BBQ Turkey Meatballs

A plate of BBQ glazed turkey meatballs with chives on top.

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A simple mixture of ground turkey, breadcrumbs, egg, and spices cooked and tossed with your family's favorite BBQ sauce makes an ideal appetizer or main course for a family dinner.

Prep Time5

Cook Time20

Total Time25

Course: Appetizer, dinner, Main Course

Cuisine: American

Keyword: turkey, turkey meatballs

Servings: people

Calories: 326kcal

Author: Mikayla M.

Ingredients

1 pound ground turkey
1/2 cup unseasoned breadcrumbs
1 large egg
1 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
1/2 teaspoon onion powder
1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika
1/2 teaspoon ground mustard
2 tablespoons oil
1/2 cup barbeque sauce
1/2 cup water

Instructions

Combine the ground turkey, salt, all the spices, egg, and breadcrumbs in a large bowl.
Mix to combine until all the egg, breadcrumbs, and spices are evenly distributed through the meat. Be gentle, over working can make them tough.
Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add in the oil once hot.
Shape meatballs by hand or with a medium cookie scoop and place them in the hot pan. This recipe usually yields 12-16 meatballs, depending on size.
Let the meatballs sear in the oil, shaking the pan occasionally to move the meatballs and keep more of the round shape.
Once meatballs are browned on at least 2 sides (About 6-7 minutes), add in the water and barbeque sauce and reduce the heat to medium-low. Stir to combine the water and sauce.
Simmer and cook for 10-15 minutes or until the sauce has thickened and glazed the meatballs and the meatballs are cooked to an internal temperature of 165°F.

Notes

Substitutions:

Ground Turkey: Ground Chicken or Pork. I use 93/7% turkey, but leaner can be used. Be sure not to overcook or they will dry out.

Breadcrumbs: Crushed saltines or butter crackers

Egg: 2 tablespoons of mayonnaise or plain greek yogurt.

Spices: add any you'd like! Choose flavors that compliment the sauce you picked.

Water: Chicken or vegetable broth or stock.

Tips:

If you're really keen to keep the round shape, chill the ground turkey mixture for 10 minutes before cooking. The cold will help tighten up the fat in the mixture and keep them more round.

Continue to stir and toss the pan while the sauce thickens, it will glaze them beautifully.

Alternative Cooking Methods:

Oven: Coat with water and sauce and bake for 15-20 minutes at 350°F, turning once.

Deep fry: Drop into hot 375°F oil and cook for 5-6 minutes. Remove and toss in BBQ sauce, skipping the water.

Nutrition