Mediterranean Bowl with Turkey Meatballs Recipe
This Mediterranean Bowl with Turkey Meatballs is a healthy and flavorful dish featuring tender baked turkey meatballs served over a bed of rice or pearl couscous. Topped with refreshing chopped cucumbers, briny Kalamata olives, creamy tzatziki sauce, fresh dill, and lemon wedges, this bowl offers a perfect balance of protein, grains, and vibrant Mediterranean flavors ideal for a nutritious lunch or dinner.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 18 minutes
- Total Time: 33 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Mediterranean
- Diet: Low Fat
Ingredients
Scale
Meatballs
- 1 pound ground turkey
- ½ cup Italian breadcrumbs or blanched almond flour
- ¾ cup yellow onion, chopped
- 1 large egg
- 2 teaspoons garlic, minced
- ½ teaspoon kosher salt
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
Bowl Toppings & Base
- Chopped cucumbers, to taste
- Kalamata olives, to taste
- Tzatziki sauce, store-bought or homemade, to taste
- Fresh dill, for garnish
- Lemon wedges or slices, for garnish
- Cooked rice or pearl couscous, for base
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C) to get it ready for baking the meatballs.
- Mix Meatball Ingredients: In a mixing bowl, combine the ground turkey, Italian breadcrumbs or almond flour, chopped yellow onion, minced garlic, egg, kosher salt, and black pepper. Mix thoroughly until all ingredients are evenly incorporated.
- Shape Meatballs: Form the mixture into golf ball-sized meatballs and arrange them evenly on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper or a silicone mat to prevent sticking.
- Bake Meatballs: Place the baking sheet in the preheated oven and bake the meatballs for about 15 minutes. For an extra crispy finish, switch to the broil setting and cook for another 2 to 3 minutes until the meatballs turn golden brown on top.
- Prepare Base and Toppings: While the meatballs are baking, prepare the rice or pearl couscous according to package directions. Chop the cucumbers into bite-sized pieces.
- Assemble the Bowl: Start with a base of cooked rice or couscous in your serving bowl. Top with the baked turkey meatballs, then add chopped cucumbers, Kalamata olives, and a generous spoonful of tzatziki sauce over the top.
- Garnish and Serve: Finish each bowl with a sprinkle of fresh dill and serve with lemon wedges or slices on the side for squeezing over the bowl for added brightness. Enjoy warm.
Notes
- You can substitute Italian breadcrumbs with blanched almond flour for a gluten-free option.
- Tzatziki sauce can be store-bought or homemade according to your preference.
- Baking and then broiling the meatballs ensures a crisp exterior while keeping the inside juicy.
- Leftover meatballs can be refrigerated for up to 3 days and reheated in the oven or microwave.
- For a low-carb version, use cauliflower rice instead of regular rice or couscous.
Keywords: Mediterranean bowl, turkey meatballs, baked meatballs, healthy dinner, tzatziki sauce, rice bowl, couscous bowl
