Enjoy the wholesome and satisfying Greek Turkey Rice Bowls, infused with vibrant Mediterranean flavors and my favorite tzatziki sauce!
Perfect for meal prepping, this under 30-minute & kid-friendly recipe offers a week's worth of clean and nutritious eating, brimming with fresh ingredients.
Love easy dinner bowls? Try my 10-minute salmon bowl, ramen and air fryer chicken with vegetable bowl.
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Ingredients
- Meat - while I used ground turkey for this recipe, you can easily substitute it with ground beef, ground chicken or use your favorite marinated and cooked chicken, chopped into pieces, for added variety in your bowl.
- Rice - for the brown rice base, feel free to switch things up! Whether you prefer white rice, quinoa, couscous, barley, farro, or wheat berries, the choice is yours.
- Cucumbers - I used my Mediterranean cucumber salad here with cherry tomatoes.
- Breadcrumbs - use seasoned breadcrumbs or for low carb version almond flour works well too.
- Liven up your bowl! Add chopped romaine lettuce for a crisp crunch, chopped bell peppers (raw or roasted/grilled), baked zucchini, kale, or sauteed mushroom for extra flavor. For a creamy and tangy touch, add roasted red pepper hummus, pumpkin hummus or sprinkle feta cheese on top of the bowl.
Step by step photos can be found below the recipe card.
How To Make Greek Rice Bowls with Meatballs
- If serving meatballs with grains, start cooking them now.
- Preheat the oven to 400°F (200°C). Mix everything in a bowl, then roll into 2-inch balls (about 2 tablespoons each, making 14-16 meatballs).
- Bake in the oven for 15 minutes, turning the broiler to high for the last 2-3 minutes (P.S. Depending on your oven, you may need only 1-2 minutes for broiling).
- Assemble the bowls with your favorite cooked grains, Mediterranean salad or creamy cucumber salad, greek yogurt sauce, olives, dill land drizzle with freshly squeezed lemon juice on top.
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Vegetarian Substitute
My favorite vegetarian substitute is using these chickpea burger patties or falafel they are incredibly moist and delicious!
Freezing And Storing Instructions
For optimal freshness, I recommend storing these bowls in the fridge for up to 4 days.
And store all the ingredients separately. Meatballs will last in the fridge for 4 days and 2-3 months in the freezer.
However, due to the presence of fresh vegetables and yogurt sauce, they are not suitable for freezing.
Meal Prep
Divide the rice evenly among four containers and top each with the ground turkey meatballs.
In a separate container or small bag, pack the chopped veggies or salad, olives, rice separately, and lemon wedge if using. Store the tzatziki sauce in another separate container.
When ready to eat, warm the rice bowls for about 45 seconds in the microwave and cover them with a damp paper towel to prevent drying.
Top with cucumber salad, olives, squeeze lemon, and add tzatziki sauce to taste.
Hot or Cold?
Enjoy these bowls, warm or cold. Freshly made, the warm rice and turkey complement the crisp, cold vegetables.
As leftovers for meal prep, they make a refreshing cold salad.
More Favorite Mediterranean Recipes
- Lemon Greek Potatoes
- Feta Rolls
- Chicken Souvlaki
- Mediterranean Cucumber Salad
- Mediterranean Chicken Recipe
- Mediterranean Chickpea Pasta Salad
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Recipe Card
15 Minute Greek Rice Bowl With Turkey Meatballs
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INGREDIENTS
For Baked Turkey Meatballs
- 1 pound ground turkey
- ½ cup Italian breadcrumbs , GF if needed or blanched almond flour
- ¾ cup brown onion, chopped
- 1 large egg
- 2 teaspoon garlic, minced
- ½ teaspoon kosher salt
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
For Serving
- 4 cups chopped cucumbers and tomatoes, or Mediterranean cucumber salad
- 2 cups Kalamata olives
- 1 recipe Tzatziki sauce
- fresh dill
- lemon wedges or slices
- 3 ½ cups cooked brown rice , or pearl couscous
INSTRUCTIONS
- Preheat the oven to 400°F (200°C). Mix everything in a bowl, then roll into 2-inch balls (about 2 tablespoons each, making 16 meatballs).1 pound ground turkey, ½ cup Italian breadcrumbs , ¾ cup brown onion, 1 large egg, ½ teaspoon kosher salt, ¼ teaspoon black pepper, 2 teaspoon garlic
- Bake in the oven for 15 minutes, turning the broiler to high for the last 2-3 minutes for a golden brown exteriror (depending on your oven you may need only 1-2 minutes).
