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Fried Turkey Nuggets
5 from 56 votes

Fried Turkey Nuggets

Fried Turkey Nuggets are bite-sized pieces of turkey breast coated in a seasoned flour and egg wash, then crusted with crushed saltine crackers before frying. The recipe includes a flavorful comeback sauce made from mayonnaise, garlic, shallot, and assorted condiments to accompany the nuggets. The coating process and optional resting time contribute to a crispy, well-adhered crust and a juicy, tender interior.

Prep Time
25 mins
Cook Time
25 mins
Total Time
50 mins
Servings: 6 people
Calories: 669 kcal
Course: Main Course, Appetizer
Cuisine: American

Ingredients

COMEBACK SAUCE
  • 1 cup mayonnaise
  • 2 cloves garlic minced
  • 1 shallot minced
  • 2 tablespoons ketchup
  • 1/4 cuo chili sauce Heinz brand
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
  • 1 tablespoon lemon juice
  • 1 teaspoon mustard powder
  • 2 teaspoons hot sauce
  • salt
TURKEY NUGGETS
  • 2 pounds turkey breast cut into chunks
  • 2 cups flour
  • 1 tablespoon spice mix of your choice (Cajun, Cavender's, Old Bay, etc
  • 4 egg lightly beaten
  • 1 cup buttermilk or regular milk
  • 1/4 cup yellow mustard
  • 2 leeves saltine crackers
  • cooking oil for frying

Instructions

    Cup of Yum
  1. To make the sauce, put everything in a food processor or blender and puree. Set it aside. 
  2. Mix the flour with the spice mix; I use Cavender's mostly. Mix together the eggs, buttermilk and mustard. Mash the Saltines. I do this by putting them in a heavy freezer bag and crushing them with a rolling pin.
  3. Dredge about 1/4 of the turkey chunks in the flour, then the egg wash, then put them in the freezer bag with the crushed Saltines and shake well to coat. Before you take them out, press the crushed Saltines into the meat. Set the chunks on a baking sheet, and do the rest of the turkey, 1/4 of it at a time. 
  4. In an ideal world, you would rest the breaded turkey nuggets in the fridge for 1 hour. Do this if you can, because it will make the coating stick to the turkey better. If you are rushed for time, you can skip this. 
  5. When you are ready to fry, put enough oil in a large frying pan to come up about a finger's worth (about 1/2 inch) and bring it to somewhere between 325F and 350F. Set a cooling rack over a baking sheet and put that in your oven. Set the oven to "warm."
  6. Fry the turkey nuggets in batches so you don't crowd the pan. Set the finished turkey nuggets on the rack in the warm oven while you do the rest. Serve with the comeback sauce. 

Nutrition Information

Calories 669kcal (33%) Carbohydrates 38g (13%) Protein 43g (86%) Fat 38g (58%) Saturated Fat 7g (35%) Cholesterol 211mg (70%) Sodium 863mg (36%) Potassium 579mg (12%) Fiber 2g (8%) Sugar 5g (10%) Vitamin A 305IU (6%) Vitamin C 3mg (3%) Calcium 104mg (10%) Iron 4mg (22%)

Nutrition Facts

Serving: 6 people

Amount Per Serving

Calories 669

% Daily Value*

Calories 669kcal 33%
Carbohydrates 38g 13%
Protein 43g 86%
Fat 38g 58%
Saturated Fat 7g 35%
Cholesterol 211mg 70%
Sodium 863mg 36%
Potassium 579mg 12%
Fiber 2g 8%
Sugar 5g 10%
Vitamin A 305IU 6%
Vitamin C 3mg 3%
Calcium 104mg 10%
Iron 4mg 22%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.