# Thanksgiving Turkey Meatballs: A Delicious Take on a Timeless Recipe
If all the traditional, herby, flavorful elements of Thanksgiving merged into one delightful main course, these turkey meatballs would be it! They’re WAY simpler to conquer than roasting a turkey, making them ideal for intimate holiday celebrations and year-long Thanksgiving cravings.
## Ingredients for Thanksgiving Turkey Meatballs
These straightforward, tasty ground turkey meatballs necessitate only a handful of essential ingredients:
– **Ground turkey** – Turkey is a Thanksgiving staple! Ground chicken would also work nicely in this recipe, but ground beef has a more intense flavor, which might overshadow the herbs.
– **Sautéed onion, celery & garlic** – These veggies form a savory flavor foundation, and when sautéed, they become soft and contribute a sweet, caramelized taste. Additionally, sautéing decreases the water content, allowing for nicely browned meatballs.
– **Panko breadcrumbs** – These serve as the binder (no eggs required!), while also absorbing any surplus moisture. Gluten-free breadcrumbs function perfectly here for our GF diners!
– **Fresh herbs** – We enjoy a mix of rosemary, sage, and parsley, which evoke the tastes of Thanksgiving. Using fresh herbs guarantees superior flavor, but dried herbs can also be used in this recipe (just reduce the amounts by half!).
– **Sea salt** – For taste! Any finely grounded salt will suffice, although we do favor the flavor of sea salt.
## How to Prepare Thanksgiving Turkey Meatballs
1. **Sauté the vegetables** – Cook the onion and celery with olive oil and salt for seasoning until they become soft and aromatic, then add the garlic and keep cooking for another minute.
2. **Combine** sautéed vegetables, breadcrumbs, herbs, salt, and turkey. Mix until the herbs and salt are uniformly spread out, but be careful not to overwork the meat (overworking can result in tough meatballs).
3. **Scoop & shape** – Utilize a cookie scoop for easy creation of uniformly sized meatballs (which guarantees even cooking).
4. **Bake** for 18-20 minutes at 400 degrees Fahrenheit (204 Celsius).
5. **Broil** – This last step provides the meatballs with a golden exterior and enhances their flavor!
## Can These Turkey Meatballs Be Prepared Ahead of Time?
Yes! For optimal flavor and texture (perfect for serving at a holiday event), prepare up to step 4 (mixing ground turkey with seasonings and breadcrumbs), refrigerate the mixture, then shape + cook just before serving. Alternatively, you can fully cook the meatballs and reheat them in the oven, or freeze the formed meatballs before baking and cook them directly from frozen.
## Can I Cook on the Stovetop?
Certainly, though the meatballs might not be as uniformly round in shape! You can cook over medium heat in a lightly oiled skillet, turning occasionally, until the internal temperature reads 165 degrees Fahrenheit. If they are browning too swiftly before being cooked through, lower the heat.
## Do I Have to Use a Cast Iron Skillet?
Not at all! You can sauté the vegetables in any skillet and then cook the meatballs on a lightly oiled baking sheet or in any broil-safe dish (avoid glass).
## Conclusion
We hope you enjoy these meatballs! They’re savory, tender, herby, gratifying, quick & easy, and perfect for small Thanksgiving gatherings! These meatballs pair especially well with Thanksgiving favorites like mashed potatoes, green bean casserole, and cranberry sauce. Their simplicity makes them equally ideal for year-round dining, including busy weeknights!
### More Holiday-Friendly Mains
If you try this recipe, let us know! Leave a comment, rate it, and don’t forget to tag a photo on Instagram. Cheers!