6 Tantalizing Turkey Meatball Recipes (2024)

FAQs

Why are my turkey meatballs so dry? ›

Ground turkey: You need a bit of fat in the meat to give the meatballs moisture and flavor — so now isn't the time to reach for the leanest ground turkey you can find. Opt for ground turkey that's 93% lean/7% fat for the best results.

Per serving (4, 1-inch meatballs or 2, 2-inch meatballs): 177.6 calories; 6.3g total fat (1.4g saturated, 0.4g polyunsaturated, 0.4g monounsaturated); 249.6mg sodium; 86mg cholesterol; 7.5g carbohydrate; 0.4g fiber; 0.6g sugars; 23.3g protein; 29.2mg potassium.

Shake your meatballs

Shake the meatballs in the pan as they cook too, don't flip them. This will give you that lovely round meatball shape with a crispy, browned exterior. Alternatively, bake your meatballs in the oven for 15-20 minutes, depending on their size.

Egg and breadcrumbs are common mix-ins to add moisture and tenderness. Another binder option that people swear by is a panade, which is fresh or dry breadcrumbs that have been soaked in milk. “The soaked breadcrumbs help keep the proteins in the meat from shrinking,” as food writer Tara Holland explained in the Kitchn.

Process the Ground Meat for Juicier Texture

Instead of blending the mix with our hands, we reground the meat with seasonings in a food processor. Grinding meat develops myosin, a sticky meat protein that traps water and fat, keeping it juicy.

Turkey is generally lower in saturated fat than beef. As such, it may be a better choice for heart health. Fat-free turkey is also the lowest calorie option if you're interested in weight loss. However, if your main goal is flavor, ground beef may outshine turkey in some dishes.

Based on the rule of thumb regarding 6 ounces of meat per person, you will need 2 meatballs per person or 100 meatballs for 50 people. If you are serving meatballs as appetizers you probably want to make small co*cktail meatballs. The best size for appetizers are usually 1-inch meatballs.

Baking will result in meatballs with a crunchy exterior, though the caramelisation achieved from frying will be superior. Baked meatballs take the least amount of effort, as you'll only need to turn them once or twice throughout the cook and you can make a larger batch at once.

How do you keep turkey meatballs from falling apart? ›

I don't suggest using 99% lean ground turkey as it may result in tough meatballs. Breadcrumbs: Breadcrumbs combine with the egg to help bind the turkey together to keep the turkey meatballs from falling apart. They also hold moisture, which helps keep the meatballs tender.

A standard main course serving size is 6 ounces of meat per guest, or approximately 600 1-ounce meatballs, 400 1 1/2-ounce meatballs, 300 2-ounce meatballs and 200 3-ounce meatballs.

Although meatballs cooked in tomato sauce and served with pasta is likely what most Americans first imagine when they think of them, this meatball preparation is virtually nonexistent in Italy. In most regions, meatballs are just fried and eaten as is—enjoyed as a snack or served as a second course without any sauce.

All you need to do is peruse the dairy section of your local grocery store and choose milk, an egg, or cheese to add to your meatballs. All of these products will bring fat and moisture.

Mushrooms! Ground mushrooms to be exact. Trust me, with this juicy recipe, you will fall head over heels in love with ground turkey. Mushrooms add moisture, mouthfeel, and umami (beefy) flavor to the otherwise dry ground turkey.