Turkey meatballs are such a versatile and delicious meal or appetizer. Their savory, robust flavor pairs well with a variety of sides that can take your dinner from boring to extraordinary.
The key is choosing sides that balance and enhance the meatballs’ taste and texture Below are 15 sensational turkey meatball accompaniments for any occasion
Creamy Mashed Potatoes
Smooth, creamy mashed potatoes are a classic pairing. They provide a rich, comforting contrast to the meatballs’ juiciness. Blending in garlic, herbs, cheese or other flavors adds extra dimension. Potatoes are the perfect blank canvas for creativity.
Tip For special flavor, fold in roasted garlic, crispy bacon bits chives or shredded cheese.
Cheesy Polenta
Warm, creamy polenta is a delightful Italian-inspired match for turkey meatballs. Blending in parmesan or other melty cheese takes it over the top. Fried polenta wedges offer crispy, golden crunch too.
Tip: Stir in spinach, roasted red peppers or sun-dried tomatoes for bonus flavor.
Fresh Greek Salad
A bright Greek salad tossed with veggies, olives, feta and tangy dressing resets the palate after rich meatballs. The mix of tastes and textures balances beautifully.
Tip: Make it a meal by adding chickpeas, eggs or grilled chicken to the salad.
Colorful Roasted Veggies
Roasting cauliflower, carrots, Brussels sprouts, squash and other fresh vegetables caramelizes their natural sugars. Their sweet taste and hearty textures perfectly accompany meatballs.
Tip: Toss veggies in olive oil, salt, pepper and garlic before roasting for extra flavor.
Cheesy Garlic Bread
Warm, crusty garlic bread fresh from the oven adds a tasty crunch factor. Melting cheese on top takes it over the top. Dip in any marinara left from the meatballs!
Tip: For next-level flavor, mix shredded cheese into the softened butter before spreading on bread.
Zesty Quinoa Salad
Protein-packed quinoa blends perfectly with zesty ingredients like red onion, bell pepper, olives, chickpeas and lemon vinaigrette. Its nutty crunch pairs ideally next to soft meatballs.
Tip: Make it a meal by adding feta, tomatoes, avocado and fresh herbs.
Rice Pilaf
Simple yet delicious, rice pilaf provides an aromatic, textured base for meatballs. Toast orzo or rice with olive oil and spices for deep flavor. Stir in veggies for extra nutrition.
Tip: For Spanish-style rice, sauté onion, garlic and peppers before adding rice and broth.
Hearty Ratatouille
All the flavors of the French countryside in one colorful mix! This vegetable stew brimming with zucchini, eggplant, tomatoes and herbs makes a hearty medley alongside meatballs.
Tip: Add canned chickpeas or white beans for extra protein and nutrition.
Creamy Risotto
Slowly simmered, creamy risotto is a refined match for meatballs. Stirring risotto constantly as it cooks yields rich, velvety texture. Parmesan cheese and garlic add savory depth.
Tip: Swap arborio rice for farro or barley for tasty whole grain variations.
Cheesy Cauliflower Mash
Blending roasted cauliflower and cheese creates a flavorful, low-carb spin on mashed potatoes. The earthy cauliflower flavor pairs nicely with meatballs.
Tip: For extra flair, top with crispy bacon bits, chives or an egg.
Pesto Pasta Salad
Nutty pesto dressing coats pasta and vegetables for a tangy, herbaceous complement to meatballs. Bowtie, rotini or gemelli pasta shapes work well for trapping savory pesto.
Tip: Toss in shredded mozzarella or parmesan for bonus richness.
Lemony Couscous
Fluffy couscous tossed with lemon, herbs, olive oil and veggies makes a fast and tasty pairing for turkey meatballs. Its versatility allows endless mix-ins.
Tip: Cook couscous in broth instead of water for extra savory flavor.
