Description
These juicy Apple Cider Turkey Meatballs are pan-seared to perfection and paired with a creamy Maple Mustard Cottage Dip. Sweet, savory, and high in protein, they’re ideal for parties, meal prep, fall dinners, and healthy snacks. Easy to make and packed with cozy seasonal flavor—perfect for Pinterest boards focused on high protein, fall appetizers, Thanksgiving recipes, or healthy holiday entertaining.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 lb ground turkey
- 2 tbsp apple cider (not vinegar)
- 1 large egg
- ½ cup breadcrumbs (or ground oats)
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1 tsp onion powder
- 1 tsp dried thyme
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- 1 tbsp olive oil (for searing)
- —
- 1 cup cottage cheese
- 1 tbsp Dijon mustard
- 1 tbsp pure maple syrup
- Salt and black pepper, to taste
Instructions
- Combine ground turkey, apple cider, egg, breadcrumbs, garlic powder, onion powder, thyme, salt, and pepper in a bowl. Mix gently until just combined.
- Roll the mixture into 18–20 small meatballs using damp hands.
- Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium heat. Sear the meatballs until golden brown on all sides.
- Cover the skillet and reduce heat to low. Steam for 4–5 minutes or until cooked through (165°F internal temp).
- Blend cottage cheese, Dijon mustard, and maple syrup until smooth. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
- Arrange meatballs on a serving platter with dip in a bowl. Drizzle extra dip over top and garnish with parsley if desired.
- Serve warm with toothpicks and optional apple slices on the side.
Notes
- Make them spicy by adding crushed red pepper or a squirt of sriracha to the meat mix.
- Swap ground chicken for turkey with no changes needed.
- Use Greek yogurt or ricotta in place of cottage cheese if preferred.
- Freeze cooked meatballs for up to 3 months.
- Reheat in skillet or toaster oven for best texture.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Appetizer
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4 meatballs + dip
- Calories: 230
- Sugar: 3g
- Sodium: 420mg
- Fat: 9g
- Saturated Fat: 2g
- Unsaturated Fat: 6g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 16g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 28g
- Cholesterol: 65mg
Keywords: turkey meatballs, healthy meatballs, apple cider meatballs, maple mustard dip, high protein appetizer, fall party food