Thanksgiving Turkey Meatballs
Ingredients
- 4 tbspunsalted butter
- 3stalks celery
finely diced
- 2whole carrots
finely diced
- ½ cfinely diced shallots
roughly 3-4 shallots
- 2 tbspfinely chopped fresh sage
- 2 tbspfinely chopped fresh thyme
- 2 tbspfinely chopped fresh oregano
- 2 ½ lbground dark meat turkey
- 1 lbground pork
- 1 cpanko bread crumbs
- 2lemons
zested and 1 tablespoon of juice reserved for the gravy
- 2 tbspkosher salt
- 1 tbspfreshly cracked black pepper
- 1 cheavy cream
- 2eggs
- vegetable oil for frying
- 1 quartsturkey or chicken stock
- ½ cunsalted butter
- ½ call-purpose flour
- kosher salt and freshly cracked black pepper
Directions
For the meatballs
- 1
Heat the butter over medium heat in a medium sized skillet. Add the celery, carrot and shallot and saute for 6-8 minutes until softened. Add the freshly chopped sage, thyme and oregano and stir to combine. Cook for another 1 minute and then remove from heat and transfer to the fridge to cool.
- 2
In a large prep bowl combine the ground turkey, ground pork, panko bread crumbs, lemon zest, salt, pepper, heavy cream and eggs. Add the veggies and herbs once cooled. Carefully combine the mixture until evenly mixed.
- 3
Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- 4
Scoop out 1/3 cup sized scoops and roll into a ball. Transfer the balls to the lined baking sheet, the mixture should make about 20 large balls. Transfer the baking sheet into the freezer and freeze for 15 minutes.
- 5
Preheat an oven to 300°F.
- 6
Pour 2 inches of oil in a large heavy bottom dutch oven. 6-7 at a time, fry the meatballs just until browned and they hold their shape, about 3 minutes per batch over medium high heat. No need to flip as the oil should cover the meatballs. Transfer the meatballs to a clean braiser or baking dish as you remove them from the oil. They should be a little golden brown. Repeat until all meatballs have been fried. Add enough stock to just barely cover the meatballs and place secure the top on the braiser. Transfer to the oven and bake for 30 minutes until cooked through.
- 7
Once the meatballs are done, use a slotted spoon and transfer the meatballs to a clean serving dish and set them aside. Leaving braising liquid in the braiser for the time being.
For the gravy
- 1
In a medium sized pot, melt the butter over medium heat. Add the flour and cook, stirring frequently for about 3-4 minutes. Slowly stream in 3-4 cups of braising liquid and whisk, until thickened, about 5 minutes. Season with salt, freshly cracked pepper and 1 tablespoon of reserved lemon juice to taste. Drizzle the gravy on top of the meatballs and serve.
Thanksgiving Turkey Meatballs
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Based on 26 ratings
Rating Breakdown
About this Recipe
Skip the Whole Bird, Not the Flavor with Thanksgiving Turkey Meatballs!
Dreaming of those comforting Thanksgiving flavors without the monumental task of roasting an entire turkey? Our Thanksgiving Turkey Meatballs are your perfect solution! This recipe brings all the classic aromas and tastes of the holiday feast right to your dinner table, in a convenient and utterly delicious form. Perfect for smaller gatherings, Friendsgiving, or simply when you're craving that festive taste any time of year.
What makes these turkey meatballs so special? It's the harmonious blend of rich, savory ingredients. We start with a foundation of aromatic celery, carrots, and shallots, sautéed in butter until tender. Then, a generous handful of fresh sage, thyme, and oregano infuses the mixture with that unmistakably autumnal essence. We combine flavorful dark meat turkey with ground pork to ensure a juicy, tender meatball every time, bolstered by panko bread crumbs for structure. The zesty brightness of lemon zest and the subtle richness of heavy cream truly elevate these meatballs, making them a standout dish.
But it wouldn't be Thanksgiving without gravy! These meatballs are fried to a golden crisp, then simmered in a luscious, homemade gravy crafted from turkey or chicken stock, butter, and flour. The gravy becomes a rich, velvety blanket, perfect for soaking into creamy mashed potatoes or a side of classic stuffing. Serve these Thanksgiving meatballs as the star of your holiday spread, alongside your favorite traditional sides like cranberry sauce and roasted vegetables, for a truly memorable meal without all the fuss. They're so good, you might just make them a new holiday tradition!