Turkey Cocktail Meatballs are packed with the delicious flavors of black cherry, sage, and dijon mustard. They can be made ahead and kept warm in a slow cooker – the perfect appetizer recipe for all your holiday celebrations!
Hey, everyone! How was your weekend? Did you get a chance to relax? Watch some football? Eat anything worthy of game day food? My weekend was — well — interesting. It involved a Despicable Me marathon, the first snowfall of the year, a sick kid, two new recipes, and not leaving the house. Not even once. (Is it already Monday??)
It’s fascinating how not having plans affects our weekends. Especially when there’s snow and a sick kid involved! It’s almost like we get stuck in a time warp, where all that happens is based on the whims of small children. I honestly wonder how we get anything done!
Yet, we actually accomplished a decent amount. I made and photographed two recipes, including these turkey cocktail meatballs. Jorden cleaned out the garage for winter. And the rest of the time was spent snow playing and movie watching and general crazy making. And….eating! It turns out that no plans + snow days + sick kids calls = good eating….because, well, what else are you going to do?
Now, I’d love to say that all the good eating was the result of my hard work in the kitchen. But the truth is, I didn’t get much further than these turkey cocktail meatballs. But that’s okay….because they’re delicious enough to make up for it! Nothing beats homemade meatballs, and the addition of red onion and sage takes this easy cocktail meatballs recipe up a notch. But what really makes them the BEST meatballs you’ve ever tasted? The sauce! The combination of cherry and brown sugar, with a hint of dijon is pure heaven. Perfect for lazy, snowy weekends….and even better for the holidays!
If you make one appetizer this holiday season, let it be turkey cocktail meatballs! They’re really all you need.
Turkey Cocktail Meatballs
Ingredients
- Meatballs:
- 1 lb. ground turkey
- 1 c. panko bread crumbs
- 1/4 c. milk
- 1 egg slightly beaten
- 1/4 c. chopped red onion
- 2 tsp. minced fresh sage
- 1 tsp. salt
- 1/8 tsp. pepper
- Cocktail Sauce:
- 1/2 c. black cherry preserves I used Smucker's Simply Fruit
- 1/2 c. brown sugar
- 1/4 c. ketchup
- 2 Tbsp. vinegar
- 2 Tbsp. dijon mustard
- 2 tsp. worcestershire sauce
Instructions
- Prepare meatballs by soaking bread crumbs in milk; add ground turkey and remaining ingredients and mix thoroughly.
- Shape into 1 inch balls; place on a rimmed baking sheet.
- Bake at 350 degrees for 20 minutes or until cooked through.
- Meanwhile, in a large saucepan, combine ingredients for sauce and heat over medium heat.
- Add cooked meatballs to sauce and stir to coat.
- Serve immediately or transfer to a slow cooker to keep warm.
- *This recipe can also be prepared in advance and re-heated.
More delicious, easy holiday appetizer recipes:
Baked Caramel Apple Cheesecake Dip
aimee @ like mother like daughter says
I LOVE cocktail weenies and meatballs and these look amazing! I love that they’re made with turkey to keep them lighter. And that black cherry cocktail sauce sounds incredible!
Dorothy @ Crazy for Crust says
These are gorgeous Cathy!!
Jess says
These look great for all the festivities ahead! I’m always looking for something new to try, thank you! Funny how a sick kiddo has a way of forcing you to relax a bit 😉 Hope she’s feeling better! Syd was sick Sunday too, tis the season – now to keep the rest of us healthy!
Amy @Very Culinary says
I want all 36 to myself!
Trish - Mom On Timeout says
These look ALL kinds of fabulous Cathy! I feel like this is going to b dinner one night soon!
Katerina @ Diethood says
Everything is controlled by our children. Everything. 😉
These meatballs sound so amazing that I want to make ’em right now! At 9 am. I could drink that cocktail sauce. YUM!
Tonia from TheGunnySack says
You guys got snow? I’m surprised that we still have green grass in Minnesota! These meatballs look perfect for the holidays!
Annie says
I have been on a major meatball kick lately! I have got to add these to my list to try!
Mariah @ Mariah's Pleasing Plates says
Aw sick kids are no fun! I hope they feel better soon!
These turkey meatballs look fantastic! I LOVE that you added black cherry jam
Paula - bell'alimento says
Who doesn’t love meatballs! They’re the perfect appetizer too.
marcie says
We watched lots of movies and ate a lot — luckily nobody was sick! I hope your kids are feeling better, and I’m glad you got plenty accomplished. 🙂 These meatballs wouldn’t last long around here — they look like the perfect party appetizer!
Krista @ Joyful Healthy Eats says
Gurl! All the flavors in this have me drooling!
Jamie @ Love Bakes Good Cakes says
The perfect appetizer – especially with all of these holiday parties coming up!
Chelsey says
What kind of vinegar did you use?
Joan Chamberlin says
Can you make these meatballs and freeze them and later make the sauce they are in?
OK win says
These turkey cocktail meatballs sound absolutely delicious! I love the tangy twist of citrus in savory dishes. Can’t wait to try this recipe for my next gathering! Thanks for sharing!
Dm Game says
These Turkey Cocktail Meatballs look absolutely delicious! I love the idea of adding a fresh twist with the herbs and spices. Can’t wait to try them at my next gathering; they seem like the perfect appetizer! Thanks for sharing the recipe!