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Tender and packed with savory flavor, Turkey Zucchini Meatballs are easy to make and perfect for weeknight dinners, or freeze them for later! Serve with our feta-yogurt sauce for an elevated flavor experience.

Turkey Meatballs with Zucchini

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  • Author: Tonia Schemmel
  • Prep Time: 30 minutes
  • Cook Time: 15 minutes
  • Total Time: 45 minutes
  • Yield: 28 meatballs
  • Diet: Gluten Free

Ingredients

Units
  • 1 1/2 pounds ground turkey
  • 1 cup zucchini, grated
  • 2 cloves garlic, grated or minced
  • 1/3 cup red onion, finely dieced
  • 1 egg
  • 1/4 cup parsley, chopped
  • 1/4 cup mint, chopped
  • 2 teaspoons ground cumin
  • 1 teaspoon ground coriander
  • 1/4 teaspoon cayenne
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon pepper

Optional Feta Yogurt Sauce

  • 3/4 cup plain or Greek yogurt (I use full-fat)
  • 1/2 cup feta cheese, crumbled
  • 1 tablespoon lemon juice
  • 1/4 teaspoon cumin
  • 1 small garlic clove, minced
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • salt & black pepper to taste

Garnish with Aleppo flakes and fresh chopped parsley


Instructions

  1. Feta Yogurt Sauce: combine yogurt, feta, lemon juice, cumin, garlic, and olive oil. Add salt and pepper to taste. Place in the fridge while making meatballs.
  2. Grate the zucchini on a box grater. Place the shredded zucchini in a cheese cloth lined colander and let sit while you prep remaining ingredients. When ready to mix all ingredients twist the cloth to squeeze out excess liquid.
  3. Mix together. In a large bowl add turkey, zucchini, garlic, onion, egg, parsley, mint, cumin, coriander, cayenne, salt and pepper. Mix together. Optional at this point to refrigerate for 1/2 an hour or overnight, it is easier to shape if the meatball mixture is cold.
  4. Shape the meatballs. With a wet hand roll into meatballs. Makes about 28-30 1 ounce meatballs.
  5. Cook meatballs. Heat a large skillet with 1-2 tablespoon oil over medium-low heat, add the meatballs in batches, turning gently or giving the skillet a good shake every few minutes. Once golden on most sides, lower heat to low to continue cooking all the way through or place in a hot oven for 10 minutes, uncovered. Meatballs should register 165°.

Notes

To Bake Meatballs: Place on a parchment-lined sheet pan and bake at 425F for 10-12 minutes, or until they just start to get golden. Meatballs are done when they register 165F.

Air-fryer: Preheat to 400°F.  Grease the grate and air-fry for 4 minutes, turn over and air-fry for 4 more minutes or until internal temp reaches 165F 

Store leftovers in a sealed airtight container in the fridge.

Reheat in the oven at 350° for 10 minutes.

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 4-5 meatballs without yogurt sauce
  • Calories: 191
  • Sugar: 0.5 g
  • Sodium: 287.6 mg
  • Fat: 9.8 g
  • Saturated Fat: 2.6 g
  • Carbohydrates: 2.1 g
  • Fiber: 0.6 g
  • Protein: 23.8 g
  • Cholesterol: 109.2 mg