These juicy low-carb Italian turkey meatballs with zucchini are keto, gluten-free, and quick for a healthy weeknight dinner. No bread crumbs or eggs, with oven-baked and air fryer options!
Juiciest turkey meatballs without breadcrumbs
These no-breadcrumb low-carb turkey meatballs are about to become one of your go-to meals! They are so incredibly tender, juicy, moist, and have the BEST flavor.
Most meatball recipes call for eggs to keep them juicy, but these turkey meatballs don’t need eggs because we add shredded zucchini to keep them moist. This is such a cool and simple healthy cooking hack!
Trust me, you can’t tell there is zuchinni in them. I call them secretly healthy because of the hidden vegetables inside the meatballs. Adding zucchini also makes them low-carb and keto.
These delicious Italian-flavored zucchini turkey meatballs are perfectly paired with any tomato sauce, pesto, pasta, or zucchini noodles. They are baked in the oven in under 18 minutes and work great for family dinners, meal prep, or date night!
Why you’ll love this low-carb meatball recipe:
- So Juicy: The juiciest turkey meatballs I have ever eaten.
- Hidden Veggies: We hide an entire zucchini inside the meatballs – you can’t tell!
- No Breadcrumbs: These turkey meatballs are low-carb and keto.
- Healthy: Made with simple, nourishing ingredients.
- Versatile: Pair them with pasta, zucchini noodles, red sauce, or pesto.
- Meal Prep: They keep well for 5 days or 3 months when frozen.
- Kid-Approved: Your kids will love these flavorful meatballs with hidden veggies.
- High Protein: Each serving has over 28 grams of protein.
- Try these super juicy keto turkey burgers next!
Ingredients needed
These super juicy zucchini turkey meatballs call for simple and wholesome ingredients. My favorite part is that you don’t need eggs or breadcrumbs for this recipe! Here is a list of ingredients so you have everything prepared:
- Ground Turkey: Ground turkey is a fantastic source of lean protein! I recommend using 94% lean ground turkey for these meatballs since we aren’t adding eggs or breadcrumbs.
- Zucchini: This is the secret ingredient to making these meatballs super juicy without breadcrumbs or eggs. Plus, you cannot taste it, so it’s a great way to sneak in some veggies.
- Yellow Onion: Finely diced or shredded onion adds the best flavor and extra juiciness! You can also use white onion.
- Dijon Mustard: This adds a flavor punch!
- Spices: For the absolute best flavor, add in 1 teaspoon of garlic powder, ½ teaspoon of onion powder, ½ teaspoon of dried oregano, crushed red pepper flakes (optional), salt, and pepper.
Kitchen tools needed
Here is a simple list of kitchen tools you need to make these keto turkey meatballs. You can actually oven-bake or air-fry them – I left instructions below!
- Box Grater
- Dish Cloth or Cheese Cloth
- Baking Sheet or Air Fryer
- Mixing Bowl
- Measuring Tools: 1/2 teaspoon, 1 teaspoon, and 1/3 cup.
How to make juicy zucchini turkey meatballs
Say hello to your new under-30-minute healthy keto dinner! These zucchini turkey meatballs come together in two steps: preparing the turkey mixture and cooking the meatballs. You can air fry or bake them. Here are detailed step-by-step instructions with pictures for any level cook:
Step 1:
To begin, preheat the oven to 400°F and line a baking sheet with parchment paper. If you are air-frying the meatballs, preheat your air fryer to 370°F (188°C).
Step 2:
Then, using a box grater, finely grate the zucchini. Remove moisture using a milk bag, cheesecloth, or layered paper towels. You can also use a hand strainer and firmly press down with a spoon over a sink until all moisture is removed. Look at the photos above for reference.
Step 3:
Next, combine all ingredients in a mixing bowl and form 20 – 24 small golf-ball-sized meatballs. Evenly space them across the lined baking sheet and bake for 15 – 18 minutes, until slightly browned on the outside and cooked through. If you are air frying, I left instructions in the next section.
Step 4:
Meanwhile, cook pasta in a large pot on the stovetop according to the box instructions, drain, and combine with the marinara sauce in the original pot. You can also use zucchini noodles to make this meal 100% low-carb and keto.
Step 5:
Finally, remove your keto turkey meatballs from the oven and add them to the pasta pot. Mix and heat until the sauce is warm. Then, serve with a sprinkle of parmesan and fresh basil.
Expert recipe tips:
- Remove Excess Liquid from Shredded Zucchini: Ensure all liquid is drained from the shredded zucchini. This is my #1 tip; straining is crucial! Without this step, the meatballs may fall apart.
- Don’t Overmix: Mix the ingredients until just combined. Overmixing can result in dense meatballs. Use a light hand to keep the texture tender.
- Be Mindful of Baking Time: Keep a close eye on the clock! I recommend checking your meatballs around the 15-minute mark. Carefully remove one from the oven and cut it in half. If there is no pink inside, they are done!
- Opt for 94% Lean Ground Turkey: This ensures the meatballs remain exceptionally moist, especially since no eggs or breadcrumbs are in this recipe.
How to air fry zucchini turkey meatballs:
You can air fry these meatballs if you don’t want to bake them! Here are step-by-step instructions:
- Preheat your air fryer to 370°F (188°C) and lightly grease the basket with cooking spray or line it with parchment paper.
- Make the meatball mixture, then shape it into 16 – 20 meatballs using a scooper or your hands and place them on a plate.
- Once the air fryer is preheated, arrange the meatballs evenly in the basket, ensuring they do not overlap. If your air fryer is small, cook the meatballs in batches.
