Cranberry-Glazed Turkey Meatballs with Garlic Herb Sauce – Holiday Favorite!

Hi there, food lover! 👋 Ready to serve a dish that feels elegant, comforting, and perfectly festive all at once? 🦃🍒✨

There’s a reason turkey and cranberry have stood the test of time—they simply belong together. This Cranberry-Glazed Turkey Meatballs with Garlic Herb Sauce recipe brings that beloved holiday pairing into a beautifully balanced, crowd-pleasing dish that feels both traditional and a little bit special. It’s the kind of recipe that looks impressive on the table yet stays rooted in simple, honest cooking.

Juicy turkey meatballs are gently baked or simmered until tender, then coated in a glossy cranberry glaze that delivers the perfect mix of sweet and tangy. But what truly sets this dish apart is the creamy garlic herb sauce—a subtle, savory layer that rounds out the flavors and adds warmth without overpowering the cranberry. Together, the two sauces create harmony: festive brightness balanced by comforting richness.

This dish fits effortlessly into holiday menus, whether served as an appetizer with toothpicks, a main course over mashed potatoes, or part of a buffet spread. It’s refined enough for celebrations yet familiar enough to feel nostalgic. Best of all, it can be made ahead, reheated gently, and enjoyed stress-free—just the way holiday cooking should be. 🎄💛

Take a breath, enjoy the aromas, and let this recipe bring a little extra joy to your table. 👩‍🍳🍽️

🧺 Ingredients

Turkey Meatballs

• 1 lb ground turkey
• ½ cup breadcrumbs
• 1 large egg
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 teaspoon dried parsley
• ½ teaspoon dried thyme
• 1 teaspoon salt
• ½ teaspoon black pepper
• 1 tablespoon olive oil

Cranberry Glaze

• 1 can (14 oz) whole berry cranberry sauce
• ¼ cup honey or brown sugar
• 2 tablespoons orange juice
• 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard

Garlic Herb Sauce

• 2 tablespoons butter
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 tablespoon all-purpose flour
• ¾ cup milk or light cream
• 1 tablespoon fresh parsley, finely chopped
• Salt and pepper, to taste

🥣 Step-by-Step Directions

1. Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
2. In a large bowl, gently mix ground turkey, breadcrumbs, egg, garlic, parsley, thyme, salt, and pepper until just combined.
3. Roll into 1-inch meatballs and place on prepared baking sheet.
4. Drizzle lightly with olive oil and bake for 18–22 minutes, until cooked through.
5. While meatballs bake, prepare the cranberry glaze by combining cranberry sauce, honey, orange juice, and Dijon mustard in a saucepan. Simmer gently for 5 minutes.
6. In another saucepan, melt butter and sauté garlic until fragrant. Stir in flour, then slowly whisk in milk. Cook until slightly thickened.
7. Remove garlic herb sauce from heat and stir in parsley, salt, and pepper.
8. Toss baked meatballs in warm cranberry glaze until evenly coated.
9. Serve meatballs drizzled with garlic herb sauce or on the side for dipping.

🧮 Nutritional Information (Per Serving – Approximate)

⏰ Prep Time: 20 minutes
🔥 Cooking Time: 25 minutes
⏳ Total Time: 45 minutes

⚡ Calories per serving: ~340
🍽️ Servings: 6

• Protein: 24g
• Carbohydrates: 26g
• Fat: 15g
• Sugar: 16g
• Sodium: 460mg

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Bon appétit and happy cooking! 👩‍🍳🍽️