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Apple Turkey Meatballs with Homemade BBQ Sauce Recipe

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4.3 from 1 review

These apple turkey meatballs are a delicious and kid-friendly main course featuring lean ground turkey mixed with shredded tart apple, fresh parmesan, oats, and rosemary. They are pan-seared until browned and then finished in the oven for juicy, flavorful meatballs that pair perfectly with homemade BBQ sauce or your favorite dipping sauce.

  • Total Time: 25 mins
  • Yield: 4 servings

Ingredients

Meatballs

  • 1/2 cup shredded apple (about 1/2 of a tart apple, such as Pink Lady, Granny Smith, or Honey Crisp)
  • 1/2 cup grated fresh parmesan cheese
  • 1/4 cup pulsed oats (breadcrumb-consistency; can also use breadcrumbs)
  • 1 egg, lightly whisked
  • 1 lb lean ground turkey
  • 1 Tbsp fresh rosemary, finely chopped
  • Pinch of salt and pepper
  • 1 Tbsp olive or canola oil

Instructions

  1. Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C) to prepare for finishing the meatballs after searing.
  2. Prepare Apple: Shred the apple using a food processor with a shredder plate or grate it manually with a cheese grater. Add the shredded apple to a large mixing bowl.
  3. Mix Ingredients: To the bowl with apple, add grated parmesan, pulsed oats, lightly whisked egg, ground turkey, finely chopped fresh rosemary, and a pinch of salt and pepper. Combine thoroughly and form the mixture into small meatballs.
  4. Brown Meatballs: Heat the olive or canola oil in a cast-iron skillet over medium-high heat. Once the oil is hot, carefully place the meatballs in the skillet, ensuring not to overcrowd the pan. Cook the meatballs, turning occasionally, until all sides are nicely browned, about 5 minutes.
  5. Finish Cooking in Oven: If your skillet is oven-safe, transfer it directly to the preheated oven; otherwise, transfer the browned meatballs to a baking sheet. Bake for 8-10 minutes, or until the meatballs are cooked through and reach an internal temperature of 165 degrees F (74 degrees C).
  6. Serve: Remove the meatballs from the oven and serve them warm with roasted vegetables and your preferred dipping sauce, such as homemade BBQ sauce. Enjoy your meal!

Notes

  • Use tart apple varieties like Granny Smith or Pink Lady for a balanced sweet-tart flavor that complements the turkey.
  • Oats are pulsed to a breadcrumb consistency as a healthier alternative to regular breadcrumbs.
  • If you do not have a cast-iron skillet, any oven-safe skillet or a baking sheet can be used for baking the meatballs.
  • To avoid overcrowding the pan while browning, cook meatballs in batches if needed, using half the oil per batch.
  • Check meatballs with a meat thermometer to ensure they reach 165°F for safe consumption.
  • Author: Olivia
  • Prep Time: 10 mins
  • Cook Time: 15 mins
  • Category: Main Course
  • Method: Baking
  • Cuisine: American
  • Diet: Low Fat

Find it online: https://iamstarved.com/apple-turkey-meatballs-with-homemade-bbq-sauce-recipe/