Buffalo Turkey Meatballs

It’s football season, which means that if Kevin and the kids are watching a game, I’m curled up on the couch with a book and a plate of football snacks. I love my high-protein cottage cheese queso dip with tortilla chips and my jalapeno popper wontons, but one of my new favorites is definitely these buffalo turkey meatballs. They’re so easy to make and delicious dipped in homemade ranch. Cover them with green onions and serve with the dip and some raw veggies for an appetizer that everyone will want. The meatballs are baked, not fried, which means that while they’re cooking you can whip up the homemade Greek yogurt ranch. The meatballs themselves are doused in your favorite buffalo sauce and are perfectly moist and tender.

Ingredients for Buffalo Turkey Meatballs

• Ground turkey: You can also use ground chicken, but I like using ground turkey because it’s inexpensive and I’m always trying to keep my grocery budget down!
• Egg: An egg is a must to bind the meatballs together.
• Olive oil: Using olive oil in the meatballs adds moisture, and since ground turkey can be a bit drier because it’s so lean, the olive oil helps keep the texture moist.
• Salt: We are using salt in both the meatballs and in the homemade ranch.
• Breadcrumbs: You can use plain or Italian seasoned breadcrumbs for even more flavor.
• Buffalo sauce: You can make buffalo sauce from scratch, but you can also use your favorite store-bought buffalo sauce like I did here.
• Seasonings: onion powder, garlic powder, pepper, dried parsley, dried chives, dried dill. The onion powder and garlic powder are used in the meatballs, and the remaining seasonings are used in the homemade ranch.
• Milk: The milk goes into the ranch dip, and I like using whole milk to make it nice and creamy.
• Greek yogurt: Plain, full-fat Greek yogurt is a workhorse in my kitchen, and it adds extra protein to this ranch dip.
• Mayonnaise: Sometimes, you just need a little mayonnaise! This is going into the ranch dip as well.
• Lemon juice and apple cider vinegar: Lemon juice and apple cider vinegar give your ranch dip that signature tang!

How to Make Buffalo Turkey Meatballs

• To keep things as easy as possible, we are baking these buffalo turkey meatballs in the oven. Preheat your oven and start making your meatballs. In a large bowl mix together turkey, egg, olive oil, salt, garlic powder, onion powder, pepper, breadcrumbs, and buffalo sauce. Form the mixture into meatballs and place onto a rimmed baking sheet that’s been sprayed with nonstick cooking spray.
• Bake the meatballs for about 22 minutes until the internal temperature reaches 165 degrees. While the meatballs are baking, make your ranch dip. Whisk together the mayo, Greek yogurt, milk, lemon juice, apple cider vinegar, salt, pepper, dried parsley, dried chives, and dried dill. Taste and adjust seasonings if needed.
• When the meatballs are done baking, toss them in a bowl with buffalo sauce and serve topped with chives alongside raw veggies with the homemade ranch dip.

These buffalo turkey meatballs are a great appetizer, but they also make for an easy dinner with some pita bread, shredded lettuce, and some homemade ranch dip! Trust me, I’ve made this recipe about 10 times in the past two months, and they can’t be beat!