Description
These Apple and Sage Turkey Meatballs are a delicious and healthy twist on classic meatballs, combining ground turkey with grated apple, fresh sage, and Parmesan cheese for a savory and slightly sweet flavor. Perfect as a main course or appetizer, they can be cooked on the stovetop or baked for convenience.
Ingredients
Scale
Meatballs
- 1 pound ground turkey
- 1 small apple, peeled and grated
- 1/4 cup finely chopped onion
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1/4 cup breadcrumbs
- 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 large egg
- 2 teaspoons fresh sage, chopped (or 1 teaspoon dried sage)
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
For Cooking
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1/2 cup low-sodium chicken broth (optional, for simmering)
Instructions
- Combine Ingredients: In a large bowl, combine ground turkey, grated apple, onion, garlic, breadcrumbs, Parmesan cheese, egg, sage, salt, black pepper, and nutmeg. Mix gently until all ingredients are evenly incorporated, being careful not to overwork the meat.
- Shape Meatballs: Form the mixture into 1- to 1.5-inch meatballs, ensuring they are compact but not overly dense.
- Heat Oil: Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat.
- Brown Meatballs: Add meatballs in a single layer to the skillet and brown on all sides, approximately 5-6 minutes, turning carefully to avoid breaking them.
- Simmer (Optional): Pour in chicken broth if using, cover the skillet, and simmer the meatballs for 5-7 minutes until cooked through and tender.
- Reduce Liquid: Remove the lid and cook for an additional 2 minutes to reduce any excess liquid, resulting in a slightly thicker sauce.
- Serve: Serve the meatballs warm, either as an appetizer, over pasta, or alongside roasted vegetables for a complete meal.
Notes
- For extra moisture, substitute half of the breadcrumbs with rolled oats.
- You can bake these meatballs at 400°F for 15-18 minutes as a hands-off alternative to stovetop cooking.
- Fresh sage provides the best flavor, but dried sage works well if fresh is unavailable.
