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Cranberry and Stuffing Turkey Meatballs

Savory turkey meatballs made with prepared stuffing, spinach, and rosemary are baked until lightly golden, then paired with a glossy cranberry-orange glaze accented with cinnamon. The combination delivers familiar holiday flavors in a convenient meatball format that works well as an appetizer or main dish.
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Course: Appetizer, Main Course
Cuisine: American
Keyword: Glaze Cooking Time
Cook Time: 20 minutes
Glaze Cooking Time: 4 minutes
Total Time: 24 minutes

Ingredients

Turkey Meatballs

  • 1 ½ cups prepared stuffing preferably made with slightly stale bread
  • 1 teaspoon dried rosemary
  • 1 large egg
  • 1 pound ground turkey
  • 1 teaspoon garlic salt
  • cup finely chopped spinach using either fresh spinach or thawed frozen spinach that has been thoroughly squeezed dry

Cranberry-Orange Glaze

  • ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • 1 can 14 ounces cranberry sauce, either whole-berry or jellied
  • ¼ cup brown sugar or maple syrup
  • 1 teaspoon dried rosemary lightly crushed to enhance its aroma
  • ¾ cup orange juice
  • 2 teaspoons cornstarch blended with ¼ cup water to create a smooth slurry

Instructions

  • Prepare the oven and baking sheet. Preheat the oven to 400°F (200°C). Coat a baking sheet with nonstick cooking spray. If available, position a baking or cooling rack over the sheet to encourage better airflow around the meatballs and promote more uniform cooking.
  • Combine the meatball mixture. Place the ground turkey, prepared stuffing, chopped spinach, egg, garlic salt, and 1 teaspoon dried rosemary in a large mixing bowl. Stir with a spoon or mix by hand until the ingredients are evenly distributed throughout the turkey mixture.
  • Shape the meatballs. Portion the mixture into evenly sized balls measuring approximately 1½ inches across. Arrange them on the prepared baking sheet, leaving a little space between each one.
  • Bake until cooked through. Place the tray in the preheated oven and bake for 18–20 minutes, or until the turkey meatballs are fully cooked and lightly browned. Remove the tray from the oven and allow the meatballs to cool briefly while the glaze is prepared.
  • Combine the glaze ingredients. Add the cranberry sauce, orange juice, brown sugar or maple syrup, cornstarch-and-water slurry, 1 teaspoon dried rosemary, and ground cinnamon to a medium saucepan. Whisk until thoroughly combined.
  • Cook and thicken the glaze. Set the saucepan over medium heat and bring the cranberry mixture to a boil, whisking frequently. Allow it to boil for approximately 60 seconds, until thickening begins. Reduce the heat and simmer for another 2–3 minutes, stirring regularly, until the sauce develops a thick, glossy consistency.
  • Coat or serve the meatballs. Add the baked turkey meatballs to the warm cranberry-orange glaze and gently toss until evenly coated. Alternatively, serve the meatballs warm with the glaze alongside for dipping.
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Notes

  • A small ice cream or cookie scoop can help portion the meatballs into consistent sizes for more even baking.
  • Using slightly stale bread stuffing gives the meatball mixture a particularly suitable texture.
  • A baking or cooling rack placed over the baking sheet improves air circulation around the meatballs during cooking.
  • For additional citrus brightness, a small amount of fresh orange zest may be incorporated into the glaze.