Simple Baked Turkey Spinach Meatballs, Gluten-free

These Simple Baked Turkey Spinach Meatballs are satisfying and lighter meatballs made with fresh spinach, rolled oats, and ground turkey. They are baked in the oven and are a simple way to sneak veggies into a meal! Naturally gluten-free and dairy-free.

Need a way to sneak in some spinach into your life? Then you need to try these turkey and spinach meatballs!

We love this healthier meatball recipe because they are baked, they are made with a leaner protein option and they are made without bread crumbs. Oh and they are simple to make AND are family + toddler approved. Win-Win. (Try them with these cauliflower gnocchi with mushroom sauce, this penne with dairy-free vodka sauce or with a side of greek yogurt mashed potatoes. YUM)

Why this recipe works

• This recipe uses oats as a bread crumb replacement. Our Ground Turkey Meatballs with Oats recipe is made weekly because our toddlers love them so much.
• It is kid friendly! Its an simple way to hide veggies in satisfying meatball form.
• It is naturally gluten free and dairy free.
• You only need a handful of ingredients.
• It’s simple to make and comes together quickly!

Recipe ingredients

• Ground turkey-using regular fat instead of fat free turkey is better here because it makes the meatballs more juicy
• Rolled oats– you can use regular or fast oats.
• Fresh spinach– we like to use organic baby spinach.
• Onion powder, garlic powder, dried basil, dried oregano, dried thyme– these season the meatballs.
• Egg– this binds the mixture together.
• balsamic vinegar– this gives flavor to the meat.

See recipe card below for a full list of ingredients and measurements.

Additions/ Substitutions

• Instead of ground turkey, you can use ground chicken.
• Instead of fresh spinach, you can use swiss chard.
• Instead of balsamic vinegar, you can use soy sauce or coconut aminos.

Step by step instructions

Step 1 and 2

Step 1: Chop up the fresh spinach! To do this, put the spinach into a food processor and mix it until finely chopped.

Step 2: Mix all the ingredients together. In a large bowl, mix all of the ingredients from the ingredient list together.

Step 3

Step 3: Roll the meat into Tablespoon sized meatballs.

Step 4

Step 4: Bake.

Expert tips

1. Don’t use low fat ground turkey. Use a higher fat ground turkey. This results in a more moist meatball.
2. Use fresh spinach! We have not tested these with frozen spinach, but we imagine the process of the frozen spinach melting would change the texture of the recipe.
3. Make sure your rolled oats are certified gluten-free to avoid cross-contamination.
4. Use a mini cookie scoop to roll the meatballs. These turn out to be the just right sized meatball!
5. Don’t over-bake or the meatballs will dry out.

Recipe FAQs

1) For starters, you can serve these covered in tomato sauce with pasta.
2) we also really like eating these meatballs with pesto sauce. YUM.
3) Or you can eat them as is, with veggies and potatoes on the side.
4) You can use them to make a healthier meatball sub or sandwich!

In an airtight container in the refrigerator for 3-4 days.

Yes! You can freeze theme either cooked or uncooked. They are good for 2 months in the freezer.