Healthy Apple Cider Turkey Meatballs Recipe
These Healthy Apple Cider Turkey Meatballs are a flavorful and nutritious twist on classic meatballs, combining lean ground turkey with warm spices and a tangy apple cider glaze. Perfect as a hearty main dish, they offer a balanced meal with wholesome ingredients and an irresistible sweet and savory flavor.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Total Time: 35 minutes
- Yield: 20 meatballs (serves 4) 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Frying
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Low Fat
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
Apple Cider Glaze
- 1 cup apple cider
- 1 tablespoon maple syrup
- 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- Pinch of cinnamon
Instructions
- Mix the Meatball Ingredients: In a large mixing bowl, combine ground turkey, whole wheat breadcrumbs, beaten egg, 1/4 cup apple cider, finely diced onion, minced garlic, chopped fresh sage, fresh thyme leaves, ground cinnamon, ground nutmeg, ground allspice, salt, black pepper, and grated parmesan cheese if using. Gently mix everything together with clean hands until just combined. Avoid overmixing to keep meatballs tender.
- Form the Meatballs: Shape the mixture into approximately 20 meatballs, each about 1 1/2 inches in diameter or roughly 1 tablespoon in size.
- Heat the Skillet: Place a 12-inch skillet over medium heat and add the olive oil. Heat oil until shimmering but not smoking.
- Cook the Meatballs: Carefully add the meatballs to the hot skillet in batches to avoid crowding. Cook for 2 to 3 minutes per side, turning occasionally, until all sides are browned and the meatballs are cooked through, reaching an internal temperature of 165°F. This should take about 8 to 10 minutes total.
- Keep Meatballs Warm: Transfer the cooked meatballs to a plate and loosely cover with foil to keep them warm while making the glaze.
- Prepare the Apple Cider Glaze: Using the same skillet with the meatball drippings, add 1 cup apple cider, maple syrup, Dijon mustard, salt, and a pinch of cinnamon. Bring the mixture to a boil over medium-high heat.
- Simmer the Glaze: Reduce heat to medium-low and let the glaze simmer until it reduces by half and thickens slightly, approximately 5 to 7 minutes.
- Coat the Meatballs: Return the meatballs to the skillet and gently toss them in the glaze. Simmer together for another 1 to 2 minutes to heat through and ensure the meatballs are evenly coated with the flavorful glaze.
- Serve: Serve the meatballs hot, garnished with additional fresh herbs if desired for an added touch of color and flavor.
Notes
- Use a meat thermometer to ensure meatballs reach an internal temperature of 165°F for safe consumption.
- For a gluten-free option, substitute whole wheat breadcrumbs with gluten-free breadcrumbs.
- The optional parmesan cheese adds a subtle umami flavor but can be omitted for a dairy-free version.
- Do not overmix the meatball mixture to keep them tender and juicy.
- If the glaze thickens too much, add a splash of water or additional apple cider to adjust consistency.
- Fresh herbs like sage and thyme can be substituted with dried herbs if fresh is unavailable, but reduce quantity to about one-third.
- These meatballs pair well with whole grains, roasted vegetables, or a fresh salad for a complete meal.
Keywords: turkey meatballs, apple cider glaze, healthy meatballs, ground turkey recipe, low fat meatballs, whole wheat breadcrumbs, fall recipes
