This feta-stuffed Greek turkey meatballs recipe is going to be your new FAVORITE meatball recipe! Tons of Greek flavors, and a delicious garlic yogurt sauce to serve with.
I am very excitedly typing up this post from my very own office!
It may be in the basement…there may be storage boxes piled nearly to the ceiling beside me…and there may only be one tiny, obscured window, but this is the first Sweet Peas & Saffron post I’ve written in a verrry long time while not sitting on the couch or in bed. I know. Terrible, right?
I used to have an office, then it became the nursery, and all my stuff was shuffled into the Man Cave. Then the Man Cave became where things {and plants} went to die. But seeing that at some date in the {hopefully} near future I will be full-time writing my thesis, I have set up the Man Cave Shared Cave as my new office, complete with a gorrrgeous brand-spanking new iMac. Seriously. In. Love.
I do have to keep reminding myself that it’s for thesis writing…but I can’t help wondering how much easier it will be to edit photos on a 27 inch screen versus my 13-inch Mac Book Pro screen! I basically want to lick the photos for this feta-stuffed Greek turkey meatballs recipe off my screen 😉
Looking for more turkey meatballs? Check out these Healthy Baked Turkey Meatballs (7 Flavors)
In celebration of my new office I made meatballs! Ha. No.
But it’s funny that I somehow managed to make two dishes this week which are ‘stuffed’. First there were the Cherry-Stuffed Brownie Bites aka: Black Forest Brownie Bites, and now these glorious meatballs. Happy coincidence!
I don’t know where my ideas come from, but I have seen mozzarella-stuffed meatballs floating around on the inter-webs, and the wheels got-a-turning and then there was this feta-stuffed Greek turkey meatballs recipe. Which taste almost the same as the Greek Turkey Burgers with Whipped Feta that I made in the summer.
I have made some pretty bad turkey meatballs in the past {but not on this blog}…they were dry, so boring, so flavorless. And chewy!
These are NOT those meatballs! They have so much flavor, from lemon juice and zest, oregano, garlic, and {duh} feta cheese! These meatballs are not subtle in the flavor department, which is fitting because I don’t think that Greek food is all that subtle.
The meatballs on their own would be pretty good, but that cube of feta that is stuffed inside gets all gooey and melty and takes this feta-stuffed Greek turkey meatballs recipe to the next level of heaven.
We had these for lunch last week-end {before the plague monster cold hit me}, but they would make a perfect appetizer, or dinner.
The recipe only makes 12 meatballs, but they are fairly hefty, so I would say this serves three…feel free to double or triple the recipe for a crowd or larger family.
Looking at these meatballs on my ginormous 27 inch screen is making me hungry! Hazards of food blogging, I guess 😉
Happy Friday!
You may also like:
Greek Turkey Burgers with Whipped Feta
Moroccan Chickpea Sliders with Spicy Harissa Mayo and Mint
Feta-Stuffed Greek Turkey Meatballs Recipe
Ingredients
Meatballs
- 500 g ground turkey
- 2 tbsp lemon juice
- 2 tsp lemon zest
- 2 cloves garlic minced
- 2 tsp dried oregano
- 1 tsp worcestershire sauce
- 20 or so grinds of pepper {depending on taste}
- 1/2 tsp salt
- approximately 2/3 cup feta cut into 3/4 inch cubes
- vegetable oil for frying {2-4 tbsp}
Lemon-Garlic Yogurt Sauce
- 3/4 cup plain yogurt
- 1/4 tsp salt
- 1 tsp lemon zest
- 1 clove garlic minced
Instructions
Meatballs
- In a large bowl, mix together all meatball ingredients.
- Form approximately 2 tablespoon-sized balls, patting firmly together.
- Tuck a cube of feta inside, making sure to seal all around it. You want the meatballs to be fairly compact so they don't break apart during frying.
- Heat oil over medium-low heat {just enough oil to coat the bottom of the pan}.
- Fry meatballs for 2-3 minutes per side, turning frequently. Mine took 15 minutes to cook through.
- To check if cooked through middle, cut a meatball open and look for uncooked turkey meat.
- Drain on paper towel and serve immediately.
Lemon-Garlic Yogurt Sauce
- Combine all ingredients and mix until smooth.
