Cranberry Turkey Meatballs
Cranberry Turkey Meatballs are a delightful twist on a classic dish, combining hearty flavor with a touch of sweetness. Perfect for winter meals and gatherings!
Servings: 4 servings
Calories: 250kcal
Ingredients
For the Meatballs
- 1 pound 1 pound (450 g) 93% lean ground turkey Ground turkey for a lean option
- 1/2 cup 1/2 cup (50 g) plain breadcrumbs
- 1 tablespoon 1 tablespoon (15 ml) extra virgin olive oil
- 1 large egg 1 large egg, lightly beaten Egg to bind the mixture
- 1 cup 1 cup (100 g) shredded tart apple (like Granny Smith), washed with peel on Adds sweetness and moisture
- 1 1/2 tablespoons 1 1/2 tablespoons (15 g) fresh sage, chopped Fresh sage for flavor
- 1 teaspoon 1 teaspoon (5 g) garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon 1 teaspoon (5 g) onion powder
- 3/4 teaspoon 3/4 teaspoon (4.5 g) kosher salt
- 1/2 teaspoon 1/2 teaspoon (1 g) ground black pepper
- to taste Chopped fresh parsley Optional for garnish
For the Sauce
- 1 cup 1 cup (300 g) whole berry cranberry sauce
- 1/4 cup 1/4 cup (60 g) unsweetened applesauce
- 2 tablespoons 2 tablespoons (30 ml) pure maple syrup Adds sweetness
- Zest of 1 orange Zest of 1 orange For flavor
- 1 tablespoon 1 tablespoon (15 ml) freshly squeezed orange juice For freshness
Instructions
Preparation
- Preheat your oven to 425 degrees F (220 degrees C). Place an ovenproof baking rack on a large rimmed baking sheet and lightly coat it with cooking spray. Set aside.
- In a large mixing bowl, combine the ground turkey, breadcrumbs, olive oil, egg, shredded apple, sage, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper. Mix gently with your hands or forks until everything is well combined.
- Roll the mixture into 1 1/2 to 2-inch (4 to 5 cm) balls and place them on the prepared baking rack.
Cooking
- Bake for 12 to 14 minutes, or until the meatballs are cooked through and golden brown.
- While the meatballs are baking, prepare the sauce. In a saucepan, combine the cranberry sauce, applesauce, maple syrup, orange zest, and orange juice. Heat over medium until warmed through.
- Once the meatballs are cooked, add them to the sauce, spooning the sauce over them to ensure they are well coated.
- Transfer the meatballs to a serving platter or keep warm in a slow cooker. Garnish with chopped parsley if desired.
Notes
You can freeze the uncooked or cooked meatballs in an airtight container. Just thaw and bake or reheat when you’re ready to enjoy them. You can prepare the meatballs ahead of time and refrigerate them uncooked; just bake when you’re ready to eat.