Description
These Sage and Cranberry Turkey Meatballs are a flavorful and juicy appetizer, combining savory ground turkey with aromatic sage, sweet dried cranberries, and a hint of clementine zest. Perfectly golden on the outside and tender inside, they make an excellent bite-sized treat bursting with festive flavor.
Ingredients
Scale
Meatball Mixture
- 1 lb / 500 g Ground Turkey (thigh recommended for flavor and fat content, but breast can be used)
- 2 tbsp Dried Cranberries, finely diced
- 1/2 cup / 35 g Dried Breadcrumbs
- 1 tbsp Fresh Sage, finely diced
- 1 tbsp Fresh Parsley, finely diced
- 1 medium Spring Onion, finely diced
- 1 Egg
- 1 clove Garlic, minced
- 1 tsp Salt
- 1/4 tsp Black Pepper
- 1/4 tsp Nutmeg
- Zest of 1/2 a small Clementine (or Orange)
For Cooking
- 1 tbsp Olive Oil, plus extra for cooking meatballs
Instructions
- Combine Ingredients: In a suitably sized bowl, mix together the ground turkey, finely diced dried cranberries, dried breadcrumbs, fresh sage, fresh parsley, finely diced spring onion, egg, minced garlic, salt, black pepper, nutmeg, and clementine zest. Be careful not to overwork the meat to keep the meatballs tender.
- Form Meatballs: Evenly split the mixture and roll into bite-sized meatballs, approximately the size of a walnut, to ensure even cooking.
- Heat Oil and Cook: Heat about a tablespoon of olive oil in a skillet or frying pan over medium heat. Once hot, add the meatballs in batches, making sure not to overcrowd the pan.
- Brown and Cook Through: Cook the meatballs for about 12-15 minutes, turning frequently to brown all sides evenly. Ensure they are cooked through and have a golden crust on the outside while remaining juicy inside.
- Serve: Once cooked, remove meatballs from the pan and place on paper towels briefly to remove excess oil if desired. Serve warm as an appetizer or part of a main dish.
Notes
- These meatballs are deliciously golden on the outside and mouthwateringly juicy inside.
- Using ground turkey thigh delivers more flavor and moisture than breast meat.
- Do not overmix the ingredients, as this can make the meatballs tough.
- Dry breadcrumbs help bind the meatballs without making them dense.
- Fresh herbs and citrus zest add fresh, aromatic notes to balance the sweetness of the cranberries.
- Can be served as appetizers or paired with a sauce or pasta for a full meal.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 meatball
- Calories: 66 kcal
- Sugar: 1.34 g
- Sodium: 177 mg
- Fat: 3.41 g
- Saturated Fat: 0.813 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 2.297 g
- Trans Fat: 0.031 g
- Carbohydrates: 2.86 g
- Fiber: 0.4 g
- Protein: 6.23 g
- Cholesterol: 30 mg
