Cranberry Glazed Turkey Meatballs are one of my go-to recipes when I want something festive, easy, and packed with flavor. The blend of tangy cranberry and savory turkey creates a delicious bite-sized dish perfect for holidays or any gathering.
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Cranberry Glazed Turkey Meatballs Recipe
Cranberry Glazed Turkey Meatballs is a vibrant, crowd-pleasing dish that wraps moist turkey meatballs in a glossy, tangy cranberry glaze. What I love about this recipe is how it brings out the best of both worlds: the comforting, hearty taste of turkey and the zesty burst of cranberries.
It’s a wonderful way to serve up the flavors of holidays in a single bite. Plus, they’re easy to make ahead, keep warm in a slow cooker, and bring to dinner parties or potlucks.
These meatballs work great as an appetizer for a crowd, especially when sprinkled with fresh herbs or green onions and served with toothpicks. But you can also toss them onto the dinner table as a main dish or even nestle them into salads and sandwiches for a quick meal.
The dish can be enjoyed with classic comfort sides like creamy mashed potatoes, roasted Brussels sprouts, and buttery dinner rolls. For lunch, the meatballs pair well with a crisp apple walnut salad or wild rice pilaf.
These festive meatballs stand out at gatherings alongside charcuterie boards loaded with cheddar, gouda, and dried apricots. Serve them with spiced pecans and a bowl of roasted butternut squash soup to create a warming autumnal spread.
As part of a brunch lineup, the meatballs can be paired with scrambled eggs or a veggie-packed frittata and fresh fruit. For a laid-back evening meal, they’re equally delicious nestled into pita pockets with a handful of mixed greens, or served on slider buns with pickled red onions.
Here’s how to make the cranberry glazed turkey meatballs:
Cranberry Glazed Turkey Meatballs
Nutrition
Ingredients
For the Meatballs
- 1 lb (450g) ground turkey
- 1/2 cup breadcrumbs plain or panko
- 1 egg
- 2 garlic cloves minced
- 1/4 cup onion finely grated or minced
- 2 tbsp fresh parsley chopped (or 1 tsp dried)
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
- 1/2 tsp paprika
For the Cranberry Glaze
- 1 cup cranberry sauce canned or homemade
- 1/4 cup ketchup
- 2 tbsp soy sauce
- 1 tbsp honey or brown sugar
- 1 tbsp apple cider vinegar
- Pinch of red pepper flakes optional, for heat
Instructions
- Set oven to 400°F (200°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- In a large bowl, combine ground turkey, breadcrumbs, egg, garlic, onion, parsley, salt, pepper, and paprika. Mix gently until just combined—don’t overmix.
- Roll mixture into 1-inch meatballs and place them evenly spaced on the baking sheet.
- Bake for 18–20 minutes, until cooked through and lightly golden (internal temp: 165°F / 74°C).
- While meatballs cook, add cranberry sauce, ketchup, soy sauce, honey, and vinegar to a saucepan. Simmer on medium heat for 5–7 minutes until smooth and slightly thickened.
- Toss the baked meatballs in the warm cranberry glaze until they are evenly coated.
- Garnish with extra parsley or fresh cranberries. Serve hot as an appetizer or with rice/mashed potatoes for a meal.
Notes
- You can use frozen meatballs instead of homemade. You just need to bake, then toss in the glaze.
- For a lighter version, use whole-wheat breadcrumbs and reduce the honey.
- For a spicy kick, add more red pepper flakes or a dash of hot sauce to the glaze.
- Meatballs can be baked and stored in the fridge for up to 3 days; glaze just before serving.
SIMILAR RECIPES:
Variations
You can make other versions of these cranberry glazed turkey meatballs. Here are some suggestions to try:
- Classic Holiday Version uses fresh cranberries, sage, and orange zest in both glaze and meatballs for traditional holiday flavor.
- Spicy Cranberry Meatballs add a pinch of cayenne or sliced jalapeños to the cranberry glaze for heat lovers.
- Gluten-Free Option uses oats or gluten-free breadcrumbs in place of traditional breadcrumbs.
- Balsamic Cranberry Glaze features balsamic vinegar and a touch of honey in the sauce for deeper, more complex flavors.
- Walnut-Stuffed Turkey Meatballs mix finely chopped walnuts into the turkey for extra texture and nuttiness.
- Herb-Forward Meatballs load up on fresh rosemary and thyme, giving the meatballs a fragrant, garden-fresh taste.
- Make-Ahead Slow Cooker Version allows you to prep everything in advance, then slow-cook the meatballs for extra tenderness and rich flavor.
- Vegetarian Adaptation substitutes ground turkey with lentils or chickpeas while keeping the cranberry glaze for a plant-based twist.