The Ground Turkey Trick That Saves Dinner and Stretches Your Grocery Budget 🖨 Print this recipe
A simple way to make ground turkey rich, juicy, and deeply satisfying—without turning on the oven.
If you’ve ever made turkey meatballs that turned out bland or dry, this one-pan trick is about to change that. We build flavor right from the skillet—no baking sheet, no oven timer, just cozy, weeknight-ready comfort.
Using affordable pantry ingredients and a heavy hand of Shawhan Farms Poultry Seasoning, this meal goes from stovetop to table in under 30 minutes. It’s great for busy nights, meal prep lunches, or even a second-day sandwich upgrade.
What You’ll Need
For the Meatballs
1 lb ground turkey (dark meat preferred for moisture)
2 tablespoons Shawhan Farms Poultry Seasoning
â…“ cup breadcrumbs
1 egg
1 tablespoon finely minced onion (or onion powder)
1 tablespoon olive oil (for browning)
For the Pan Sauce
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 tablespoon flour
1 cup chicken broth
¼ cup milk or half-and-half
Optional: chopped fresh parsley or thyme to finish
How to Make It
Mix & Roll
Combine turkey, seasoning, breadcrumbs, egg, and onion. Mix until just combined. Form into 1.5-inch meatballs.
Sear in Skillet
Heat olive oil in a wide skillet over medium. Brown meatballs on all sides, about 6–8 minutes total. Remove and set aside.
Build the Sauce
In the same skillet, lower heat and add garlic. Cook 30 seconds. Stir in flour and cook another minute. Slowly whisk in broth and milk, scraping up any brown bits.
Simmer It All Together
Return meatballs to the pan. Simmer uncovered 8–10 minutes until meatballs are fully cooked and sauce has thickened.
Serve Warm
Spoon over rice, mashed potatoes, or toasted sourdough. Finish with herbs or a splash of vinegar if desired.
Batch & Stretch Tips
- Make a Double Batch: Freeze extra meatballs (pre- or post-cooked) in a single layer, then transfer to a bag.
- Sauce Switch: Sub in mushroom broth or use sour cream in place of milk for a stroganoff-style twist.
- Stretch It Further: Thin sauce with extra broth and serve as an open-faced meatball sandwich or over pasta.
A Little Goes a Long Way
Because our Poultry Seasoning is packed with balanced aromatics—like rosemary, sage, marjoram, and celery seed—you don’t need a long list of spices. Just one jar helps you build depth in everyday meals without overthinking it.
One of our home cooks stirs in frozen spinach to sneak in greens for the kids. Another adds mushrooms to the sauce and uses the leftovers for lunchbox sliders. The verdict? This recipe is endlessly flexible—and always satisfying.
Want More Cozy, Budget-Friendly Flavor?
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Shawhan Farms: Proudly U.S. woman-owned. Born in Kentucky. Made with care in Texas.