By

Wendy Stoltz / Last Modified On May 5, 2025

These gluten-free turkey meatballs are going to become your family's favorite recipe. They're great for a comforting meal, work as a juicy appetizer, or for lunchboxes.

Meatballs are always a good idea. We love these Crockpot BBQ Meatballs, too.

Gluten-Free Turkey Meatballs Recipe

Meatballs are such a wonderful ingredient to have on hand. I love that it can be a tasty appetizer, snack, and meal with mashed potatoes or a light salad.

I used to avoid meatballs and use the frozen meatballs, but in all honesty, I should have ditched those long ago. Fresh is so much tastier, and I can change up the seasoning and freeze them for a tasty meal.

And, if you're missing Ikea's Swedish meatballs, you need to make these Gluten-Free Swedish Meatballs.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

Juicy - The combination of turkey and egg makes juicy and tasty meatballs.

Freeze Well - These meatballs freeze so well, that's why we make a big batch so you have some leftover for other meals.

Serve it up for any occasion - These work well for appetizers, main meals, and snacks.

What's in These Gluten-Free Turkey Meatballs?

So, it's basic pantry staples you most probably have on hand.

Ground Turkey - For juicy gluten-free meatballs, ground turkey with a mix of light and dark meat. Ultra-lean ground turkey tends to dry out. 

Gluten-free Panko breadcrumbs or gluten-free breadcrumbs - Look for certified gluten-free brands. I like Schär's bread crumbs. Bear in mind, bread crumbs can absorb the liquid differently.

Garlic - Mince or slice them super thin for pops of garlicky flavor.

Herbs - Fresh basil and oregano give these meatballs great flavor. I prefer using fresh herbs, but you can use dried ones too.

Eggs - This is an important ingredient that binds the ingredients together.

Tamari sauce - This is a gluten-free alternative to soy sauce.

Vinegar - White vinegar boosts the flavor and tenderizes the meat.

Mustard powder - It adds a bit of additional flavor, so the meatballs are not bland.

Olive oil - This is used to fry or, if baking, to brush some oil onto the meatballs to help them brown.

Equipment Needed For These Gluten-Free Turkey Meatballs

A large mixing bowl to combine the meatball ingredients in. Then, if you are baking these, a baking sheet with parchment paper and a cooling rack works well. If you're using your stove-top, use a nice large skillet / pan so you can batch cook the meatballs in it.

A brush so you can brush the meatballs if baking them, and then a meat thermometer to check they are cooked.

How To Make Gluten-Free Turkey Meatballs (Recipe In Six Steps): 

This is a collage of the process of making these meatballs.

Now let's go through each step in detail so you can make your first batch of meatballs.

Mix And Form Balls

In a large bowl, combine all ingredients except olive oil. Season with salt and pepper. Mix gently until just combined. Form into 1-inch balls (makes about 40–48).

Form The Balls And Place

Decide, are you baking or frying them? Both come out perfectly, but if you need more of a hands-off approach, the oven is your go-to.

Bake - Preheat oven to 400°F. Line a baking sheet with foil or a baking mat. Arrange meatballs on the baking tray and brush with olive oil. The USDA recommends turkey reach an internal temperature of 165 to make sure they're safe to eat.

Fry - Heat 2 tablespoons of olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Fry meatballs in batches.

To Bake Or To Fry

Bake - Bake for 15–20 minutes, until golden and 165°F inside. Use a thermometer to check.

Fry - Turn to brown all sides, 5–7 minutes or until cooked through. Add oil as needed.

Serve

Allow to cool and serve with mashed potatoes and peas or polenta and a salad.

Tips for How to Make Gluten-Free Turkey Meatballs

• Use a small cookie scoop or mini ice cream scoop - This is to portion the meat mixture quickly and evenly. It's about 1 tablespoon each for perfect 1-inch balls. You can also make them bigger depending on what meal you're using them for.
• Don't overmix - When combining the meat and other ingredients, mix them until combined. Overmixing will make the meatballs tough.
• Put oil on your hands - Use a bit of oil on your hands to help shape the meatballs.
• Use a thermometer - Turkey should be cooked to an internal temperature of 165°F.
• Use fresh herbs - I find it tastes so much better.
• Serve it as an appetizer - Thread the meatballs onto skewers and serve them as an appetizer.

Note that the New York Times covered the health benefits of turkey. Spoiler: It's not just for Thanksgiving!

Frequently Asked Questions

Here are a few things to help you have success with these tasty turkey meatballs.

How Long Can I Store It?

You can store it for up to 4 days in an airtight container in the fridge.

Can I Freeze It?

Yes, meatballs freeze so well. Place cooked or uncooked meatballs on a tray and freeze until solid. Transfer to a container and store up to 1 month. I like to make a double batch so I have a nice freezer stash. 

Are Meatballs Gluten-Free?

No, not all meatballs are gluten-free, as they may contain wheat in the breadcrumbs or panko used. This recipe is gluten-free.

How Long To Bake Turkey Meatballs At 400?

Bake these for 15 to 20 minutes at 400 degrees Fahrenheit. They should have an internal temperature over 165 before you serve them.

Continue to Content

Yield: 40 servings

Gluten-Free Turkey Meatballs Recipe

Print

This gluten-free meatballs recipe makes a big batch of juicy and tasty meatballs for all occasions.

Prep Time 15 minutes

Cook Time 15 minutes

Total Time 30 minutes

Ingredients

• 2 packages of ground turkey (32 ounces)
• 1 cup panko or gluten-free bread crumbs
• 4 cloves of garlic (minced or sliced very thin)
• 1 teaspoon basil (diced fresh or half as much dried)
• 1 teaspoon oregano (diced fresh or half as much dried)
• 2 eggs
• 2 tablespoons tamari sauce
• ½ teaspoon vinegar
• ½ teaspoon mustard powder 
• ¼ cup olive oil

Instructions

1. In a large bowl, combine all ingredients except olive oil. Season with salt and pepper. Mix gently until just combined.
2. Form into 1-inch balls (makes about 40–48).

To Bake

1. Preheat oven to 400°F. Line a baking sheet with foil.
2. Arrange meatballs on a baking tray, brush with olive oil, and bake 15–20 minutes, until golden and 165°F inside.

To Fry

1. Heat 2 tbsp olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high.
2. Fry meatballs in batches, turning to brown all sides, 5–7 minutes or until cooked through. Add oil as needed.

To Freeze

1. Place cooked or uncooked meatballs on a tray and freeze until solid. Transfer to a container and store up to 1 month.

Notes

• Use a small cookie scoop or mini ice cream scoop - This is to portion the meatballs quickly and evenly. It's about 1 tablespoon each for perfect 1-inch balls. You can also make them bigger depending on what meal you're using them for.
• Don't overmix - When combining the meat and other ingredients, mix them until combined. Overmixing will make the meatballs tough.
• Put oil on your hands - Use a bit of oil on your hands to help shape the meatballs.
• Use a thermometer - Turkey should be cooked to an internal temperature of 165°F.
• Use fresh herbs - I find it tastes so much better.

Recommended Products

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  Gorilla Grip Spring Scoop

Nutrition Information:

Yield:

40

Serving Size:

1
Amount Per Serving: Calories: 41Total Fat: 3gSaturated Fat: 1gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 2gCholesterol: 14mgSodium: 81mgCarbohydrates: 3gFiber: 0gSugar: 0gProtein: 2g

This nutrition info is based on the exact ingredients and brands used at the time. It may not be 100% accurate. Please check your ingredients nutrition labels.

If you make this gluten-free turkey meatballs recipe, please consider stopping by and letting me know what you think.