Pesto Parmesan & Cranberry Turkey Meatballs
Thanksgiving-Inspired Cranberry Turkey Meatballs!
These cranberry turkey meatballs combine two Thanksgiving essentials and mold them into one deliciously healthy meal! And, with some pesto and parmesan thrown into the mix, they truly taste like a gourmet holiday dish. Serve with BBQ sauce for a fun and flavorful dipping experience!
They’re full of comforting fall flavors, loads of wholesome nutrients, and so simple to make. Really, this recipe is just as easy as any old baked turkey meatballs recipe. Mix together your ingredients, form into balls, and toss on the skillet! (Or, you could bake these if you prefer.)
But, the difference here is the fun flavors and unique mix-ins, inspired by one of the best holidays of all: Thanksgiving.
Packing Holiday Flavor into Healthy Meals
When the holidays roll around, it’s almost scary how quickly I can lose track of my healthy eating… But, I’m often reaching for holiday treats simply because I’m in the holiday spirit. So, why not make the most of holiday flavors and ingredients by infusing them into healthy meals?
Personally, I’m a sweet-and-savory flavor junkie, which definitely guided me in crafting these cranberry turkey meatballs! Between the hints of savory from the pesto and parmesan, as well as tangy, sweet bursts of the cranberries, my taste buds are in heaven.
Plus, if you can’t find fresh cranberries or want to save a few bucks, you can use frozen or even dried cranberries. And, you can totally swap out the turkey for any ground meat that you like. Although, if you’re in the Thanksgiving spirit, cranberry TURKEY meatballs are definitely a win.
Seriously, I could eat these ANYTIME of year, and they’re a great, easy meal prep recipe. Or, an in-anticipation-of-Thanksgiving recipe! (Which, for me, is year-round.)
Cranberry Turkey Meatballs
Ingredients
- 2 lbs. ground turkey, or meat of choice
- 1 cup quick-cooking oats
- 1 cup fresh or frozen cranberries, chopped (can also use dried cranberries)
- 2 celery ribs, diced
- ½ cup pesto
- ⅓ cup parmesan
- 1 egg
- ½ tsp salt
- ¼ tsp pepper
Instructions
- In a mixing bowl, combine all ingredients.
- Mix together, and don’t be afraid to get your hands dirty!
- Form meat mixture into balls. (I used a cookie scoop to portion them out and rolled them in my hands!)
- Add 1-2 Tbsp coconut oil to a pan over medium heat. Allow to heat 1-2 mins.
- Add half of cranberry turkey meatballs and cook ~8 minutes until cooked through, turning to brown on all sides. Repeat until all meatballs are cooked.
- Serve with barbecue sauce for dipping, and enjoy!
- Yields ~50 cranberry turkey meatballs (depending on size).
