Buffalo Turkey Meatballs

These Buffalo Turkey Meatballs are easy to make and very tasty. It takes your 40 minutes and healthy meatballs will be ready to eat. All the steps are simple and you need only a few ingredients and all these ingredients are basic that will already be in your kitchen. I like these meatballs and I’m 100% sure that you will also love this recipe . 

Ingredients

For the Meatballs:

1. Ground Turkey: The base protein for the meatballs. Ground turkey is lean, which makes these meatballs a healthier option compared to traditional beef or pork meatballs.
2. Panko Breadcrumbs: If you prefer a gluten-free option, use gluten-free panko or regular gluten-free breadcrumbs.
3. Egg: The egg acts as a binder to hold the meatball mixture together, helping the ingredients stay compact while baking.
4. Green Onion
5. Celery
6. Garlic Powder
7. Salt and Pepper
8. Frank’s Red Hot Sauce: Provides the iconic tangy, spicy kick. Make sure to use Frank’s Red Hot Sauce (not the wing sauce), as it has a thinner consistency and a more direct hot sauce flavor.

For the Buffalo Sauce:

1. Frank’s Red Hot Sauce: This is the primary ingredient for the buffalo sauce, adding heat and flavor to the meatballs. Again, use Frank’s Red Hot sauce (NOT wing sauce), as wing sauce is often thickened with ingredients that alter the texture of the sauce.
2. Butter: The butter is melted into the hot sauce, creating a creamy, silky sauce that coats the meatballs perfectly, balancing out the heat of the hot sauce.

For the Ranch Dip:

1. Plain Greek Yogurt: It’s a great alternative to sour cream or mayonnaise.
2. Ranch Seasoning Mix: The seasoning mix gives the dip its classic ranch flavor. You can use store-bought ranch seasoning or homemade ranch seasoning for a more customizable flavor.

How To Make Buffalo Turkey Meatballs

1. Prepare the Meatballs

1. Preheat the Oven: Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper. This ensures easy cleanup and prevents the meatballs from sticking to the sheet.
2. Mix the Meatball Ingredients: In a large mixing bowl, combine the following ingredients:
   • Ground turkey
   • Panko breadcrumbs
   • Egg
   • Chopped green onions
   • Chopped celery
   • Garlic powder
   • Salt
   • Pepper
   • ½ cup Frank’s Red Hot sauce
3. Use your hands or a spoon to mix everything together thoroughly. Be careful not to overmix, as this can make the meatballs tough. You want a well-combined mixture that holds together but still has a soft texture.
4. Shape the Meatballs: Scoop a small portion of the mixture and roll it into a ball. Shape the mixture into 1-inch meatballs and place them on the prepared baking sheet. You should get around 20-24 meatballs depending on size.
5. Bake the Meatballs: Place the meatballs in the preheated oven and bake for 20-25 minutes or until they are cooked through. The internal temperature of the meatballs should reach 165°F (74°C) to ensure they are fully cooked and safe to eat. You can check this with a meat thermometer.

2. Prepare the Buffalo Sauce

1. Melt the Butter: While the meatballs are baking, prepare the buffalo sauce. In a small saucepan, melt the butter over medium heat.
2. Add the Hot Sauce: Once the butter is melted, pour in ½ cup of Frank’s Red Hot sauce. Stir the mixture until it’s well combined and the butter is fully incorporated into the sauce. Let the sauce simmer for a minute or two to meld the flavors.

3. Prepare the Ranch Dip

1. Mix the Ranch Dip: In a small bowl, combine plain Greek yogurt with ranch seasoning mix. Stir well until the seasoning is evenly distributed in the yogurt. This is your creamy and tangy ranch dip, which will complement the heat of the buffalo sauce.

4. Assemble and Serve

1. Coat the Meatballs: Once the meatballs are baked and ready, remove them from the oven. Using a pair of tongs or a spoon, carefully toss the meatballs in the prepared buffalo sauce until they are evenly coated. Make sure each meatball gets a generous coating of the spicy buffalo sauce.
2. Serve: Plate the buffalo turkey meatballs and serve them hot. Add a side of ranch dip for dipping. Garnish with fresh herbs or chopped parsley if desired.

Pro Tips for Best Results

1. Don’t Overmix the Meatball Mixture: Overworking the mixture can lead to tough meatballs. Mix just enough to incorporate the ingredients together.
2. Customize the Spice Level: If you prefer a spicier buffalo sauce, you can increase the amount of Frank’s Red Hot sauce or add a pinch of cayenne pepper for an extra kick.
3. Use a Meat Thermometer: To ensure your meatballs are perfectly cooked, use a meat thermometer to check the internal temperature. This avoids overcooking and drying them out.
4. Make Ahead: These meatballs can be made ahead of time and stored in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Simply reheat in the oven and toss in the buffalo sauce before serving.
5. Frozen Meatballs: These meatballs can be frozen after baking. Just place them on a baking sheet to freeze individually, then store them in an airtight container or freezer bag for up to 3 months. To reheat, bake from frozen and toss in the buffalo sauce.

Buffalo Turkey Meatballs

These Buffalo Turkey Meatballs are easy to make and incredibly tasty. In just 40 minutes, you'll have healthy meatballs ready to eat. The steps are simple, and you only need a few basic ingredients that are likely already in your kitchen. I love these meatballs, and I'm confident you will too.

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 10 minutes mins

Cook Time 30 minutes mins

Total Time 40 minutes mins

Course Main Course

Cuisine American

Servings 4

Calories 385 kcal

Ingredients

  

• 1 lb ground turkey
• 1 cup Panko breadcrumbs
• 1 large egg
• 2 green onions chopped
• 1 stalk celery finely chopped
• 1 tsp garlic powder
• 1 tsp salt
• ½ tsp black pepper
• ½ cup Frank's Red Hot sauce for meatballs
• ½ cup Frank's Red Hot sauce for buffalo sauce
• 4 tbsp butter For Ranch Dip:
• 1 cup plain Greek yogurt
• 2 tbsp ranch seasoning mix

Instructions

 

• Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
• In a large mixing bowl, combine ground turkey, Panko breadcrumbs, egg, green onions, celery, garlic powder, salt, pepper, and ½ cup Frank's Red Hot sauce. Mix until well incorporated.
• Shape the mixture into 1-inch meatballs and place them on the prepared baking sheet.
• Bake in the preheated oven for 20-25 minutes or until cooked through and internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C).
• While the meatballs are baking, prepare the buffalo sauce by melting butter in a saucepan over medium heat. Stir in ½ cup Frank's Red Hot sauce until blended.
• In a separate bowl, mix Greek yogurt and ranch seasoning to create the dip.
• Remove meatballs from the oven and toss them in the buffalo sauce until evenly coated.
• Serve hot with the ranch dip on the side for dipping.