- Serve as a dip, or over-top of meatballs.
Notes
Nutrition
Products used in this recipe:
Fotini
That looks sooo good! Thank you!
Julie
Are you sure it is 2 Tablespoons of lemon zest? Seems a bit much for one pound of turkey…
Denise
Hi Julie, it was the zest of a whole lemon, so it was 2 tablespoons loosely packed.
Janet
I made these tonight and added 1 cup of fresh spinach chopped , and microwaved it with the chopped onion for 1 minute , then squeezed it dry and cooled it. The I added half a cup of breadcrumbs and 1 egg to the turkey/feta mixture. I just added the feta and mixed it in. I used a small cookie scoop for the meatballs and got around 30! I baked them at 350 for 20 minutes and they were delicious. I might add more spinach and more lemon juice next time. My husband liked them and is not usually a turkey meatball fan. I used nonstick reynold foil and turned them over the last ten minutes to brown on two sides. I don’t think I deviated too far from your recipe and it was great! Thank you!
Denise
Wow, those sound like great additions to the meatballs, Janet! Thanks for reporting back 🙂
gloria
Sorry but I won’t be making these again. I even added almost double the listed spices yet they were still lacking. I used good quality ground turkey and grape seed oil for frying. Oh well, they were edible so it wasn’t a total loss!
Denise
That’s so strange because we make these all the time and absolutely love them! One of my readers even makes these on a weekly basis. Did you add the worchestire sauce? That definitely can’t be left out. So sorry you didn’t like them, Gloria!
leslie
No Egg or Breadcrumbs hey? blew my mind! i have them prepped cant wait to cook them up.
Denise
Hi Leslie! I know, right? I like my meatballs without the breadcrumbs and eggs. I hope you liked them!
Jen
Can the meatballs be baked instead of fried? Has anyone tried them baked?
Denise
Hi Jen! I am quoting PJ on this one, who commented on the meatballs on my Facebook page: ” I make these weekly and sometimes twice! They’re awesome fried or baked. If I bake, I do add a splash of olive oil as it keeps them moist and not dry. (375° for 30 minutes on each side I find works best) I also use the whole lemon zested and the entire lemon juice and throw in a handful of Italian bread crumbs to help bind things together” (THANK-YOU, PJ!!) I hope this works for you! Thanks, Jen!
Catherine
Dear Denise, congratulations! How wonderful it is to have your own space to create! My office is in need of a makeover…when your space is kept fresh and exciting, so is your creativity. These meatballs look and sound wonderful. I love how the cheese melted so beautifully. The yogurt sauce is perfect. xo, Catherine
Pj Suttle
I made these this evening – didn’t make the yogurt sauce though (because I forgot the yogurt) and I had to add some breadcrumbs to the turkey because I was a tad over zealous with the lemon. Regardless, quite tasty and very filling – I had 5! The recipe said it yields 12, 15 are what I ended up getting and I used olive oil in lieu of vegetable oil!
Thanks for the recipe Denise! Tomorrow I’m making the guacamole pizza!
Denise
I’m so glad you liked them, PJ! Thanks so much for reporting back 🙂 Hope you enjoy the guacamole pizza!
Poppy
Have you tried it with ground lamb?
Denise
Hi Poppy! No, I haven’t tried it with ground lamb, but I have seen lots of Greek-flavoured meatballs made with ground lamb…I bet the flavours would be perfect together!
chris
I try not to fry things, it’s messy & time comsuming. Can these be oven cooked?
Thanks.
Denise
I agree, Chris! I haven’t tried baking these, if you do, make sure to form very tight meatballs as frying them helped keep them together. For this recipe they baked at 400 F for 15 minutes…you could try that and see how it goes? And it would be great it you reported back here how it went!
Kelly - Life Made Sweeter
Yay for the new office and new computer! So fun! And so are these meatballs! I love that you stuffed them with feta! They look so flavorful and juicy! The lemon garlic yogurt sauce sounds perfect with them!
Isadora
Denise, I can’t believe that you have a full time job, a baby, a blog, and you are doing school work?! I can barely keep up with a blog and a job! I’m impressed! I don’t eat a ton of meat, but I’m kinda obsessed with turkey meatballs and obviously I love greek flavors AND these are stuffed with cheese?!! I want!
