• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer
Food Meanderings
  • Start HERE
  • Home
  • About Me
  • Recipes
    • Courses
      • Breakfast and Brunch
        • Pancakes, Waffles & French Toast
        • Breakfast Potluck Ideas
      • Lunch
        • Sandwiches and Burgers
        • Salads
        • Soups, Stew & Chili Recipes
      • Dinner
        • Main dish
        • Pork Recipes
        • Pasta & Pizza Recipes
        • Casseroles
        • Chicken Recipes
        • Beef
        • Beef Recipes
        • Fish & Seafood
      • Desserts
        • Baked Goods
        • Bars and Squares
        • Cake
        • Cookies
        • Cupcakes
        • Frosting and Icing Recipes
        • Frozen Dessert Recipes
        • Healthy Dessert Recipes
        • No Bake Desserts
        • Pie and Pastry Recipes
        • Sweets
    • Cuisine
      • Asian Recipes
      • Italian Recipes
      • Mediterranean Recipes
      • Mexican Recipes
      • Southern Recipes
    • Dish Type
      • Appetizers
        • Dip Recipes
      • Breads
        • Bread Machine Recipes
        • Muffins
      • Side Dishes
        • Vegetables
      • Snacks
      • Sauces, Spreads and Condiments
      • Drinks
        • Smoothies
        • Mocktails
      • One-Pot and One-Pan meals
    • Cooking Style
      • Dinner Party Recipes
      • BBQ & Grilling
      • Healthy Recipes
      • Seasonal Cooking
      • Slow Cooker Recipes
      • Vegetarian
    • Special Diet
      • Gluten-free Recipes
      • Vegan Recipes
      • Vegetarian
      • Weight Watchers Friendly Recipes
    • Holidays
      • Canada Day
      • Christmas Recipes
      • Easter Recipes
      • Earth Day Recipes
      • Father's Day Recipes
      • Cinco de Mayo Recipes
      • 4th of July Recipes
      • Halloween Recipes
      • Mother's Day Recipes
      • New Year's Eve Recipes
      • St. Patrick's Day Recipes
      • Stampede Recipes
      • Thanksgiving Recipes
      • Birthday Recipes
      • Valentine's Day Recipes
      • Game Day Recipes
    • Ingredient
      • Meat
        • Pork
        • Poultry
      • Pasta
      • Beans
      • Potatoes
      • Fruit
      • Rice
      • Egg Recipes
      • Chocolate
  • Meanderings
    • Articles
      • My Weight Watchers (WW) Journey
      • Weight Watchers Tips & Tricks
      • Comfort & Baked Expectations
      • Gingerbread: The Art of Food
  • Navigation Menu: Social Icons

    • Email
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • Twitter
menu icon
go to homepage
subscribe
search icon
Homepage link
  • Start HERE
  • Recipes
  • Easter Recipes
  • About Me
  • Contact Me
×

Home » Recipes » Cooking Style » Healthy Recipes

Healthy Turkey Pesto Meatballs with Creamy Lime Ginger Sauce

Published: Jan 17, 2021 by Terri Gilson · Modified: Jan 28, 2022 · As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. This post may contain affiliate links · Leave a Comment

Sharing is caring!

23 shares
  • Share
  • Tweet
  • Reddit
  • Yummly
  • Mix
Jump to Recipe
Pinterest Pin with text on top and bottom and photo of Healthy turkey meatballs with sauce on black plate, with veggies and rice and black bowl with turkey meatballs with white sauce in background

If you're looking for something different to do with your ground turkey, you're going to love these unique and delicious Healthy Turkey Pesto Meatballs!

turkey pesto meatballs on rice with mixed vegetables, on a black plate

Made with ground turkey, orange, fennel, pesto (homemade or store-bought,) then baked in the oven and smothered in a unique, light and delicious creamy Lime Ginger Sauce, these meatballs are also Weight Watchers friendly at 2 WW points per meatball with sauce.

Turkey Pesto Meatballs

Ground turkey makes a delicious and healthy meatball!  However, alone, they can be a little dull and dry. That's why I add pesto to mine. It gives it moisture and prevents the meatballs from drying out, as well as giving it a flavor boost! Trust me, you'll want to use my homemade Basil Pesto with Almonds for these Turkey Pesto Meatballs. It's easy to make, healthy and delicious. And because it uses almonds instead of pine nuts, it's a lot more economical. However, you could also use your favorite pesto recipe or store-bought pesto. 

basil pesto with almond in a black dish with almonds, basil, garlic and lemon surrounding the dish

It's also a great make-ahead week night meal, yet fancy enough for a healthy date night or entertaining!

