Keto turkey meatballs are a healthy, low-carb alternative to traditional meatballs. Serve them with marinara sauce, bbq sauce, or buffalo sauce for a delicious appetizer!
These healthy turkey meatballs are perfect for meal prep. You can make a batch on the weekend and then reheat them during the week for a quick lunch or dinner.
If you're following a keto diet or just looking for a healthy alternative to traditional meatballs, these are the perfect wings for you!
❤️ Why you'll love it
You will love the simple ingredients and easy instructions for these keto turkey meatballs. You can make them in less than 30 minutes, and they are so versatile. You can enjoy them as is or serve them with your favorite sides.
They also make great finger foods for game day, potluck, parties, and gatherings!
🧾 Ingredients Used
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- Ground turkey: You could also use ground chicken or ground pork if you prefer.
- Egg: Room temperature works the best.
- Pork Rind Crumbs: You can use plain pork rind crumbs or flavored ones if you prefer. You can also use almond flour instead.
- Spices: Garlic powder, dried oregano, smoked paprika, cayenne pepper, black pepper, and salt.
🔪 How To Make Keto Turkey Meatballs
- Preheat the oven to 400F.
- Combine all ingredients in a large bowl.
- Use a cookie scoop to take out the ground turkey mix and form balls with it.
- Line a baking sheet with parchment paper and place the turkey balls on it.
- Bake for 15-20 minutes or until the meat is cooked through.
🥫 Storing and Reheating
Leftover ground turkey meatballs can be stored in an airtight container or freezer bag in the fridge for up to 4 days or in the freezer for about six months.
To reheat, let your keto meatballs thaw in the refrigerator overnight. Then, place the meatballs in a single layer on a baking sheet and bake at 350F until heated through. You can also reheat them in the microwave on medium heat.
You could also reheat them on the stovetop while simmering in your favorite low-carb tomato sauce or any other kind of sauce that you like.
💭 Helpful Tips
- Double or triple the recipe to make a big batch ahead of time. These meatballs freeze well!
- Add sesame oil to the meatball mixture to make an Asian-inspired version.
- Use a small cookie scoop to make sure your meatballs are uniform.
- Use a meat thermometer to check the internal temperature of your meatballs. They should reach 165 degrees F.
- Add some chopped onion and/or minced garlic to the meatballs for extra flavor.
- You could add some black pepper or onion powder for more flavor.
💭 Recipe Variations
- If you don't have pork rinds, you can use almond flour or coconut flour instead. Or even some crushed-up keto crackers.
- You can use ground beef or lamb instead of turkey.
- You can serve these delicious meatballs with spaghetti squash or zucchini noodles.
- For a cheesy twist, add some grated Parmesan cheese or mozzarella cheese to the meatballs before baking.
- Garnish with some green onions or parsley before serving.
- Add some red pepper flakes or chili flakes to make spicy turkey meatballs!
- Simmer your easy turkey meatballs in a low-carb sauce on the stovetop after baking them.
🍽️ What can I eat this recipe with?
These keto turkey meatballs make a great appetizer on their own, and you can enjoy them with some buffalo or bbq sauce. You can also serve them with these delicious sides!
Sauteed Mushrooms and Green Beans
👩🍳 Frequently asked questions
Yes, turkey meat is keto friendly. It is also a lean protein with very little fat.
If meatballs are over-mixed, they can become rubbery. When combining the meat and creating meatballs, be careful not to mix too much.
Before adding the meat, I like to incorporate all the ingredients carefully. I then knead the meat into the mixture until it is barely mixed.
There are a few options you can use instead of eggs to bind meatballs. One option is to use a "flax egg." This is one tablespoon of ground flaxseed mixed with three tablespoons of water. Let it sit for 5 minutes before adding it to the meat mixture.
Another option is to use greek yogurt or ricotta cheese. These will add moisture and help bind the meatballs together.
📚 Related Recipes
Check out these other keto appetizers!
📖 Recipe
Keto Turkey Meatballs
Ingredients
- 1.5 lb ground turkey
- 1 large egg
- ½ cup pork rind crumbs
- 1 tablespoon garlic powder
- 1 tablespoon smoked paprika
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- ¼ teaspoon cayenne pepper
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- 1 teaspoon salt
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 400F.
- Combine all ingredients in a large bowl.1.5 lb ground turkey, 1 large egg, ½ cup pork rind crumbs, 1 tablespoon garlic powder, 1 tablespoon smoked paprika, 1 teaspoon dried oregano, ¼ teaspoon cayenne pepper, ½ teaspoon black pepper, 1 teaspoon salt
- Use a cookie scoop to take out the ground turkey mix and form balls with it.
- Line a baking sheet with parchment paper and place the turkey balls on it.
- Bake for 15-20mins or until the meat is cooked through.
Notes
- Double or triple the recipe to make a big batch ahead of time. These meatballs freeze well!
- Add a bit of sesame oil to the meatball mixture to make an Asian-inspired version.
- Use a small cookie scoop to make sure your meatballs are uniform.
- Use a meat thermometer to check the internal temperature of your meatballs. They should reach 165 degrees F.
- Add chopped onion, minced garlic, or onion powder to the meatballs for extra flavor.
Nutrition
Tayo Oredola is the founder of Low Carb Africa, where she shares healthy, low carb dishes with global flavors. She is passionate about teaching people how to cook drool-worthy dishes while losing weight and living their best lives. Tayo’s recipes have been featured on MSN, Women’s Health, Parade, Yahoo News, Pure Wow, Essence, and other online publications.
I've made these several times and they always come out perfect. This is my go-to recipe for keto turkey meatballs. Thank you!
Thanks Cori. It's a favorite in my house too!
These look amazing!!
Thanks! Hope you get to try them soon! 😊