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    Home » Main Course Recipes » Chicken and Poultry Recipes

    Published: Feb 17, 2019 · Modified: Apr 12, 2022 by Renée · This post may contain affiliate links · 10 Comments

    Turkey Meatballs with Orange and Cashews

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    Turkey Meatballs with Orange and Cashews will be the best turkey meatballs you've ever had. They're light, tender, and incredibly flavorful!

     
    Closeup of a turkey meatball on a skewer with sauce
    Turkey Meatballs with Orange and Cashews are fantastic when served as a main course, or when served as party appetizers!

    These delicious turkey meatballs are as light as air, and they have the lovely, vibrant flavors that only orange and cilantro can provide.

    But the thing that really puts these meatballs on the map is one of my favorite nuts of all time...CASHEWS!!  Need I say more?!?

     
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    Vertical image of a plate of turkey meatballs with sauce and cilantro

    The ingredient list:

    • Ground Turkey
    • Quick Cooking Oats
    • Cream Cheese
    • Cashews
    • Red Onion
    • Navel Orange
    • Cilantro
    • Salt and Pepper
    • All-Purpose Flour
    • Butter
    • Chicken Stock
    • Brown Sugar

    At first glance, you might think this is an unusual recipe list, and I wouldn't blame you in the least.

    It's certainly not your conventional meatball recipe, but that's what I love so much about these delectably delicious turkey meatballs with orange and cashews.

    The oatmeal gives the meatballs their lightness in texture, and the cream cheese keeps the turkey from being dry and flavorless, as turkey sometimes can be.

    The fresh and vibrant taste supplied by the orange and cilantro adds the perfect accompaniment to this turkey meatball's unique flavor. 

    Don't like cilantro?

    Try substituting fresh parsley or even chopped mint. I think the mint flavor would be a lovely compliment to the orange flavor in these meatballs.

    However, if you can give cilantro another chance and focus on its citrusy notes I think you'll be well pleased with the addition of the cilantro in this recipe! Come on...you can do it!!

    Turkey meatball with a cocktail pick and chopped fresh cilantro

    **This post is being updated from the original publication in 2013. The recipe has remained completely unchanged from the original post with only the photos being updated. This article now also includes a video presentation along with a printable recipe card including nutritional information.

    Overhead picture of turkey meatballs on a plate with orange slices and peas.
    Turkey Meatballs with Orange and Cashews - 2013 photo

    I've made these turkey meatballs before as a hearty main course, and also as an appetizer.  When I make them as appetizers, I make them a little smaller in size than I do when making them for a family dinner.

    I've written today's printable recipe card with the meatball size being approximately that of a golf ball, with the yield being between 20-24 meatballs. 

    These turkey meatballs with orange and cashews are always a hit! Whenever I serve them I have people asking me for the recipe, and now it's your opportunity to have people ask you for it too!

    Closeup picture of turkey meatballs in a dish with sauce, chopped cilantro, and cashews on the side.

    Additional meatball recipes:

    • Asian Meatballs with Pork and Beef from Masala Herb
    • Mozzarella Stuffed Meatballs from That Skinny Chick Can Bake
    • Cajun Chicken Meatballs in Creamy Sauce from Lemon Blossoms
    • Easy Sweedish Meatballs from Like Mother Like Daughter
    • German Meatballs with Caraway Mushroom Cream Sauce (pictured below) from (yours truly) Kudos Kitchen
    Closeup of German meatballs in a white bowl with a spoon.
    German Meatballs with Mushroom Caraway Cream Sauce

    Below is the printable recipe card for today’s Turkey Meatballs with Orange and Cashews. 

    If you’ve enjoyed this recipe and look forward to making it (or have already made it), I’d appreciate if you’d take a moment to give it some feedback by way of stars near the comment section at the end of this post. Thank you so much!

