This is the tastiest Turkey Meatball recipe… a great alternative to beef and they’re seasoned with most the flavorful ingredients. They’re cooked to a beautiful deep golden brown in a cast iron skillet and moist inside, with a delicious browned outside. A family favorite!
These turkey meatballs are unique and have been one of my family’s favorite recipes for the past 10 years. We use flavors like Worcestershire sauce, soy sauce, yellow mustard, cajon seasoning and onions to give them a unique taste and absolutely to-die-for flavor! They’re easy to make too. Everything is in one bowl, and then seared in a cast iron skillet. This recipe is truly my favorite meatball recipe ever.
They’re flavorful enough to eat alone or just add them to your favorite sauce!
Turkey Meatball Recipe Ingredients
The flavors in these meatballs sound so different and interesting, but when it all comes together, it’s the best flavor combo ever!!
- Ground turkey
- Worcestershire sauce
- Soy sauce
- Sweet onion (yellow is fine too)
- Yellow mustard
- Cajon seasoning
- Panko bread crumbs
- Cumin
- Salt & Pepper
- Garlic
- Egg
- Red pepper flakes
- Butter & Olive oil
How to Make Meatballs (Step by Step)
It’s easier than you think to make these meatballs! You only need one bowl and one cast iron pan!
- Add all of the ingredients into a medium mixing bowl.
- Have a baking sheet or platter close by to set the meatballs on while you shape them.
Why do my meatballs fall apart?
To keep meatballs together, you need to use a binder such as an egg or breadcrumbs. The breadcrumbs need to be very small, like Panko, and you can’t use too many or it will result in a loose meatball. We use 1 egg and 3/4 cup Panko breadcrumbs. These meatballs never fall apart!
- Using clean hands or a wooden spoon, mix the ingredients well.
- Using clean hands, shape the meatballs into small gold sized balls.
- Once all of the meatballs are shaped (should be about 12 for this recipe), heat butter and oil in a cast iron pan until sizzling.
- Turn heat to medium and place all of the meatballs in the cast iron pan.
- Brown them on each side.
- Cover and let them up for a few minutes, turning them occasionally.
- They will turn a deep, deep brown color which is what you want.
- Using a meat thermometer, put it in the center of one meatball. When it reaches 140 degrees, the meatball should be done.
- Cut one in half (this one can be yours to eat!), and check the center to make sure it’s cooked, but still moist inside.
How to Cook Meatballs
There are a few ways to cook meatballs. Personally, our favorite is to cook them in a
Purchase a pre seasoned cast iron pan with lid here.
You can also cook meatballs in a preheated 400 degree oven for about 15-20 minutes. Make sure to turn them once or twice.
Why are my meatballs tough?
The meatballs are most likely tough because they’re overcooked. The recommendation for cooking turkey is 160 degrees. Personally, this is a little high for a meatball and can result in dryness. Usually anything around 140 degrees will still result in a thoroughly cooked turkey meatball without drying it out.
Cut one open around 140 and check the center. It should not be fully gray and dry. It should be moist and more of a white, cooked center.
Variations for Meatballs
You can use a different meat with this recipe, like beef or pork and they will be just as good or better, depending on your favorite meat!
Try a combination of meat, like beef and pork together.
If you don’t like the meatballs too spicy, leave out the red pepper flakes.
Eat them with a red sauce or they’re good alone!
How to Freeze Meatballs
- You can freeze meatballs cooked or uncooked. It will be the same both ways.
- Place the meatballs in a freezer bags and seal tightly.
- Both will last for up to 3 months in a sealed freezer bag.
Best Way to Reheat Meatballs?
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
- Place frozen meatballs in a single layer on a baking dish.
- Heat for about 20-25 minutes or until thoroughly heated.
How to Make a Quick Red Sauce
Truly, there is no recipe for this! I quickly like to whip up a yummy red sauce after the meatballs are done cooking. It requires zero chopping and it’s quick and easy. I do everything to taste. It’s a great lesson in cooking and you can do it too!
- Leave all the oil and butter fat from the meatballs in the cast iron skillet.
- With heat on low, add in a 28 ounce can of crushed tomatoes.
- Add in some garlic and onion powder to taste.
- Add in dried basil to taste (usually like 1 teaspoon).
- Toss is about 1/2 cup to 3/4 cup red wine.
- Pour in a little cream, about 1/4 cup.
- Season with salt and pepper and let it simmer while stirring.
