
Cranberry Turkey Meatballs
Cranberry Turkey Meatballs deliver 5g protein and 74 calories per ball, functioning as a lean, portionable snack for macro counting. Quick-preps 24 servings from one stovetop batch, letting you grab individual pieces throughout the week without disrupting your cut or bulk.
Ingredients
- •Ground Turkey, 99% Lean(454g)
- •Bread Crumbs, Dry, Plain(120g)
- •Olive oil(15g)
Regular (not extra-virgin) olive oil for high-heat cooking. EVOO for dressings.
- •Egg, Whole, Large
- •Apple, Granny Smith(240g)
- •Sage, Fresh(23g)
- •Garlic powder(5g)
- •Onion powder(5g)
- •3/4 teaspoon kosher salt
- •1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper
- •Parsley, Fresh
- •Cranberry Sauce, Whole Berry, Canned(240g)
- •Applesauce, Unsweetened, Canned(60g)
- •Maple syrup(30g)
- •Orange Zest
- •Orange Juice, Fresh(15g)
Instructions
- 1In a large mixing bowl, combine the ground turkey, bread crumbs, olive oil, eggs, apple, sage, garlic powder, onion powder, and parsley. Using your hands or two forks, lightly mix until just combined—do not overmix or compact the meat.
- 2Roll the mixture into 1½- to 2-inch balls using a small scoop or your hands to portion evenly. You should form approximately 24 meatballs.
- 3Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat for 1–2 minutes until shimmering. Working in batches to avoid crowding, add the meatballs and cook for 8–10 minutes, rolling occasionally, until golden brown on all sides and the internal temperature reaches 165°F.
- 4Transfer the cooked meatballs to a plate. In the same skillet (no need to clean), combine the cranberry sauce, applesauce, maple syrup, orange zest, and orange juice over medium heat. Cook for 3–4 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the sauce is warm and slightly thickened.
- 5Return all meatballs to the skillet and gently fold into the sauce, coating evenly. Cook for 1–2 minutes more over medium heat until heated through.
- 6Divide the meatballs and sauce evenly into 4 airtight containers while hot, leaving ½ inch of headspace. Garnish each portion with fresh parsley if desired.
- 7Allow containers to cool to room temperature (about 30 minutes), then seal and refrigerate for up to 4 days, or freeze for up to 3 months.
- 8To reheat, thaw overnight in the refrigerator if frozen, then warm in a skillet over medium heat for 4–5 minutes, stirring gently, until heated through to 165°F.
Nutrition — Per Serving
74
calories
5g
protein
1g
fat
- Carbohydrates
- 11g
- Saturated fat
- 0.2g
- Sodium
- 48 mg
- Dietary fiber
- 0.7g
24 servings per batch · ~50g each
Macro data sourced from USDA FoodData Central
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Set up your profile to unlockCommon questions
How much protein does Cranberry Turkey Meatballs have per serving?
Each serving contains only 5g of protein and 74 calories, with just 1g fat and 11g carbs. These meatballs function best as a side or snack addition rather than a primary protein source for your meal.
How long does Cranberry Turkey Meatballs take to prepare?
This is a quick prep stovetop recipe that batch-makes 24 servings at once. The high yield means you can prepare a large batch once and portion it across multiple days with minimal effort.
Is Cranberry Turkey Meatballs good for fat loss?
At only 74 calories per serving, cranberry turkey meatballs are an excellent low-calorie option for fat loss phases. However, these are best used as a side or sauce-based component since 5g protein per serving is relatively low on its own.
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