Turkey and Stuffing Meatballs with Cranberry Glaze
These tender turkey meatballs combine holiday stuffing and ground turkey with a sweet-tart cranberry glaze - a delicious way to reinvent your Thanksgiving leftovers.
Servings: 6 servings
Calories: 341kcal
Ingredients
For the Meatballs
- 1 pound ground turkey
- 2 cups leftover stuffing crumbled
- 1 large egg
- ½ teaspoon dried sage
- ½ teaspoon dried thyme leaves
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
For the Cranberry Glaze
- ½ cup maple syrup
- ¼ cup orange juice
- ¼ teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1 cup fresh cranberries
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 375℉ and position the rack in the middle.
- In a large bowl, gently combine 1 pound ground turkey, 2 cups crumbled stuffing, 1 large egg, sage, thyme, salt, and pepper until just mixed.
- Form the mixture into 1.5-inch meatballs, being careful not to overwork. Lightly brush a 9x13 baking dish with 1 tablespoon olive oil. Arrange meatballs in dish and brush the tops with the remaining oil.
- Bake meatballs for 15 minutes.
- Meanwhile, whisk together ½ cup maple syrup, ¼ cup orange juice, and ¼ teaspoon cinnamon in a small bowl.
- Remove from oven and add 1 cup fresh cranberries around meatballs. Pour glaze mixture evenly over top.
- Return to the oven for 20-25 minutes, basting with glaze 1-2 times during cooking, until meatballs reach an internal temperature of 165°F.
- When the meatballs are done, toss them gently in the glaze. Serve immediately and enjoy!
Notes
- If the glaze is too thin, remove the meatballs and simmer the sauce until reduced to desired consistency. This is not usually needed as the glaze soaks into the meatballs as they bake.
- Leftovers will keep in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 3-4 days. Reheat covered at 325°F until warm, adding a splash of orange juice or chicken broth if needed.
- Make a double batch and freeze unglazed meatballs for up to 2 months. Thaw overnight and glaze just before baking.
Nutrition
Calories: 341kcal | Carbohydrates: 36g | Protein: 21g | Fat: 13g | Saturated Fat: 2g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 3g | Monounsaturated Fat: 7g | Trans Fat: 0.02g | Cholesterol: 73mg | Sodium: 566mg | Potassium: 381mg | Fiber: 3g | Sugar: 19g | Vitamin A: 312IU | Vitamin C: 8mg | Calcium: 62mg | Iron: 2mg
