These savory gluten-free turkey meatballs are tender and juicy! These mouthwatering meatballs combine the richness of Italian flavors with lean turkey. We used fresh basil and parsley combined with spices, gluten-free breadcrumbs, and pecorino romano for a perfectly seasoned and flavorful Italian meatball! These gluten-free turkey meatballs come together quickly and are baked in the oven. Top them with marinara sauce and some freshly grated parmesan cheese. For the classic flavors of spaghetti and meatballs, add your favorite pasta or pasta alternative.
Why You Will Love Gluten-Free Turkey Meatballs
- These meatballs are juicy and packed with Italian flavors.
- These turkey meatballs are gluten-free!
- They are easy to make and come together quickly.
- You can bake all of the meatballs on one sheet pan.
- Enjoy them on their own, with spaghetti, or in a sandwich!
Gluten-Free Turkey Meatball Ingredients
- Ground Turkey: Use one pound of ground turkey breast for these meatballs.
- Egg: One egg helps these turkey meatballs keep their shape and prevents them from getting dry.
- Breadcrumbs: Use gluten-free plain breadcrumbs or gluten-free panko breadcrumbs.
- Cheese: Add grated parmesan cheese to these meatballs for flavor and to help bind them.
- Fresh Herbs: Add chopped fresh basil and chopped flat-leaf parsley to these meatballs for flavor.
- Seasonings: Season these turkey meatballs with garlic powder, onion powder, oregano, salt, and pepper.
How To Make Gluten-Free Turkey Meatballs
First, whisk the egg in a large bowl. Then, add the ground turkey breast, breadcrumbs, pecorino romano, garlic powder, onion powder, oregano, basil, parsley, salt, and pepper to the bowl.
After that, thoroughly combine all of the ingredients with your hands. Next, gently form the meatballs.
Then, place the turkey meatballs on a sheet pan with parchment paper.
After that, bake the meatballs and enjoy! Make sure they are fully cooked but don’t overcook them.
Tips For Making Turkey Meatballs
- Gently Roll The Meatballs: Make sure to gently and lightly roll the meatballs. If you overly press them, they will get dense.
- Use Fresh Or Dried Herbs: Fresh herbs add the best flavor to these turkey meatballs. If you don’t have fresh herbs, you can substitute them for dried herbs. Use fresh chopped basil and flat-leaf parsley or dried basil and dried parsley.
- Don’t Overcook The Meatballs: Bake the meatballs at 400 degrees Fahrenheit for 17-20 minutes, or until done. The meatballs are fully cooked when they reach an internal temperature of 165 degrees Fahrenheit. Cut a meatball in half to make sure they are fully cooked in the center. Be mindful not to overcook them or they will dry out. You want them juicy.
What To Do With Turkey Meatballs
- Enjoy Them With Marinara Sauce: Try these turkey meatballs with our homemade marinara sauce or our slow cooker tomato sauce, freshly grated parmesan cheese, and chopped basil.
- Meatball Sub: You can make a meatball sub with these turkey meatballs. Toast some bread, add marinara sauce, cheese, and a few meatballs.
- Spaghetti With Meatballs: Cook your favorite spaghetti, add your favorite marinara sauce, and enjoy with some of these turkey meatballs.
- Use A Pasta Alternative: Enjoy these gluten-free turkey meatballs with marinara sauce and your favorite pasta or pasta alternative. Some great pasta alternatives are lentils, spaghetti squash noodles or nests, hearts of palm pasta, Carba Nada low-carb pasta, and Fiber Gourmet pasta.
How To Store And Reheat Turkey Meatballs
To Store: You can store these gluten-free turkey meatballs once they are fully cooked. Just let them cool and store them in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 3-4 days. Or, you can freeze these turkey meatballs in freezer-safe containers such as stasher bags for 1-2 months.
