Cranberry-Glazed Turkey Meatballs
Cranberry-Glazed Turkey Meatballs are a delicious and festive appetizer made from lean ground turkey, seasoned to perfection and coated in a tangy-sweet cranberry glaze. These meatballs offer a flavorful balance of savory and sweet, with the cranberry sauce adding a burst of color and a festive touch. Perfect for holiday parties or as a light meal, they’re a healthier alternative to traditional meatballs while still delivering on taste and satisfaction. The glaze also provides a glossy finish, making them both appealing and flavorful.
Ingredients
Meatballs
- 1 large egg
- 3 Tbsp. finely chopped yellow onion
- 2 Tbsp. whole-fat Greek yogurt
- 1 Tbsp. chopped fresh thyme leaves
- 2 tsp. chopped fresh sage leaves
- 2 tsp. Worcestershire sauce
- 1 tsp. kosher salt
- 1/4 tsp. freshly ground black pepper
- 1 lb. (94% lean) ground turkey
- 1/2 cup panko breadcrumbs
Cranberry Glaze & Assembly
- 1 cup canned or homemade cranberry sauce
- 1 Tbsp. apple cider vinegar
- 1 Tbsp. pure maple syrup
- 1 Tbsp. whole grain mustard
- 1 tsp. finely grated orange zest
- 1/4 tsp. kosher salt
- Freshly ground black pepper
- 2 Tbsp. extra-virgin olive oil
- Mashed potatoes, for serving
Instructions
Meatballs
- Into a large bowl, crack egg and beat with a fork until blended. Add onion, yogurt, thyme, sage, Worcestershire, salt, and pepper and beat with fork to combine. Add turkey and bread crumbs and mix with clean hands until combined.
- Form turkey mixture into tablespoon-sized balls and transfer to a large plate. Cover and refrigerate until chilled, about 15 minutes.
Cranberry Glaze & Assembly
- In a medium bowl, whisk cranberry sauce, vinegar, syrup, mustard, orange zest, salt, and a few grinds of pepper.
- In a high-sided 12" cast-iron or nonstick skillet over medium heat, heat oil until hot. Cook meatballs until bottom is golden brown, about 4 minutes. Turn meatballs and continue to cook until other side is browned, about 3 minutes more.
- Add sauce and gently stir meatballs until coated in sauce. Let simmer until sauce is thickened and an instant-read thermometer inserted into the center of meatballs registers 165°, 3 to 5 minutes more.
- Divide mashed potatoes among plates. Spoon meatballs and sauce over.
Nutrition
Calories: 473kcalCarbohydrates: 46gProtein: 27gFat: 20gSaturated Fat: 4gCholesterol: 126mgSodium: 710mgPotassium: 565mgFiber: 3gSugar: 27gCalcium: 105mgIron: 3mg
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