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Thanksgiving Turkey Meatballs Recipe

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3.9 from 8 reviews

These Thanksgiving Turkey Meatballs are a flavorful and wholesome twist on traditional holiday fare, featuring ground turkey mixed with aromatic herbs, diced vegetables, and panko breadcrumbs. Baked to perfection and finished under the broiler for a golden crust, they pair perfectly with classic sides like mashed potatoes, green bean casserole, and cranberry sauce. Simple to prepare and ideal for a festive gathering, these meatballs offer a lighter yet savory alternative to your usual holiday protein.

Ingredients

Meatball Mixture

  • 2 Tbsp olive or avocado oil
  • 1/2 large white or yellow onion, finely diced (about 2 cups or 200 g)
  • 2 large stalks celery, ends trimmed and finely diced (about 1 cup or 105 g)
  • 1 tsp sea salt (divided)
  • 3 large cloves garlic, minced
  • 1/2 cup panko breadcrumbs
  • 1/4 cup fresh parsley, finely chopped
  • 1 tsp fresh rosemary, minced
  • 1 tsp fresh sage, minced
  • 1 pound ground turkey

Suggested Serving

  • Mashed potatoes
  • Green bean casserole
  • Cranberry sauce

Instructions

  1. Preheat the oven: Set your oven to 400 degrees F (204 C) and position one oven rack in the center and another near the top to prepare for broiling later.
  2. Sauté the vegetables: In a 12-inch cast iron or oven-safe skillet, heat the olive or avocado oil over medium heat. Add the finely diced onion and celery along with half of the salt. Cook, stirring occasionally, until the vegetables are softened and aromatic, about 5 minutes. Stir in the minced garlic and cook for an additional minute until fragrant. Remove the skillet from heat and transfer the cooked vegetables to a large mixing bowl. Allow to cool slightly.
  3. Combine seasonings and breadcrumbs: Once the vegetables have cooled, add the panko breadcrumbs, chopped parsley, minced rosemary, minced sage, and the remaining salt. Stir thoroughly to evenly blend all ingredients.
  4. Mix in the ground turkey: Add the ground turkey to the vegetable and breadcrumb mixture. Gently mix with clean hands just until evenly combined, taking care not to overwork the meat to keep the meatballs tender.
  5. Shape the meatballs: Using about 1 ½ tablespoons of the mixture, scoop and shape the meat into balls. Arrange the meatballs evenly in the same skillet used for sautéing. If your skillet is not oven-safe, transfer the meatballs to a lightly oiled baking sheet or a broil-safe dish.
  6. Bake and broil: Place the skillet or baking dish on the center rack and bake for 18-20 minutes. Then, switch the oven to broil and move the dish to the top rack. Broil for 2-3 minutes until the meatballs develop a browned, slightly crisp exterior. Check doneness by ensuring the internal temperature reaches about 165 degrees F (74 C) for safe consumption.
  7. Serve: These turkey meatballs are delicious served alongside traditional Thanksgiving sides such as mashed potatoes, green bean casserole, and cranberry sauce.
  8. Storage: Leftover cooked meatballs can be cooled and stored in the refrigerator for 2-3 days or frozen for up to a month or longer. To reheat, bake in a 375 degree F (190 C) oven for 10 minutes or until warmed through.
  9. Freezing before cooking: For individually frozen meatballs, shape the mixture into patties instead of balls. Cook patties directly from frozen in a lightly oiled skillet over medium heat, browning both sides and cooking until the internal temperature reaches 165 degrees F (74 C), about 5-6 minutes per side.

Notes

  • Use fresh herbs like parsley, rosemary, and sage for the best flavor; dried herbs could be used but reduce quantity by about half.
  • If you don’t have an oven-safe skillet, transfer the meatballs to a baking sheet or broiler-safe dish before baking.
  • Do not overwork the meat mixture to keep the meatballs tender and juicy.
  • Use a meat thermometer to ensure meatballs reach a safe internal temperature of 165°F for poultry.
  • Broiling at the end creates a nicely browned exterior without drying out the meatballs.
  • For a crispier texture, consider using panko breadcrumbs instead of regular breadcrumbs.
  • The recipe pairs well with traditional Thanksgiving sides but can be served with any preferred accompaniments.
  • Freezing raw patties instead of meatballs allows more even cooking from frozen.

Find it online: https://cozyplatter.com/thanksgiving-turkey-meatballs-recipe/