- Air fry the meatballs for 8 – 10 minutes, flipping them halfway through the cooking time. Ensure the meatballs’ internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C) to ensure they are fully cooked.
Serve your air fryer zucchini turkey meatballs with pasta, zucchini noodles, red sauce, or pesto. So good!
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I air fry them?
Absolutely! You can air fryer these zuchinni turkey meatballs in under 15 minutes. I left instructions in the recipe card below.
Are zucchini turkey meatballs healthy?
Yes, these zucchini turkey meatballs are healthy because we use fresh and basic ingredients – they are high in protein, low-carb, keto, gluten-free, and SO DELICIOUS!
Are these meatballs gluten-free?
Yes, these turkey meatballs are gluten-free since no bread crumbs are added.
Are turkey meatballs healthier than beef meatballs?
Turkey meatballs are generally healthier than beef meatballs since turkey is a leaner, low-fat protein.
Are these turkey meatballs low-carb?
Yes, these turkey meatballs are low-carb since there are no bread crumbs. Not only are they gluten-free, but they are keto too!
How do you keep the meatballs from falling apart without an egg?
This meatball recipe doesn’t need eggs or breadcrumbs because we use 94% lean turkey, which naturally holds together. If your meatballs are falling apart, you did not remove the liquid from the zucchini.
Do they keep well for meal prep?
Absolutely! These keto Italian turkey meatballs keep well in the fridge for up to 5 days in an airtight container. You can reheat them in the microwave for a quick meal prep lunch or dinner.
How to store, freeze, and reheat turkey meatballs:
Storing: Allow meatballs to cool to room temperature, then add them to an airtight container and store them in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.
Freezing: For best results, store turkey meatballs without sauce. Let them cool to room temperature, then add them to a freezer-safe bag and freeze for up to 3 months.
Reheating: Reheat refrigerated meatballs in the microwave for 60 – 90 seconds until warm. Reheat frozen meatballs in a pot on the stovetop with pasta sauce – simmer on low until warm.
If you loved this recipe, try these low-carb ones next!
- Chicken Bolognese
- Air Fryer Chicken Thighs
- Teriyaki Turkey Meatballs
- Keto Taco Lettuce Wraps
- Chicken Parmesan Stuffed Spaghetti Squash
- Air Fryer Chicken Sausages
- Cilantro Lime Chicken Burgers
- Air Fryer BBQ Chicken Breasts
Did you make this recipe?
If you make this recipe, be sure to comment and rate it down below. Also, don’t forget to tag me @healthfulblondie on Instagram and use the hashtag #healthfulblondie so I can see your delicious creation and share it with my followers!
Zucchini Turkey Meatballs (Keto)
Ingredients
- 1 lb ground turkey, 94% lean
- 1 medium zucchini, 1 cup after excess liquid remove – see instructions
- ⅓ cup diced yellow onion, finely diced
- 1 tsp dijon mustard
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- ½ tsp onion powder
- ½ tsp dried oregano
- ½ tsp crushed red pepper flakes, optional
- 1 tsp salt, or to taste
- ½ tsp ground pepper, or to taste
- For Serving: 8oz of pasta and 3 cups of marinara sauce,
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 400°F and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- Using a box grater, finely grate the zucchini. Remove moisture using a milk bag, cheesecloth, or layered paper towels. You can also use a hand strainer and firmly press down with a spoon over a sink until all moisture is removed.
- Combine all ingredients in a mixing bowl.
- Form 20 – 24 small golf-ball-sized meatballs and evenly space them across the lined baking sheet.
- Bake for 15 – 18 minutes, until slightly browned on the outside and cooked through.
- Meanwhile, cook pasta in a large pot on the stovetop according to the box instructions, drain, and combine with the marinara sauce in the original pot.
- Remove meatballs from the oven and add to the pasta pot. Mix and heat until the sauce is warm.
- Serve with a sprinkle of parmesan and fresh basil.
Notes
- Preheat your air fryer to 370°F (188°C) and lightly grease the basket with cooking spray or line it with parchment paper.
- Make the meatball mixture, then shape it into 16 – 20 meatballs using a scooper or your hands and place them on a plate.
- Once the air fryer is preheated, arrange the meatballs evenly in the basket, ensuring they do not overlap. If your air fryer is small, cook the meatballs in batches.
- Air fry the meatballs for 8 – 10 minutes, flipping them halfway through the cooking time. Ensure the meatballs’ internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C) to ensure they are fully cooked.
Nutrition
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Caroline Hold says
I made these for family last night and they were amazing. Super flavorful and delicious!
Tati Chermayeff says
Hi Caroline, thanks for your comment! So happy you and your family enjoyed them!
Carolina Carrera-Justiz says
Loved these turkey meatballs! They’re healthy and so yummy! The zucchini is a nice addition 🙂
Tati Chermayeff says
Hi Carolina! Thanks so much; I am so happy you loved this easy recipe!
Christine Allen says
So good!! love these so much.
Carol Stearns says
These were very good but a little too much pepper. I would leave one of the pepper ingredients out of them next time I make them. However, the process was fun to make. Never had shredded zucchini and then squeezed out the water and I appreciated all that healthy goodness of the veggie. I left out the mustard by mistake but it would add some zing and would definitely leave out one pepper. If you are on a diet where you can’t have any sugar, flour or grain at dinner, this is for you. I would consider trying these with ground sirloin as well. And could you make a meat loaf with ground beef and the zucchini, leaving out oats or breadcrumbs? I think so. I’m not a fan of zucchini but if I can use it in this kind of recipe, I’m all for it.