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Flavorful Cranberry Mostarda Glazed Turkey Meatballs

cranberry mostarda glazed turkey meatballs - featured image

These turkey meatballs are coated in a rich, tangy cranberry mostarda glaze, delivering the perfect balance of sweet, sour, and savory flavors. Perfect for holidays, family dinners, or meal prep.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 lb ground turkey
  • 1/2 cup breadcrumbs
  • 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
  • 1 large egg
  • 2 garlic cloves, minced
  • 1/4 cup finely chopped onion
  • 1 tsp dried oregano
  • 1/2 tsp smoked paprika
  • Salt and pepper, to taste
  • 1 cup fresh or frozen cranberries
  • 1/4 cup honey
  • 2 tbsp Dijon mustard
  • 1 tbsp whole-grain mustard
  • 1/4 cup orange juice
  • 1/4 tsp ground cinnamon
  • Pinch of red pepper flakes

Instructions

  1. Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper to prevent sticking.
  2. In a large mixing bowl, combine the ground turkey, breadcrumbs, Parmesan cheese, egg, minced garlic, chopped onion, oregano, smoked paprika, salt, and pepper.
  3. Mix everything together using your hands or a sturdy spoon. Be gentle to avoid overmixing.
  4. Roll the mixture into 1-inch meatballs and place them on the prepared baking sheet, leaving space between each one.
  5. Bake the meatballs for 20-25 minutes or until they’re golden brown and cooked through. Use a meat thermometer to check that the internal temperature is 165°F (74°C).
  6. While the meatballs are baking, prepare the glaze. In a small saucepan, combine cranberries, honey, Dijon mustard, whole-grain mustard, orange juice, cinnamon, and red pepper flakes.
  7. Cook over medium heat, stirring occasionally, until the mixture begins to bubble and the cranberries burst, about 8-10 minutes.
  8. Lower the heat and let the glaze simmer for an additional 5 minutes. Stir frequently to prevent sticking or burning.
  9. Remove the saucepan from heat and let the glaze cool slightly. Blend with an immersion blender for a smooth glaze or leave it chunky.
  10. Once the meatballs are done, transfer them to a large bowl and pour the cranberry mostarda glaze over them.
  11. Toss gently to ensure each meatball is evenly coated with the glaze.
  12. Serve warm, garnished with fresh parsley or orange zest.

Notes

[‘Don’t overmix the meatball mixture to avoid dense or tough meatballs.’, ‘Use a cookie scoop for evenly sized meatballs.’, ‘Chill the meatball mixture for 15 minutes if it feels sticky.’, ‘Taste the cranberry mostarda glaze and adjust sweetness or tanginess as needed.’, ‘Reheat gently to avoid drying out the meatballs.’]

Nutrition

Keywords: turkey meatballs, cranberry glaze, holiday recipe, healthy dinner, easy meal, appetizer, meal prep