This baked meatball recipe combines ground turkey with garlic, herbs and fresh, chopped kale. The meatballs are moist, tender and terrific with tomato sauce. Made without breadcrumbs!
Baked Kale Meatballs
Have you ever found yourself with an abundance of kale that you have no idea how to use? I usually reach for my favorite kale recipes, like quick buttery pasta with kale, kale bean and potato soup and these baked turkey meatballs!
Made with ground turkey, Italian herbs, and of course fresh kale, these delectable baked meatballs are delicious! They are made without breadcrumbs, but are still perfectly moist, tender and never fall apart!
Our favorite ways of serving them is spaghetti and meatballs, a meatball sub, or you can throw toothpicks in each one for a finger party food!
How to To Make Turkey Kale Meatballs
Wilt your kale in an oiled pan over medium high heat.
Add the wilted kale and garlic to a food processor and pulse until finely chopped.
In a large bowl, combine your kale mixture, ground turkey, eggs, and herbs. Use clean hands to thoroughly combine and form the mixture into evenly sized balls.
Layer the meatballs onto parchment-lined baking sheets and bake until they’re slightly crispy on the outside and the internal temperature reaches 165 degrees F.
Allow your baked turkey meatballs to cool slightly before serving with your favorite pasta, sandwich, or sauce.
Can I Make Kale Meatballs Ahead of Time?
Yes you can! Mix and form your kale meatballs as recipe instructions and then partially bake them for 15 minutes. Allow your partially baked meatballs to cool before transferring to a freezer bag. Store them in the freeze, for up to 3 months. When you’re ready to bake, pop them into the oven for 25-30 minutes or until they are completely cooked inside.
How to Store Leftover Meatballs
Any leftover baked meatballs can be stored in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat in the oven, on the stovetop, or in the microwave.
Pin for later:
Baked Ground Turkey Meatballs with Kale
PrintIngredients
- 3 tablespoons olive oil
- 4 cups kale chopped
- 2 pounds ground turkey
- 4 cloves garlic
- 2 eggs
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1/2 teaspoon dried parsley
- 1/2 teaspoon dried rosemary
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon pepper
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
- Add olive oil to a large pan over medium high heat. Add kale and continue stirring until kale is wilted, about 5-7 minutes.
- Put kale mixture and garlic into a food processor and pulse a few times until kale is finely chopped up.
- In a large bowl add kale mixture, ground turkey, eggs, oregano, parsley, rosemary, salt and pepper. Mix to fully combine, either using your hands (my preferred method) or spoon. Form this mixture into 2 inch balls.
- Line 2 baking sheets with parchment paper. Place meatballs on top of baking sheet.
- Bake meatballs for 40 minutes or until the internal temperature is 165 degrees F.
- Remove from oven, serve with your favorite tomato sauce and enjoy!
Sophie says
I made your tasty special meatballs too & loved them so much. My belly was singing too.
Gretchen @ Two Healthy Kitchens says
Aww! I’m so sorry your garden got frozen, but it sounds like everything will be ok! I love the photo of you with your baby kale. 🙂
I cannot wait to eat these meatballs. We have a favorite meatball, but I bet it doesn’t hold a candle to those! And 4 cups of kale in there?!?! Amazing!! Love getting extra veggies in where you least expect it! Awesome recipe!
Janet says
I’m growing kale as well. Neat!
Mary Frances @ The Sweet {Tooth} Life says
I saw this title and literally, my jaw dropped. I cannot think of a better use for kale! I love meatballs! Pinning this one! I hope you get sunshine back … I was done with snow a couple months ago! 🙂
Kelly says
Yikes, it snowed here too – I’m so sorry about your plants but glad that most of them seem okay – hopefully that is the last we see of winter. These kale meatballs are so creative – I am such a big fan of kale and love the idea of sneaking veggies – they sound delicious!
Purabi Naha | Cosmopolitan Currymania says
Your kale meatballs looked so cute when you were babysitting them, Kale mother! Ha ha…loved reading your interesting post and these baked wonders sound delicious!
Sophie says
Too bad to hear about that storm & that terribly bad weather,…who would have guessed that?
