Cooking for Dogs Turkey Meatballs with Cranberry Mustard Dipping Sauce

We had a few friends over last week for a games night.
We decided that instead of a big meal, we’d all bring a bunch of “pickies” and appetizers. After all, who wants to play Cranium Star Performer cards on a full stomach?
We had all the classics: veggies and dip, a cheese plate, a cheese fondue pot and a few other tasty treats. I decided this would be the perfect opportunity to try out a few dog-friendly cocktail snacks, since there are always a few friends’ dogs, plus my two hanging around with us. After all, dogs like to get in the games night fun too, right?
No party is complete without some sort of meatball.
They’re that bite sized snack that can add a bit of substance and help fill you up. Fall is just around the corner and already, the tasty Fall treats like crisp, fresh apples and cranberries are in season here. I decided to make a turkey meatball with sharp cheddar cheese and crunchy granny smith apples and serve them with a tasty cranberry mustard dipping sauce.
I was really happy with how they turned out.
They were so tasty that my boyfriend asked me to make them again later in the week! (We compromised and used the same flavours to make turkey burgers.) These meatball snacks were so easy to make, packed a strong flavour punch and were totally dog friendly.
Here’s what you need:
Meatballs
• 1 lb. ground Turkey Breast
• 1 lb. ground Turkey Thigh
• ¼ c. chopped fresh Parsley (or 4 tsp. dry)
• 1 tbsp. chopped fresh Oregano (or 1 tsp. dry)
• 1 tbsp. chopped fresh Sage (or 1 tsp. dry)
• 1 clove garlic (optional)
• Dash of salt
• Dash of pepper
Topping
• 1 -2 crisp Granny Smith Apples
• 9 ounces of Sharp Cheddar Cheese
Dipping Sauce
• ½ c. Cranberry Sauce (I like the chunky kind)
• 1 tbsp. Dijon Mustard (I like the grainy kind)
*Note: If you are concerned about calories, you could use all turkey breast, but I find the meatballs a little dry. They turkey thigh adds just enough fat to add some moisture to the finished snack.
Pre-heat oven to 375F.
In a medium bowl, mix together turkey breast, turkey thigh, herbs and garlic. Line a baking tray with, parchment paper or aluminum foil (or nothing if you’re one of those people who like to scrub pans). Roll turkey mix into 1” balls (should yield about 6 dz.) and lay out evenly spaced on your tray. Bake for 20-30 minutes, until no longer pink in the middle and slightly golden on the outside.
Slice apples ¼” thick and chop into approximately 1” chunks. Slice cheese into thin bite sized pieces.
Mix together cranberry sauce & Dijon mustard.
Once meatballs are cooked, remove from oven and allow to cool slightly. On toothpicks, layer cheddar cheese, apple & meatball. WHen Cooking for Dogs your dogs will like these tasty treats with no sauce, but the humans will appreciate the sweet & tangy taste of the cranberry-mustard dipping sauce.
*Note: The dogs at Casa de Kolchak have been carefully trained to safely take foods off toothpicks. Do not try this without a lot of training and careful supervision.

Jodi is a canine nutrition and small animal naturopathy student hailing from beautiful Vancouver, BC. (That’s in Canada, eh?) She loves to experiment in the kitchen, creating tasty (and healthy) treats for her two dogs, Felix & Kolchak and the rest of her family. Jodi’s blog, Kol’s Notes follows the antics of the irrepressible Kolchak as he celebrates good food, good friends and the good life.
Yummy..
I have always wanted to make Turkey Meatballs. Thanks for the recipe!
Still Blonde after all these YEARS recently posted..$80 Ozeri Cookware Review and Giveaway, Women over 45 cook!
We are suddenly hungry
Benny & Lily
My inlaws are dog lovers, I am going to share this with them!!
Sabrina R recently posted..Walgreens #BalanceRewards Loyalty Card Sweepstakes #Cbias
I love seeing your dogs enjoy your meals – it’s so super cute! I’m planning on making this for my guys though – they love meatballs and this looks like a great recipe!
Jeannette recently posted..Making Convenient Shopping Even Quicker and Easier with Walgreens #BalanceRewards! #CBias
I get hungry ever time I come to your blog!
Libby’s Library recently posted..More Free Blogger Giveaway Event Opportunities
This looks so good!!!
Melissa recently posted..Metamorphic Toys Kids Mailbox Review-Giveaway!
I like that this is a people recipe with a dog version. It’s so funny because you and your pet can now, kind of eat the same thing. I’m off to pin this, looks great. Thanks for sharing.
Tiffany Revels-Cruz recently posted..Noise Girls For the Family Giveaway Event! – Big Sister Package $382+
We love to cook like this at our house Tiffany! My other half s one of those guys that just can’t resist sharing from his plate, so we try to make all our meals healthy, tasty *and* dog friendly!
Kolchak, Felix & Jodi recently posted..Shame on Me? Shame on you!
Yummm…love that heart shaped bowl too
Bre Dale recently posted..Miinto $100 Giveaway and Intro
Amaze-balls! lol. The dipping sauce sounds really yummy, too!
Lolli @ Better in Bulk recently posted..No Forgetting….
Hey Cavaliers, Jet here. Hi Miss Felissa.
Oh now you’re talking my language… and Mom is a BIG fan of cranberries. 4 paws up! (that means I’m ready for a belly rub!
jet recently posted..Tasty Tuesday – Koko’s Favorite Vegetable
Oh mama makes these! Please? I’ll share withs you!
ohhh yum! i want to eat these haha!!
xo,
Sandy
Sandy a la Mode
Sandy a la Mode recently posted..Got My Stitch Fix For The Month
Thanks for sharing, I will be trying this recipe.
The Turkey Meatballs look easy to make and I know my dog would love these. I didn’t know that “dogs” eat chunks of cheddar cheese or even apples for that matter? I’ve never tried giving these types of foods to my pet but now knowing they are allowed to eat it, I will give it a try. Thanks for the share.