How to Make the Perfect Turkey and Veggie Mini Meatballs
American · Medium · 35 min · 4 servings
These bite sized turkey meatballs are loaded with hidden vegetables and baked in the oven so they do not require any frying making cleanup a breeze. The recipe contains no nuts or dairy so it is a reliable protein packed option for kids with food allergies.
Why this recipe works
This Turkey and Veggie Mini Meatballs recipe has been crafted to deliver restaurant-quality results in your home kitchen. At just 35 minutes from start to finish, it fits perfectly into a busy schedule without sacrificing flavor. Each serving comes in at 280 calories with 26g of protein, making it a balanced choice for any meal.
What you will need
This recipe uses 6 simple ingredients that you can find at any grocery store:
- 1 pound ground turkey
- 0.5 cup grated zucchini excess water squeezed out
- 0.5 cup grated carrot
- 1 large egg
- 0.25 cup breadcrumbs
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
Step by step instructions
Step 1: Prep and Preheat
Preheat your oven to 400 degrees Fahrenheit and line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Grate the zucchini and carrot then use a clean kitchen towel to squeeze out as much moisture as possible from the zucchini.
Step 2: Mix the Meatball Mixture
In a large bowl combine the ground turkey grated zucchini carrot egg breadcrumbs and garlic powder. Mix gently with your hands until just combined being careful not to overwork the meat or the meatballs will become tough.
Step 3: Shape and Bake
Roll the mixture into small balls about 1 inch in diameter and place them evenly spaced on the prepared baking sheet. Bake in the preheated oven for 18 to 20 minutes until cooked through and lightly golden on top.
Step 4: Serve with Dipping Sauce
Serve the meatballs hot with your favorite allergy friendly dipping sauce such as marinara or honey mustard. These also work great tossed with gluten free pasta for a complete dinner.
Easy substitutions
Missing an ingredient? Here are some swaps that work perfectly:
- breadcrumbs → gluten free breadcrumbs or rolled oats ground fine for a gluten free version
- ground turkey → ground chicken which has a very similar mild flavor kids enjoy
Common mistakes to avoid
Watch out for these pitfalls that can affect your results:
- Not squeezing enough moisture from the zucchini which makes the meatball mixture too wet to shape
- Overmixing the meat mixture which develops the proteins too much and results in dense rubbery meatballs
Nutrition facts
Per serving: 280 calories, 26g protein, 14g carbs, 12g fat, 2g fiber.
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