Words that encapsulate the warm, fuzzy feelings that surround the height of fall and transition into the holidays: footie pajamas; hearth; hot chocolate; mittens; cranberry turkey meatballs. Turkey meatballs often get a bad rap for being dry and flavorless. One of my goals in life has been to prove that’s simply not true. My Moroccan Turkey Meatballs and Crock Pot Turkey Meatballs are evidence of this! Today, these cranberry turkey meatballs only further cement their place is moist, juicy meatball land (a place I would love to visit BTW). They’re a perfect Thanksgiving appetizer, divine Christmas lunch idea (served with Crockpot Wild Rice Stuffing), and totally worthy of your New Year’s Eve party snack spread (ideally beside these Maple Bourbon Bars).
How to Make Cranberry Turkey Meatballs
The ingredients in these cranberry turkey meatballs are few but the flavors are profound and they are some of the juiciest turkey meatballs you will ever taste.
The Ingredients
Ground Turkey. A lean, protein-packed alternative to beef and pork.Apples. My secret to turkey meatball moisture supremacy is shredded apples. The apples lend their juiciness to the meat, which makes the meatballs super tender, and their light sweetness is a lovely addition too.Sage. A classic ingredient in both stuffing and roast turkey gives the turkey meatballs a warm, savory flavor that I immediately associate with holiday meals and satisfied appetites.Breadcrumbs. Absorb the juices from the turkey and apples as the meatballs cook, trapping them within the meatball to keep them moist and delicious. I encourage the same technique with my Baked Turkey Meatballs.Egg. Adds additional moisture and helps bind the meatballs together.Cranberry Sauce. The PERFECT tart counterpoint to the sweet apples and savory sage. I use a secret shortcut of canned whole cranberry sauce to save time and effort.Applesauce. Balances the tartness of the cranberries and brings the apple flavor of the meatballs into the sauce.Maple Syrup. Naturally sweetens the cranberry sauce and adds subtle maple flavor.Orange Juice + Zest. For a little brightness that pairs perfectly with the cranberries.
The Directions
Whether you serve them as a holiday appetizer, game-day bite, or main course with a side of Healthy Sweet Potato Casserole or Crockpot Green Bean Casserole, these apple cranberry turkey meatballs are sweet and sassy satisfaction guaranteed.
Don’t skip the baking rack! Baking these meatballs on a baking rack set on top of a baking sheet elevates them slightly to ensure even cooking on all sides.Use a Cookie Scoop. I also like using a small cookie scoop to shape the meatballs so that they are all uniform in size and bake at the same rate.Keep the Meatballs Warm in the Slow Cooker. Once the meatballs are made, you can transfer them to a slow cooker to keep warm. This is a great option for parties and to free up stove space. I’ve owned this 6-quart programmable slow cooker for years and absolutely love it.
More Tasty Party Appetizers
Brie BitesPesto PinwheelsHam and Cheese PinwheelsCream Cheese BallPumpkin Goat Cheese Crostini
