Name: Greek Turkey Meatballs with Tzatziki Sauce Recipe
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 20 min
Total time: 30 min
Cuisine: Greek
Ingredients: 1 lb. ground turkey; ¼ cup panko breadcrumbs; ¼ cup red onion, chopped; ¼ cup feta cheese; 3 garlic cloves, minced; 1 egg; 2 tsp dried oregano; 1 tsp dried dill; ½ tsp cumin; ½ tsp salt; ¼ tsp black pepper; 1 cup plain Greek yogurt; 2 Persian cucumbers, grated; 1 Tbsp fresh dill (or 1 teaspoon of dried dill); 2 garlic cloves, minced; 2 Tbsp lemon juice; 1 Tbsp olive oil; ½ tsp salt; Cracked black pepper, to taste

▼ Jump to Recipe·🖷 Print

If you’re craving a meal that’s both flavorful and healthy, look no further than these Greek Turkey Meatballs with Tzatziki Sauce. Packed with Mediterranean-inspired ingredients like feta cheese, garlic, oregano, and dill, these baked turkey meatballs are a delicious option for a quick weeknight dinner or a crowd-pleasing appetizer.

Greek Turkey Meatballs with Tzatziki Sauce Recipe

Paired with a creamy, herby homemade tzatziki sauce, this dish is sure to transport your taste buds straight to the sunny shores of Greece.

In just 30 minutes, you can prepare and serve this wholesome recipe that’s perfect for busy schedules or when you want to impress guests without spending hours in the kitchen. Let’s dive into how you can make these savory meatballs and the refreshing tzatziki sauce from scratch!

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

Healthy & Light: Made with lean ground turkey and baked instead of fried, these meatballs are a guilt-free indulgence.
Bursting with Flavor: The combination of feta cheese, garlic, and Mediterranean herbs ensures every bite is packed with deliciousness.
Quick & Easy: With only 10 minutes of prep time and 20 minutes of cooking time, this recipe is perfect for busy weeknights.
Versatile: Serve as an appetizer, pair with a salad for a light meal, or stuff into pita bread for a hearty gyro-style sandwich.

Ingredients You’ll Need

For the Greek Turkey Meatballs:

1 lb. ground turkey
¼ cup panko breadcrumbs
¼ cup red onion, chopped
¼ cup feta cheese
3 garlic cloves, minced
1 egg
2 tsp dried oregano
1 tsp dried dill
½ tsp cumin
½ tsp salt
¼ tsp black pepper

For the Tzatziki Sauce:

1 cup plain Greek yogurt
2 Persian cucumbers, grated
1 Tbsp fresh dill (or 1 tsp dried dill)
2 garlic cloves, minced
2 Tbsp lemon juice
1 Tbsp olive oil
½ tsp salt
Cracked black pepper, to taste

Step-by-Step Instructions

1. Prepare the Tzatziki Sauce

The tzatziki sauce is the perfect complement to the savory meatballs. Here’s how to make it:

Start by grating the cucumbers. Once grated, wrap them in a few paper towels or place them in a cheesecloth to squeeze out as much liquid as possible. This step ensures your sauce doesn’t become watery.
In a large mixing bowl, combine the grated cucumber with plain Greek yogurt, fresh dill (or dried dill), minced garlic, lemon juice, olive oil, salt, and cracked black pepper. Stir until everything is well incorporated.
Taste and adjust seasoning if needed. Cover the bowl and refrigerate while you prepare the meatballs. This allows the flavors to meld beautifully.

2. Make the Greek Turkey Meatballs

These meatballs are baked to perfection for a healthier twist. Follow these steps:

Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper or spray a baking dish with cooking spray.
In a large mixing bowl, combine all the meatball ingredients: ground turkey, panko breadcrumbs, chopped red onion, feta cheese, minced garlic, egg, dried oregano, dried dill, cumin, salt, and black pepper. Mix everything together using your hands until well combined.
Form the mixture into 1-inch balls and place them evenly spaced on the prepared baking sheet.
Bake in the preheated oven for 15–20 minutes or until cooked through. If you prefer a golden crust on your meatballs, you can brown them in a sauté pan before baking (just check for doneness around the 13-minute mark if you choose this method).

Serving Suggestions

Once the meatballs are done baking, serve them immediately with your chilled tzatziki sauce on the side. For an extra burst of freshness, add lemon wedges for squeezing over the meatballs.