Turkey Meatballs in a White Sauce

Most turkey meatball recipes in sauce are served with a tomato sauce, but this one is different- it's made with a white sauce; a base of Greek yogurt and coconut milk, with lime and ginger flavors. You'll be amazed at how nicely the flavors meld together!

turkey meatball being held up on fork

Healthy Turkey Meatballs

Meatballs are a great way to mix up a boring ground turkey routine! And if you're looking for additional ground turkey ideas, check the bottom of this post (under the recipe card!) 

turkey meatballs with rice in black bowl

How to get Meatballs the same size (and round)

If you want to get your meatballs the same size, use an ice cream scoop, then finish rounding them with your hands *You can see how it's done in this VIDEO (forward to 2:25 to see the forming of the meatball.)  And in order to ensure they stay round, don't let them sit on the pan - bake them immediately after forming.

Healthy turkey meatballs with sauce on black plate, with veggies and rice and black bowl with turkey meatballs with white sauce in background

How to Prevent Meatballs from falling apart

Baking your meatballs in the oven is a great way to prevent them from falling apart. Also using the right ratio of binder (bread crumbs and in this case, pesto instead of eggs) to meat, is just as important. You want to avoid over mixing as well. Another general rule when forming meatballs is to work quickly and handle them as little as possible. Also, it’s best to work with a well-chilled mixture. You can put the mixture in the fridge for 20 - 30 minutes to ensure it's chilled prior to forming the meatballs. 

So, if you're looking for a healthy and unique turkey meatball, that's quick and easy, then give these Turkey Pesto Meatballs a try!

My Amazon Recommendations (affiliate links)

turkey pesto meatballs on rice with mixed vegetables, on a black plate
Food Meandering Logo

Healthy Turkey Pesto Meatballs with Lime Ginger Sauce

These Healthy Turkey Pesto Meatballs are made with ground turkey, homemade or store-bought pesto, baked in the oven, then smothered in a unique. light and delicious Lime Ginger Sauce! 2 WW points per meatball with sauce.
Print Pin Rate
Course: dinner
Cuisine: American, North American
Keyword: healthy, pesto, turkey meatballs
Servings: 24 meatballs
Calories: 140kcal
Author: Terri Gilson
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 18 minutes
Total Time: 33 minutes
Prevent your screen from going dark

Ingredients

Meatballs

  • 2 pounds ground turkey-99% fat-free
  • 1 ½ cups bread crumbs
  • ½ cup light grated parmesan
  • 2 teaspoon orange zest
  • 1 teaspoon ground fennel seed
  • ½ tsp salt
  • ¾ cup basil pesto (See recipe in NOTES)   * You can use any homemade or store-bought basil pesto
  • 1 teaspoon minced garlic **Only add this if you use store-bought basil pesto another basil pesto recipe (not mine/the one I linked to). Mine has enough garlic that you don't need to this additional garlic.

Sauce

  • 3 tablespoon lime juice
  • 1 teaspoon lime zest
  • ½ cup non- fat plain Greek yogurt (0%)
  • 14 ounce - can of light coconut milk 400 ml
  • 1 tsp  fresh ginger, grated
  • 1 tablespoon soy sauce
  • 1 tablespoon agave syrup * you can substitute honey, but you'll need at least 1.5 tablespoon - 2 tbsp
  • ½ tablespoon minced garlic
  • 2 teaspoon cornstarch (to thicken) * Only add if needed- you may need to add more

Garnish

  • parmesan
  • cilantro
  • lime
US Customary - Metric

Instructions

  • Preheat oven to 375 degrees F/190 degrees C. Line 2 baking sheets with aluminum foil and spray with non- stick cooking spray. 
  • Mix ground turkey, fennel, orange zest, bread crumbs, parmesan cheese, salt and basil pesto (See recipe in NOTES) together. Add minced garlic (if you are not using my basil pesto recipe)
    meatball ingredients mixed together
  • * If you can't find ground fennel, use a pestle and mortar to grind fennel seeds.
    fennel seed ground with pestle and mortar
  • Form into balls, using an ice cream scoop (see video in NOTES)
    using an ice cream scoop, meatball mixture being scooped to make even sized meatballs
  • Then place, spaced evenly on baking sheets.
    formed meatballs on baking sheet
  • Bake in preheated oven for 18-20 minutes or until lightly browned and meat is cooked through (no longer pink). * don't worry if some oil from the pesto runs out onto baking sheet - this is normal.
    cooked meatballs on baking sheet, with one being cut into
  • Meanwhile, whisk sauce ingredients together over medium-low heat for about 10 minutes, stirring regularly. Add cornstarch to thicken, if necessary. It should be the consistency of a thin gravy. * However, add additional cornstarch if you want it a little thicker.
    cooked ginger lime sauce in a pot

