Turkey Meatball Vegetable Soup
Turkey Meatball Vegetable Soup is a nutritious, hearty, and comforting dish featuring tender lean turkey meatballs simmered in a rich broth with a variety of fresh vegetables. This easy-to-make soup offers a perfect balance of protein and wholesome veggies, ideal for any season and customizable with your favorite ingredients.
- Author: Julia
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Total Time: 45 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings 1x
- Category: Soups
- Method: Simmering
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Gluten Free
Meatballs
- 1 lb ground turkey
- 1/4 cup finely chopped onion
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 large egg
- 1/4 cup breadcrumbs (or gluten-free breadcrumbs)
- 2 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/4 tsp black pepper
Soup Base and Vegetables
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 1 medium onion, diced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 medium carrots, thinly sliced
- 2 stalks celery, diced
- 6 cups vegetable or chicken broth
- 1 medium zucchini, chopped
- 2 cups fresh spinach or kale, chopped
- 2 tsp fresh thyme
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Prepare the Meatballs: In a bowl, combine ground turkey, finely chopped onion, minced garlic, egg, breadcrumbs, chopped parsley, salt, and black pepper. Mix gently until just combined, then roll the mixture into small, bite-sized meatballs. Set aside while prepping vegetables.
- Sauté Aromatics and Vegetables: Heat olive oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add diced onions, minced garlic, sliced carrots, and diced celery. Cook until fragrant and slightly softened, about 5 minutes, to develop deep flavors for the broth.
- Browns the Meatballs: Add the meatballs to the pot and brown on all sides for 3-4 minutes without cooking through completely. Browning adds caramelized flavor that enhances the soup.
- Add Broth and Simmer: Pour in the vegetable or chicken broth, ensuring meatballs and vegetables are covered. Bring to a gentle boil, then reduce heat and simmer for 15-20 minutes until meatballs are cooked through and vegetables tender.
- Incorporate Greens and Final Touches: Add chopped zucchini and spinach or kale about 5 minutes before the soup finishes cooking. Stir in fresh thyme, adjust seasoning with salt and pepper, and allow the greens to wilt perfectly before serving.
Notes
- Use fresh parsley and thyme for the best flavor impact.
- Handle turkey mixture gently to keep meatballs tender and not dense.
- Brown meatballs in batches to avoid overcrowding the pan, which can cause steaming instead of browning.
- Add greens near the end to preserve their vibrant color and nutrients.
- Taste the broth before serving and adjust salt and pepper as needed to perfect the soup.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1.5 cups
- Calories: 220
- Sugar: 4g
- Sodium: 600mg
- Fat: 6g
- Saturated Fat: 1.5g
- Unsaturated Fat: 4g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 12g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 25g
- Cholesterol: 70mg
Keywords: turkey meatball soup, vegetable soup, healthy soup, gluten free soup, easy dinner, comforting soup