These healthy turkey meatballs without breadcrumbs are juicy, flavorful, and packed with protein! They’re super easy to make and ready in just 40 minutes.
The secret to my healthy turkey meatballs recipe is to use old-fashioned oats instead of breadcrumbs to help bind them together!
Breadcrumbs are tedious to make from scratch, and many store-bought brands are full of sugar. Using oats makes the meatballs much healthier.
They’re also some of the juiciest turkey meatballs I’ve ever had!
Why you will love healthy turkey meatballs
- They’re low-carb and naturally gluten-free.
- They’re full of lean protein (31 grams in 3 meatballs!)
- You can make them for weekly meal prep.
- They’re packed with veggies.
- They’re great for quick, versatile meals.
Reader reviews
I have made this recipe numerous times. Our grandson, he’s 7, asked me to make them again. This kids gives me the hardest time to eat veggies, but your meatballs he gobbles up! Thank you for sharing this recipe. They are sooo delicious!
Margie
Delicious! Freeze very well too.
Natalia
Healthy turkey meatballs without breadcrumbs ingredients
These meatballs are loaded with protein and pack in a surprising amount of vegetables too!
- Onion — I recommend using red onion, but you can use any onion you prefer.
- Garlic — Fresh garlic will give you the best flavor. I recommend grating or mincing so the garlic blends nicely into the meatball mixture.
- Celery — Adds crunch and a touch of freshness.
- Ground turkey — This lean protein is great for hearty, delicious meatballs. I usually use 93% lean, but 85% lean is also great.
- Oats — Help bind the meatballs while adding a boost of fiber as well.
- Egg whites — Act as a binder to hold the meatballs together while adding a little more protein.
- Seasoning — A combination of cumin, thyme, turmeric, chipotle pepper, and mustard powder gives these meatballs a rich, satisfying flavor.
- Salt and pepper — Adjust to taste to enhance the flavor of the turkey meatballs.
- Spinach — You can use fresh or frozen spinach to add a boost of nutrients and moisture to the meatballs.
- Bell pepper — I like to use green bell pepper, but you’re welcome to use red, yellow, or orange if you prefer.
- Parsley — Brightens the flavor and adds a pop of color.
How to make healthy turkey meatballs without breadcrumbs
Step 1: Preheat the oven to 350 F (175 C).
Step 2: Chop the onion, garlic, and celery very finely (or use a food processor), then add to a large mixing bowl.
Step 3: Add the turkey, egg whites, oats, and spices to the bowl and mix thoroughly. Make sure there are no pockets of spices or oats in the mix.
Step 4: Chop the spinach, green peppers (stemmed and seeded), and parsley. The pieces should be about the size of a dime.
Step 5: Add the vegetables to the bowl and mix everything until well combined.
Step 6: Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
Step 7: Roll the turkey mixture into 15 balls (about the size of golf balls) and place them on the baking sheet.
Step 8: Bake for 25 minutes, until cooked through.
That’s it! Just chop, mix, roll, and bake.
For such a simple recipe, it’s AMAZING how juicy and flavorful these meatballs turn out!
Recipe tips and tricks
- Use your hands to mix the meatball ingredients gently to avoid overworking the meat, which can make the meatballs tough.
- Bake the meatballs on a parchment-lined tray to prevent sticking and ensure even cooking.
Variations and substitutions
- You can swap ground turkey with ground chicken or beef for a different protein.
- I sometimes replace parsley with cilantro or basil for a twist on the herb flavor.
- Feel free to add grated zucchini or carrots for even more veggies.
What to serve with this recipe
I often eat these meatballs by themselves for a quick snack. They’re so tasty and satisfying!
But they are also delicious when served with a little whole-wheat pasta and some tomato sauce. Perhaps even some parmesan cheese on top.
For a cheesier dish, they’re super yummy with cauliflower alfredo sauce over zoodles or spaghetti squash.
I also enjoy crumbling them over a salad or wrapping them up for a nutritious lunch on the go.
Because these baked meatballs are almost pure protein, adding a few carbs and a little fat turns them into a perfectly balanced meal that’s as tasty as it is good for you!
Storage and freezing
- Once cooked, the meatballs can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for several days.
- You can also freeze them for longer storage. I recommend placing each serving in an individual freezer-safe bag so you can defrost the amount you want when you need them.
More healthy turkey recipes
I LOVE turkey! It’s such a tasty lean protein that goes so well in a variety of recipes. Here are a few of my favorites that you’ll find me cooking on a regular basis:
If you’re someone who cooks with chicken more often than turkey, then be sure to check out my roundup of the best healthy diabetic chicken recipes!
Healthy Turkey Meatballs (Without Breadcrumbs)
Ingredients
- ½ red onion
- 3 cloves garlic
- 2 celery sticks
- 20 oz. ground turkey
- ¼ cup oats
- 2 egg whites
- ½ teaspoon cumin
- 1 teaspoon thyme
- ½ teaspoon turmeric
- ½ teaspoon chipotle pepper
- 1 teaspoon mustard powder
- 1 teaspoon salt
- Pinch of pepper
- 3.5 oz. fresh or frozen spinach
- ½ green bell pepper
- ½ cup parsley
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350 F (175 C).
- Chop the onion, garlic, and celery very finely (or use a food processor), then add to a large mixing bowl.½ red onion, 3 cloves garlic, 2 celery sticks
- Add the turkey, egg whites, oats, and spices to the bowl and mix thoroughly. Make sure there are no pockets of spices or oats in the mix.20 oz. ground turkey, ¼ cup oats, 2 egg whites, ½ teaspoon cumin, 1 teaspoon thyme, ½ teaspoon turmeric, ½ teaspoon chipotle pepper, 1 teaspoon mustard powder, 1 teaspoon salt, Pinch of pepper
- Chop the spinach, green peppers (stemmed and seeded), and parsley. The pieces should be about the size of a dime.3.5 oz. fresh or frozen spinach, ½ green bell pepper, ½ cup parsley
- Add the vegetables to the bowl and mix everything until well-combined.
- Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- Roll the turkey mixture into 15 balls (about the size of golf balls) and place them on the baking sheet.
- Bake for 25 minutes, until cooked through.
Karen
The meatballs were low sodium, low fat, low carbs, and gluten free. Very delicious and moist. Of course next time I will add sauted mushrooms ( they put out alot of water if not sauted).
Excellence recipe!
Steve S.
Excellent recipe, I didn’t have the Chipotle for the turkey meatballs so I used a little cayenne powder. Followed the rest of the recipe.
Margie Avila
I have made this recipe numerous times, but here lately not so much. Our grandson, he’s 7, asked me to make them again. This kids gives me the hardest time to eat veggies, but your meatballs he gobbles up! Thank you for sharing this recipe. They are sooo delicious! Margie from Texas.
Christel Oerum
Love to hear that! Thank you for letting us know
Natalia Berryman
Delicious! Freeze very well too.