    Turkey meatball on a cocktail pick with a bite taken out.
    Turkey meatballs in a white dish with oranges and cilantro in the background

    Turkey Meatballs with Orange and Cashews

    Renee Goerger
    If you've made turkey meatballs in the past and they've been dry and flavorless, then I urge you to make this recipe for turkey meatballs with orange and cashews. They're light, moist, and incredibly flavorful!
    5 from 1 vote
    Print Recipe Pin Recipe Save recipe Saved Recipe!
    Prep Time 10 mins
    Cook Time 40 mins
    Total Time 50 mins
    Course Appetizer, Main Course - Poultry
    Cuisine American
    Servings 24 meatballs
    Calories 102 kcal

    Ingredients
     
     

    For the meatballs:

    • 1 pound ground turkey
    • 1½ cups quick cooking oats
    • 1 teaspoon salt or to taste
    • ½ teaspoon pepper or to taste
    • ½ cup grated onion
    • ¼ cup chopped cilantro plus additional for garnish
    • ½ cup chopped cashews cut back on the salt if using salted cashews
    • 1 tablespoon orange zest
    • 4 ounces cream cheese softened
    • 3 tablespoons all-purpose flour, seasoned with salt and pepper for dredging
    • 2 tablespoons olive oil

    To make the sauce:

    • 2 tablespoons butter
    • 2 tablespoons flour
    • 2 tablespoons finely minced onion
    • ¼ cup fresh orange juice
    • ½ cup chicken broth
    • 2 tablespoons packed brown sugar
    • 1 tablespoon orange zest

    Instructions
     

    • Preheat oven to 350-degrees.

    To make the meatballs:

    • In a shallow dish, mix the 3 tablespoons all-purpose flour, ½ teaspoon salt and ¼ teaspoon black pepper. Set aside.
    • In a large mixing bowl, mix together the turkey, oats, 1 teaspoon salt, ½ teaspoon black pepper, grated onion, chopped cilantro, cashews, orange zest, and the cream cheese until well combined.
    • Roll the turkey mixture into golf ball sized balls and roll them each into the seasoned flour.
    • Heat a large heavy skillet over medium/high heat, working in batches, fry the meatballs in the oil until browned on all sides. 
    • Remove the browned meatballs from the skillet and place in a baking dish.
    • Bake the meatballs in a preheated oven for 15 minutes while preparing the sauce.

    To make the sauce:

    • Reduce the heat in the skillet to medium. Melt the butter and add the flour. Stir well to make the roux.
    • Add the finely minced onions to the roux and cook, stirring occasionally for 3-4 minutes.
    • Add the orange juice, chicken broth, brown sugar, orange zest, salt, and pepper to the skillet. Stir well and simmer on low for 7-10 minutes until the sauce thickens slightly
    • Spoon the sauce over the meatballs and garnish with additional chopped cilantro (if desired). Serve as a main course or appetizer.

    Nutrition

    Serving: 1Calories: 102kcalCarbohydrates: 7gProtein: 6gFat: 5gSaturated Fat: 2gCholesterol: 18mgSodium: 149mgPotassium: 111mgFiber: 0gSugar: 1gVitamin A: 115IUVitamin C: 2.6mgCalcium: 10mgIron: 0.7mg
    Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!

    I sincerely hope you've enjoyed today's recipe for Turkey Meatballs with Orange and Cashews as much as I've enjoyed bringing it to you!

    Overhead picture of a dish of turkey meatballs with sauce, cashews, oranges, and cilantro.

                     

    Thank you so much for visiting me today in my Kudos Kitchen. I hope you found something you'll love and that you'll come back and visit me often. There is always room for you around my table!

    To see more, like and follow me across my social media platforms (buttons shown below), and don't forget to tag me (@kudoskitchen) with photos and comments on the recipes you've made. I'll see you there!

    Should you have any questions or comments regarding this recipe or anything else you’ve seen on my site, please don’t hesitate to reach out to me. It is always my distinct pleasure to get back with a reply just as soon as I possibly can!

