Delicious Harvest Turkey Meatballs (Slow Cooker Recipe!)

Autumn brings cozy flavors, and these slow cooker Harvest Turkey Meatballs deliver exactly that! Forget complicated recipes; this dish makes weeknight dinners incredibly simple. You’ll love these unique apple-infused turkey meatballs, simmered in a rich, sweet, and savory glaze, perfect for a comforting family meal.

Why You’ll Love These Harvest Turkey Meatballs

• Embrace Fall Flavors: Enjoy the warming taste of apple, sage, and cinnamon, perfect for the autumn season.
• Sneaky Veggies for Picky Eaters: Diced apples, carrots, and celery blend right into the meatballs, adding nutrition unnoticed.
• Minimal Cleanup: The slow cooker does most of the work, leaving you with fewer dishes to wash.
• Versatile Serving: These Harvest Turkey Meatballs shine as a main course or a hearty appetizer for gatherings.
• Lighter Alternative: Ground turkey offers a leaner protein option compared to traditional red meat meatballs. Research indicates that ground turkey can provide similar nutritional benefits to lean ground beef.

Ingredients

For the Meatballs:

• 1.5 lb ground turkey
• 1 cup panko bread crumbs
• 1/2 cup white onion, diced
• 1.5 Granny Smith apple, diced
• 1 celery stalk, diced
• 1 carrot, peeled and diced
• 1 tsp cracked black pepper
• 1/2 tbsp salt
• 1 tbsp thyme, loosely packed and chopped
• 1/2 tbsp rosemary, coarsely chopped
• 1 tbsp parsley, tightly packed and coarsely chopped

For the Harvest Glaze:

• 1 cup apple cider
• 1/2 cup chicken stock
• 2 tbsp apple cider vinegar
• 1/2 cup brown sugar, tightly packed
• 1/2 cup maple syrup
• 1 tbsp Dijon mustard
• 1/8 tsp ground nutmeg
• 1/8 tsp cloves

Notes & Substitutions

Feel free to swap ground turkey for ground chicken or lean ground pork in these delicious Harvest Turkey Meatballs. Use gluten-free breadcrumbs if you prefer. Try other aromatic herbs like sage or marjoram for a different twist. Gala or Honeycrisp apples work well too. For the glaze, honey can replace maple syrup.

Equipment

You will need a 6-quart or larger slow cooker for this recipe. A large mixing bowl, a whisk, and a non-stick skillet (if your slow cooker lacks a searing function) are also essential.

Instructions

Preparing the Meatballs

• When handling raw poultry, it’s crucial to follow USDA food safety guidelines for ground turkey to prevent cross-contamination. Combine the ground turkey, panko bread crumbs, diced onion, diced apple, diced carrot, diced celery, cracked black pepper, salt, chopped thyme, chopped rosemary, and chopped parsley in a large mixing bowl. Mix all ingredients thoroughly until just combined. Overmixing can make the Harvest Turkey Meatballs tough.

Forming and Searing

• Roll the meatball mixture into uniform balls, about 1.5 inches in diameter. Ensuring they are the same size promotes even cooking. Sear these turkey meatballs on all sides in a hot pan or directly in your slow cooker if it has a sear function. Brown them for a couple of minutes to develop rich flavor.

Crafting the Harvest Glaze

• In a separate bowl, whisk together the apple cider, chicken stock, apple cider vinegar, tightly packed brown sugar, maple syrup, Dijon mustard, ground nutmeg, and cloves. Continue whisking for a few minutes until the brown sugar fully dissolves and the glaze components are well combined.

Slow Cooking to Perfection

• Carefully pour the prepared harvest glaze over the seared Harvest Turkey Meatballs in your slow cooker. Cover the slow cooker with its lid. Cook the meatballs on high for two hours until they are fully cooked through and tender.

Finishing Touches

• Gently remove the cooked meatballs from the slow cooker and set them aside. Increase the heat for the remaining liquid in the slow cooker or transfer it to a saucepan. Reduce the liquid for approximately 10 minutes, allowing it to thicken into a rich glaze. Return the Harvest Turkey Meatballs to the thickened glaze and toss gently to coat. Serve these delightful fall turkey meatballs hot.

