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Home / Course / Main Course / Healthy Turkey Meatballs with Cranberry

Healthy Turkey Meatballs with Cranberry

November 28, 2019 Leave a Comment

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Healthy turkey meatballs with cranberry are an easy and tasty snack, dinner or appetizer. Made with cranberry sauce these turkey meatballs are gluten free, paleo and Whole30. With spices and cranberry these meatballs have the best flavour that is reminiscent of the holidays.

A bowl full of healthy turkey meatballs with cranberry

Why you will love this recipe: 

  • These healthy cranberry meatballs have the best flavour and taste like stuffing!
  • They are a great way to use up any leftover cranberry sauce from Thanksgiving or Christmas. 
  • They are really simple and easy to make and don’t require any fancy or hard to find ingredients.
  • They are gluten free, dairy free, paleo, and Whole30 compliant.
  • They are made without breadcrumbs. 
  • They make a great appetizer, breakfast, snack or dinner.
  • They can be eaten alone or served with sauce.
  • These meatballs are baked in the oven and only take 15 minutes to cook!
  • Can be frozen and eaten at a later date so they are perfect for meal prep. 

Key ingredients and substitutions: 

  • Ground turkey – these meatballs are made with ground turkey. I prefer to use dark meat, but white meat will also work (just note that white meat does tend to have less flavour and be a little drier). 
  • Eggs – to add moisture to these meatballs and help bind them. 
  • Almond flour – this is the brand I use and love – this is used to help bind the meatballs. You can also use breadcrumbs, gluten free breadcrumbs or crushed crackers instead. 
  • Cranberry sauce – I used this cranberry sauce but you can use any cranberry sauce that you like. 
  • Herbs de Provence spice blend – this is the kind I use – this adds such a delicious flavour to these meatballs. 
  • Basil – another one of my favourite spices to add even more flavour. 
  • Green onion – to add a pop of color and even more aromatic flavour to these meatballs. You could swap this for white onion. 

How to make this recipe:

Step one:

First, preheat your oven to 400 degrees Fahrenheit.

Step two:

Now add all the ingredients to a large bowl and stir well to combine.

Step three:

Then line a baking sheet with parchment paper and form the meat mixture into balls ~1.5-2 inches in diameter.

Step four:

Then bake the meatballs for 15-20 minutes. Let them cool for a few minutes and enjoy!

Step by step directions for making healthy turkey meatballs with cranberry

Chef’s tips: 

  • I used dark turkey meat to make these meatballs. If you use white turkey meat they won’t be as moist so you may want to add 1-2 tbsp of avocado oil or olive oil.
  • If you let the formed meatballs set in the fridge for 30 minutes before baking it will help they stay together better.
  • Feel free to change up the herbs in these meatballs. Rosemary and thyme would also both be great options.
  • These meatballs freeze really well. 

How to store: 

Store these meatballs in the fridge in an air tight container for up to 5 days. 

Frequently asked questions: 

How do you know when turkey meatballs are done?

If you insert a thermometer into the meat it should read 165 degrees Fahrenheit. You can also cut a meatball in half to see if it is cooked through. The meatballs should also be browned on the outside.

Do you need breadcrumbs in meatballs?

No! Instead of breadcrumbs you can use almond flour, almond meal, crushed crackers or oats.  

Why do you need eggs in meatballs?

The eggs help to bind the meatballs together and prevent them from falling apart. Eggs also add a little moisture so the meatballs aren’t as dry.

Do you turn meatballs when baking?

You can but you don’t have to. I usually don’t turn my meatballs when I make them.

Are these turkey meatballs Whole30 compliant?

That depends. If you use my Sugar Free Cranberry Sauce they are but if you use cranberry sauce with sugar they are not.

A plate of 3 turkey meatballs with cranberry with a fork in one of the meatballs

Other recipes you will love:

  • Sugar Free Cranberry Sauce
  • Teriyaki Chicken Stir Fry Sheet Pan Meal
  • Meatloaf with Blueberries
  • Whole30 and Paleo Sloppy Joes

Since you made it this far we are basically best friends so be sure to follow me on Instagram, Pinterest and Facebook where I share even more recipes and healthy living tips! And don’t forget to leave this recipe a star review before you go!

5 from 5 votes
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Healthy Turkey Meatballs with Cranberry

These healthy turkey meatballs with cranberry have the best flavour and taste just like the holidays. Easy to make these meatballs are gluten free, paleo and Whole30.

Course Appetizer, Main Course, Snack
Cuisine American
Keyword easy turkey meatballs, keto turkey meatballs, whole30 turkey meatballs
Prep Time 5 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Total Time 25 minutes
Servings 6
Calories 371 kcal

Ingredients

  • 2 lbs ground dark turkey meat
  • 2 large eggs
  • 1 cup cranberry sauce
  • 1 cup almond flour
  • 1/2 cup finely chopped green onion
  • 1 tbsp dried basil
  • 1 tbsp herbs de provence spice blend
  • 1 tsp sea salt

Instructions

  1. Preheat your oven to 400F.

  2. In a large bowl add all the ingredients and stir them well until combined.

  3. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.

  4. Form the meat mixture into 1.5-2 inch diameter meatballs.

  5. Place the tray in the oven and bake for 15-20 minutes, until the meatballs are cooked through. Let them cool for a bit, then enjoy!

Recipe Notes

  1. This recipe yields 28 meatballs.
  2. If you use white turkey meat you might want to add 1-2 tbsp of avocado oil to add extra moisture.
  3. Serve these meatballs on their own or with your favourite dipping sauce. 
  4. Nutritional values are an estimate and will vary depending on the exact ingredients used and the serving size. 
Nutrition Facts
Healthy Turkey Meatballs with Cranberry
Amount Per Serving
Calories 371 Calories from Fat 126
% Daily Value*
Fat 14g22%
Saturated Fat 2g13%
Trans Fat 1g
Polyunsaturated Fat 1g
Monounsaturated Fat 1g
Cholesterol 138mg46%
Sodium 501mg22%
Potassium 520mg15%
Carbohydrates 23g8%
Fiber 3g13%
Sugar 19g21%
Protein 42g84%
Vitamin A 242IU5%
Vitamin C 3mg4%
Calcium 76mg8%
Iron 3mg17%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.

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DISCLAIMERS: The statements made on this website have not been approved by the Food and Drug Administration or Health Canada. The information is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent disease. You assume full responsibility for how you use this information. Always consult with your physician or other health professionals before making any diet or lifestyle changes. This post may contain affiliate links whereby if you purchase these products I receive a small percentage of the sale price. This allows me to keep the blog running and I thank you for allowing me to do that!

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Hi friends! I'm Dr. Erin Carter

I'm a physician by day and health and wellness blogger by night. I believe that real food and healthy living are medicine and that eating healthy shouldn't be boring or restrictive. Here you'll find many easy and delicious recipes and tons of healthy living tips! Meet Dr. Erin Carter

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