Turkey-Apple Swedish Meatballs

  • Level: Easy
  • Yield: 6 (about 36 small meatballs)
  • Total: 2 hr
  • Prep: 1 hr 10 min
  • Cook: 50 min
Advertisement

Ingredients

For the meatballs:

3 cups packed torn pumpernickel bread

1 cup whole milk

1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce

2 tablespoons unsalted butter

1 tablespoon vegetable oil

6 small shallots, chopped (about 1/2 cup)

1 Granny Smith apple, peeled and grated

2 cloves garlic, minced

Pinch of ground cinnamon

Kosher salt and freshly ground pepper

1 1/4 pounds lean ground turkey

1 large egg

Cooking spray

For the gravy:

2 tablespoons all-purpose flour

1 1/2 cups low-sodium chicken broth

1 1/2 teaspoons Worcestershire sauce

Mashed potatoes, for serving (optional)

Chopped fresh parsley and/or chives, for topping

Directions

  1. Make the meatballs: Pulse the bread in a food processor to make fine crumbs. Add the milk and Worcestershire sauce and pulse to make a paste; set aside.
  2. Heat the butter and vegetable oil in a large nonstick skillet over medium heat; add the shallots and cook, stirring, until golden brown, about 8 minutes. Add the apple, garlic, cinnamon, 1 teaspoon salt and a few grinds of pepper and cook until the apple is tender, about 3 minutes. Stir in the breadcrumb mixture and cook, stirring, until thickened, about 4 minutes. Transfer to a large bowl and let cool completely.
  3. Add the turkey and egg to the bowl and beat with a mixer on lowspeed until well combined, about 4 minutes. Cover and refrigerate at least 30 minutes.
  4. Preheat the oven to 425 degrees F and coat a baking sheet with cooking spray. Dampen your hands and form the meat mixture into 36 balls (about1 inch each). Arrange on the prepared baking sheet and bake until lightly browned, 15 to 20 minutes.
  5. Meanwhile, make the gravy: Melt the butter in a medium saucepan over medium heat. Add the flour and whisk to make a smooth paste, about 3 minutes. Gradually whisk in the chicken broth, then add the Worcestershire sauce. Cook, whisking, until slightly thickened, about 5 minutes. Add the meatballs and simmer until firm and cooked through, about 10 minutes. Serve over mashed potatoes and top with parsley and/or chives.

Let's Get Cooking!

Sign up for the Recipe of the Day newsletter to receive editor-picked recipes,tips and videos delivered to your inbox daily. Privacy Policy

Thanks for subscribing to the Recipe of the Day newsletter. Check out all our other great newsletters from Easy Recipes, Healthy Eating Ideas and Chef Recipe Videos.

We're sorry, there was an error signing you up. Please try again later.

Advertisement

Chelsea D.

Do not add milk to the breadcrumbs. Call me Gwyneth paltrow because I made GOOP. The meatballs tasted good but the texture was MUSH

See All Reviews