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    Home » Dinner

    Paleo Pesto Turkey Meatballs {Gluten-Free, Dairy-Free, Whole30}

    Published: Jan 28, 2018 · by Audrey

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    Paleo Pesto Turkey Meatballs Pinterest pin

    Paleo pesto turkey meatballs are so tender and juicy. They are bursting with flavor from the homemade dairy-free basil pesto sauce. Gluten-free and dairy-free.

    Paleo Pesto Turkey Meatballs with zucchini noodles

    Paleo Dinner Recipes

    Our family is trying to eat more Paleo meals. Paleo means gluten-free, grain-free, dairy-free and no refined sugars. We eat a lot of ground turkey in my house, so I am always trying new and creative ways to fix it for dinner.

    We are trying to eat more grain-free, so I wanted to create a Paleo turkey meatball recipe that I knew my family will love.  I wanted to create an Italian style turkey meatball but with a twist.

    Paleo-Pesto-Sauce-Ingredients

    Dairy-Free Basil Pesto Sauce

    My husband, our youngest son, and I are also dairy-free, so I wanted to create a Pesto sauce that did not include cheese. I substituted cashews for the Parmesan cheese that you find in traditional pesto sauce.

    The cashews mimic the flavor and texture of the Parmesan cheese beautifully. Paleo pesto sauce is a mixture of fresh basil, minced garlic, cashews, lemon juice, and olive oil.

    Paleo Pesto Turkey Meatballs Bite

    Paleo Turkey Meatballs

    The Paleo pesto turkey meatballs are so tender and juicy. They are bursting with flavor from the homemade dairy-free basil pesto sauce. Serve over zucchini noodles (zoodles) or with your favorite side dish. These Paleo pesto turkey meatballs would also be a perfect appetizer served at your next party.

    These turkey meatballs are gluten-free, grain-free, dairy-free and also perfect for those following the Whole30 diet.

    Paleo Pesto Turkey Meatballs Pinterest pin

    Looking for other Paleo dinner recipes? Check out these gluten-free dinner recipes.

    • Crispy Chicken Thighs One Pan Meal
    • Slow-Cooker Savory Pot Roast with Gravy
    • Easy Beef Stew
    • Honey Lemon Ginger Chicken
    • Gluten-Free Tumeric Coconut Chicken Curry

     

    Paleo Pesto Turkey Meatballs with zucchini noodles
    Print Pin

    Paleo Pesto Turkey Meatballs

    Paleo pesto turkey meatballs are so tender and juicy. They are bursting with flavor from the homemade dairy-free basil pesto sauce. Super easy to make in less than 40 minutes.
    Course Main Course
    Cuisine Italian
    Keyword gluten-free meatballs
    Prep Time 10 minutes
    Cook Time 30 minutes
    Total Time 40 minutes
    Servings 45 meat balls
    Calories 87kcal
    Author Audrey from Mama Knows Gluten Free

    Ingredients

    Meatballs:

    • 3 pounds ground turkey
    • 2 eggs whisked
    • ⅔ cup almond flour
    • 2 tablespoons  of onion powder

    Pesto Sauce:

    • ½ cup olive oil
    • 10 oz package of fresh basil leaves or 4 tablespoons of dried basil
    • 2 tablespoons minced garlic
    • 1 teaspoon salt
    • 1 cup cashews
    • 2 tablespoons lemon juice

    Instructions

    • Preheat oven to 425º F.

    Pesto Sauce:

    • In a food processor chop fresh basil. If using dried basil add to the food processor when you add the cashews.
    • Add cashews to the food and chop until fully combined with basil.
    • Add minced garlic, salt, lemon juice and olive oil to the cashew mixture and chop until fully combined.

    Meatballs:

    • In a large bowl whisk eggs.
    • Add ground turkey, almond flour, onion powder and pesto sauce. Mix together with a large spoon or your hand until fully combined.
    • Line two baking sheets with parchment paper.
    • Using a medium cookie scoop ( 1 ½ teaspoon) or a heaping tablespoon scoop meatball mixture out to form a ball and place on the baking sheet.
    • Cook for 30 minutes.
    • Enjoy!

    Notes

    Mama says, "Check your labels!"

    Nutrition

    Serving: 6meatballs | Calories: 87kcal | Carbohydrates: 2g | Protein: 8g | Fat: 5g | Cholesterol: 23mg | Sodium: 71mg | Potassium: 137mg | Vitamin A: 350IU | Vitamin C: 1.7mg | Calcium: 21mg | Iron: 0.8mg
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    Did you enjoy this recipe? Please give it a star rating below in the comments. Thank you!
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    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Lorraine says

      May 03, 2019 at 3:12 pm

      Hi! My family and I have enjoyed a few of your recipes! I wanted to make these turkey meatballs however I don’t have almond flour can I use regular gluten free flour?

      Reply
      • Audrey says

        May 03, 2019 at 3:48 pm

        Hi Lorraine! I would recommend using gluten-free bread crumbs instead of the almond flour. I am so happy to hear that you have enjoyed a few of my recipes. I hope you enjoy the turkey meatballs!

        Reply
        • Lorraine says

          May 03, 2019 at 5:31 pm

          Thank you!! I just made the pie crust!! It’s sitting in the fridge now!! I’m so happy that I found you as my husband is both gluten and dairy free!! It can be quite challenging to find good recipes!

          Reply
          • Audrey says

            May 04, 2019 at 9:08 pm

            You are so welcome Lorraine, I love sharing what I make for my! I hope you enjoy the pie as well. Thank you for your kind words and encouragement.

            Reply
    2. Kariq says

      December 16, 2018 at 12:55 pm

      Since my daughter has a nut allergy, I plan to use regular pesto. Could you tell me how much I would use to be the equivalent of the pesto you make in your recipe? Thanks so much! It looks delicious!

      Reply
      • Audrey says

        December 17, 2018 at 7:29 am

        Hi Kariq I would start with 1/2 cup since the Paleo pesto is thicker than regular pesto. Id the meatballs are not moist enough when you mix them, you could try and add 1/4 cup more to add more moisture. I hope you enjoy the meatballs!

        Reply
    3. Arlene says

      September 18, 2018 at 11:29 am

      When you say 10 oz of basil is that by weight or volume?

      Reply
      • Audrey says

        September 18, 2018 at 4:05 pm

        Hi Arlene! I used a 10oz package of fresh basil in the recipe. I hope you enjoy the Pesto turkey meatballs.

        Reply
    4. Sarah says

      March 18, 2018 at 12:38 pm

      What would be the best egg substitute for the pesto turkey meatballs?

      Reply
      • Audrey says

        March 18, 2018 at 2:51 pm

        Hi Sarah! I have not tried egg replacements in this recipe. My friend Nicole from the Allerlicious does egg-free recipes. This is a link to her recommendations. https://allergylicious.com/egg-free-baking I hope that it helps. Please let me know if you try them egg-free and how they came out.

        Reply

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    Audrey Roberts in a white kitchen for a profile photo

    I'm Audrey Roberts, a busy mama of four and I love sharing the recipes that I make for my family. I make gluten-free family-friendly recipes that are simple and delicious that you can too! I use easy to find ingredients that won't break your budget. You will also find dairy-free options and Paleo recipes. I am also the author of  The Everything Gluten-Free & Dairy-Free Cookbook, which is an Amazon Best Selling Cookbook in the US and Internationally. Living gluten-free since 2010. I hope by me sharing my journey it may help you with yours.  Read More…

     

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