Divas on a Dime: Turkey Meatballs
By Patti Diamond
Stuffing Mix Magic: Easy Turkey Meatballs for Dinner or a Party Hit!
When the week between Christmas and New Year's hits, we're all caught in a strange limbo. All the cookies, sweets and party treats create a lawless wasteland of dietary anarchy. The big holiday feasts are behind us, but the New Year's celebrations are still to come. Whether you're preparing a cozy family dinner or gearing up for a festive gathering, this recipe for turkey meatballs will have you covered.
Turkey Meatballs are the perfect bite-size crowd-pleasers for your holiday gatherings. PHOTO CREDIT: www.JasonCoblentz.com
What makes these meatballs stand out? We're skipping the usual breadcrumbs and spicing things up with a seasonal shortcut -- boxed stuffing mix! Soaking the mix in milk creates a panade -- similar to the technique in Italian meatballs -- making them irresistibly tender and moist. It's an unexpected twist that gives these meatballs loads of flavor with little extra effort. Plus, using ground turkey makes them a lighter option after all those heavy holiday dishes.
Why stop at just meatballs when you can go all-out with holiday vibes? Pair these tender turkey meatballs with a tangy, cranberry-based dipping sauce that brings the whole dish together. The sweet-tart flavor of cranberry, brightened with a hint of orange, adds a festive flair and makes every bite feel like a celebration.
Serve them as a quick, satisfying dinner over rice or pasta, or plop them on hoagie rolls, or a crusty baguette for a meatball sandwich, or pop them on toothpicks for an irresistible party bite. No matter how you serve them, you'll have a crowd-pleaser that's as easy to make as it is to eat.
HOLIDAY TURKEY MEATBALLS
Yield: 80 meatballs
Total Time: 35 minutes
2 large eggs
1 cup milk
1 (6 ounce) box turkey stuffing mix
2 pounds ground turkey, 85/15 fat content
1/4 cup onion, finely minced or grated
1/4 cup flat leaf parsley, finely minced, packed
1/4 cup Parmesan cheese, grated
1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
1/4 teaspoon pepper, or more to taste
Preheat oven to 400 F. Line a rimmed baking sheet with parchment paper.
In a large bowl, combine eggs and milk, then add to stuffing mix. Let this sit for about 5 minutes to allow the stuffing to absorb the milk mixture. Add turkey, onion, parsley, Parmesan, garlic and pepper. Mix gently with your hands until well combined. Use a spoon or scoop to measure heaping tablespoons of the mixture, and roll into balls. Place on prepared baking sheet and bake for 18-20 minutes or until they reach 165 F.
CRANBERRY DIPPING SAUCE
1 (12 ounce) bag cranberries, frozen or fresh
1 zest and juice medium navel orange
1/2 cup brown sugar
1/4 cup granulated sugar
1 cup water
1 pinch salt
2 tablespoons balsamic vinegar
1 tablespoon butter
In a medium saucepan over medium heat, combine cranberries, orange zest and juice, both sugars, water and salt. Bring to a boil, then reduce to low and simmer for 10-15 minutes, until cranberries break down.
Remove from heat and stir in the vinegar and butter. Blend for a smooth texture or mash with a potato masher for a rustic take. Serve with meatballs.
If making sauce from scratch doesn't appeal to you, then simply combine one (15 ounce) can cranberry sauce with a (12 ounce) bottle of chili sauce for a delicious low-effort option.
So, whether you're juggling post-holiday fatigue or planning a New Year's bash, these Holiday Turkey Meatballs will make your life a little easier -- and a lot more delicious. That's a win in my book. Here's to ringing in the New Year with style and a full belly!
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Lifestyle expert Patti Diamond is the penny-pinching, party-planning, recipe developer and content creator of the website Divas On A Dime -- Where Frugal, Meets Fabulous! Visit Patti at www.divasonadime.com and join the conversation on Facebook at DivasOnADimeDotCom. Email Patti at divapatti@divasonadime.com
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