How to Make Delicious Turkey Nuggets at Home

Turkey nuggets are a fun and tasty way to enjoy turkey meat. They are easy to make at home and are a great appetizer or main course. In this article, I’ll explain how to make juicy and flavorful turkey nuggets from start to finish using simple ingredients.

Ingredients Needed

To make turkey nuggets, you will need:

• 2 lbs ground turkey (you can use breast or thigh meat)
• 1 cup breadcrumbs (panko or plain)
• 1 egg
• 1/4 cup milk
• 1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
• 1 tsp garlic powder
• 1 tsp onion powder
• 1 tsp paprika
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 1/4 tsp pepper
• Oil for frying (vegetable, peanut, or canola oil)

Prep the Turkey

Start by taking your 2 lbs of ground turkey and placing it in a large mixing bowl, Break up any large clumps using your hands until the turkey is evenly distributed,

Next, crack the egg into the bowl followed by the milk, Worcestershire sauce, garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, salt, and pepper.

Using your hands, mix everything together thoroughly until well combined. The mixture should look slightly loose and a little sticky. Refrigerate for 30 minutes to allow the flavors to meld.

Bread the Nuggets

After the turkey has chilled, pour the breadcrumbs into a shallow dish. Scoop up about 2-3 tbsp of the turkey mixture and form into a nugget shape using your hands.

Drop the nugget into the breadcrumbs and roll to coat on all sides. Gently press the crumbs into the nugget to help them adhere. Place the breaded nugget onto a baking sheet or plate.

Repeat with the remaining turkey mixture until you have breaded all the nuggets, Place the tray of nuggets into the fridge for another 15-30 minutes before frying This helps further set the coating

Fry the Nuggets

Pour oil into a heavy skillet or pan to a depth of 1/2 inch. Heat the oil over medium-high heat until shimmering.

Working in batches, carefully add the nuggets to the hot oil without overcrowding. Fry for 2-3 minutes per side until golden brown.

Transfer cooked nuggets to a paper towel lined plate to drain excess grease. Repeat with remaining nuggets.

Make a Delicious Sauce

Turkey nuggets pair perfectly with a flavorful dipping sauce! Some ideas include:

• Comeback sauce – a Southern classic made with mayo, ketchup, spices, and other condiments
• BBQ sauce – sweet and tangy
• Ranch dressing – cool and creamy
• Honey mustard – sweet with a kick
• Buffalo sauce – hot and buttery

Or you can serve the nuggets plain if you prefer. The breading provides plenty of crunch and flavor!

Cooking Tips

• Use thigh or breast meat – thigh has more fat so stays juicy
• Don’t overmix the turkey or nuggets will be dense
• Refrigerate nuggets after breading to help coating stick
• Fry in batches at 350°F to prevent sticking
• Let oil reheat between batches for best results
• Blot fried nuggets on paper towels to remove excess oil
• Frozen nuggets can go straight from freezer to fryer

Make Ahead and Freezing

Turkey nuggets hold up very well in the freezer. After breading, place nuggets in a single layer on a baking sheet and freeze until solid. Transfer to an airtight freezer bag or container and freeze for up to 3 months. Fry frozen nuggets straight from freezer, adding 1-2 minutes to cook time.

You can also make the patties and bread them ahead of time, then freeze. Fry them directly from frozen as well.

More Flavorful Nuggets

There are lots of ways to add more flavor to your homemade nuggets:

• Use Italian seasoned breadcrumbs
• Add minced garlic or onion to the turkey mixture
• Use different spices like curry powder, chili powder, or cumin
• Fold in shredded cheese before breading
• Top with extra spices after breading like smoked paprika
• Brine turkey thighs overnight before grinding meat
• Use compound butter under the breading

So get creative and come up with your own signature turkey nugget recipe! They make a quick weeknight dinner, fun game day appetizer, or crunchy snack anytime.