Mid-week dinner just got a lot better with these yummy Turkey Meatball Gyros. As the head cook in our home, I’m always looking for healthy meals that can be made easily in the middle of all our hectic weeknight schedules. Many nights of the week, we have a very short window where we can sit and eat together, between gymnastics, guitar, cross country practice, and church. It’s got to be quick, easy and nutritious. I’m also one of those folks that easily gets bored with the same old meals, so I’m always looking for ways to change things up and try something new. This is one of those meals that layers lots of interesting flavors and keeps a weeknight dinner interesting. Sweet, spicy, tangy and crunchy – these gyros have it all.

As you may know, I’m married to a Biology teacher, and about a year and half ago he decided to stop eating beef. It’s all to do with the draught and how much water raising beef takes. Anyways, to make a long story a little shorter, I’m always looking for other protein options. And turkey is number one. Ground turkey is a healthy, leaner and lower calorie alternative to ground beef and is an easy substitute for leaner meals. Foster Farms Organic Ground Turkey is USDA Certified Organic and raised free-range on organic land. It’s100% natural with no antibiotics, no GMOs and no added hormones or steroids.

I trust Foster Farms for their organic ground turkey, they are the leading producer of organic turkey in the Western United States. And for me, they are local, Foster Farms turkeys are raised right here in California’s Central Valley. 

Let’s start with tasty, crunchy side to serve with these gyros. On a recent trip, we were served crispy chick peas as a little starter to our meal. They were so addicting, all of use couldn’t stop munching on them. Quick and easy to make, I’m sure you are also going to love these Crispy Curry Chickpeas.

Crispy Curry Chickpeas

• 2 cans chickpeas
• 3 tbsp. olive oil
• 1/2 tsp. coarse salt
• 2 tbsp. balsamic vinegar
• 2 tsp. curry powder
• 2 tsp. dried tarragon
• 1 tsp. coriander

Drain, rinse and dry the chickpeas. In a large bowl, combine the spices, olive oil and vinegar. Add the chickpeas and toss to coat them evenly.

Place on a parchment lined cookie sheet in a single layer. Bake at 400 F for 35 mins. Stir the chick peas every 10 mins.

Serve warm.

And now for the main course. The nice thing about this meal is that you can make everything ahead of time and then just when you are ready to sit down and eat, all you have to do is warm up the meatballs.

Turkey Meatball Gyros

• Pita bread or mediterranean flat bread
• cucumbers, sliced
• tomatoes, sliced
• fresh cilantro
• Sweet and Spicy Red Onion Pickles (see recipe below)
• Lemon Feta Tzatziki (see recipe below)

Turkey Meatballs

• 1 lb. Foster Farms Organic Ground Turkey
• 1/4 cup red onion finely chopped
• 2 cloves of garlic minced
• 2 tbsp. finely chopped fresh cilantro
• 2 tbsp. harissa paste (or Siracha is a good substitute)
• 1 tsp. cumin
• 1/4 tsp. cinnamon
• 1/2 tsp. salt
• 1/4 tsp. pepper
• 1 egg
• 1/4 cup rolled oats

In a bowl combine all the ingredients. Using small ice cream scoop, scoop the meatballs onto a parchment lined cookie sheet. Bake at 400 F for 17-20 mins. Be sure to check them at 17 mins., you don’t want to over cook them, remove them as soon as then are done. This will prevent them from getting tough or dry.

Sweet and Spicy Pickled Red Onion

• 1/3 cup cider vinegar
• 1 tbsp. sugar
• 1/2 tsp. salt
• 1/4 tsp. cayenne pepper
• 1/2 a red onion sliced thinly

In a jar, combine the vinegar, sugar, salt and cayenne pepper. Add the red onion, seal and place in the fridge for at least two hours.

Lemon Feta Tzatziki

• 1 cup whole milk greek yogurt
• 1/2 cup crumbled feta
• 2 cloves of garlic minced
• 2 tbsp. fresh dill finely chopped
• 1/2 tsp. salt
• pepper to taste
• zest ad juice of one lemon
• 1/2 cup grated cucumber

In a bowl, combine all the ingredients. Cover and store in the fridge until ready to serve.

Foster Farms is offering $2 OFF their Organic Ground Turkey. Click HERE for the coupon!

Foster Farms will be conducting a Facebook drawing over the next three weeks for a FREE package of Foster Farms Organic Ground Turkey; five winners will be drawn randomly each Friday. To be eligible, readers just have to comment on this post, HERE their favorite way to prepare Foster Farms Organic Ground Turkey. 

This post is sponsored by Foster Farms Organic Ground Turkey, thanks you for supporting the great companies that help make this blog possible.