Mediterranean Turkey Meatballs with Tzatziki is one of my go-to dinners. This recipe is super easy, highly flavorful, and contains only 200 calories and 32 grams of protein per serving. The recipe makes 18 meatballs, so it can work well as an hors d’oeuvres, appetizer, or main course, depending on the accompaniments.
This quick 5-minute read also shares
- Best Life Living Tip: Spice it Up! 🫚
- Self-Care Strategy: Real Life Mediterranean Diet Tips 🍽️
- Ideas and Inspiration: Altars Everywhere 🙏🏻
Hey! It’s cool when you click “read more.” I see you and I thank you. If you are new here, welcome! You are here for a reason! We’re all in this together.
Read on for more — including this great recipe for Mediterranean Turkey Meatballs with Tzatziki.
Best Life Living Tip
Spice it up. According to Harvard Health many spices have antioxidant properties and may provide health benefits such as helping to fight inflammation and aiding digestion. And, it’s easier to cut your salt when food is seasoned and spiced.
The trick to these Mediterranean Turkey Meatballs with Tzatziki being so easy is using a premade spice blend such as shawarma spice or baharat.
Many Middle Eastern cuisines utilize different spice combinations for flavoring. Each blend differs from maker to maker and region to region. However, many blends are now produced by larger spice companies and are available in larger grocery stores, specialty markets, and online.
Examples of Middle Eastern Spice Blends
- baharat – means “spices” in Arabic and can include cardamom, cinnamon, cloves, coriander, cumin, black pepper and more.
- dukkah is made by pounding a mixture of toasted nuts, seeds and whole spices in a mortar and pestle until they form a coarse, crunchy mixture.
- shawarma features thinly sliced, marinated chicken, lamb, or beef stacked on a vertical spit and cooked as it rotates. Key spices include cumin, paprika, and coriander
- ras el hanout – is a North African spice blend that often includes cardamom, cumin, clove, cinnamon, nutmeg, mace, allspice, ginger, chili peppers, coriander, peppercorn, paprika, and turmeric.
- za’atar often includes dried thyme, marjoram, sumac, and sesame seeds.
Spice up your recipes with spices and spice up your recipes! Get out of a cooking rut by trying something different, like these Mediterranean Meatballs with Tzatziki.
Self-Care Strategy
These Mediterranean Turkey Meatballs with Tzatziki fit in the Mediterranean Diet eating plan. What is the Mediterranean Diet? The self-care technique you need to explore.
The Mediterranean Diet is a way of eating based on the traditional cuisine of countries bordering the Mediterranean Sea. It’s widely regarded as one of the healthiest dietary patterns in the world and has been extensively studied for its benefits to heart health, longevity, and chronic disease prevention.
The Mediterranean lifestyle is more than food — it also emphasizes physical activity, rest, social connections, and mindful eating practices.
Core Principles of the Mediterranean Diet
- Plant-based foods – lots of leafy greens
- Healthy fats – olive oil, nuts, and avocado
- Moderate consumption of dairy, eggs and poultry, and wine
- Limited intake of red meat, processed foods, and refined sugar.
What does My Mediterranean Diet Look Like in Real Life?
- I eat a serving of fruits and vegetables with most meals, including breakfast, and I eat greens at least once a day.
- I use olive oil or olive oil spray almost exclusively for cooking and eat a small handful of nuts every day. (I put them in my Cheerios or oatmeal as well as an add-in for salads.)
- Cheese is a weakness, but I only keep Parmigiano Reggiano, Feta DOP, and low-fat mozzarella on hand and use them sparingly.
- Fish is on the menu once a week, I’m vegan for dinner at least once a week, and otherwise it’s chicken or turkey, like this recipe for Mediterranean Meatballs with Tzatziki.
- Pork and beef are each part of my healthy eating plan about twice a month. (I seldom have beef and pork in the same week.)
- Wine is more of a planned event or special occasion, and very seldom is it spontaneous or just because it’s 5 o’clock
Ideas and Inspiration
I first saw Barbara Brown Taylor back in the early 90s when she was the priest at an Episcopal church in Atlanta. I was struck by her power, grace, and eloquence.
Eventually, she became a professor and then a NYT-bestselling author. In 2014, her influence transcended literary circles as she was named one of TIME’s 100 most influential people for her profound insights into faith and her ability to inspire believers and nonbelievers alike. She describes herself as a “spiritual contrarian” who says things “you’re not supposed to say.”
She’s controversial, (eloquently) mouthy, and super smart – and that can lead to a lot of trouble for a woman, anywhere, much less in the South and especially in the area of religion.