Denise
Thanks Isadora 🙂 I am busy, and feel like I have 3 full-time jobs some days, but this blog keep me sane…it is so fun to have a hobby like this (if you can call it a hobby).
Jess @ Flying on Jess Fuel
I really need to make myself a new office! Currently mine is the junk room lol! SO not motivating. Your meatballs sound amazing… love the Greek flavors and that gooey cheese is winning me over!!
Denise
Thanks, Mary Frances! So far I’m loving sitting at a proper desk again 🙂
CakePants
Whoa…these look seriously delicious! I didn’t know that feta even *could* melt…I’m sold!
Denise
Ha ha, me neither! Apparently, it does 😉 Thanks, CakePants!
Gayle @ Pumpkin 'N Spice
You must be loving your new office! I never use my office at home, though I should! I always work from the kitchen table. That way, I can see my husband from across the room and don’t feel like I’m ignoring him for hours on end while I blog! 🙂 This stuffed meatballs look fantastic, Denise! I love that they’re stuffed with feta. Sounds perfect! And that sauce looks amazing!
Denise
I LOOOOVE my new office (although here I sit on the couch again!) It is so much easier to focus sitting at a desk! Thanks, Gayle!
Jess @ whatjessicabakednext
These meatballs look delicious, Denise! I love Greek food – so all those flavours from the lemon and herbs are amazing. Really like the fact they’re stuffed with feta! Yumm!
Denise
I love Greek food, too, Jess! SO much flavor! Thanks 🙂
Nora @ Savory Nothings
I can guarantee you one thing: You’re going to LOVE editing pictures on the iMac instead of on the MacBook – I can’t imagine doing so at all and I adore the iMac more than anything (that sounds so bad, ha!).
My home office is going to be a nursery very soon. So far baby has been sleeping in our room but I think we’re slowly ready to progress a step further 🙂
On another note: These meatballs look beyond amazing. Meatballs were meant to be stuffed with Feta cheese!
Denise
Absolutely, Nora! I have edited photos before on my 13 inch monitor, published the post, and then looked at it on my work monitor and wondered what the heck happened! No more! I just have to figure out if I can download photoshop & lightroom onto my new computer…don’t want to pay for them again 🙁 And you will love having your room back, one little step towards a little more freedom (at least that’s how I felt).
Helen @ Scrummy Lane
Oh, Denise, this is the perfect recipe for me to read about this morning because I am just about to catch a flight to Greece!
My goodness, now you’ve got my mouth watering! It’s a perfect idea to stuff the meatballs with feta – really keen to try that now, especially with those big tubs of feta and oregano I’m going to pick up while over there!
Denise
Oh my gosh, I am so jealous of your trip! I hope you have a great time, Helen!
April @ Girl Gone Gourmet
First, Yum! I love meatballs with special insides 🙂 and Second, Yay! about the new office/computer – I love having my own space to blog, makes it so much easier!
Denise
Thanks, April! I’m LOVING the new setup! So much more efficient!
Natalie @ Tastes Lovely
Congrats on the new office! You must feel like a real fancy grown up now! I do all my editing on the couch. Haha! At least it’s comfy : )
These meatballs sound delicious! How great would these be in a pita pocket? Can’t wait to make these!
Denise
Ha ha, yes, I am such a fancy grown up 😉 Although I may be sitting on the couch right now! Love your idea of the pita pocket! Sounds like the perfect lunch!
Ashley | The Recipe Rebel
We just finished another space to use as an office too! My office also became a nursery, but it was nursery/office for only a couple weeks while my husband was working on our next space. Truth be told, though, I don’t even use it. I’m still sitting at the kitchen table or on the couch with my laptop. Lol. ANYWAY, I’m continually blown away by your creativity in the kitchen!
Denise
That’s awesome, Ashley! I will still probably be couching it a bit, but it’s nice to have a place to go for some quiet…and a decent computer! And thank-you for the HUGE compliment! 🙂 🙂
Sarah@Whole and Heavenly Oven
Oh my heavens. FETA stuffed in a big ‘ol gorgeous meatball? Denise, I need some of your crazy-creative inspiration! These meatballs are pure perfection. Dying over that yogurt sauce!
Denise
Thanks so much, Sarah!