Garnish

  • Garnish with cilantro, additional parmesan cheese and lime, as desired.
    turkey pesto meatballs on rice with mixed vegetables, on a black plate
  • Serve meatballs with sauce (over rice or cauliflower rice) and vegetables * add additional WW points for rice

Notes

*NOTE: Recipe for Basil Pesto with Almonds
**NOTE: 
Tips and tricks for forming meatballs Video HERE. (forward to 2:25 if you only want to see the forming of the meatball)
Nutrition Facts
Healthy Turkey Pesto Meatballs with Lime Ginger Sauce
Amount Per Serving (1 meatball and sauce)
Calories 140 Calories from Fat 72
% Daily Value*
Fat 8g12%
Saturated Fat 3g19%
Cholesterol 31mg10%
Sodium 286mg12%
Potassium 106mg3%
Carbohydrates 7g2%
Fiber 1g4%
Sugar 1g1%
Protein 9g18%
Vitamin A 196IU4%
Vitamin C 1mg1%
Calcium 61mg6%
Iron 1mg6%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.

Nutrition

Serving: 1meatball and sauce | Calories: 140kcal (7%) | Carbohydrates: 7g (2%) | Protein: 9g (18%) | Fat: 8g (12%) | Saturated Fat: 3g (19%) | Cholesterol: 31mg (10%) | Sodium: 286mg (12%) | Potassium: 106mg (3%) | Fiber: 1g (4%) | Sugar: 1g (1%) | Vitamin A: 196IU (4%) | Vitamin C: 1mg (1%) | Calcium: 61mg (6%) | Iron: 1mg (6%)
Did you make this recipe? Please leave a star rating and review below!
Rate this Recipe

More Ground Turkey Recipes

Egg Roll in a Bowl- Weight Watchers (0 points)!

Slow Cooker Cranberry Turkey Meatball Appetizer- WW friendly!

Healthy Turkey Shepherd's Pie - Weight Watchers Friendly

Greek Lasagna & Garlic Toast cups

5 Ingredient Turkey Sloppy Joes -Weight Watchers Friendly

More Healthy Recipes

  • shipwreck casserole on a white plate with a fork and a piece of buttered rye bread and a casserole dish with more in the background
    Easy Shipwreck Casserole
  • broccoli cheese soup in a blue bowl with a spoon, with broccoli scattered around
    Slow Cooker Broccoli Cheese Soup
  • air fryer potato skin being held up over a tray of more air fryer potato skins
    Air Fryer Potato Skins
  • healthy pizza casserole in a blue casserole dish with grey oven mitts in the background
    Healthy Pizza Casserole Recipe

Reader Interactions

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

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

Recipe Rating




Primary Sidebar

I'm Terri, a passionate home cook and baker, an award-winning recipe developer and a busy working mom that is trying to eat healthy and fit everything into not enough hours in a day! My mission is to share not only my recipes, cooking hacks and tips with you, but also my secrets to successful weight maintenance.

More about me →

Easter Recipes

  • cooked scalloped potatoes without cheese in a blue casserole dish with a wooden spoon and a checkered tea towel in the background
    Old Fashioned Scalloped Potatoes without cheese
  • a piece of lemon pie being lifted out of a whole pie, with a lemon cut in half in background
    Old Fashioned Lemon Pie
  • collage of 4 photos of healthy leftover ham recipes with black text on white circle in the middle.
    35 Healthy Leftover Ham Recipes
  • collage of 4 photos of Easter brunch recipes with text in the middle
    Easter Brunch Menu Ideas

More Easter Recipes --->

Footer

Featured On:

Taste Of Home Logo Parade Logo MSN Logo Master Chef Canada Logo Huffpost Logo Good Housekeeping Logo

Footer

↑ back to top

About

  • Privacy Policy & Terms of Use
  • Accessibility Policy

Subscribe

  • Sign Up! for emails and updates

Contact

  • Contact
  • Work with me

As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

Copyright © 2023 Foodmeanderings.com

23 shares