- Calories: 45
- Protein: 4 g
- Total Fat: 2 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 2 g
- Saturated Fat: 0 g
- Cholesterol: 10 mg
- Total Carbohydrate: 3 g
- Dietary Fiber: 0 g
- Total Sugar: 2 g
- Natural Sugar: 0 g
- Added Sugar: 2 g
- Sodium: 190 mg
It’s cloudy with a chance of mouthwatering meatballs! If you’re looking for a new saucy spin on the beloved meatball, this recipe is for you. The meatballs are moist and scrumptious, but it’s really the sauce that takes these up a notch. While it’s a combo of simple ingredients, it hits just the right notes—the Dijon brings zip, the mayo lends creaminess, and the maple syrup provides a touch of gentle sweetness along with the light and flavorful broth. I’m telling you, everything comes together lickety-split and it’s ready to be served over pasta, skewered with toothpicks for pass-around hors d’oeuvres, or you can create “Meatball Grilled Cheese” (We try crazy combos in my house!). Simply layer whole grain toast with tomato slices, halved meatballs, and sharp cheddar cheese, then place under the broiler to get the cheese ooey-gooey-melty. Before digging in, drizzle some mustard-maple sauce over the top. Who’s making this?!? The [meat]ball’s in your court.
- Prep time
- Total Time
For the meatballs:
• 1 pound turkey meat (90-94% lean)
• ¼ cup panko breadcrumbs
• 1 large egg, lightly beaten
• 1 teaspoon kosher salt
• 1 teaspoon onion powder
• 1 teaspoon garlic powder
• ½ teaspoon smoked paprika
• ½ teaspoon black pepper
For the sauce:
• ¼ cup Dijon mustard
• ¼ cup light mayo
• ¼ cup maple syrup
• 1 cup reduced-sodium chicken broth
• 1 tablespoon cornstarch + 2 tablespoons water or broth (optional)
Make meatballs by adding all meatball ingredients to a bowl and mixing the batter; give it a quick stir with a wooden spoon or spatula, and then use your hands (be careful to not overmix). Shape them into 20 to 24 fluffy meatballs (approx. golf-ball-size), using the palms of your hands to roll them into perfect round shapes. If the batter is too sticky to form meatballs, place in fridge (or freezer) for 15 minutes to firm before shaping.
Liberally mist a large skillet with nonstick olive oil spray and warm over medium-high heat. Add the meatballs and let them sit undisturbed for about 2 minutes. Then, carefully flip them over to sear and brown the opposite sides, allowing them to sit undisturbed for another 2 minutes. Sauté for 5 to 7 more minutes, tossing and flipping them around to cook and lightly brown all sides. Mist with additional oil spray if the pan becomes too dry. (They don’t have to be fully cooked through, since they’ll continue to cook in the mustard sauce.)
While the meatballs are cooking, add the Dijon mustard, mayo and maple syrup (not the broth) to a mixing bowl and stir until completely smooth and no lumps remain from the mayo. Then, stir in the broth.
Add mustard-maple sauce into the skillet with the cooked meatballs and bring to a gentle boil. Reduce heat to low and simmer for about 10 minutes, occasionally stirring the meatballs in the sauce. For a thicker glaze, add the optional slurry into the sauce towards the end of your simmer (in a small bowl or cup, mix 1 tablespoon cornstarch with 2 tablespoons chilled water or broth until completely dissolved.). Add slurry into simmering sauce and gently stir for a final 2 minutes until the sauce slightly thickens. Leftovers can be stored in the fridge for up to 3 days in a sealed container—and warmed in a covered saucepan on the stovetop.
Serve with rice or roasted veggies and garnish with optional fresh herbs such as chopped parsley, scallions, chives, etc.
Nutrition provided for 1 meatball with sauce for easy calculating.
Try my Savory Swedish Meatballs.