Turkish-Spiced Turkey Meatballs with Yogurt Sauce
Ingredients
- 1½ poundsground turkey
- ½ cuppanko breadcrumbs
- 1egg
- 3 clovesgarlic
- ½ mediumyellow onion
- 1 teaspoonground cumin
- ¼ teaspoonground cinnamon
- ½ teaspoondried oregano
- ¾ teaspoonsea salt
- ¼ teaspoonblack pepper
- 2 tablespoonsolive oil
- ¾ cupplain Greek yogurt
- 1lemon
- ¼ cupfresh mint (loosely packed)
- 2 tablespoonsfresh dill
Prep
- 01
Mince 3 cloves garlic.
- 02
Dice 1/2 medium yellow onion.
- 03
Juice 1 lemon.
- 04
Chop 1/4 cup fresh mint leaves.
- 05
Chop 2 tablespoons fresh dill.
Method
- 01
Preheat oven to 425°F.
- 02
In a large bowl, combine ground turkey, panko, egg, minced garlic, minced onion, cumin, cinnamon, oregano, salt, and black pepper. Mix gently with your hands until just combined—don't overmix.
- 03
Using a 1 1/2-tablespoon scoop or your hands, form mixture into 18–20 meatballs and place on a parchment-lined baking sheet, spaced about an inch apart.
- 04
Drizzle meatballs lightly with olive oil and bake for 14–16 minutes, until cooked through and lightly browned (165°F internal temperature).
- 05
While meatballs bake, whisk together Greek yogurt, lemon juice, chopped fresh mint, and chopped fresh dill in a small bowl. Season to taste with salt and pepper.
- 06
Transfer baked meatballs to a serving platter. Serve warm with yogurt sauce for dipping, or drizzle sauce over meatballs.
Spice Tips
These meatballs work well with a touch more warmth. Add a pinch of cayenne or red pepper flakes to the yogurt sauce for gentle heat, or stir in a 1/4 teaspoon of smoked paprika into the raw turkey mixture for deeper spice. If you prefer brighter acidity, add an extra squeeze of lemon to the sauce.