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Flavorful Turkish Meatballs Recipe with Easy Creamy Yogurt Sauce

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Juicy Turkish meatballs bursting with warm spices, perfectly balanced by a cool, creamy homemade yogurt sauce. A quick and easy recipe ideal for weeknights or entertaining.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 lb (450 g) ground beef (80/20 lean-to-fat ratio)
  • 1 medium onion, finely grated
  • 2 garlic cloves, minced
  • 1/4 cup (15 g) fresh parsley, finely chopped
  • 1 tsp ground cumin
  • 1 tsp ground paprika
  • 1/2 tsp ground black pepper
  • 1 tsp salt
  • 1/2 cup (50 g) breadcrumbs (use gluten-free if needed)
  • 1 large egg, room temperature
  • 2 tbsp olive oil (extra virgin recommended)
  • 1 cup (240 ml) Greek yogurt
  • 1 garlic clove, minced
  • 1 tbsp fresh dill, finely chopped (optional)
  • 1 tbsp fresh lemon juice
  • Salt and pepper to taste
  • 1 tbsp olive oil drizzle

Instructions

  1. In a large bowl, combine ground beef, grated onion, minced garlic, chopped parsley, cumin, paprika, black pepper, salt, breadcrumbs, and egg. Mix gently with clean hands until just combined; avoid overmixing.
  2. Wet your hands slightly and shape the mixture into small meatballs about 1 to 1.5 inches in diameter. You should get 20-24 meatballs. Place them spaced out on a plate or tray.
  3. Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium heat. Add meatballs in a single layer without crowding. Cook for 4-5 minutes per side until golden brown and cooked through (internal temperature 160°F / 71°C). Cook in batches if necessary.
  4. While meatballs cook, whisk together Greek yogurt, minced garlic, chopped dill, lemon juice, salt, and pepper in a small bowl. Adjust seasoning and chill if possible.
  5. Arrange cooked meatballs on a serving dish. Spoon the creamy yogurt sauce over them and drizzle with olive oil for extra richness.

Notes

Do not overmix the meatball mixture to keep them tender. Grate the onion finely to release moisture and keep meatballs juicy. Cook meatballs over medium heat and avoid overcrowding the pan to ensure even browning. Use full-fat Greek yogurt for the sauce and adjust consistency with water or lemon juice if needed. Meatballs can be baked at 400°F (200°C) for 20-25 minutes as a healthier alternative.

Nutrition

Keywords: Turkish meatballs, yogurt sauce, easy dinner, ground beef recipe, Mediterranean, quick meatballs, creamy sauce

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