Garlic Butter Turkey Meatballs

November 9, 2021 CX3 0 Comments butter, Garlic, Meatballs, Turkey

By: Mariam E. | November 9, 2021This post may contain affiliate links, read my disclosure policy for details

If you’re looking for an easy, baked turkey meatballs recipe then look no further. This garlic butter turkey meatballs recipe will help you get dinner on the table in less than an hour. No fuss, no muss. While delicious and simple, this is such a flavorful meal that the whole family will love. It pairs well with almost everything you can think of.

Garlic Butter Turkey Meatballs in a baking dish.

This is one of my favorite easy turkey meatball recipes. Made with only a handful of kitchen staples, this Garlic Butter Turkey Meatballs recipe comes together quickly and easily. It’s the perfect weeknight dinner for busy nights. The sauce is just perfect for drizzling over the top of some grains or soaked up with some bread. Trust me, you’ll be obsessed.

Hearty but easy, you’ll want to put this juicy oven baked turkey meatballs recipe on your menu plan this month. For another family-friendly recipe that’s filling and easy, you should try my Baked Spaghetti Pasta and Creamy Chicken Florentine.

Why You’ll Love This Turkey Meatballs Recipe

Doubles as an appetizer. This delicious homemade garlic butter turkey meatballs recipe can double as an appetizer by adding some toothpicks to them and serving them up on a platter before dinner. Double-duty!
They’re so juicy. These turkey meatballs are so tender and juicy. They’ll practically melt in your mouth.
Packed with flavor. Who doesn’t like garlic butter sauce? It’s so flavorful and everyone’s going to want to enjoy every last bite.

Meatballs Ingredients

Ingredients to make Garlic Butter Turkey Meatballs.

Ground turkey: lean ground turkey is great but if you can use a fattier ground turkey if you prefer.
Mozzarella cheese: this adds flavor and helps the meatballs bind together and stay moist.
Egg: the egg helps bind the meatballs together.
Seasoning: I season the meatballs with ground pepper, red pepper flakes, salt, onion powder, garlic powder, and Italian seasoning.
Oil: use whichever oil you prefer.
Butter: you’ll want to use unsalted butter for the garlic butter sauce.
Lemon juice: I recommend fresh lemon juice and not bottled juice.
Garlic: the more garlic, the better!
Parsley: for some flavor and a pop of color!

How To Make Turkey Meatballs

Prepare the equipment: Preheat the oven to 400F and grease a baking dish.
Make the meatballs: To a large bowl combine the meatball ingredients except for oil. Mix it well until everything comes together. Scoop the meatball mixture and roll it into a ball. Repeat the same with the remaining mixture.

before and after mixing the the meatball ingredients

Bake the meatballs: Arrange the meatballs evenly and bake the meatballs for 15 minutes.

Raw meatballs in a baking dish and then baked.

Prepare the garlic butter sauce: Melt the butter in a small bowl. Combine the remaining ingredients; lemon juice, garlic, parsley, pepper, and salt. Mix well.

Combine and bake again: Pour the prepared garlic butter sauce over the baked turkey meatballs.

garlic butter sauce poured over semi baked turkey meatballs.

Bake again: for 5 to 10 minutes. Garnish with fresh lemon slices and serve the meatballs.

Garlic Butter Turkey Meatballs in a baking dish with a spoon scooping one.

Tips to Make The Best Turkey Meatballs

Avoid overmixing the meat mixture. It’ll cause the meatballs to become tough, heavy, and dense.
Avoid rolling the meatballs too tightly as it’ll cause the meatballs to be dense.
Use a cookie scoop to get an even amount of ground turkey mixture so the meatballs are all the same size and bake evenly.
The ground turkey is mild in flavor so feel free to be generous with the seasoning.
Avoid overcooking the meatballs. They will become dry and tough if cooked for too long.
If you’re not sure if the meatballs are done, check the internal temperature. It should be 165F when done.

Meatballs on a plate with one meatball cut in half.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I store leftovers turkey meatballs?

Store leftovers in an airtight container and keep them in the fridge for up to 3-5 days. You can reheat them in the oven, airfryer or microwave.

Can I freeze turkey meatballs?

I recommend freezing the meatballs before baking. Place all the meatballs on a lined sheet pan in the freezer. Once frozen, transfer them to a freezer-safe bag. When ready to eat, bake them straight from frozen with a few extra added minutes. It’s easier to make the garlic butter sauce fresh than freeze it.

Is it better to bake or pan fry meatballs?

You can do either but baking the meatballs means the recipe will be more hands-off. You can also fit more meatballs into a baking dish to cook at once than in a pan on the stovetop.

Do you turn meatballs when baking?

It’s up to you if you’d like to rotate the meatballs. This will also give the other side a chance to get the same color.

Should I brown meatballs before baking?

No, there’s no need to brown the meatballs before baking. They bake up perfectly on their own!

Why are my turkey meatballs rubbery?

If your find the meatballs to be chewy, it mean you over cooked them. Always use a cooking thermometer to check doneness at 165F.

Why did my meatballs fall apart?

When meatballs fall apart, it’s usually the binder that is the problem. Most meatball recipes call for using bread crumbs and eggs. But too much bread crumbs make them too loose, and not enough bread crumbs won’t help them hold together either.

More Dinner Recipes You’ll Love

I hope you enjoy all the recipes I share with you, including this delicious Garlic Butter Turkey Meatballs recipe. I hope you try it, enjoy it, rate it, and share it with your friends and family!

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