Homemade baked Turkey Meatballs give you the satisfying comfort of your favorite meatball recipe, done lighter with ground turkey. They’re moist and juicy (no dry meatballs allowed here!), use pantry ingredients, and are right at home atop a big bowl of spaghetti. Mangia!
Turkey meatballs are a delicious and healthier alternative to beef meatballs. They can be enjoyed in a variety of dishes from classic spaghetti and meatballs to meatball subs. Knowing when the turkey meatballs are fully cooked is important to ensure they are safe to eat and have the best texture.
There are a few easy ways to check for doneness without having to cut into the meatballs
Use a Meat Thermometer
The most foolproof way to check if turkey meatballs are cooked through is by using a meat thermometer. Insert the thermometer into the thickest part of a meatball, making sure not to hit the pan or bone. The internal temperature should read 165°F when the meatballs are fully cooked. This temperature ensures any bacteria is killed and the meatballs are completely cooked.
A digital instant-read thermometer is recommended for getting the quickest and most accurate reading Thermoworks and ThermoPop make excellent thermometers designed specifically for meat
Check Firmness
Well-cooked turkey meatballs should feel firm to the touch when gently pressed on the outside. If the meatball still feels soft and mushy, it likely needs more time to cook through completely.
Undercooked meatballs will also appear slightly pinkish on the inside when cut open. The meat should not look raw or translucent anywhere.
Observe Visual Cues
You can visually inspect the meatballs to check for doneness cues:
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Browning on the outside – The meatballs will develop a nice light brown crust when fully cooked Uneven browning can indicate uneven cooking
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No Pink in the Crevices – Check where the meatballs meet each other or the edges touching the pan. There should be no sign of pinkness which indicates undercooking.
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Rendered Fat – If your meatball mixture contains fat, it will render out during cooking leaving behind little pools of liquid fat. This shows the meatballs have reached a high enough temperature.
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Meat Pulling Away from Skewer – If cooking meatballs on a skewer, look for the meat pulling back from the skewer slightly. This shows the proteins have coagulated and the meatball is set.
Calculate Cook Time
For evenly sized meatballs of around 1-inch diameter, the average cook time is 20-25 minutes at 400°F oven temperature. Larger meatballs may take 25-30 minutes.
However, oven temperatures can vary so relying on cook times alone is not fail-proof. Use it as guidance along with the other visual signs to determine doneness.
Check a Sample Meatball
If you are unsure if a batch is fully cooked, cut into one meatball to inspect it and ensure there are no undercooked spots. This also allows you to check for seasoning. If the tested meatball is cooked through, the rest should be as well.
Always remember to use a thermometer if in doubt rather than relying on visuals alone. This eliminates any risk of undercooked meat. With a few simple methods, you can easily determine when turkey meatballs are perfectly cooked for serving without having to cut open every single one.
Why You’ll Love These Baked Turkey Meatballs
- Easy. Like all of my 30-minute meals, these turkey meatballs come together fast, making them a hero on busy evenings. Baking makes them hands-free!
- Juicy and Moist. Burned by bland (or, gasp!, dry) turkey meatballs in the past? Me too! That’s why with all of my ground turkey recipes from Turkey Burgers to Turkey Chili, I made sure the meat is tender and moist.
- Simple Ingredients. Once you have your ground turkey and Parmesan in the fridge, you’re likely to already have everything else in your pantry to make this simple turkey meatballs recipe.
- Pure Comfort. It’s hard to get more intrinsically satisfying than good ol’ spaghetti and meatballs! No matter the day, pasta recipes always seem to hit the spot.
- Makes Plenty. The recipe yields about 20 meatballs, so it covers a few dinners for our leftover-loving household of two, or it feeds a small dinner group. If you need a larger quantity of turkey meatballs for a crowd, you can check out my Crock Pot Turkey Meatballs.
How to Make Turkey Meatballs
- Ground Turkey. While traditional meatball recipes usually call for a mix of different meats (sometimes up to 3!), this turkey meatball recipe keeps it straightforward with ground turkey only. For a taste most similar to a classic meatball, try a mix of ground pork and ground turkey or ground beef and ground turkey.
- Italian Seasoned Bread Crumbs + Egg. These bind the meat and keep the meatballs moist. I do not recommend panko breadcrumbs for this recipe, as they are more dry and will not bind the meatballs as effectively.
- Lazy Girl Basic Spices. Garlic powder, onion powder, dried oregano, red pepper flakes. Because sometimes I am hungry and I want to eat meatballs…without having to grate an onion or mince garlic cloves for them.
- Parmesan. Because meatballs are better with cheese. It’s true. Parmesan also helps to ensure the meatballs are moist.
- Start the Recipe. Add the spices, Parmesan, and ground turkey to a big bowl.
- Add the Egg. Be gentle when combining.
- Shape into Meatballs. Place on a foil-lined baking sheet.
- Brush the Meatballs with Olive Oil. These helps them crisp outside and stay moist.
- Bake. Cook the turkey Meatballs at 375 degrees F for 15 Mmnutes for a 1 1/2-inch meatball, or until the meatballs reach an internal temperature of 165 degrees F on a meat thermometer. When you cut into a meatball, it should be cooked through.
- Air Fryer. If you want to know how to make turkey meatballs, follow my Air Fryer Meatballs recipe.
- Without Breadcrumbs. Those looking for turkey meatballs without breadcrumbs can check out my paleo Whole30 Meatballs, which use almond flour instead.
- Gluten-Free. Swap the Italian breadcrumbs in this recipe for your favorite Italian gluten free breadcrumbs. You also could experiment with making the meatballs with oats that are lightly ground in the food processor (add additional seasoning to the oats, such as salt, pepper, and Italian seasoning).
- To Store. Refrigerate meatballs in an airtight storage container for up to 4 days (either with or separately from the sauce).
- To Reheat. Reheat leftovers gently on the stovetop, in the oven at 350 degrees F, or in the microwave (with or without the sauce).
- To Freeze. Turkey meatballs can be frozen cooked or raw. Place meatballs on a parchment-lined baking sheet and freeze until solid. Transfer frozen meatballs to an airtight freezer-safe storage container or ziptop bag for up to 3 months.
The BEST Baked Turkey Meatballs | LOADED With of Flavor!
FAQ
What color should turkey meatballs be when cooked?
How to tell if turkey meatballs are done without a thermometer?
How to tell if meatballs are cooked?
Can turkey meatballs be a little pink inside?