Pro Tips for Perfect Harvest Turkey Meatballs

• Uniform Size: Make sure all meatballs are roughly the same size to ensure they cook evenly. This prevents some from drying out while others are still undercooked.
• Searing is Key: Do not skip searing the meatballs before slow cooking. This step locks in moisture and adds a crucial layer of deep, savory flavor.
• Gentle Mixing: Mix the meatball ingredients just until combined. Overmixing can lead to dense, tough turkey meatballs instead of tender ones.
• Thicken the Glaze: Reduce the cooking liquid to achieve a rich, thick glaze that perfectly coats the Harvest Turkey Meatballs. If it’s too thin, simmer it longer.
• Taste and Adjust: Always taste the glaze before adding the meatballs back. Adjust seasoning like salt, pepper, or a touch more sweetness to your preference.

Serving, Storage, and Variations

Serving Suggestions

Serve these flavorful Harvest Turkey Meatballs over a fluffy rice pilaf, creamy mashed potatoes, or even alongside couscous. For a complete meal, pair them with charred broccoli, roasted Brussels sprouts, or other roasted root vegetables. They make a fantastic main course, but also shine as a hearty appetizer for holiday gatherings.

Storage & Reheating

Store any leftover Harvest Turkey Meatballs and their glaze in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. For longer storage, freeze the cooked meatballs and glaze separately in freezer-safe bags or containers for up to 3 months. Thaw frozen meatballs overnight in the refrigerator, then reheat gently on the stovetop over low heat or in the microwave until warmed through.

Recipe Variations

Experiment with different ground meats such as ground chicken or a mix of ground pork and turkey for varied flavor in your slow cooker turkey meatballs. Introduce other warm fall spices like allspice, ground ginger, or even a pinch of cayenne for a subtle kick. For added texture and sweetness, mix in dried cranberries, chopped pecans, or toasted walnuts into the meatball mixture. A splash of brandy or bourbon in the glaze offers an adult twist.

Nutrition Information

This recipe for Harvest Turkey Meatballs offers a balanced meal. Each serving provides lean protein from the turkey and beneficial fiber from the incorporated vegetables.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Conclusion

These Harvest Turkey Meatballs are a true fall favorite, blending heartwarming flavors with the convenience of slow cooking. This simple, beginner-friendly recipe ensures a delicious meal with minimal effort, perfect for busy evenings.

Give this recipe a try and enjoy the rich, savory, and sweet notes that make it so special. We’d love to hear your thoughts and any adaptations you create!

Delicious Harvest Turkey Meatballs (Slow Cooker Recipe!)

These delicious harvest turkey meatballs are slow-cooked in a flavorful apple cider and maple syrup glaze, making for a perfect comforting meal. Serve them with rice and charred broccoli for a complete and satisfying dish.

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 35 minutes mins

Cook Time 2 hours hrs 10 minutes mins

Total Time 2 hours hrs 45 minutes mins

Servings 6 servings

Calories 450 kcal

Equipment

• Mixing Bowl
• Slow Cooker
• Whisk
• Pan

Ingredients

  

Meatballs

• 1.5 lb ground turkey
• 1 cup panko bread crumbs
• 1/2 cup white onion diced
• 1.5 granny smith apple
• 1 celery stalk diced
• 1 carrot peeled and diced
• 1 tsp cracked black pepper
• 1/2 tbsp salt
• 1 tbsp thyme loosely packed and chopped
• 1/2 tbsp rosemary coarsely chopped
• 1 tbsp parsley tightly packed and coarsely chopped

Sauce

• 1 cup apple cider
• 1/2 cup chicken stock
• 2 tbsp apple cider vinegar
• 1/2 cup brown sugar tightly packed
• 1/2 cup maple syrup
• 1 tbsp dijon mustard
• 1/8 tsp ground nutmeg
• 1/8 tsp cloves

Instructions

 

Preparation

• Combine ground turkey, bread crumbs, onion, apple, carrot, celery, black pepper, salt, thyme, rosemary, and parsley in a mixing bowl; mix until all ingredients are evenly combined.
• Roll the mixture into evenly sized meatballs, then sear them on all sides for a few minutes in a pan or a crockpot with a sear setting.

Cooking

• Whisk together apple cider, chicken stock, apple cider vinegar, brown sugar, maple syrup, dijon mustard, ground nutmeg, and cloves in a separate bowl. Add this mixture to the crockpot with the meatballs and cook on high for two hours.
• Remove the cooked meatballs and reduce the liquid for about 10 minutes to create a glaze.

Serving

• Return the meatballs to the glaze and mix to coat. Serve the delicious harvest turkey meatballs with cooked rice and charred broccoli.

Notes

Ensure meatballs are rolled to a consistent size for even cooking. The glaze can be adjusted to your sweetness preference. For an extra kick, add a pinch of red pepper flakes to the sauce.