- Assemble the bowls with your favorite cooked grain, salad, tzatziki sauce, olives, dill and drizzle with freshly squeezed lemon juice on top.4 cups chopped cucumbers and tomatoes, 2 cups Kalamata olives, 1 recipe Tzatziki sauce, fresh dill, lemon wedges or slices, 3 ½ cups cooked brown rice
NOTES
- Tzatziki sauce recipe.
- Without Egg - I've also tested these meatballs without an egg and with just ¼ cup of breadcrumbs. The texture is slightly different, still tasty but in this case I recommend testing one after 10-11 minutes for doneness.
- Nutrition is calculated together with rice, cucumbers salad, dill, olives.
- Meal prep.
- Divide the rice evenly among four containers and top each with the ground turkey meatballs. In a separate container or small bag, pack the chopped veggies or salad, olives, rice separately, and lemon wedge if using. Store the tzatziki sauce in another separate containers.
- When ready to eat, warm the rice bowls for about 45 seconds in the microwave, covered with a damp paper towel to prevent drying. Top with cucumber salad, olives, squeeze lemon, and add tzatziki sauce to taste.
ADD YOUR OWN PRIVATE NOTES
NUTRITION
Note: Nutrition information is estimated and varies based on the products used.
Full Nutrition Disclaimer can be found here.
FAQs
Generally, eggs, olive oil and milk add moisture and help the meatball mixture bind when cooked. If your recipe uses breadcrumbs, don't overmeasure and add too many; they will make your meatballs chewy and dry.
When shaping the meatballs, they shouldn't be overly dry; instead, they should be slightly moist and firm (resulting in tender meatballs once cooked). Keep a bowl of cold water nearby to dip your hands in. This trick is a lifesaver! Give it a try!
Baking the meatballs will give them a light, crunchy exterior, although the caramelization achieved from frying will be more pronounced. Both are good; don't overcook them, whatever method you use!
1. Don't overmix the breadcrumbs and meat mixture. 2. Follow the recipe instructions and ingredients quantities.
Sarah Elizabeth Abela
Does the nutrition information also include the tzatziki?
Julia
Yes I've made sure to includ the tzatziki sauce from my site.
Devon_S
The freezing and storing instructions were particularly useful. It's great to see a recipe that considers meal prep beyond just the cooking. Makes planning for the week a breeze.
Mark_theShark
If I prepare this Greek Rice Bowl in under 15 minutes, does it come with a trip to Greece? Asking for a friend. 😉
Liz Greenfield
For anyone looking to substitute, I used lentil balls instead of turkey and it was fabulous. Maybe next time, the article could include more vegetarian options upfront? Just a thought!
jayme_p
tried making the rice bowl and it turned out great. cheap and easy, just what i need. gotta love a meal that doesnt break the bank
Terry Johnson
Loving the idea of a 15 Minute Greek Rice Bowl. It's perfect for my protein needs and quick to whip up after a workout. Gonna give the turkey meatballs a shot this week. Cheers for the recipe, Julia!
Julia
thank you Terry!
Julia
You'll love this easy under 30-minute dinner with turkey meatballs is healthy and delicious! Let me know what you think in comments!
Julia
You'll love this easy under 30-minute dinner with turkey meatballs is health and delicious! Let me know what you think in comments!