Delicious Turkey Meatballs with Orange and Cashews are as light as air, and have the lovely, citrus notes 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?!?
For all you cashew lovers out there, here are more recipes featuring cashews that you need to know about: Caramel Corn with Bacon and Cashews, Homemade Roasted Peanut and Cashew Butter, and Butter Toffee Cashew Crunch.
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Table of Contents Found Here
**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.
The ingredient list:
*Please note that the exact measurements along with a "shop the recipe" feature from Instacart and Walmart is available inside the printable recipe card.
- Ground Turkey
- Quick Cooking Oats
- Cream Cheese
- Cashews
- Red Onion
- Navel Orange
- Cilantro
- Salt and Pepper
- All-Purpose Flour
- Butter
- Chicken Stock
- Brown Sugar
Why this recipe works
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!!
How to serve turkey meatballs
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!
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 Swedish Meatballs from Like Mother Like Daughter
- German Meatballs with Caraway Mushroom Cream Sauce (pictured below) from (yours truly) Kudos Kitchen
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Printable Recipe Card
Turkey Meatballs with Orange and Cashews
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 F (175 degrees C).
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.
Notes
Nutrition
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!
Should you have any questions or comments regarding anything you've seen on my site, please don't hesitate to reach out to contact me. It is always my distinct pleasure to get back with you just as soon as I possibly can!
Thank you so much for visiting me today in my Kudos Kitchen. I hope you found something you'll love and that you will come back and visit me often. Please know that there is always room for you around my kitchen table!
Until we eat again, I hope you have a delicious day!
Maureen says
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.
Renée says
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
Maureen says
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!
Renée says
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
Toni | Boulder Locavore says
These look really amazing! My family will surely love this!
Renée says
Thanks, Toni!
Dini says
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!
Renée says
Thanks, Dini! I'm sure these will be a huge hit at your party! Enjoy!
Tisha says
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
Renée says
The orange adds a wonderful brightness to these meatballs, and the cashews, well, cashews. LOL