To Reheat: Reheat refrigerated turkey meatballs in the oven in an oven-safe container until warm. If you want to reheat frozen meatballs, you can place them in the refrigerator overnight to let them defrost, and then warm them up in the oven. Or, you can reheat them in a saucepan with marinara sauce over low heat on the stove until warm.
Turkey Meatball Recipe Variations
- What Ground Turkey To Use: We used 99% fat-free ground turkey breast in these meatballs. You could substitute this for 93% lean ground turkey.
- Ground Turkey Substitution: You could use ground chicken breast in this recipe instead of ground turkey breast.
- What Cheese To Use: Use pecorino romano or grated parmesan cheese, a grated parmesan cheese blend.
- Breadcrumbs To Use: To ensure these turkey meatballs are gluten-free, use gluten-free breadcrumbs. You can use gluten-free plain breadcrumbs or panko breadcrumbs. Also, you can substitute them for regular breadcrumbs.
- Make Your Own Breadcrumbs: You can make your own breadcrumbs for this recipe! To keep this recipe gluten-free, use gluten-free bread. To make breadcrumbs, add small pieces of leftover bread to a food processor and pulse. Then, add the pulsed breadcrumbs to a sheet pan. After that, drizzle some olive and add a sprinkle of salt. Then, toast the breadcrumbs in the oven. From there, let them cool and use 1/4 cup of them in this recipe.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are Turkey Meatballs Gluten-Free?
Many turkey meatballs are not gluten-free because they are made with breadcrumbs, which can contain gluten. To make these turkey meatballs gluten-free, use gluten-free regular breadcrumbs, gluten-free panko breadcrumbs, or make homemade breadcrumbs from gluten-free bread. All of the other ingredients in this meatball recipe are naturally gluten-free.
How Long Do Homemade Turkey Meatballs Last?
These homemade turkey meatballs will last 3-4 days when stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator. If you need to store them longer, you can freeze them!
Are Turkey Meatballs Healthy?
Yes, these turkey meatballs are healthy! They are made with 99% fat-free ground turkey breast, breadcrumbs, one egg, grated parmesan, and seasonings. They are made with simple ingredients and are easy to make!
Why Add Breadcrumbs To Meatballs?
Add breadcrumbs when making these turkey meatballs. The breadcrumbs help make these meatballs juicy and help bind them.
Why Add An Egg To Meatballs?
Whisk one egg for this meatball recipe. The egg helps keep these turkey meatballs moist, prevents them from becoming dry, and helps bind them together.
Can I Freeze Meatballs?
Yes, you can freeze meatballs. These turkey meatballs will last 1-2 months in the freezer when stored in freezer-safe containers such as stasher bags.
More Recipes To Try Next!
- Turkey Stuffing Meatballs
- Gluten-Free Italian Turkey Meatloaf
- Mediterranean Turkey Burger Recipe
- Slow Cooker Turkey Chili
- Creamy Garlic Chicken
- Gluten-Free Onion Rings
If you try this recipe please be sure to leave us a comment and star rating ★★★★★ letting us know how it turns out for you. We hope you enjoy these gluten free turkey meatballs!
Nutrition Facts
6 servings per container
- Amount Per ServingCalories124
- % Daily Value *
- Total Fat
2.5g
4%
- Saturated Fat 0.7g 0%
- Cholesterol 77mg 26%
- Sodium 303mg 13%
- Total Carbohydrate
3.9g
1%
- Dietary Fiber 0.4g 0%
- Sugars 0.5g
- Protein 21.9g 42%
* The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.
I made the turkey meatballs tonight, they were fantastic. I served them with Trader Joe’s Cauliflower cheese ravioli and marinara sauce. Very filling. Thank you for always putting good choices out here and making this easier on those that follow you. I have made many of your recipes and have enjoyed them all. (Especially the carrot cake cupcakes) ?
Hi Patty, thank you so much for your comment! I am so happy you are enjoying the meatballs and our recipes! Thank you so much for sharing, it makes us so happy!