Name: Baked Turkey Meatballs
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 20 min
Total time: 30 min
Ingredients: 2 pounds ground turkey or pheasant or chicken; 2 eggs; 1 cup Italian style panko breadcrumbs; 1 cup grated Parmesan cheese; 1 teaspoon kosher salt; 1 teaspoon onion powder; 1 teaspoon garlic powder; 1/2 teaspoon black pepper; 3 Tablespoons olive oil

This Baked Turkey Meatballs Recipe come together in just 30 minutes - a great idea for meal prepping with ground turkey.

As a wild game chef and full-time recipe developer, I’ve spent a lot of time thinking about the kind of food that makes life easier, tastier, and more satisfying for my readers. And when it comes to ground turkey recipes, nothing delivers quite like a big batch of baked turkey meatballs.

This turkey meatball recipe is a no-fuss, all-flavor kind of dish. It’s simple to prep, bakes up in just 30 minutes, and hits the sweet spot of tender, juicy, and just the right amount of cheesy. Whether you’re feeding the family on a Wednesday night or stocking your freezer with ground turkey meal prep recipes, this one’s right for you.

Why You'll Love These Baked Turkey Meatballs

Easy meal prep with ground turkey: Roll, bake, and store. These meatballs are freezer-friendly and reheat beautifully.
Kid-approved: They're seasoned just right to please every palate at the table, especially kids like our 10-year-old daughter.
Flexible: Use turkey, pheasant, or chicken. Whatever lean ground meat you’ve got, it works.
Perfect for any meal: Toss them in tomato sauce, stuff them in a sandwich, or serve with roasted vegetables.

Ground Turkey

If you’ve cooked with ground turkey before, you know it can go dry if you’re not careful. That’s why I developed this easy baked turkey meatballs recipe with a few tricks that lock in moisture and flavor. Two eggs help bind the mixture and keep the meatballs tender.

Ingredients for Meal Prepping with Upland Birds

Panko breadcrumbs and Parmesan cheese add great texture and flavor. And baking them on a foil-lined sheet makes cleanup easy.

This ground turkey meatballs recipe also plays well with whatever you've got in your fridge. Planning your weekly menu? This is the kind of ground turkey meal that works just as well with a salad as it does in a lunchbox with some dipping sauce on the side.

Ingredients for Baked Turkey Meatballs Recipe

These ingredients are pantry staples that come together in one bowl, no blender or food processor required:

2 pounds ground turkey (or substitute with pheasant or chicken)
2 eggs
1 cup Italian style panko breadcrumbs
1 cup grated Parmesan cheese
1 teaspoon kosher salt
1 teaspoon onion powder
1 teaspoon garlic powder
½ teaspoon black pepper
3 tablespoons olive oil

That’s it. No need to mince garlic or sauté onions. Everything mixes easily in a bowl and bakes easily in the oven.

How To Make The Best Baked Turkey Meatballs

Step 1: Gather your ingredients

Get everything out and ready to go. Prepping ahead keeps things running smoothly.

Ingredients for Meal Prepping with Ground Turkey

Step 2: Preheat the oven

Set your oven to 400 degrees F. Line a rimmed baking sheet with foil and spray it with cooking spray. That helps with cleanup and keeps the meatballs from sticking.

Step 3: Mix it all up

Add all your ingredients to a large mixing bowl. Use your hands or a sturdy spoon to blend until just combined. Don’t overmix - that can make the meatballs tough.

Step 4: Roll your meatballs

Roll the mixture into about 40 small balls. Each one should be roughly the size of a walnut. Place them evenly on your prepared baking sheet.

Step 5: Bake to perfection

Pop the tray into the oven and bake for 20 to 25 minutes. Use an instant-read thermometer to make sure they reach an internal temperature of 165 degrees F.

Pro Tips For Juicy Turkey Meatballs

Don’t overwork the meat: Mix just until combined. This keeps the texture tender.
Even sizes mean even cooking: Try using a small cookie scoop to portion the meatballs.
Use a meat thermometer: Trust me, it’s the best way to avoid dry meatballs.
Double the batch: Freeze half for future meals. Just reheat in sauce or microwave gently.

Storage Tips for Leftovers

To Store. Refrigerate turkey meatballs in airtight storage container for up to 4 days.
To Reheat. Reheat leftover meatballs over medium-low heat on the stovetop, in the oven at 350 degrees F, or in the microwave.
To Freeze. Turkey meatballs can be frozen cooked or raw. Place meatballs on a parchment-lined rimmed baking sheet and freeze until firm. Transfer frozen meatballs to an freezer-safe storage container or Ziploc bag for up to 3 months.

Meal Prepping With Ground Turkey

Having ready-to-cook turkey meatballs in the freezer is great for meal prep.

Shape the meatballs and place them on a parchment-lined rimmed baking sheet.
Freeze until firm, then transfer to an airtight container or Ziploc bag for up to 3 months.
When ready to cook, let thaw overnight in the refrigerator. Brush with oil and bake as directed.

More Turkey Recipes

If you liked this recipe for turkey meatballs, and are looking for more turkey recipes, check out these family favorites all tested and approved by my wife and daughter:

Come Turkey Hunting in North Dakota

If you are headed our way for North Dakota turkey season, check out the North Dakota Game & Fish Department website. And if you want me to come along with you as your camp cook, photographer, or butcher, you can find out more details here.

Check out all of my upland bird recipes here.

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