You made wonderful tasty kale meatballls,..ooh yeahhh! They look freaking delicious too! You look indeed like PAMALEESI: MOTHER OF KALES ! ha! 🙂 xx
ela@GrayApron says
Not bad, not bad at all…to put all the kale in the meatballs! 🙂 ela
Shashi @ RunninSrilankan says
This weather has indeed been insane! Last Tuesday was no joke! While we didnt get snow or hail, we did have temps below freezing and I did end up covering all my plants too.
Now to these meatballs – love how you sneaked in kale – I bet they tasted super!
Cailee says
Oh man!! These kale meatballs look so delicious and crispy on the outside! YUM!!
Kristi @ Inspiration Kitchen says
Gorgeous bunch of kale and I love that you made them into meatballs. What a great idea! Happy Easter!!!
Chris @ Shared Appetite says
So glad most of your plants made it through the storm okay! And so clever using kale in meatballs!! They look great!
Consuelo @ Honey & Figs says
Yeah the weather is crazy! It has been feeling like summer here for like two weeks and nw we’re back to cloudy, rainy days and it sucks so so much :'(
That kale looks glorious! And so do the meatballs – I want them for dinner pleeeaase!
Peachy @ The Peach Kitchen says
Oh my, there is still snow in your part of the globe? It’s smoking hot in ours! Thanks for dropping by my blog and leading me to yours. Those kale meatballs look tasty and versatile!
Debra says
Yep, our alleged last frost date is April 15. Guess what happened on April 14? 27 degrees. But, it was definitely beautiful today. And, I still have not planted any kale. Almost too late now.
cheri says
Can’t believe the weather you guys are having, were burning up here in AZ. Anyway, these kale meatballs looks delicious, how clever!
Monica says
I could not believe when we woke up the other morning with snow on the ground! It’s mind-blowing but I’m enjoying the sunshine right now. This kale meatball really looks out-of-this-world! Satisfying and good for you = perfect combo.
yummychunklet says
Intriguing idea to put kale in meatballs! They sound pretty tasty.
Suzanne says
That snow really was a bummer, killed my basil seedlings totally out of the blue. Love the meatballs!
Tracy | Pale Yellow says
The snow this week totally cramped my style, warm weather come back! PAMALEESI: MOTHER OF KALES – love it!!
Lindsey @ American Heritage Cooking says
Not your garden!!! I am so over this weather. It needs to make up it’s damn mind already.
Your kale meatballs look amazing! The perfect twist on a familiar favorite to make it feel like it’s almost Spring!
Cecile @ My Yellow Farmhouse says
I got back Thursday from what I’m calling My Big Trip. (I ended up doing 4,000 miles!!) When I left – March 21st – it was cold and when I got back to Massachusetts, it had turned cold again. I’m wondering if it’s MY fault!!
I can’t wait to make these meatballs as I, too, have been ‘hankerin’ for meatballs and spaghetti.
I’m glad your crops sprung back. No one understands the heartache unless they’ve raised veggies themselves. Just like babies, they’re a lot of work but there’s joy every step of the way!!
Pamela says
The perfect way to describe it Cecile, they really are your babies!
Joanne says
I don’t know WHAT is up with this weather, but hopefully this weekend will cheer all your plants up!!
Helen @ Scrummy Lane says
Love that you can just bake these meatballs, Pamela, and they still turn out crispy.
Glad that your garden survived the snow. I can’t imagine having to worry about something like that!
Daniela @ FoodrecipesHQ says
Yummy bites! I am showing this recipe to my mum now, she loves it!
Pamela says
Hi Mom!
Angie@Angie's Recipes says
O my..snow and ice….that’s just so unreal in April.
Those kale meatballs look great!
Misti says
Sorry about the freak winter storm. The kale recipe sounds delicious! My kale hasn’t bolted yet but every other green out there seems to be.
tinywhitecottage says
Darn weather…. but look at those meatballs! Great method cooking them in the oven. It can be a bit daunting standing over the stove (especially for that many) and turning them all the while getting a little spattered with oil. 🙂 Lovely post and hope the sun start shining on your garden!