• Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
Cubes N Juliennes
  • Home
  • Recipes
  • Course
    • Soups
    • Salads
    • Appetizers
    • Side Dish
    • Main Course
    • Desserts
    • Breakfast
  • About Me
  • Subscribe
menu icon
go to homepage
subscribe
search icon
Homepage link
  • Home
  • Recipe Index
  • Appetizers
  • Salads
  • Soups
  • Desserts
  • Main Course
  • Instant Pot
  • About Me
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • Twitter
    • YouTube
  • ×

    Home » Recipes » Dinner

    Baked Turkey Meatballs in Lemon Butter Sauce

    Published: Apr 12, 2022 || Last updated: Dec 9, 2022 by Farrukh Aziz

    57 shares
    Jump to Recipe

    These Baked Turkey Meatballs in Lemon Butter Sauce are a wonderful weeknight, dinners, appetizers or a side dish or can even be served on their own. Made with zesty lemon and other flavorful spices and greens, these are sure to become a family favorite and bonus points for being freezer friendly.

    Baked turkey meatballs in lemon butter sauce in a casserole dish with slices of lemon.

    Jump to:
    • Why you should try these Turkey Meatballs?
    • Ingredients
    • How do you make Baked Turkey Meatballs in Sauce?
    • Expert Tips
    • FAQs
    • Variation
    • Serving Idea
    • More Delicious Recipes for you:
    • 📖 Recipe

    Why you should try these Turkey Meatballs?

    These juicy turkey meatballs are healthy for you, easy to make and baked for the ultimate flavor. This easy meatballs dish is so delicious that the entire family won't realize just how healthy it is.

    The notes of lemon, garlic and dijon mustard make for an intensely flavorful dish that you won't be able to get enough of.

    Taking only 35 minutes, this dish is perfect for weeknights. Includes simple ingredients that everyone has heard of before, so no fancy or hard to find ingredients will be on this list.

    Baked turkey meatballs is a very freezer friendly dish that can be meal prepped and made quickly any day of the week. They will last in the freezer for up to 3 months and then you just thaw overnight in the fridge and bake in the oven or microwave until they are warm all the way through.

    This is surely to become a family favorite once they get a taste of the delicious flavors of lemon, garlic and dijon mustard.

    Ingredients

    Each ingredient correctly measured into glass bowls for turkey meatballs and lemon sauce.

    For the meatballs

    • Lean Ground Turkey: The base for the meatballs and a healthier alternative to red meat.
    • Onion: finely chopped onion and chopped green onions give the meatballs a nice crunch and tangy flavor. 
    • Panko Crumbs: These will help the meatballs ‘stick together’ so they won’t fall apart. 
    • Garlic: I love using garlic in recipes, its an ingredient that you can never have too much of. 
    • Eggs: Will also aid in the meatballs ‘sticking together’. 
    • Dijon mustard: I love using Dijon mustard to enrich the flavors and bring the full flavors of a dish to life. 
    • Parmesan Cheese: Grated parmesan cheese gives the meatballs a much needed cheesy and salty combination that pairs well with garlic. 
    • Salt and Freshly Cracked Pepper: key spices in nearly every dish and use as needed. 
    • Red Pepper Flakes: use more or less than the recipe calls for depending on how spicy you prefer the dish to be. 
    •  Fresh Parsley: Parsley will add a hint of freshness to the Turkey Meatballs.

    For the Lemon Butter Sauce

    • Unsalted butter: As the name implies, butter is a main component of this sauce. 
    • Lemon Juice and Lemon Zest: You can’t have a delicious flavorful Lemon Butter Sauce without lemon juice and lemon zest. 
    • Garlic: Everything is better with a little garlic. 
    • Fresh Thyme and Parsley: for the perfect hint of freshness and aroma. 
    • Red Pepper Flakes: Needed to give the sauce a little bit of spice. 
    • Salt and Pepper: to taste.
    Baked turkey meatballs in lemon butter sauce with one in a metal spoon.

    How do you make Baked Turkey Meatballs in Sauce?

    Prep the ingredients:  First, prep the ingredients by measuring and cutting up all of the ingredients such as the onions, parsley, lemon juice, etc. Pre-heat the oven to 400F.

    In a large bowl, add the ground turkey, onion, green onions, panko crumbs, minced garlic, egg, dijon mustard, parmesan, salt and pepper, red pepper flakes and ½ cup of fresh parsley.

    All the ingredients for the turkey meatballs in a glass bowl.

    Next, using a spatula, hands or fork, mix everything until just combined. Do not overmix.

    The ingredients for baked turkey meatballs combined into a glass bowl.

    With a spoon (or a cookie scoop), scoop the meat mixture and roll into 1½-2 inch meatball. You should get around 18-20 meatballs depending upon the size of the balls.

