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Cranberry Turkey Meatballs (With Jellied Cranberry Sauce)

These cranberry turkey meatballs are coated in a savory cranberry sauce made with jellied cranberry sauce. Easy, flavorful, and perfect for using up holiday leftovers.
Course Appetizer, dinner
Cuisine American
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 30 minutes
Total Time 45 minutes
Servings 24 meatballs
Calories 55kcal

Equipment

Ingredients

Meatballs

  • 1 pound ground turkey 93% lean
  • ¾ cup panko breadcrumbs
  • 1 large egg
  • ¼ cup milk
  • 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
  • ⅓ cup onion minced
  • 2 garlic cloves minced
  • 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • Fresh pepper to taste

Cranberry Sauce

  • ¾ cup jellied cranberries sauce whole cranberry sauce works too
  • ½ cup chili sauce
  • 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
  • 2 tablespoons orange juice
  • ½ teaspoon Dijon mustard
  • ¼ teaspoon salt
  • Fresh pepper to taste

Instructions

  • Prep: Preheat your oven to 350°F (177°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or lightly coat it with nonstick spray.
  • Mix the Meatballs: In a large bowl, combine ground turkey, panko breadcrumbs, egg, milk, Worcestershire sauce, onion, garlic, Dijon mustard, salt, and pepper. Gently mix until just combined. Pro Tip: Don’t over mix the meat or the meatballs can become dense.
  • Form Meatballs: Roll the mixture into 1½-inch balls (about 20–24 meatballs) and place them on the prepared baking sheet.
  • Bake: Bake for 18–20 minutes, or until the meatballs are cooked through (internal temperature should reach 165°F).
  • Make the Cranberry Sauce: While the meatballs bake, combine cranberry sauce, chili sauce, Worcestershire sauce, orange juice, Dijon mustard, salt, and pepper in a medium saucepan. Cook over medium heat, stirring until smooth and bubbling, about 5 minutes.
  • Combine & Serve: Add the baked meatballs to the saucepan and toss gently to coat. Simmer for 5 minutes so the flavors meld. Serve warm as an appetizer or over rice or mashed potatoes for a meal. Delish!

Notes

  • Ground chicken or beef works well in place of turkey.
  • Add ½ teaspoon orange zest or a pinch of red pepper flakes to the sauce for a bit of brightness or a little heat.
  • Crockpot Option: After baking, transfer meatballs and sauce to a slow cooker on LOW for up to 3 hours to keep warm for parties.
  • Make Ahead: You can form the meatballs up to 1 day in advance and refrigerate until ready to bake.
Nutritional information is approximate and was calculated using a recipe nutrition label generator and will vary based on cooking methods and brands of ingredients used.

Nutrition

Calories: 55kcal | Carbohydrates: 7g | Protein: 5g | Fat: 1g | Saturated Fat: 0.2g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 0.2g | Monounsaturated Fat: 0.2g | Trans Fat: 0.004g | Cholesterol: 17mg | Sodium: 247mg | Potassium: 108mg | Fiber: 0.4g | Sugar: 4g | Vitamin A: 66IU | Vitamin C: 2mg | Calcium: 12mg | Iron: 0.4mg