Crunchy Coleslaw
Cool cabbage and carrots tossed in creamy dressing provides crisp contrast beside juicy meatballs. Pack yours with flavor via apple cider vinegar, mustard, nutmeg and caraway.
Tip: Customize coleslaw with fruits like cranberries or pineapple.
Spaghetti Squash
Roasted spaghetti squash sautéed in butter with garlic makes “pasta” packed with nutrients, not carbs. Its tender strands pair perfectly with meatballs and sauce.
Tip: Top squash with extra parmesan and a squeeze of lemon.
Grilled Veggie Skewers
Skewered zucchini, bell peppers, onions and mushrooms become caramelized and smoky on the grill. Their charred flavors beautifully accompany meatballs.
Tip: Brush veggies with balsamic vinegar and olive oil before grilling.
Light Zucchini Noodles
Spiralized or julienned zucchini “zoodles” create an easy veggie noodle substitute. Sauté in olive oil and top with meatballs and marinara for a lighter take on pasta dinner.
Tip: Make zoodles from carrots, beets or butternut squash too.
With so many delicious options, you can create varied meals that highlight succulent turkey meatballs. Experiment with pairing crunchy, creamy, bright, hearty and fresh sides for balanced flavor. Every bite will leave your guests wanting more.
The Best Homemade Meatballs Homemade hearty meatballs
- 1 lb. ground beef, pork, chicken or turkey
- 1 lb of hot or sweet Italian chicken sausage in bulk (if you can’t find bulk sausage, just take link sausage out of its casing).
- 2 Tablespoons diced onion
- 2 cloves crushed garlic
- 1 tsp Italian seasoning or 2 tsp fresh herbs (parsley, oregano, basil) mixed together
- 1/3 cup milk
- 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
- 2 eggs
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon pepper
- 2 slices sandwich bread
- 2 Tablespoons grated parmesan (optional)
- Olive oil spray
- Preheat oven to 375 degrees
- Whisk the onion, garlic, Italian seasoning, milk, Worcestershire sauce, eggs, salt, and pepper (plus parmesan if you want) together in a large bowl.
- Let the bread soak up the liquids for a few minutes after adding them. Then, stir the bread into the liquids until they are fully mixed.
- Add ground beef and sausage to bowl.
- Using your hands, mix just until all the ingredients are spread out evenly.
- Use the meatball mix to make balls about the size of golf balls.
- Sprinkle olive oil on a baking sheet and put the meatballs on it. Bake for 12 to 15 minutes, or until the meatballs are fully cooked.
- Let it cool down, then serve right away or put it on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Freeze overnight and then transfer to gallon freezer bags. Freeze up to 8 weeks.
This post is about what to serve with meatballs {13 low-carb side dishes}.
Are you looking for some tasty sides to go with your meatballs? I love making meatballs and always keep frozen ones in the freezer for an easy dinner at the last minute. Meatballs are such an easy recipe with so many different ways to enjoy them. They are the ultimate comfort food the whole family will enjoy.
You can also eat meatballs if you want an easy and tasty way to eat healthy and lose weight.
You can make Italian meatballs, Asian inspired meatballs, barbecue meatballs and so much more. It’s all about what herbs and spices you decide to put in the meat mixture. The possibilities are truly endless.
Whether you want to make ground pork, beef, turkey, or chicken meatballs. They are such a great option when it comes to easy meal prep.
The best side dishes for your favorite meatball recipes are in this post, and BONUS: they’re all low-carb! When we think of meatball recipes, we usually think of bread, pasta, and meatball subs. But the next time you want to make meatballs, I think you should try one of these low-carb ideas instead!
You can make a full and healthy meal with just your favorite meatball recipe and one or two of these ideas below. I’ve included my favorite homemade meatball recipe below.
- Another name for zucchini noodles is “zoodles.” They are a great low-carb way to serve meatballs. They are delicious with traditional meatballs and tomato sauce sauce.
