Tired of boring leftover turkey? Get ready to transform your holiday remnants into a mouthwatering, flavor-packed dish that will have everyone begging for seconds! These Buffalo Turkey Meatballs are not just another recipe – they're a culinary adventure that turns mundane leftovers into a zesty, crowd-pleasing sensation that combines the comfort of home-cooked meals with the exciting kick of buffalo sauce.
Prep Time: 10 mins
Cook Time: 25 mins
Total Time: 35 mins
Cuisine: American
Serves: 4 servings
Ingredients
- 2 cups leftover turkey, shredded
- 1/2 cup breadcrumbs
- 1/4 cup buffalo sauce
- 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 egg
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- In a large mixing bowl, combine the shredded leftover turkey, breadcrumbs, buffalo sauce, grated Parmesan cheese, egg, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper. Mix thoroughly until all ingredients are well incorporated.
- Using clean hands, form the mixture into uniform meatballs approximately
- 5 inches in diameter. Ensure each meatball is compact and holds together well.
- Preheat the oven to 400°F (200°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper or lightly grease it with cooking spray to prevent sticking.
- Arrange the formed meatballs on the prepared baking sheet, leaving some space between each to ensure even cooking and browning.
- Place the baking sheet in the preheated oven and bake for 20-25 minutes, turning the meatballs halfway through cooking to ensure they brown evenly on all sides.
- Check the internal temperature of the meatballs with a meat thermometer; they should reach 165°F (74°C) to ensure they are fully cooked.
- Once done, remove from the oven and let the meatballs rest for 3-5 minutes to allow the juices to redistribute.
- Optional: Drizzle additional buffalo sauce over the meatballs before serving for extra flavor and heat.
- Serve hot as an appetizer, over rice, in a sandwich, or with a side of blue cheese or ranch dressing for dipping.
Tips
- Make sure to mix ingredients thoroughly to ensure even flavor distribution and meatball consistency.
- Use clean, slightly damp hands when forming meatballs to prevent the mixture from sticking to your fingers.
- Don't overcrowd the baking sheet – leave space between meatballs for even cooking and browning.
- For extra crispy edges, consider broiling the meatballs for 1-2 minutes after baking.
- If the mixture seems too dry, add a little more buffalo sauce or an extra egg to help bind the ingredients.
- Use a meat thermometer to ensure the meatballs reach the safe internal temperature of 165°F.
- For meal prep, these meatballs can be frozen after cooking and reheated for quick future meals.
- Experiment with different dipping sauces like blue cheese, ranch, or even a homemade aioli for variety.
Nutrition Facts
Calories: 163kcal
Carbohydrates: 9g
Protein: 20g
Fat: 5g
Saturated Fat: g
Cholesterol: 99mg
