Jessica Alba’s Famous Meatball Recipe Is Perfect for a Weeknight

You probably know Jessica Alba from her on-screen performances or her successful Honest Beauty business ventures, but we’d like to highlight another reason why Alba deserves fame: her easy meatball recipe.

Meatballs are a favorite when it comes to feeding a family, but truthfully, they can also be a difficult thing to master. Good meatballs have to be tender, well-seasoned, and perfectly cooked from the inside out.

Well, according to reviewers, Alba’s recipe not only hits all those marks, it’s also so easy, even kids can make it.

What’s in Jessica Alba’s Famous Meatball Recipe

Several years ago, Alba went on Martha Stewart’s cooking show to share one of her most popular recipes: her homemade turkey meatballs. 

As a passionate home cook and wellness advocate, Alba shared that she has been committed to feeding her family well “from day one.” So, when it came to developing this weeknight dinner, she wanted it to be hearty and nutritious. 

But, like any busy mom, she also needed it to be simple to prepare. The actress loved the idea of making a recipe that could be interactive for her young daughter at the time. “I thought she’d be more inclined to eat it if she helped make it,” Alba shared.

Well, this big-batch recipe is just the thing to satisfy palates young and old. It’s loaded with zucchini, carrots, and onion, but the vegetables are so finely chopped that they get easily disguised in the meaty mixture—a.k.a. perfect for picky eaters. 

And, although working with ground turkey can also be a tricky task, these meatballs never turn out dry or mealy. Thanks to the egg and panko breadcrumb binders, plus a long simmer in a flavorful broth, the meatballs turn out perfectly juicy and tender every time.

With its straightforward steps and easy-to-find ingredients, this light and flavorful meatball recipe has gained quite a following. Home cooks have called these meatballs “delicious,” “perfect,” and good enough to make “once a week.” They’re also a great option for freezing and reheating on especially busy weeknights. 

”These are a favorite with EVERYONE!” shared one blogger. “We devour them!”

How to Make Jessica Alba’s Turkey Meatballs

To a large mixing bowl, add 2 pounds of raw ground turkey, 2 whole eggs, 2 tablespoons of Italian seasoning, and 1/4 cup each of finely diced carrots, onions, and zucchini. Finally, add in 1 cup of panko breadcrumbs and 1 tablespoon of sea salt. Using your hands, combine the meat mixture until totally consistent. 

Using a cookie scoop or spoon to measure, portion the meat mixture into one-inch balls and set aside on a baking tray. Tip: Putting a little bit of water on your hands can prevent the mixture from sticking to your fingers.

Next, heat a few tablespoons of olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat, then brown the meatballs on all sides until no raw meat is visible. Add a quarter cup of chicken broth (or veggie broth) to the skillet and continue to cook at a simmer until the liquid evaporates and the meatballs are cooked through. 

From there, you can serve them up however you please—dip them in tzatziki, pair them with a rice pilaf, or toss them in a saucy spaghetti. No matter how you finish it, you’ll always end up with a filling meal the family will love.