- Add 1/4 cup plain Greek yogurt, 1 large egg, 1 teaspoon kosher salt, 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano, and 1/4 teaspoon black pepper. Stir to combine.
- Depiction of the instructions in Instructions step 3
- Add 1 pound ground turkey and use your hands to combine it with the breadcrumb mixture until just combined. Do not overwork, which can make the meatballs tough.
- Depiction of the instructions in Instructions step 4
- Form the meat mixture into 16 to 18 (1 1/2-inch) meatballs (about 2 tablespoons each), wetting your hands with water as needed to keep the mixture from sticking. Place place on a baking sheet or large plate.
- Depiction of the instructions in Instructions step 5
- Heat 2 tablespoons olive oil in a 12-inch high-sided sauté pan over medium-high heat until shimmering. Add the meatballs in a single layer and pan-fry until browned on the bottom, about 3 minutes. Use tongs to carefully flip the meatballs and brown the other side, about 3 minutes more. Return to the plate or baking sheet (the meatballs will not be cooked through).
- Depiction of the instructions in Instructions step 6
- Pour 1/4 cup water into the pan and use a wooden spoon to scrape up the browned bits that have formed on the bottom of the pan.
- Depiction of the instructions in Instructions step 7
- Add 1 (about 24-ounce) jar marinara sauce and bring to a simmer. Return the meatballs to the pan. Reduce the heat as needed to simmer gently until the meatballs are cooked through, 5 to 10 minutes.
- Depiction of the instructions in Instructions step 8

