Greek Turkey Meatballs With Creamy Lemon Feta Orzo

Ground turkey is combined with feta, spinach, grated onion, and red wine vinegar to make these Greek Turkey Meatballs.  While the meatballs cook in the oven, you can prepare a simple lemon orzo pasta with feta and spinach for a delicious and easy to prepare meal in under 40 minutes.

By infusing with moisture-rich veggies, we end up with moist meatballs.   This recipe calls for a grated onion plus the juice and fresh chopped spinach, which helps keep the meatballs moist.

The meatballs are full of flavor and when paired with a creamy spinach orzo with lemon and feta, you have a complete weeknight meal that kids and adults alike will rave about.

Ingredients in Greek Turkey Meatballs

• Ground turkey - we are keeping these meatballs lighter by using 93% lean ground turkey rather than ground beef.

• Italian style breadcrumbs - necessary as a binding agent in the meatballs.  The breadcrumbs also give the meatballs a nice texture.   You can use whole wheat breadcrumbs, panko or gluten-free breadcrumbs if necessary.

• Fresh spinach, chopped - adding nutrients and moisture, the spinach also adds color and texture to the meatballs.

• Yellow onion - we grate the yellow onion to provide moisture to the ground turkey.  Be sure to add the onion and associated liquid that is released during grating for moist, tender meatballs

• Fresh garlic - the garlic is also grated or finely minced to add flavor to the meatballs

• Feta cheese is crumbled to act as a binder and also give incredible salty and tangy flavor to the meatballs

• Red wine vinegar - a typical ingredient in Greek-style meatballs, the vinegar adds moisture and unique flavor

• Fresh and dried herbs - we use dried oregano, salt, pepper, fresh mint and fresh parsley in these meatballs to round out the flavor profile and give an earthy, yet bright punch of flavor.

• Egg - the binder in the meatballs, one beaten egg is all that's needed.

• Olive oil - the oil is used to brush the tops of the meatballs before baking to ensure a golden brown color and it also adds moisture and healthy fat to the meatballs.

Ingredients in the Creamy Lemon Feta Orzo

The orzo is prepared in a skillet with just the right amount of water or broth.  It's infused with garlic and onion as well as fresh spinach, feta, lemon juice and lemon zest for a flavorful combo.

• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 1 yellow onion, diced
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 cup orzo pasta
• 2 cups water or broth
• 2 oz feta cheese
• 1 cup spinach, chopped
• 1 lemon zest and juice
• salt and pepper to taste

How to Make Greek Turkey Meatballs

Preheat the oven to 450° F.  Line a large baking sheet with parchment paper and set aside.

In a large bowl, combine the ground turkey, breadcrumbs, chopped spinach, grated onion, minced garlic, crumbled feta, red wine vinegar, oregano, mint, parsley, egg, salt, and pepper.  Stir well with your hand or a wooden spoon until combined.

Form and shape the meatballs into 1 ½ inch meatballs and place them on the baking sheet.  Brush with olive oil just before baking.

Bake the meatballs for 20 to 25 minutes

Meanwhile, heat a large skillet over medium-high heat and add the olive oil and the diced onion.  Cook until soft and translucent, about 2-3 minutes.  Add the minced garlic and cook until fragrant.

Add the orzo pasta and the water or broth to the skillet and bring to a boil.  Reduce to a simmer and cook until the liquid is absorbed for about 12 minutes.  Add the feta cheese, chopped spinach, lemon zest, and juice of one lemon to the orzo and stir until the spinach is wilted and everything is combined.  Season with salt and pepper to taste.

What to Serve with Greek Turkey Meatballs 

Serve the meatballs over the orzo and pair them with a simple Greek salad, tzatziki sauce, and toasted pita bread if desired.

Greek Turkey Meatballs With Lemon Orzo

An easy and delicious weeknight meal, ground turkey is combined with feta, spinach, grated onion, and red wine vinegar to make Greek Turkey Meatballs.  While the meatballs cook in the oven, you can prepare a simple lemon orzo pasta with feta and spinach for a complete meal in under 40 minutes. 

5 from 8 votes

Print Pin Rate

Course: Main Course

Cuisine: Greek

Keyword: Greek Turkey Meatballs

Prep Time: 15 minutes minutes

Cook Time: 25 minutes minutes

Total Time: 40 minutes minutes

Servings: 5 servings

Author: Eva

Ingredients

Greek Turkey Meatballs

• 1 pound ground turkey
• ½ cup Italian style breadcrumbs
• 1 cup spinach chopped
• 1 onion grated, or finely diced
• 3 cloves garlic minced or grated
• ¼ cup feta cheese crumbled
• 1 tablespoon red wine vinegar
• 1 teaspoon dried oregano
• 1 tablespoon fresh mint chopped
• 1 tablespoon fresh parsley chopped
• 1 large egg
• salt and pepper to taste
• olive oil

Creamy Lemon Feta Orzo

• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 1 yellow onion diced
• 2 cloves garlic minced
• 1 cup orzo pasta
• 2 cups water or broth
• 2 oz feta cheese
• 1 cup spinach chopped
• 1 lemon zest and juice
• salt and pepper to taste

Instructions

• Preheat the oven to 450° F.  Line a large baking sheet with parchment paper and set aside.
• In a large bowl, combine the ground turkey, breadcrumbs, chopped spinach, grated onion, minced garlic, crumbled feta, red wine vinegar, oregano, mint, parsley, egg, salt, and pepper.  Stir well with your hand or a wooden spoon until combined.
• Form and shape the meatballs into 1 ½ inch meatballs and place them on the baking sheet.  Brush with olive oil just before baking.
• Bake the meatballs for 20 to 25 minutes
• Meanwhile, heat a large skillet over medium-high heat and add the olive oil and the diced onion.  Cook until soft and translucent, about 2-3 minutes.  Add the minced garlic and cook until fragrant.
• Add the orzo pasta and the water or broth to the skillet and bring to a boil.  Reduce to a simmer and cook until the liquid is absorbed for about 12 minutes.  Add the feta cheese, chopped spinach, lemon zest, and juice of one lemon to the orzo and stir until the spinach is wilted and everything is combined.  Season with salt and pepper to taste.
• Serve the meatballs over the orzo and pair them with a simple Greek salad, tzatziki sauce, and toasted pita bread if desired.