Description
A delicious and unique recipe for turkey meatballs infused with the flavors of apple and sage, perfect for any occasion.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 lb (450 g) ground turkey
- 1 small apple, peeled and finely grated (Honeycrisp or Gala work great)
- ¼ cup finely chopped onion
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- ¼ cup breadcrumbs (or almond flour for low-carb)
- 1 egg, lightly beaten
- 1 tbsp fresh sage, chopped (or 1 tsp dried)
- 1 tsp fresh thyme (optional)
- ½ tsp salt
- ¼ tsp black pepper
- ¼ tsp nutmeg or allspice (optional, for warm fall flavor)
- 1 tbsp olive oil or butter (for browning)
- 2 tbsp apple cider or apple juice (for glaze)
- 1 tbsp honey or maple syrup (for glaze)
- 1 tsp Dijon mustard (for glaze)
Instructions
- In a large bowl, combine ground turkey, grated apple, onion, garlic, breadcrumbs, egg, sage, thyme, salt, pepper, and nutmeg. Mix gently with your hands until evenly combined.
- Roll into 1½-inch balls and place on a parchment-lined baking sheet or plate.
- To Bake: Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C). Arrange meatballs on a parchment-lined baking sheet. Bake for 18–22 minutes, or until cooked through (internal temp 165°F / 74°C).
- To Pan-Fry: Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add meatballs and cook for 3–4 minutes per side, turning to brown evenly. Reduce heat, cover, and cook for another 5–6 minutes until fully cooked.
- In a small saucepan, whisk together apple cider, honey, and Dijon mustard. Simmer for 2–3 minutes, then brush over cooked meatballs before serving.
Notes
- You can substitute ground chicken for turkey.
- Freeze uncooked meatballs on a tray, then transfer to a bag for quick future meals.
- Add a sprinkle of shredded cheddar inside each ball for a cheesy surprise!
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Main Dish
- Method: Baking or Pan-Frying
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 meatball
- Calories: 85
- Sugar: 1g
- Sodium: 200mg
- Fat: 4g
- Saturated Fat: 1g
- Unsaturated Fat: 3g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 3g
- Fiber: 0g
- Protein: 7g
- Cholesterol: 30mg