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Healthy Apple Cider Turkey Meatballs Recipe

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4.7 from 91 reviews

These Healthy Apple Cider Turkey Meatballs are a flavorful and nutritious twist on classic meatballs, featuring lean ground turkey, warm spices, and a sweet-and-savory apple cider glaze. Perfect for a wholesome dinner or party appetizer, they combine aromatic herbs and subtle autumn flavors for a comforting dish.

Ingredients

Scale

Meatballs

  • 1 pound (16 oz) 93% lean ground turkey
  • 1/2 cup whole wheat breadcrumbs
  • 1 large egg, lightly beaten
  • 1/4 cup apple cider
  • 1/2 small onion, very finely diced (about 1/4 cup)
  • 2 garlic cloves, minced
  • 1 tablespoon fresh sage, chopped
  • 1 teaspoon fresh thyme leaves
  • 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
  • 1/8 teaspoon ground allspice
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
  • 2 tablespoons grated parmesan cheese (optional)
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil

Glaze

  • 1 cup apple cider
  • 1 tablespoon maple syrup
  • 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt
  • Pinch of cinnamon

Instructions

  1. Mix the Meatball Ingredients: In a large mixing bowl, combine the ground turkey, whole wheat breadcrumbs, beaten egg, 1/4 cup apple cider, finely diced onion, minced garlic, chopped fresh sage, thyme leaves, ground cinnamon, nutmeg, allspice, salt, black pepper, and parmesan cheese if using. Use clean hands to gently mix everything together until just combined to avoid tough meatballs.
  2. Shape the Meatballs: Form the mixture into approximately 20 meatballs, each about 1 1/2 inches in diameter or roughly 1 tablespoon of mixture per meatball.
  3. Heat the Oil: Heat olive oil in a large 12-inch skillet over medium heat until shimmering and hot enough for cooking.
  4. Cook the Meatballs: Carefully add the meatballs to the skillet, cooking in batches if needed to avoid overcrowding. Brown the meatballs by cooking for 2-3 minutes on each side, turning occasionally until evenly browned and cooked through, which should take around 8-10 minutes total. The internal temperature should reach 165°F.
  5. Keep Meatballs Warm: Transfer the cooked meatballs to a plate and cover loosely with foil to keep warm while you prepare the glaze.
  6. Make the Apple Cider Glaze: In the same skillet with the juicy drippings left from cooking the meatballs, add 1 cup apple cider, 1 tablespoon maple syrup, 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard, 1/4 teaspoon salt, and a pinch of cinnamon. Bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce heat to medium-low and simmer for 5-7 minutes until the glaze is reduced by half and has thickened slightly.
  7. Coat the Meatballs: Return the meatballs gently back to the skillet and toss carefully to coat them evenly with the glaze.
  8. Final Simmer: Let the meatballs simmer in the glaze for another 1-2 minutes to heat through and absorb the flavors.
  9. Serve: Serve the apple cider glazed turkey meatballs hot, optionally garnished with fresh herbs, for a delicious and healthy meal experience.

Notes

  • Use a meat thermometer to ensure meatballs are fully cooked to an internal temperature of 165°F for safety.
  • For a gluten-free version, substitute whole wheat breadcrumbs with gluten-free breadcrumbs.
  • The parmesan cheese adds a subtle umami flavor but can be omitted for a dairy-free version.
  • The glaze can be adjusted in sweetness by altering maple syrup quantity to taste.
  • These meatballs pair well with brown rice, quinoa, or roasted vegetables.
  • Leftover meatballs can be refrigerated for up to 3 days or frozen for up to 2 months.

Keywords: turkey meatballs, healthy meatballs, apple cider glaze, ground turkey recipe, fall recipes, healthy dinner, lean protein meatballs

Find it online: https://trendytasterecipes.com/healthy-apple-cider-turkey-meatballs-recipe/