I recently announced Good and Good for You™is now on Substack, too. If you are a fan of that platform, I also suggest checking out her essays, “Coming Down to Earth.” She’s on Instagram, too, so give her a follow at @barbarabrowntaylor. And, make sure to check out her incredible book, An Altar in the World. In it she reveals the countless ways we can discover divine depths in the small things we do and see every day.
Her words, work, and wisdom speak to me. I hope you are inspired, as well.
Good and Good for You™ Weekend Retreat at Hambidge 2-5 October 2025
Join me in the North Georgia mountains for a special getaway retreat at The Hambidge Center for the Arts and Sciences. This culinary workshop retreat offers a multi-faceted approach to health and wellness. The weekend starts on Thursday with hors d’oeuvres and zero-proof aperitifs before a multi-course Fall Harvest dinner. The weekend will include:
- Daily hands-on cooking classes with healthful recipes, including tips for maintaining healthy eating habits, mindful consumption, and recipe makeover techniques.
- Menus include Brain Food and Real Life Healthy Eating Fundamentals.
- Explore nature in a variety of walks and hikes, divided into levels of ability.
- Discover ways to create a sanctuary with best-life tips and self-care techniques, make art, and DIY with Self-Care Crafts and Gifts: Salves, Sugars, and Skin Care.
- Have opportunities for open and honest discussion about whole-body wellness, mindful eating and drinking, healthy aging, inspiration, resources, and more.
Want to learn more? Please click HERE for more info.
Make it Count
Spiced ground lamb or beef combined with fresh herbs, onion, garlic, and fragrant, aromatic spices threaded on skewers is a traditional Middle Eastern dish called Kofka. It is most often grilled and served with pita bread, salads, and dips such as hummus and tzatziki. Instead of wrapping meat around a skewer, this recipe swaps out the skewer for a scoop!
You and your family will love these Mediterranean Meatballs with Tzatziki, a 200-calorie dish containing 32 grams of protein. Serve with a side salad and whole wheat pita for a filling and wholesome Mediterranean meal.
Need a beverage? Try this Cucumber Water. When you prepare the tzatziki, one the cucumber is grated it is necessary to squeeze out the excess water — put it in a pitcher with cold water and lemon for a refreshing sipper to go along with your Mediterranean Meatballs with Tzatziki.
Thanks so much for reading. Please follow me on Instagram @virginiawillis for more best life tips, self-care techniques, ideas and inspiration, and healthy recipes.As long as you’re doing what’s Good and Good for You™ more often than not, you’re on the right track. 🙌🏻 You can do it!
Bon Appétit Y’all!
Virginia Willis
Mediterranean Meatballs with Tzatziki
Ingredients
For the Tzatziki:
- 1 unpeeled English cucumber
- 1 cup 0% skyr or yogurt
- 1 clove garlic very finely chopped
- Zest and juice of 1 lemon
- 2 tablespoons freshly chopped mint
For the Meatballs:
- Nonstick cooking spray
- 1/2 sweet onion finely chopped
- 1 pound 85% lean ground turkey
- 2 tablespoons freshly chopped parsley
- 1 tablespoon Middle Eastern spice blend such as schwarma spice or baharat
- Zest of 1 lemon
- 1/2 teaspoon coarse kosher salt
Instructions
- Prepare the tzatziki. First, grated the cucumber on a box grater. Place in a sieve to drain. Squeeze the cucumber shreds in your hands to remove some of the excess liquid. (Use the liquid for Cucumber Water!) Combine the skyr, grated cucumber, garlic, lemon zest, lemon juice and mint. Stir to combine; set aside.
- For the Meatballs: Heat the oven to 350 degrees. Line a rimmed baking sheet with aluminum foil, then set an ovenproof cooling rack on it. Coat the rack with nonstick cooking spray. Set aside.
- Place the onions in a ramekin or microwave-safe bowl and microwave on medium power until soft and translucent, about 45 seconds. Set aside to cool slightly.
- Combine the turkey, cooled onion, parsley, spice blend, lemon zest and salt in a mixing bowl. Stir to combine with a rubber spatula. (To taste and adjust for seasoning, simply cook a teaspoon of the mixture in the microwave on high for about 25 seconds.)
- Using a small scoop, place the meatballs on the prepared rack. (It makes about 18 meatballs)
- Place the meatballs on the prepared rack and baking sheet. Spritz the tops of the skewered meat with nonstick cooking spray. Transfer to the oven and cook until firm and the internal temperature registers 165 degrees on an instant-read thermometer, about 10 minutes. Serve immediately.
Nutrition