Here are some ideas on how to enjoy this dish:

As an Appetizer: Serve these Greek turkey meatballs on a platter with toothpicks and a bowl of tzatziki sauce for dipping. Perfect for parties or gatherings!
As a Main Course: Pair with a Greek salad loaded with tomatoes, cucumbers, olives, and red onions for a complete Mediterranean meal. Add some warm pita bread on the side for good measure!
In a Wrap: Stuff the meatballs into pita bread along with lettuce, tomatoes, onions, and tzatziki sauce for an irresistible gyro-style sandwich.

Tips for Success

Don’t Overmix: When combining the meatball ingredients, mix just until everything is combined. Overmixing can make the meatballs dense instead of tender.
Grate & Drain Cucumbers Well: Removing excess liquid from the grated cucumbers is key to achieving a thick and creamy tzatziki sauce.
Adjust Seasoning to Taste: Everyone’s palate is different! Feel free to tweak the salt, pepper, or herbs in both the meatballs and tzatziki sauce to suit your preferences.

Why Ground Turkey?

Ground turkey is an excellent alternative to traditional ground beef or lamb when making meatballs. It’s leaner and lower in fat while still providing plenty of protein. Plus, it pairs beautifully with Mediterranean flavors like oregano and dill.

A Taste of Greece in Every Bite

These Greek Turkey Meatballs with Tzatziki Sauce are more than just a meal—they’re an experience! With their bold flavors and creamy dipping sauce, they bring a little slice of Greece straight to your table. Whether you’re making them for dinner or serving them at your next gathering, this recipe is guaranteed to be a hit.

So grab your ingredients and get ready to enjoy this Mediterranean masterpiece! Opa!

Greek Turkey Meatballs with Tzatziki Sauce Recipe

Print Recipe

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star

No reviews

Ground turkey meatballs loaded with feta cheese, garlic, and Mediterranean herbs & spices, then served with an herby homemade tzatziki sauce! These baked Greek turkey meatballs are perfect for an easy weeknight dinner!

Author: Sarah
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 20 minutes
Total Time: 30 minutes
Yield: 2 servings 1x
Category: Appetizer, Main Course
Method: Baked
Cuisine: Greek, Mediterranean
Diet: Gluten Free

Instructions

To make the tzatziki sauce:
- Wrap your grated cucumber in a few paper towels or place it in cheesecloth and wring out as much liquid as possible.
- Add the grated cucumber to a large mixing bowl along with the rest of your ingredients and stir until fully combined. (Taste and adjust your salt and pepper if needed.)
- Cover the bowl and keep your tzatziki in the refrigerator while you prepare the meatballs.
To make the meatballs:
- Preheat your oven to 400 degrees Fahrenheit and line a baking sheet with parchment paper (or spray a baking dish with cooking spray).
- Add your meatball ingredients to a large bowl and mix them together with your hands.
- Form the mixture into 1-inch balls and place the balls on your prepared baking sheet.
- Place the meatballs in the oven and bake for 15-20 minutes. (Alternatively, you can brown the meatballs in a sauté pan before baking them.)
- If browning them first, check the meatballs at 13 minutes to see if they’re done; sometimes they’ll cook faster this way.
- Once done, serve immediately with your tzatziki and lemon wedges on the side.

Notes

Ground Turkey: You can use lean ground turkey for a healthier option, but ensure it has enough fat to keep the meatballs moist.
Breadcrumbs: Panko breadcrumbs provide a lighter texture, but you can substitute with regular breadcrumbs if needed.
Herbs: Fresh herbs can enhance the flavor. If using dried herbs, reduce the amount by about one-third.
Tzatziki Variations: Feel free to add other ingredients to the tzatziki, such as mint or a pinch of cayenne pepper for extra flavor.
Serving Suggestions: These meatballs can be served in pita bread with additional tzatziki, over a salad, or as an appetizer with toothpicks.
Storage: Leftover meatballs can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat in the oven or microwave before serving.
Freezing: Meatballs can be frozen before or after cooking. To freeze, place them in a single layer on a baking sheet, freeze until solid, then transfer to a freezer bag. They can be cooked from frozen; just add a few extra minutes to the cooking time.
Cooking Method: For a crispy exterior, consider pan-searing the meatballs in olive oil before baking.