2. One of my favorite sides to go with meatballs is roasted green beans. Homemade meatballs with a side like this is a hearty and tasty meal. You can even cook your meatballs and roast your green beans at the same time.
3. If you want a low-carb basic that goes with almost everything, try cauliflower rice! You can make it into cauliflower fried rice or just serve it with butter, salt, and pepper.
4. Salad is pretty much my favorite thing and you can definitely get creative. A simple green salad or Caesar salad goes well with a hearty meatball dish to make a tasty and filling meal.
5. Grilled mixed veggies are so simple and you’ll be surprised how filling they are. Toss your favorite garden veggies with some olive oil, salt and black pepper and grill to perfection. When they’re done on the grill, I like to use a grill basket and spritz them with lemon juice.
6. Asparagus is one of my favorite side dishes. You can easily cook it up in about 4 minutes in the microwave. Talk about a tasty and healthy side dish!.
7. Shirataki noodles may be the simplest low-carb side dish you can make! All you have to do is give them a quick rinse and then top them with marinara sauce or any other sauce that goes well with your meatball recipe.
8. Although spaghetti squash doesn’t taste very good on its own, this makes it a great side dish for meatballs and a tangy sauce. It is a blank slate that lends itself well to any meatball recipe.
9. Broccoli is unexpectedly delicious and filling when paired with your favorite meatball recipe. One of our favorites is this Air Fryer Broccoli. You can also just microwave a bag of broccoli to steam it.
10. Roasted Eggplant is such a delicious side dish. If you’re making Greek meatballs, this would be my top pick!.
11. Cauliflower mash seriously tastes just like mashed potatoes. Even your kids won’t know the difference. This is perfect for your favorite Swedish meatball recipe.
12. One of my new favorite things is roasted mushrooms, and they go so well with almost any meatball recipe! I know that most people either love or hate mushrooms, but if you do, serve them with your next meatball dinner!
13. Grilled zucchini deserves a spot on this list. Even though we already talked about zucchini noodles, grilled zucchini has a different texture and flavor. You’ll find it fills you up and and an easy way to prepare zucchini.
I hope you enjoyed these low-carb side dish ideas. You can make any meatball recipe taste even better with fresh vegetables and a few easy ingredients.
The BEST Baked Turkey Meatballs | LOADED With of Flavor!
FAQ
What is good to serve with meatballs?
Are turkey meatballs good for a diet?
What do people eat with BBQ meatballs?
What can I serve with Mushroom Turkey meatballs?
Mushroom turkey meatballs are seared and simmered in a rich and delicious mushroom sauce. Serve the mushroom turkey meatballs over a bed of cauliflower rice. It’s the perfect dinner!
What type of meat should diabetics eat?
Lean red meat cuts, rump, duckling and lizard, contain micronutrients such as Vitamin B12 and Iron, which help in the diet of diabetics.
Can you eat a side dish with turkey meatballs?
Yes, you can eat a side dish with turkey meatballs. Doing so will allow you to eat more turkey meatballs because there will be less room in your stomach for other foods. It also means you’ll have less room for less healthy options.
What to eat with meatballs?
So stop worrying about what to eat with meatballs, because we’ve got you covered. Whether you’re using beef meatballs, a mix of meats like ground beef and pork, turkey meatballs, chicken meatball, or some other meat, you can find the perfect side dish to enhance your meatball experience.
Can you make meatballs with ground turkey?
For example, if you’re watching fat and calories, you can make meatballs with ground turkey. Also, meatballs made with pork sausage or Italian sausage add tons of flavor to a main dish. Meatballs are a versatile and delicious main dish that can be the star of any meal.
Are turkey meatballs tender?
Turkey meatballs are tender and juicy. These 10 easy turkey meatball dinner recipes include creamy turkey meatballs, turkey meatball casserole, and baked turkey meatballs. They are all super easy to make and result in a healthy dinner that your whole family will love!