Honey-Mustard Glazed Turkey Meatballs with Tangy Pickle Slaw

By , Test Kitchen Director · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · ·

Savory turkey meatballs glazed with a sweet honey-mustard sauce, served alongside a crunchy, tangy pickle and cabbage slaw—perfect for a hand-held picnic treat. This american-inspired chicken ready in about 38 minutes pairs ground turkey, breadcrumbs, large egg for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 320 calories and feeds 4, so it slots cleanly into a weekly meal plan and pairs well with a quick salad or grain on the side. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.

Prep: 15 min Cook: 23 min Serves 4 American cuisine 320 cal/serving
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Ingredients

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Instructions

  1. Step 1: Preheat oven to 400°F. In a large bowl, combine 1 lb ground turkey, 1/2 cup breadcrumbs, 1 large egg, 1 minced garlic clove, 1 tsp salt, and 1/2 tsp black pepper. Mix gently until just combined.
  2. Step 2: Shape mixture into 16 meatballs (about 1.5 inches each) and place on a parchment-lined baking sheet.
  3. Step 3: Bake meatballs for 20 minutes until cooked through and lightly browned.
  4. Step 4: While meatballs bake, whisk together 2 tbsp yellow mustard and 2 tbsp honey in a small bowl to create glaze.
  5. Step 5: Brush the honey-mustard glaze over hot meatballs and return to oven for 3 minutes to set the glaze.
  6. Step 6: In a separate bowl, mix 2 cups shredded green cabbage, 1/2 cup finely chopped dill pickles, 1 medium shredded carrot, 1/4 cup mayonnaise, 1 tbsp apple cider vinegar, and 1 tsp sugar until well combined to form the tangy pickle slaw.
  7. Step 7: Serve meatballs warm or at room temperature alongside the pickle slaw, perfect for packing in a picnic container.

Frequently asked questions

How long does Honey-Mustard Glazed Turkey Meatballs with Tangy Pickle Slaw take to make?

Total time is about 38 minutes (15 min prep + 23 min cook). Most home cooks find this fits comfortably into a weeknight; double the batch on Sunday for two dinners.

How do I store leftover Honey-Mustard Glazed Turkey Meatballs with Tangy Pickle Slaw?

Cool to room temperature within 2 hours, then store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat covered in a 350°F oven for 10-12 minutes, or microwave at 70% power in 60-second bursts to keep ground turkey from drying out.

Can I substitute ingredients in Honey-Mustard Glazed Turkey Meatballs with Tangy Pickle Slaw?

Yes — most ingredients in this recipe have flexible swaps. For oil, use any neutral high-smoke-point oil (avocado, grapeseed, refined coconut). For aromatics, dried herbs at ⅓ the volume of fresh work in a pinch. The full ingredient list is shoppable on Instacart so you can see substitutes in real time.

How do I scale Honey-Mustard Glazed Turkey Meatballs with Tangy Pickle Slaw for a different number of people?

The recipe is written for 4 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 4). Cook time stays roughly the same up to 2x; for 3-4x batches, switch from a skillet to a sheet pan or stockpot so the food isn't crowded — overcrowding steams instead of browns.

What goes well with Honey-Mustard Glazed Turkey Meatballs with Tangy Pickle Slaw?

American chicken like this pair well with a simple grain (rice, couscous, or crusty bread), a quick salad with acid (lemon vinaigrette, pickled onions), and a pan sauce or yogurt-based dip. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" to get specific side suggestions.

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