Pair these with our Salad that Goes with Everything for a complete meal!
More Dinner Recipes You’ll Love!
Sheet Pan Chicken and Sausage Bake
Sausage and Pepper Sheet Pan Meal
One Pan Basil and Tomato Pasta
Simple Green Salad that Goes with Everything!
Classic Wedge Salad with THE BEST DRESSING EVER!!
The yummiest carbonara recipe!
Let us know how you like these meatballs by leaving a comment and review below!
Turkey Meatball Recipe
Ingredients
- 1 pound ground turkey lean
- 3/4 cup Panko bread crumbs
- 1/4 cup chopped sweet onion purple or yellow onion will work
- 1 large egg lightly beaten
- 2 cloves garlic chopped or pressed
- 3 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
- 1 tbsp soy sauce
- 1 tbsp yellow mustard
- 1 tsp red pepper flakes optional if you don’t like spicy
- 1 1/2 tsp cajun seasoning
- 1/2 tsp ground cumin
- 1/2 tsp ground sea salt
- 1/2 tsp ground pepper
- 2 tbsp butter
- 1 tbsp olive oil
Instructions
- Add the ground turkey and all of the ingredients (except butter and oiinto a mixing bowl.
- Stirring turkey meatballs with a wooden spoon.
- Mix well with clean hands or a wooden spoon.
- Make small golf size balls and shape with your hands.
- Shaping turkey meatballs with hands
- Place them on a plate or platter.
- In a large skillet, heat butter and olive oil on medium heat.
- Add in the turkey meatballs and let them cook on each side for a few minutes.
- Cooking turkey meatballs in butter and olive oil in a cast iron skillet pan.
- Turn them using a wooden spoon. Continue to turn them so they cook evenly.
- Turkey meatballs can get really dark, you want them to have a deep, dip golden brown (sometimes they almost look brunt, but they’re not!) color to them.
- After each side has been browned, cover the pan and cook for about 5 more minutes.
- Turkey meatballs cooked in a cast iron skillet
- Use a meat thermometer and when it reaches 120-135 degrees, you can remove the meatballs from the pan.
- To be extra sure, cut one of the meatballs in half and check if it’s done. With turkey, it’s important the meat is fully cooked.
Deborah Mueller says
I make many dishes with ground turkey and this recipe caught my eye because of all the different spices and yellow mustard! I always have a spice jar filled with cajun seasoning so it was perfect. Pretty much stuck to the recipe and they have come out perfect and delicious every time. I change up the side dishes with either quinoa, pasta, rice or just a big chopped salad.
Thank you! I make these a couple times a month.
Happy eating!
Claire | The Simple, Sweet Life says
Yum! Loving this lightened up, heart healthy version of the classic meatball. We’ll definitely have to add this to our dinner line up in the coming weeks.
Nicoletta Sugarlovespices says
These turkey meatballs look so crispy on the outside and juicy on the inside. Perfect little tasty morsels. Great with sauce and spaghetti. You can never go wrong with that!
Veronika's Kitchen says
I love meatballs! They are perfect for a comfort meal dinner or for a meal prep. Also, your recipe looks like super easy to make and very delicious!
Paula Montenegro says
I haven’t made meatballs in ages, and these look so darn delicious! Using turkey and cajun seasoning sounds like my kind of recipe.
Leslie says
We eat a lot of turkey in this house! I try to substitute it as much as I can. This recipe is very helpful!
Tammy says
These look incredible and sound delicious! Turkey meatballs are tough to get right but this is one recipe I’m now dying to make! I wish I could reach in and grab one! 😀
Lori | The Kitchen Whisperer says
I love turkey meatballs and a hearty red sauce. Loving the char and browned crust on the meatballs too!
Elaine Benoit says
These turkey meatballs look delicious!! I love that you put soy sauce in them. I did that by mistake in my meatballs and it was a game-changer! I can’t wait to try your recipe and I too could eat them by themselves!!
Kelly Anthony says
These turkey meatballs are bursting with flavor. I love what the cajun seasoning brings to these meatballs.
Gloria | Homemade & Yummy says
I happen to have some ground turkey in the freezer I need to use up. This looks like a great place for it. We love pasta, and these meatballs look and sound delicious. A great dinner for any night of the week.
Tara Teaspoon says
You know it’s a good meatball when your mouth starts to water when reading the recipe! Can’t wait to try the spices in the turkey!