    Kudos Kitchen by Renee – Where I joyously bring you easy, economical, and delicious comfort food dishes to feed the people you love!

    Until we eat again, I hope you have a delicious day!

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    **Note - The post above includes affiliate links. As always, I truly thank you for your support!

    Should you have any questions or comments regarding this recipe or anything else you’ve seen on my site, please don’t hesitate to reach out to me. It is always my distinct pleasure to get back with a reply just as soon as I possibly can!

    Kudos Kitchen by Renee – Where I joyously bring you easy, economical, and delicious comfort food dishes to feed the people you love!

    Until we eat again, I hope you have a delicious day!

    Custom Renee Signature
    Mobile

    **Note - The post above includes affiliate links. As always, I truly thank you for your support!

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    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Maureen says

      February 24, 2019 at 9:50 am

      Thanks, Renee,
      Good to know that I just have to hone my taste for hot spices, which I usually love.
      Re. the serving sizes, the 1g. was listed for the Spaghetti Squash Chili, as well as your Turkey Meatballs with Orange and Cashews... but I'll just assume the meaning is 1 serving as you mentioned. Thanks for getting back to me!
      Maureen.

      Reply
      • Renée says

        February 24, 2019 at 1:14 pm

        You're welcome, Maureen.
        I'm always happy to reply to my readers. It's one of the perks of the job.
        Regarding the chili powder, please feel free to adjust any spice or seasoning in ANY recipe (not just mine) according to your tastes and preferences. If you feel they'd be too hot, or even too mild, make the recipe your own and change things however you see fit. As always, if you have any questions, I'm here to help.
        Have a wonderful day, Maureen! 🙂
        Renee

        Reply
    2. Maureen says

      February 23, 2019 at 1:14 pm

      In the Nutrition Facts of a couple of the recipes that I have tried, the 'per serving' amount is stated as 1g. Could you clarify please?
      Also, in the Spaghetti Squash Chili recipe, you list chili powder as 1-2 Tablespoons, do you mean 1-2 teaspoons? (we nearly burned up when I used tablespoons!)
      But, otherwise, delicious recipes!

      Reply
      • Renée says

        February 23, 2019 at 1:30 pm

        Hi, Maureen!

        I'm not familiar with any of the recipe servings stating 1g. I've not seen this, but I have no doubt those are to be listed as 1 serving. Could you please point out which recipes they are so I can go back to see if I can fix them on my end? I've not noticed this as a problem so I appreciate you bringing this to my attention.

        Regarding the spaghetti squash chili. I actually do mean tablespoons but feel free to adjust it to your tastes and preferences. Sorry if I burned you up. I didn't mean to 😉

        Thanks for your comments. They're much appreciated!
        Enjoy your day,
        Renee

        Reply
    3. Toni | Boulder Locavore says

      February 21, 2019 at 10:13 pm

      5 stars
      These look really amazing! My family will surely love this!

      Reply
      • Renée says

        February 22, 2019 at 10:09 am

        Thanks, Toni!

        Reply
    4. Dini says

      February 17, 2019 at 6:21 pm

      5 stars
      The ingredient list may be unusual, but I LOVE every single thing about it! 🙂 Cashews and orange are a fantastic idea! Thank you so much for sharing, going to make these for a party next weekend!

      Reply
      • Renée says

        February 18, 2019 at 10:28 am

        Thanks, Dini! I'm sure these will be a huge hit at your party! Enjoy!

        Reply
    5. Tisha says

      February 17, 2019 at 1:24 pm

      5 stars
      These turkey meatballs look so flavorful!!! I never would have thought to add orange and loving the added nutty flavor from the cashews! Can't wait to try this

      Reply
      • Renée says

        February 18, 2019 at 10:29 am

        The orange adds a wonderful brightness to these meatballs, and the cashews, well, cashews. LOL

        Reply

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    Hi, I'm Renee! I've been a passionate home cook for over 40 years. I specialize in easy-to-make comfort food dishes from appetizers to desserts and everything in between.

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