These tasty, easy, and inexpensive turkey treats are good for any holiday party, family gathering, or weeknight meal. The turkey burgers and meatballs can be prepared in a variety of ways.
Turkey Burgers with Stuffing and Cream Cheese Spread
With on-hand spices, some boxed stuffing and an electric grill, these burgers are ready in less than 30 minutes.
Ingredients:
- 2 lbs ground turkey
- 2 teaspoons poultry seasoning
- 1 teaspoon garlic salt
- 1/2 teaspoon paprika
- 1 box turkey or chicken stuffing
- 1/4 to 1/2 cup honey
- salt and pepper
- 8 ounces cream cheese, softened (not melted)
- 1 1/2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
- 8 burger buns or English muffins
- 1 small tub margarine
- 1 can cranberry sauce, sliced
- Condiments such as: sliced tomatoes, shredded lettuce, butter pickles, thinly sliced apples, and cheddar cheese (optional)
Directions:
- Preheat boiler and plug in the electric grill and let it heat up on high. Once heated turn to medium heat (for stove top and outdoor grill directions, see directions below).
- Combine the poultry seasoning, garlic salt, paprika, stuffing, salt and pepper into a large bowl. Toss together well. Drizzle honey on top and toss together.
- Place the ground turkey into the mix. Form 8 patties.
- Cook on electric grill for 5-7 minutes (until a meat thermometer stuck into pattie from the side reads 165°). If using cheddar cheese, place on the burger immediately after taking the patties off the grill.
- While the patties cook, put margarine on each side of the buns and heat under the broiler. Set the timer for 2 to 3 minutes, just to be safe.
- Soften the cream cheese in a microwave safe bowl on high for 10 seconds, until softened but not melted. Stir in the Worcestershire sauce and blend well.
- Place the cream cheese spread on the top bun and pattie on the bottom. Place desired condiments onto the pattie and enjoy.
To prepare this on the stove, pour 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil into a skillet. Heat on medium-high. place patties in the skillet and cook 5-7 minutes on each side.
If using an outdoor grill, prepare according to manufacturers instructions. If using propane, turn heat to medium or low. Make the patties, but coat them lightly with olive oil. Grill for 4-5 minutes on each side.
These could be made into turkey sliders or meatballs with zesty cranberry-grape sauce.
Turkey Meatballs with Zesty Cranberry-Grape Dipping Sauce
These meatballs are so easy and can be made in the oven or the slow cooker.
Ingredients:
- 1 pound turkey (makes 30-36 meatballs)
- 1 teaspoon poultry seasoning
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic salt
- 1/2 teaspoon paprika
- 1/4 teaspoon salt and pepper
- 3 cups herb seasoned croutons, grounded or bread crumbs (1/2 a box of stuffing could be used as well)
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 cup honey
- 1 can cranberry sauce
- 1/2 cup grape jelly
- 1/4 to 1/2 cup Heinz 57
- 2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
Directions:
- Preheat oven to 350°F.
- Put olive oil, poultry seasoning, garlic salt, paprika, and salt and pepper into a large mixing bowl. Stir together.
- Toss croutons, honey, seasonings, and olive oil together.
- Add the turkey. Press into the mix, and roll into 1/2 inch balls. Place on a baking sheet and cook 15-20 minutes, turning half way through. While meatballs cook, prepare the sauce.
- Place cranberry sauce, grape jelly, and Heinz 57 in a pot. Bring to a rolling boil over medium-high heat (stir often). Reduce heat to medium low, and add Worcestershire sauce. Stir until the sauce is thick and well mixed (5-10 minutes). Take off heat and use as dipping sauce or add meatballs to the sauce.
The meatballs can also be serve with the cream cheese and Worcestershire sauce mix, used in the turkey burger recipe. These are great for a party. They can be cooked and heated in a slow cooker by place the turkey balls on the bottom of the cooker. Prepare the sauce on the stove and pour over the turkey balls. Heat on high for 1 1/2 to 2 hours or low for 4 hours.
For parties, turn the turkey burgers into sliders and use dinner rolls as the buns. Keep the meatballs warm in a slow cooker, and place the cream cheese spread to the side. Serve these with some warm or cold apple cider, fruit salad, and enjoy some good holiday eats.
Allison Brown - My name is Allison. I have a degree in History and Political Science from Chaminade University, located on the beautiful Hawaiian island ...
