Cheddar Stuffed Blueberry Turkey Wild Rice Meatballs

This one isn’t probably for everyone but there is something about fall leading into winter where I like a little more fruit with my meat. I wonder if it has something to do with Thanksgiving dinner where cranberries are a staple at the dinner table. Or it could be that it’s apple season and the combination of pork and apples is a classic – especially if you include sweet potatoes and butternut squash. There’s something so comforting about those combinations I decided to come up with a twist on those classics by combining blueberries, turkey and cheddar. Since I live in the Midwest I had to throw some wild rice in there so represent!

I like using cheeses like cheddar when stuffing my meatballs since it holds up well and doesn’t leak out too much during the cooking process. I also think a good sharp cheddar goes well with blueberries and the mildness of the turkey allows you to taste that interesting flavor combination.

This recipe is a pretty simple one in my opinion to throw together. It might require a quick trip to the store since it does require dried blueberries. I don’t know about you but that isn’t a staple ingredient in our household. I have had them in the pantry on occasion if I’m baking something or want to try something new – like these little balls right here – but I don’t keep dried blueberries on hand at all times.

Since I live in Minnesota I had to throw some wild rice into these balls to add a little different texture. The wild rice we have in Minnesota can be different that the kinds that you can find at any grocery store around the country. Our wild rice is much lighter in color and cooks in about 30-45 mins. It doesn’t have that typical hard black shell or kind of crunch to it like the generic wild rice you can find in the store.  

These meatballs make an interesting weeknight dinner or you can even bring them to your next potluck to share. They are definitely something different to wake up your taste buds. The cheddar in the middle melts perfectly and stays in the meatball since it can handle higher temperatures. You can choose what kind of cheddar you would like to use too! There are a couple options like mild cheddar or sharp cheddar. You can always opt for a white cheddar as well if you prefer, and if you’re really adventurous you can try horseradish cheddar to spice things up a bit!

You can serve these little meatballs over a mixed green salad, or as little sliders with your favorite condiments and fixings. They are also good all on their own with your favorite side dish like mac and cheese or green bean casserole. They are a versatile little ball where the serving options are numerous.

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