Sweet 'n Spicy BBQ Turkey Meatballs with Bacon

About This Recipe

These sweet and spicy meatballs are made with ground turkey, cherry peppers and bacon (because who doesn't love bacon!) Topped with a BBQ glaze, they are perfect for weekend gatherings, football appetizers or anytime you want finger foods.

Ingredients

• 1 1/4 pound 93% lean ground turkey
• 6 slices bacon (4 ounces, roughly chopped)
• 1/2 onion (quartered)
• 2 garlic cloves (halved)
• 2 ounces about 4 whole jarred cherry peppers (I like Trader Joe’s)
• 10 basil leaves
• 1 teaspoon fresh thyme
• 1 large egg
• 1/2 cup whole wheat panko (or gluten-free panko)
• 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
• freshly ground pepper (to taste)
• 2 tablespoon sweet BBQ sauce
• 2 tablespoon ketchup
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Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 400 degrees.
2. For glaze: In a small bowl, combine barbeque sauce and ketchup. Set aside.
3. For meatballs: In a food processor fitted with the metal blade, combine bacon, onion, garlic, cherry peppers, basil and thyme. Pulse until combined and uniform in color and texture, about 10 pulses.
4. In a large bowl, combine ground turkey, egg, panko, salt and pepper.
5. Add bacon-cherry pepper mixture to bowl and mix until thoroughly combined. Using your hands, form small round meatballs, about the size of a golf ball.
6. Place the meatballs on a large baking sheet lined with parchment and with a pastry or silicone brush, lightly brush the meatballs with the barbeque-ketchup mixture.
7. Bake for 12 minutes and then adjust oven to broil. Broil for an additional 4 to 5 minutes, or until meatballs are cooked through and browned.