Save It Juicy turkey meatballs studded with tangy feta and cranberries, served with a vibrant sweet chili sauce. Perfect as an appetizer or festive main course.
I made these cranberry feta meatballs for our last holiday gathering and they disappeared in minutes. The sweetness of cranberries pairs perfectly with salty feta, making them a hit every time.
Ingredients
- Ground turkey: 500 g (1 lb)
- Feta cheese: 100 g (1 cup), crumbled
- Dried cranberries: 60 g (1/2 cup), roughly chopped
- Egg: 1 large
- Breadcrumbs: 60 g (1/2 cup)
- Garlic: 2 cloves, minced
- Fresh parsley: 2 tablespoons, chopped
- Dried oregano: 1 teaspoon
- Salt: 1/2 teaspoon
- Black pepper: 1/4 teaspoon
- Sweet chili sauce: 120 ml (1/2 cup), store-bought or homemade
- Soy sauce: 1 tablespoon
- Honey: 1 tablespoon
- Fresh lime juice: 1 tablespoon
Instructions
- Prepare for baking:
- Preheat the oven to 200°C (400°F). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- Mix meatball ingredients:
- In a large bowl, combine ground turkey, feta, cranberries, egg, breadcrumbs, garlic, parsley, oregano, salt, and pepper. Mix gently until just combined (do not overwork).
- Form meatballs:
- Scoop out heaping tablespoons of the mixture and roll into balls (about 24). Place evenly spaced on the prepared baking sheet.
- Bake meatballs:
- Bake for 18–20 minutes, or until cooked through and golden brown.
- Prepare sauce:
- While meatballs bake, whisk together sweet chili sauce, soy sauce, honey, and lime juice in a small saucepan. Warm over low heat, stirring, until heated through.
- Serve:
- Transfer baked meatballs to a serving platter. Drizzle with the warm sweet chili sauce, or serve sauce on the side for dipping. Garnish with extra chopped parsley if desired.
Save It We always laugh about how my uncle tries to sneak extra meatballs for himself. Sharing this platter brings back warm family memories around our dinner table.
Required Tools
Mixing bowl, baking sheet, parchment paper, small saucepan, whisk or spoon
Allergen Information
Contains dairy (feta cheese), eggs, gluten (breadcrumbs), and soy (soy sauce). Check all store-bought ingredients for cross-contamination if serving allergy-sensitive guests.
Nutritional Information
Calories per meatball: 60. Total fat: 2.5 g. Carbohydrates: 5 g. Protein: 4 g.
Save It For a festive touch, sprinkle with extra parsley and serve hot. These meatballs are sure to brighten up any party spread!
Common Questions About Recipes
- → What type of meat works best for these meatballs?
Ground turkey is preferred for its lean texture and mild flavor, but ground chicken can be used as a good substitute.
- → How should I prepare the meatballs to keep them tender?
Mix the ingredients gently without overworking the mixture to maintain tenderness and avoid dense meatballs.
- → Can the sweet chili sauce be made from scratch?
Yes, combining honey, lime juice, soy sauce, and chili paste creates a vibrant homemade sauce that complements the meatballs well.
- → What is the ideal baking temperature and time?
Bake at 200°C (400°F) for 18 to 20 minutes until the meatballs are cooked through and golden brown.
- → Are there any suggested serving ideas?
Serve the meatballs with toothpicks as party bites or alongside rice for a fuller meal; garnish with fresh parsley for added color.
- → Can these meatballs accommodate dietary restrictions?
The dish contains dairy, eggs, gluten, and soy; careful ingredient selection is advised for allergy-sensitive individuals.