Easy High Protein Turkey Meatballs Meal Prep Recipe
Easy high protein turkey meatballs are a busy weeknight lifesaver. After making them dozens of times, I’ve perfected the trick to keep them juicy. The crispy exterior gives way to a tender, flavorful interior. Jump to the recipe or keep reading for my best tips. If you love recipes like this, you’ll also enjoy Bourbon Maple Bacon Cinnamon Rolls with Candied Bacon and Easy Keto Coconut Flour Pancakes with Fresh Berries.
Why This Easy High Protein Turkey Meatballs Meal Prep Recipe Is Pure Comfort
- Crispy on the outside, juicy on the inside
- High protein, low carb
- Easy to meal prep for busy weeknights
- Better than takeout
What You'll Need for Easy High Protein Turkey Meatballs Meal Prep Recipe
Choosing the right ingredients makes a big difference, but this recipe is forgiving enough to work with what you have.
- ground turkey
- breadcrumbs
- egg
- onion
- garlic
- parsley
- salt
- pepper
- Italian seasoning
- garlic powder
- onion powder
- salt
- pepper
- Optional: marinara sauce
- Optional: parmesan cheese
- Optional: fresh basil
📝 Ingredient Notes
- ground turkey: Use 93% lean for less grease.
- breadcrumbs: Panko works best for texture.
🛒 Tools & Equipment I Recommend
- Meat Thermometer — Ensures perfect doneness every time. → See on Amazon
- Food Processor — Makes quick work of chopping onions and garlic. → See on Amazon
How to Make Easy High Protein Turkey Meatballs Meal Prep Recipe
- Preheat oven: Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C).
- Combine ingredients: In a large bowl, combine ground turkey, breadcrumbs, egg, onion, garlic, parsley, Italian seasoning, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper. Mix until just combined.
- Form meatballs: Using your hands, form the mixture into 1.5-inch meatballs. Place on a parchment-lined baking sheet.
- Bake: Bake for 20-25 minutes, or until meatballs are cooked through and lightly browned. Internal temperature should reach 165°F (74°C).
- Serve: Serve with marinara sauce, parmesan cheese, and fresh basil. Enjoy!
Cook's Tips for Perfect Easy High Protein Turkey Meatballs Meal Prep Recipe
- Common mistake and fix: Overmixing the meat can lead to tough meatballs. Mix until just combined to keep them tender.
- Tip: Use a meat thermometer to ensure the meatballs are cooked through. This prevents overcooking and keeps them juicy.
- Tip: For a one-pan meal, cook pasta in the same pot as the marinara sauce while the meatballs bake.
Storing & Reheating Easy High Protein Turkey Meatballs Meal Prep Recipe
Short-Term Storage
Store in an airtight container in the fridge. Store leftover meatballs in an airtight container for up to 4 days. Make-ahead tip: Meatballs can be made ahead and reheated as needed.
Freezing Easy High Protein Turkey Meatballs Meal Prep Recipe
Freeze cooked meatballs for up to 3 months. Reheat in the oven at 350°F (180°C) until warmed through.
How to Reheat Without Drying It Out
Oven: Reheat in the oven at 350°F (180°C) until warmed through. Microwave: Reheat in the microwave for 1-2 minutes, or until warmed through. This may cause the meatballs to lose some crispiness.
Recipe Notes
- Chef tip: For a spicy kick, add a pinch of red pepper flakes to the meat mixture.
- Best substitution: Ground chicken or turkey can be substituted for the ground turkey.
- Make-ahead: Meatballs can be formed and stored in the fridge for up to 24 hours before baking.
- Scaling: This recipe can be easily doubled or tripled for meal prepping.
- Troubleshooting: If meatballs are still pink in the middle, cook for an additional 5 minutes or until the internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C).
Want to level up this recipe?
Non-stick Baking Sheet — Prevents meatballs from sticking and makes cleanup easy. → Check price on Amazon
Easy High Protein Turkey Meatballs Meal Prep Recipe
Ingredients
Main Ingredients
- ground turkey
- breadcrumbs
- egg
- onion
- garlic
- parsley
- salt
- pepper
Seasonings
- Italian seasoning
- garlic powder
- onion powder
- salt
- pepper
Optional Toppings
- marinara sauce
- parmesan cheese
- fresh basil
Instructions
- Preheat oven: Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C).
- Combine ingredients: In a large bowl, combine ground turkey, breadcrumbs, egg, onion, garlic, parsley, Italian seasoning, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper. Mix until just combined.
- Form meatballs: Using your hands, form the mixture into 1.5-inch meatballs. Place on a parchment-lined baking sheet.
- Bake: Bake for 20-25 minutes, or until meatballs are cooked through and lightly browned. Internal temperature should reach 165°F (74°C).
- Serve: Serve with marinara sauce, parmesan cheese, and fresh basil. Enjoy!
Notes
- Chef tip: For a spicy kick, add a pinch of red pepper flakes to the meat mixture.
- Best substitution: Ground chicken or turkey can be substituted for the ground turkey.
- Make-ahead: Meatballs can be formed and stored in the fridge for up to 24 hours before baking.
- Scaling: This recipe can be easily doubled or tripled for meal prepping.
- Troubleshooting: If meatballs are still pink in the middle, cook for an additional 5 minutes or until the internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C).
Storage
- Fridge: Store leftover meatballs in an airtight container for up to 4 days.
- Freezer: Freeze cooked meatballs for up to 3 months. Reheat in the oven at 350°F (180°C) until warmed through.
- Oven reheat: Reheat in the oven at 350°F (180°C) until warmed through.
- Microwave reheat: Reheat in the microwave for 1-2 minutes, or until warmed through. This may cause the meatballs to lose some crispiness.
- Make ahead: Meatballs can be made ahead and reheated as needed.
Nutrition Per Serving
- Calories: 280
- Protein: 30g
- Fat: 12g
- Carbs: 12g
- Fiber: 1g
- Sugar: 2g
- Sodium: 580mg
- Cholesterol: 120mg
- Sat. Fat: 4.5g
Nutritional values are estimates only. Actual values may vary by brand and portion size.
Easy High Protein Turkey Meatballs Meal Prep Recipe FAQs
Yes, you can make the meatballs ahead and store them in the fridge for up to 24 hours before baking. You can also freeze cooked meatballs for up to 3 months.
Overcooking is the most common reason for dry meatballs. To prevent this, use a meat thermometer to ensure the meatballs reach an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C) but do not exceed it.
Yes, you can make these turkey meatballs in the air fryer. Preheat the air fryer to 375°F (190°C), place the meatballs in the basket, and cook for 10-12 minutes, or until the internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C).
These turkey meatballs are delicious served with marinara sauce, pasta, and a side of steamed vegetables or a crisp salad. You can also serve them with a side of garlic bread or a bed of creamy mashed potatoes.
Yes, you can use ground turkey instead of ground chicken. The flavor will be slightly different, but the texture and cooking method will be the same.
A Warm Final Note
I can’t wait for you to try Easy High Protein Turkey Meatballs Meal Prep Recipe and see how effortlessly it comes together. When you make it, pop back here and leave a rating or share how it turned out — I love hearing from you!
