Ingredients
Vegetables and Mix-ins
- ½ lb. mushrooms, finely chopped (about 3 cups)
- 1 cup onion, finely chopped (about ½ large onion)
- ½ cup celery, finely chopped
- ½ cup dried cranberries
Meat and Binding
- 1 lb. ground turkey breast
- ½ cup coarsely ground cornmeal or dry cornbread stuffing
- 1 egg, lightly beaten
Seasonings
- 1 teaspoon poultry seasoning
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Set your oven to 375ºF (190ºC) and prepare a sheet pan by lining it with parchment paper or lightly greasing it to prevent sticking.
- Mix Ingredients: In a large bowl, combine the finely chopped mushrooms, onion, celery, ground turkey, cornmeal or dry cornbread stuffing, dried cranberries, beaten egg, poultry seasoning, garlic powder, kosher salt, and black pepper. Mix thoroughly until all ingredients are evenly incorporated.
- Form Meatballs: Using a meatball scoop or melon baller, portion the mixture into 24 meatballs, each about 1½ inches in diameter. The mixture should be moist but able to hold its shape. Place the meatballs on the prepared sheet pan spaced about 1 inch apart to ensure even cooking.
- Bake Meatballs: Bake the meatballs uncovered in the preheated oven for 18 to 22 minutes or until the internal temperature reaches 165ºF (74ºC) when checked with a meat thermometer. This ensures they are safely cooked through.
- Serve: Remove from oven and serve the meatballs warm. They are delicious on their own, with mini skewers for easy serving, or accompanied by cranberry sauce for dipping. Optionally, sprinkle with chopped fresh parsley for a pop of color.
Notes
- Use ground turkey breast for leaner meatballs and better texture.
- If you can’t find cornbread stuffing, substitute with coarsely ground cornmeal or your preferred dry stuffing mix.
- Make sure not to overcrowd the baking sheet to allow the meatballs to brown evenly.
- Check doneness with a meat thermometer; 165ºF is the safe internal temperature for poultry.
- Feel free to add fresh herbs like parsley or sage to enhance flavor.
- These meatballs can be prepared ahead and reheated in the oven before serving.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Appetizer, Entree
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