    The mixture for the Turkey meatballs rolled into a 1 ½ inch ball in a hand over a glass bowl.

    Next, Place the prepared meatballs on a greased baking dish and brush the top with the melted butter. Bake the meatballs for 12-15 minutes or until the meatballs are cook all the way through.

    All rolled turkey meatballs lined up in a casserole dish.

    While the meatballs are cooking in the oven, combine all the ingredients for the lemon butter sauce and whisk well.

    The ingredients for the Lemon butter sauce mixed in a glass measuring cup with a small whisk and hand holding the measuring cup.

    Remove the baked meatballs from the oven, pour the prepared sauce and sprinkle some roughly torn fresh thyme. Pop it back into the oven and bake for another 8-10 minutes ensuring meatballs should not be dry or overcooked.

    Pouring the lemon butter sauce from a cup into the turkey meatballs in the casserole dish.

    Serve the meatballs topped with sauce over your favorite rice, quinoa, pasta along with a side salad and enjoy!

    Fully baked turkey meatballs in lemon butter sauce in a casserole dish ready to be served.

    Expert Tips

    Chilled ground turkey : All of the ingredients are chilled except for the melted butter.

    To make juicy meatballs: add plenty of great flavors like herbs and spices.

    Keeping the meatballs moist: you can add dark turkey meat with white or add little butter/ another healthy fat or oil, or little milk to the mixture.

    Same sized meatballs: Keeping the same size or as close as possible will ensure that all the meatballs are cooked evenly.

    Avoid over-mixing: Be light on mixing the turkey mixture and refrain from over-working as it will result in dry meatballs.

    FAQs

    Can you fry the turkey meatballs?

    Yes, you can shallow fry the meatballs in the skillet or pan until cooked thoroughly.

    How long do the meatballs last in the fridge?

    These juicy baked meatballs in sauce will stay good in the fridge for up to 4 days.

    Can this be frozen?

    Yes, this is a very freezer friendly meal and will be kept good frozen for up to 3 months.

    how to reheat the meatballs?

    Thaw the frozen meatballs overnight in the fridge then reheat on the stove or in the microwave for 1-2 minutes until warm thoroughly.

    Baked turkey meatballs in lemon butter sauce in a glass casserole dish with one in a spoon.

    Variation

    You can use any kind of meat when making these juicy baked meatballs. Feel free to use ground chicken, beef or lamb instead of turkey.

    Serving Idea

    These Juicy turkey meatballs pair very well with my Roasted Garlic Mashed Potatoes, Roasted Asparagus, Arugula Salad or Mixed Green Salad. You can these yummy meatballs over my Jeera Rice, Quinoa, pasta, noodles, with Rosemary Potatoes or Roasted Potatoes and Carrots.

    More Delicious Recipes for you:

    • Crispy Corn Cheese Balls
    • Pesto Pasta Salad
    • Tomato Spinach Pasta
    • Peach Salad
    • Za'atar Roasted Potatoes

    If you made this recipe for my Turkey Meatballs in Lemon Butter Sauce, please be sure to rate and review it below!

    If you'd like more deliciously easy recipe inspiration, follow me on Instagram, Pinterest, Facebook or YouTube. You can also get all of my newest content delivered straight to your inbox by signing up for my email newsletter.

    📖 Recipe

    Baked turkey meatballs in lemon butter sauce in a glass casserole dish with one in a spoon.
    4.23 from 31 votes
    Print

    Baked Turkey Meatballs in Lemon Butter Sauce

    Baked Turkey Meatballs in Lemon Butter Sauce are a wonderful weeknight dinners, appetizers or a side dish or can even be served on their own. Made with zesty lemon and other flavorful spices and greens, these are sure to become a family favorite.
    Course Dinner, Main Course
    Cuisine American
    Diet Non Vegetarian
    Prep Time 10 minutes
    Cook Time 25 minutes
    Total Time 35 minutes
    Servings 4
    Calories 310kcal
    Author Farrukh Aziz

    Ingredients
     

    For Meatballs

    • 1 pound Lean Ground Turkey (chilled)
    • 1 small Onion (finely chopped)
    • ½ cup Green Onions (chopped)
    • 3 tablespoons Panko Crumbs
    • 3 cloves Garlic (minced)
    • 1 large Egg
    • 1 teaspoon Dijon Mustard
    • 2 tablespoons Parmesan Cheese (grated)
    • 1 teaspoon Salt (or as needed)
    • Freshly Cracked Pepper as needed (or as needed)
    • ½ teaspoon Red Pepper Flakes
    • ½ cup Fresh Parsley (finely chopped)

