These healthy turkey meatballs without breadcrumbs are juicy little protein bombs that are packed with flavor! They’re super easy to make and ready in just 40 minutes.
You won’t believe how flavorful and juicy these turkey meatballs are. Plus, they are PACKED with protein! Just 3 meatballs is about 31 grams.
Most turkey meatball recipes call for breadcrumbs. Personally, I don’t have the patience to make breadcrumbs from scratch, and it’s almost impossible to buy any that don’t have a lot of unnecessary ingredients.
You would be shocked how many store-bought brands are full of sugar!
So instead of breadcrumbs, I simply use good old-fashioned oats. You fold them right into the ground turkey to bind it all together. It really couldn’t be easier.
And let me tell you, these are the juiciest turkey meatballs I’ve ever had. You definitely won’t miss the breadcrumbs.
How to make healthy turkey meatballs without breadcrumbs
These meatballs only take about 15 minutes to prep and then 25 to bake. You’ll have a delicious dish ready to go in about 40 minutes!
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!
Getting the best taste from turkey
When ground turkey is the main ingredient in a dish, don’t be afraid to choose some with a bit of fat in it!
You can get 99% lean ground turkey, but it doesn’t have a lot of flavor to it. It also tends to get a bit dry when cooked.
Instead, I typically use the 93% lean ground turkey. The 85% lean version tastes even better and doesn’t have that many calories more per serving if you prefer!
Veggies, herbs, and spices
If you like to get creative when you cook, feel free to use this recipe as a template for all kinds of different-tasting meatballs!
The spice combination I used was really delicious, but there are plenty of spice combinations that go well with turkey. For a classic taste, paprika, oregano, pepper, and garlic powder are a good place to start.
Whenever possible, I like to use fresh herbs in this recipe. This dish still tastes great when made with dried herbs, but fresh herbs like parsley or basil take the flavors to a different level.
And finally, you don’t need to use the same vegetables I did. If there’s something else in your fridge that you think would go well with the meatballs, give it a try!
What to serve with turkey meatballs
I often just 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 a little parmesan cheese on top.
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
This recipe is great for meal prep!
Once cooked, the meatballs can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for several days. I love to make a big batch and enjoy them over pasta, on a salad, or in a wrap throughout the week.
You can also freeze them for longer storage. I recommend placing each serving in an individual ziplock so you can defrost them when you need them.
These meatballs taste great both cold and reheated.
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 that cooks with chicken more often than turkey, then be sure to check out my roundup of the best healthy diabetic chicken recipes!
When you’ve tried this dish, please don’t forget to let me know how you liked it and rate the recipe in the comments below!
Healthy Turkey Meatballs (Without Breadcrumbs)
Ingredients
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.
- 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.
- Chop the spinach, green peppers (stemmed and seeded), and parsley. The pieces should be about the size of a dime.
- 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.
Avril
This recipe is totally the best & has now become a weekly endeavour in the family. I freeze some for a meal plan during the week & put the rest the fridge & use them as go-to grab lunch snacks in the afternoons when on the run.
Sara
Not bad. I omitted the egg completely and they held up just fine while baking. At the end of baking, I put them under the broiler for 2 minutes to add a little crispiness.
Sara
CORRECTION: I omitted the oatmeal completely, not the egg! Sorry. =)
Sally Loomis
Great idea to use the oats instead of bread crumbs! I am trying these beauties this weekend, thank you. In case you, or anyone else is on the hunt for more easy high protein recipes, I’ve really enjoyed Melanie Wildman’s The Ultimate Protein Cookbook. I love easy, it’s so important!
Steve Fox
it made me hungry. looks delicious and delightful. Soon gonna try this
Ivan
Looks yummy. They would go great on a plate of spaghetti and a few slices of garlic bread.
PE
need replacement of eggs – allergies . may tried flaxseed meal instead.
Daniela
Hi, awesome recipe! tried it once but now I want to try it only using paprika, oregano, pepper, and garlic powder. What would be the measurements for each? For a pound of ground turkey.
Christel Oerum
Glad you enjoyed it.
It all depends on how spicy you like your food. I think I would do 1 tsp. of paprika, oregano and garlic and 1/2 a tsp. of pepper. Let me know how that works out
Laurie
Clearly the BEST meatball I have ever eaten. I served them on a bed of spaghetti squash and WOW the sweetness of the squash and the wonderful flavor of the meatball. Then I made homemade tomato sauce topped it with that and it instantly became a PARTY IN MY MOUTH. This is definitely a keeper recipe. Thanks
Lee Darin
If you want to ditch the carbs altogether, replace your breadcrumbs or oats with grated parmesan cheese.
Janine
These meatballs are fantastic! I made a huge batch and the whole family has been eating them all week. Thanks for a great recipe!