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    Home > Blog > Appetizers > Herbed Turkey Meatballs and Cranberry Barbecue Sauce

    Herbed Turkey Meatballs and Cranberry Barbecue Sauce

    by Jenny Park · Published: Nov 7, 2011 · Modified: Oct 2, 2020

    Jump to Recipe

     Perfect holiday recipe for Herbed Turkey Meatballs with a Barbecue Cranberry Sauce.

    Thanksgiving is one of my favorite holidays, as I’m sure it is for many other people. There’s just something so comforting about being surrounded by loved ones, reflecting over the year and truly thinking about what you’re thankful and grateful for and last but certainly not least the food. Ultimate comfort food. While the traditional dishes are absolutely wonderful, I totally get that not everyone wants to go through the task of roasting a whole turkey, or even a whole turkey breast. So this year why not think a little outside the box and make these turkey meatballs instead?! What’s so awesome about turkey meatballs? Not too much I guess…but paired with this cranberry barbecue sauce and BOOM. You get something totally different and awesome! You still get the sweet and tangy flavors of cranberry sauce with the depth and flavor of a smoky barbecue sauce.

    Okay, so maybe it’s a little extreme ask people to replace the roasted turkey on thanksgiving or to think that meatballs are a sufficient equivalent to a beautifully roasted turkey, BUT wouldn’t this make a great holiday party hors’dourves? Just a thought. Enjoy!
    xx Jenny

    Looking for other meatball recipes? We have some others right here: 

     

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    Mini Swedish Meatballs
    A close up of herbed turkey meatballs.

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    A close up of herbed turkey meatballs.

    Herbed Turkey Meatballs with a Cranberry Barbecue Sauce

    5 from 4 votes
    PRINT RECIPE Pin Recipe
    RECIPE BY Teri & Jenny
    Prep Time: 25 minutes mins
    Cook Time: 1 hour hr
    Servings: 4

      INGREDIENTS  

    meatballs

    • 1 pound ground turkey
    • ⅓ cup oats
    • 1 egg, lightly beaten
    • 1 garlic clove, minced
    • 2 tablespoons Worchestershire sauce
    • 2 tablespoons sage, minced
    • 1 tablespoon rosemary, minced
    • 1 tablespoon thyme, minced
    • 1 tablespoons chives, thinly sliced
    • salt and pepper to taste

    cranberry bbq sauce

    • 12 ounces cranberries
    • ½ cup orange juice
    • ¼ cup molasses
    • 3 tablespoons honey
    • 2 tablespoons light brown sugar
    • 2 chipotle peppers in adobo
    • ½ cup ketchup
    • 2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
    • ¾ teaspoon cinnamon

      INSTRUCTIONS  

    • Preheat oven to 375°F.
    • Place all ingredients for the turkey meatballs in a large mixing bowl and mix together until just combined. Season with salt and pepper.
    • Take two tablespoons of the mixture and form into a meatball. Place onto a lightly greased baking sheet and repeat until all of the turkey mixture has been used.
    • Bake for 20 to 25 minutes or until lightly browned and completely cooked through.
    • For the sauce: Place first six ingredients into a saucepan and stir. Bring the mixture to a simmer, over medium to medium-low heat.
    • Once the cranberries begin to macerate, about 10 minutes, stir in the remaining ingredients.
    • Simmer for 30 minutes, stirring occasionally until the sauce has thickened and reduced by ⅓. Serve with meatballs.

      NOTES  

    • *Makes 16-20 Meatballs
    • **Note: Sometimes I like to saute 1/2 yellow onion (diced), a clove of garlic (minced), 1 tablespoon thyme (minced) and 1/4 cup dried cranberries to the bbq sauce before adding the fresh cranberries, sugars etc. It makes this spicy/tangy sauce even more hearty and savory!
    Calories: 410kcal Carbohydrates: 66g Protein: 30g Fat: 4g Saturated Fat: 1g Cholesterol: 103mg Sodium: 537mg Potassium: 1003mg Fiber: 6g Sugar: 49g Vitamin A: 861IU Vitamin C: 33mg Calcium: 122mg Iron: 4mg

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    November 7, 2011 / 15 Comments

    About Jenny Park

    Jenny Park is half of Spoon Fork Bacon. She is also a food stylist and recipe developer. One of her favorite foods is donuts. #sfbJENNY

    Previous Post: < Previous Post Heavenly Mashed Potatoes
    Next Post: Sausage and Sage Stuffing with Dried Cranberries and Toasted Hazelnuts Next Post >

    Reader Interactions

    November 7, 2011 / 15 Comments

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    1. Sarah

      October 12, 2022 at 8:01 am

      Just wondering if the chipotle peppers are meant to be chopped/diced or just tossed in whole?

      Reply
      • Jenny Park

        October 15, 2022 at 10:27 am

        Hi Sarah! They’re meant to be diced! I’ll update the recipe shortly to make sure that’s clear!

        Reply
    2. Beck and

      November 24, 2021 at 3:09 am

      5 stars
      These are my new favorite meatballs. Easy to prepare and so good.

      Reply
    3. Lori

      November 08, 2011 at 10:49 am

      Making this now!

      Reply
    4. Sofie Dittmann

      November 08, 2011 at 7:31 am

      these look DIVINE. thanks for the tip!

      Reply
    5. Christin

      November 08, 2011 at 7:08 am

      You have so many aweaome flavors going on in that Cranberry BBQ sauce! This is going to the top of my “To Make” list.

      Reply
    6. Katrina @ Warm Vanilla Sugar

      November 08, 2011 at 5:01 am

      What an awesome appetizer! Love that sauce.

      Reply
    7. Alexandra

      November 08, 2011 at 2:02 am

      Now I’m hungry! These look delicious and Im definitely going to making these soon :)

      Reply
    8. Sarah Heat

      November 07, 2011 at 2:58 pm

      I love your party food series! So fun.
      I’m totally making these.

      Reply
    9. nicole {sweet peony}

      November 07, 2011 at 12:29 pm

      you know, i was never a meatball girl but now i kinda dig them. i think these would be awesome as a cocktail meatballs too… to get everyone’s tummies ready for the real deal :)

      Reply
    10. Jacquelyn | lark+linen

      November 07, 2011 at 9:36 am

      this just put me over the edge. I’ve left hunger mode and am now in starvation mode – they look (and sound) SO good!

      Reply
    11. movita beaucoup

      November 07, 2011 at 9:34 am

      I’m in Canada, so we’ve already had our Thanksgiving. In order to pay tribute to my American friends, I’m thinking I should make these turkey meatballs. And eat them all by myself. In a closet.

      Reply
    12. Bev Weidner

      November 07, 2011 at 9:31 am

      I’ll make them for the holidays. And for next week. And tonight. And right now.

      Reply
    13. cindy

      November 07, 2011 at 9:14 am

      yum! I made some cranberry sauce for turkey burgers w/ goat cheese last night…I am totally going to make the leftovers into this barbeque sauce!

      Reply
    14. Anastasio Bieberhausen

      November 07, 2011 at 9:13 am

      OH, WOW!

      Instant XMas Mood!
      …need it right now!

      Reply

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