Turkey Mediterranean meatballs

These meatballs are a perfect summer hit and a great way to use meat sitting in your freezer. While this recipe specifically calls for turkey, it works identically to ground chicken and pairs wonderfully with beef as well. The versatility of this dish means you can easily adapt it to whatever meat you have on hand, making it an ideal choice for busy weeknight dinners or casual summer gatherings. The juicy, flavorful meatballs are not only a satisfying meal but can also be served as appetizers at parties, satisfying both adults and kids alike. With the right blend of spices and herbs, these meatballs can be the star of your summer barbecues, providing a delicious and hearty option everyone will love. Enjoy them alone or with a side of fresh salad, pasta, or a hearty sub sandwich; the possibilities are endless!

Prep Work

These are so easy to cook, you will want to make them every single night! lets get started

1. Start by washing and drying your veggies.
2. Mince garlic, chives, some parsley, and your shallot. Put them in a bowl and give it a good mix.
3. Grab out your ground turkey, place in bowl with vegetables and add 1/4 cup breadcrumbs, 1 1/2 tsp salt, pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, 1/2 tsp oregano, and 1 egg.
4. mix together till fully combined; be careful not to overwork, it will lead to mushy meatballs. Mixture will be sticky/wet, don’t worry it will be fine in the cooking process.
5. Make mixture into 8 even meatballs and put in fridge for 30 minutes.
6. At this point you can turn on your oven to 450 depending on how long your oven takes to heat.

Cooking

1. grab out a pan and add parchment paper to cover it. This will prevent the meatballs from sticking without using oil.
2. Place meatballs on pan an inch apart.
3. Place in oven and let cook for 10-12 minutes. meatballs much reach 165F to ensure they are fully cooked through as they are poultry.
4. Once fully cooked remove from oven, let rest for 3-5 minutes to ensure they are tender.
5. Top with chopped parsley and enjoy!!

Tips and Tricks

1. Use panko bread crumbs or any seasoned bread crumbs for a stronger flavour, reduce salt usage though to ensure they aren’t too salty.
2. Pair with tzatziki, cucumber salad, and pita for a yummy bite.
3. Squeeze lemon on top for a yummy zing.
4. Dough will be sticky due to certain meats being used, use water on hands to dip and prevent sticking or slight bit of oil.
5. make extra and keep them in your freezer for quick access!