Why You’ll Love these Hearty Turkey Meatball Subs
These turkey meatball subs are a game-changer for weeknight dinners.
I’ve found they strike that perfect balance between healthy and indulgent—using ground turkey instead of beef but still delivering all the comfort food vibes you crave.
What I love most? The depth of flavor from that splash of cooking sherry and steak sauce.
Trust me, nobody will guess these are turkey. The crispy French bread gets all toasty in the oven, creating the ideal vessel for those juicy meatballs, tangy sauce, and that glorious melted cheese that stretches with every bite.
Dinner perfection in sandwich form.
What Ingredients are in Hearty Turkey Meatball Subs?
These turkey meatball subs bring together savory ingredients that transform lean ground turkey into something truly spectacular. I’m always amazed at how a few simple pantry staples can elevate a basic sandwich into something worthy of a restaurant menu. The combination of aromatics, seasonings, and that touch of cooking sherry creates meatballs that are incredibly moist and flavorful—a perfect foundation for building these hearty subs.
- 1 lb ground turkey
- 1/2 medium onion, finely chopped
- 1/4 cup seasoned bread crumbs
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon black pepper
- 2 tablespoons cooking sherry
- 2 teaspoons steak sauce
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 large egg, beaten
- 1 dash adobo seasoning
- 1 (8 ounce) jar prepared spaghetti sauce (or about 1 cup homemade)
- 2 loaves French bread (Pepperidge Farm recommended)
- Shredded mozzarella cheese
When shopping for these ingredients, the quality of your bread really matters—you want something with a crispy exterior and soft interior to stand up to those saucy meatballs. And while jarred spaghetti sauce works perfectly well for a quick weeknight meal, feel free to substitute your favorite homemade sauce if you have some on hand. As for the cheese, don’t skimp! A generous handful of shredded mozzarella creates that perfect melty, stretchy topping that makes these subs absolutely irresistible.
How to Make these Hearty Turkey Meatball Subs
Making these turkey meatball subs is straightforward, and the results are absolutely worth it. Start by combining 1 lb of ground turkey with 1/2 medium onion (finely chopped), 1/4 cup seasoned bread crumbs, 1/2 teaspoon salt, 1 teaspoon black pepper, 2 tablespoons cooking sherry, 2 teaspoons steak sauce, 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder, and 1 beaten egg in a large bowl. This is where the magic happens—get your hands in there and mix everything thoroughly, making sure all those wonderful seasonings are evenly distributed. The cooking sherry might seem unusual, but trust me, it adds a depth of flavor that makes these meatballs special.
Once your mixture is well combined, shape it into medium-sized balls—you should get about 16 meatballs from this amount. Place them on a foil-lined baking dish, which makes cleanup so much easier (who wants to scrub a baking pan after dinner?), and sprinkle with a dash of adobo seasoning.
Pop them into a 375°F oven for about 40 minutes, or until they’re fully cooked through. While the meatballs are baking, warm your French bread loaves in the oven until they’re nice and crusty on the outside but still soft within.
When everything’s ready, slice the bread lengthwise, arrange those beautiful meatballs along the bottom halves, spoon the 8-ounce jar of spaghetti sauce over top, and finish with a generous sprinkling of shredded mozzarella cheese.
Return your assembled subs to a 325°F oven just until the cheese melts—that moment when it gets all bubbly and starts to brown slightly at the edges? That’s perfection.
Cut each loaf in half to make four substantial sandwiches in total. The contrast between the crispy bread, tender meatballs, tangy sauce, and gooey cheese creates a symphony of textures and flavors that’s hard to beat. Maybe add some napkins, because these subs can get delightfully messy—the mark of any truly great sandwich, if you ask me.
Hearty Turkey Meatball Subs Substitutions and Variations
While the classic turkey meatball sub recipe is delicious as-is, you can easily customize it to suit your taste preferences or dietary needs.
I often swap ground turkey for beef when I’m craving something richer, or chicken for a lighter option. Not a fan of breadcrumbs? Try crushed crackers or oats instead.
The sauce is your playground too. Substitute marinara with arrabbiata for heat, or pesto for an herby twist. Dairy-free folks can skip mozzarella for vegan cheese alternatives.
And those bread options? Ciabatta, whole grain rolls, or even lettuce wraps work beautifully. Who says traditions can’t be flexible?
What to Serve with Hearty Turkey Meatball Subs
A good meatball sub can stand on its own, but pairing it with the right sides takes your meal from satisfying to spectacular. I love serving mine with crispy garlic parmesan fries or a simple Italian pasta salad with tangy vinaigrette.
Can’t go wrong with classics, right?
For something lighter, try a crunchy Caesar salad or some marinated vegetable antipasto. The acidity cuts through the richness of the sub perfectly.
When I’m feeling extra, I’ll whip up some homemade potato chips dusted with Italian herbs. Trust me, the combination of warm, saucy sub and cool, crisp sides creates that restaurant-quality experience at your kitchen table.
Final Thoughts
These hearty turkey meatball subs have become a staple in my household for good reason.
They’re simple to prepare yet deliver that perfect comfort food experience everyone craves. I love how the juicy turkey meatballs, seasoned with sherry and steak sauce, offer a lighter alternative to traditional beef without sacrificing flavor.
What really makes these subs special is their versatility.
Need a quick weeknight dinner? Done. Looking for game day fare that’ll impress friends? You’re covered.
The melty mozzarella, warm crusty bread, and savory sauce create that irresistible combination that, honestly, who could turn down?
Traditional Gumbo Z’Herbes
Ingredients
Equipment
Method
- Thoroughly wash all mixed greens, removing any tough stems. Coarsely chop the greens.
- Place the chopped greens in a large pot with 1 cup of cold water. Cook until wilted, about 5-15 minutes depending on the types of greens used.
- Drain the greens but reserve the cooking liquid. Add enough water to the reserved liquid to make 1½ quarts total.
- In a heavy-bottomed Dutch oven, heat the bacon fat or corn oil over medium heat. Gradually add the flour, stirring constantly with a wooden spoon for 15-20 minutes until the roux reaches a medium brown color similar to peanut butter.
- Add the chopped onion, minced garlic, and diced green pepper to the roux. Cook until vegetables are softened, about 5-10 minutes.
- Slowly stir the reserved liquid into the roux mixture, ensuring no lumps form.
- Add the bay leaf, dried thyme, salt, black pepper, white pepper, and cayenne pepper.
- Stir in the cooked greens, smoked ham chunks, and sausage pieces.
- Bring the mixture to a gentle simmer, then reduce heat to low. Cover partially and simmer for 1½ to 2 hours, stirring occasionally as the flavors develop and meld together.
- Remove the bay leaf before serving. Taste and adjust seasonings if needed.
- Serve hot over white rice.