    For Lemon butter Sauce

    • ¼ cup Unsalted Butter (melted)
    • ¼ cup Lemon Juice
    • 1 teaspoon Lemon Zest
    • 1 clove Garlic (minced)
    • Few Sprigs of Fresh Thyme
    • ¼ teaspoon Red Pepper Flakes
    • Salt and pepper to taste
    • 1 tablespoon Fresh Parsley
    Prevent your screen from going dark

    Instructions

    Making Meatballs

    • Pre-heat the oven at 400°F.
    • Ina a large bowl, add the ground turkey, onion, green onions, panko crumbs, minced garlic, egg, dijon mustard, parmesan, salt, pepper, red pepper flakes and ½ cup fresh parsley.
    • Using, spatula, hand or fork, mix everything until just combined. Do not overmix.
    • With a spoon (or a cookie scoop), scoop the meat mixture and roll into 1½-2 inch meatball. You should get around 18-20 meatballs depending upon the size of the balls.
    • Place the prepared meatballs on greased baking dish and brush the top with the melted butter.
    • Bake the meatballs for 12-15 minutes or until its cooked through.

    Making Lemon Butter Sauce

    • While the meatballs cook in the oven, combine all the ingredients for lemon butter sauce in a bowl and whisk well.
    • Remove the baked meatballs from the oven, pour the prepared sauce and sprinkle some roughly torn fresh thyme. Pop it back into the oven and bake for another 8-10 minutes ensuring meatballs should not be dry or overcooked.

    Serving Turkey Meatballs

    • Serve the meatballs topped with sauce over your favorite rice, quinoa, pasta along with a side salad or mashed potatoes and enjoy!

    Notes

    Variation: You can use any kind of meat when making these juicy baked meatballs. Feel free to use ground chicken, beef or lamb instead of turkey.
    Chilled ground turkey : All of the ingredients are chilled except for the melted butter.
    To make juicy meatballs: add plenty of great flavors like herbs and spices.
    Keeping the meatballs moist: you can add dark turkey meat with white or add little butter/ another healthy fat or oil, or little milk to the mixture.
    Same sized meatballs: Keeping the same size or as close as possible will ensure that all the meatballs are cooked evenly.
    Avoid over-mixing: Be light on mixing the turkey mixture and refrain from over-working as it will result in dry meatballs.
     

    Nutrition

    Calories: 310kcal | Carbohydrates: 11g | Protein: 31g | Fat: 16g | Saturated Fat: 9g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 2g | Monounsaturated Fat: 4g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 141mg | Sodium: 782mg | Potassium: 517mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 2g | Vitamin A: 1424IU | Vitamin C: 22mg | Calcium: 91mg | Iron: 2mg
    Tried this recipe?Tag @cubesnjuliennes on Instagram and hashtag it #cubesnjuliennes!
    « Italian Seasoning Recipe
    Strawberry Salsa »

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

      Leave a Reply Cancel reply

      Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

      Recipe Rating




    1. Kelly

      October 31, 2022 at 3:26 pm

      I love this recipe so much!!! It’s decadent and bright. Serve them over zoodles and it is GREAT for my husband’s diet. Thank you!!!

      Reply

    Primary Sidebar

    Hi There!

    Display Photo of Farrukh Aziz

    I am Farrukh, the face behind this beautiful recipe blog Cubes N Juliennes. I am a microbiologist by qualification turned into a Food enthusiast... Know more about me ->

    Readers Favourite Recipes

    • Authentic Greek Tzatziki sauce served in blue bowl with some pita chips on the side.
      Greek Tzatziki Sauce (Video)

    • Authentic Mexican Rice topped with avocados served in grey ceramic bowl with spoon into it.
      How To Make Mexican Rice (Video)

    • close up shot of homemade guacamole dip and yellow tortilla chips
      Best Guacamole Recipe

    • Overhead shot of shaved brussels sprouts salad in a white oblong serving dish on a white tabletop with a white linen and a silver spoon
      Chicken and Shaved Brussel Sprout Salad

    • Pile of vegetable spring rolls on a white plate garnished with green onions
      Vegetarian Spring Rolls

    • Healthy onion cucumber tomato salad in wooden bowl with fork in it.
      Onion Cucumber Tomato Salad

    Most Popular Recipes

    Best Tandoori Chicken
    Spicy Chicken Fry
    South Indian Rava Upma
    Best Prawn Biryani (Dum Style)
    Mutton Keema Samosa
    Crispy Bread Rolls

    Footer

    ↑ back to top

    About

    About Farrukh

    Media mentions

    Privacy Policy

    Accessibility Policy

    Lets Connect

    • Facebook
    • Pinterest
    • YouTube
    • Instagram
    • Twitter

    Sign Up for updates !

    Contact

    Contact me !

    My Photography Portfolio

    Banner displaying popular websites like Parade.com, Delish.com, sheknows, buzzfeed, yahoo and saveur that has features content from Cubes N Juliennes.