Pepperoni-inspired Turkey Meatballs
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These pepperoni-inspired ground turkey meatballs offer a flavorful and healthier alternative to traditional pepperoni, which often includes chemical preservatives such as Sodium Nitrite, BHA, and BHT. By incorporating flavorful household spices commonly found in pepperoni, such as fennel seed, red pepper flakes, and paprika, we've created a meatball that captures the essence of pepperoni's savory, spicy flavor profile.
What You Will Need
Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons red wine
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- 3/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
- 1/2 teaspoon mustard seeds, slightly crushed
- 1/2 teaspoon fennel seeds, slightly crushed
- 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper
- 1/4 teaspoon anise seeds
- 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/4 teaspoon liquid smoke
- 1/4 cup breadcrumbs
- 1 lb ground turkey (93/7)
The Process
- Combine Wet Ingredients: In a small bowl, whisk together the red wine, olive oil, salt, paprika, black pepper, mustard seeds, fennel seeds, cayenne pepper, anise seeds, garlic powder, and liquid smoke.
- Combine Dry Ingredients: In a large bowl, combine the ground turkey and breadcrumbs.
- Mix Wet and Dry Ingredients: Pour the wet ingredients over the dry ingredients and mix thoroughly until well combined.
- Form Meatballs: Using your hands, form the mixture into small, golf-ball-sized meatballs.
- Cook Meatballs:
- Oven: Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C). Place meatballs on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Bake for 20-25 minutes, or until cooked through.
- Stovetop: Heat a large skillet over medium heat with a drizzle of olive oil. Cook meatballs in batches for 5-7 minutes per side, or until browned and cooked through.
Serve your pepperoni-inspired turkey meatballs with your favorite pasta sauce, marinara sauce, or as an appetizer with toothpicks. You can also cut the meatballs in half and top a pizza with them.