Name: Asian Glazed Turkey Meatballs: 40-Minute Dinner!
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 20 min
Total time: 35 min
Cuisine: Asian
Ingredients: 1 lb ground turkey; 1/3 cup whole wheat panko breadcrumbs; 1 egg; 1 Tbsp low-sodium soy sauce; 1 tsp fresh grated ginger, or 1/4 tsp ground ginger; 1 clove garlic, minced; 2 green onions, sliced; Extra green onions and sesame seeds for garnish; 1/2 cup low-sodium soy sauce (for sauce); 1/3 cup beef broth, or water (for sauce); 1/4 cup honey (for sauce); 1 tsp sesame oil (for sauce); 4 cloves garlic, minced (for sauce); 2 tsp fresh grated ginger, or 1/2 tsp ground ginger (for sauce); 1/4 tsp black pepper (for sauce); 1/4 to 1/2 tsp crushed red chili flakes (optional); 1/2 Tbsp cornstarch (optional); 1/2 Tbsp water (optional)

Jump to Recipe

Okay, friends, let’s talk ASIAN GLAZED TURKEY MEATBALLS! Seriously, if you’re looking for a weeknight dinner that’s both ridiculously easy and bursting with flavor, you’ve GOT to try these. They’re quick, they’re healthy-ish (we’re baking, not frying!), and they are seriously addictive. Trust me on this one.

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I stumbled upon this recipe kinda by accident. I was trying to clean out the fridge, had some ground turkey leftover, and was craving something… different. I saw a bottle of soy sauce lurking in the back and BAM! Inspiration struck. I messed around with a few different sauces, tweaking things here and there (a little more ginger, a little less honey… you know how it goes!), until I landed on this perfect balance of sweet, savory, and just a touch of spice. The whole family devoured them! Now, ASIAN GLAZED TURKEY MEATBALLS are officially in our regular rotation. You’re gonna love them!

Why You’ll Love These ASIAN GLAZED TURKEY MEATBALLS

Seriously, what’s not to love? These ASIAN GLAZED TURKEY MEATBALLS are basically a flavor explosion wrapped in a neat little package. And the best part? They’re super easy to make! Here’s the breakdown:

Quick and Easy ASIAN GLAZED TURKEY MEATBALLS

We’re talking from-fridge-to-table in under 40 minutes, people! Most of that is baking time, so you can kick back while dinner practically cooks itself. Boom!

Flavor-Packed ASIAN GLAZED TURKEY MEATBALLS

That sweet and savory glaze? Oh, it’s addictive! The ginger, garlic, and soy sauce just sing together. My favorite part is that little kick from the chili flakes (but you can totally skip those if you’re spice-averse!).

Healthier Choice with ASIAN GLAZED TURKEY MEATBALLS

Using lean ground turkey is already a win, but baking them instead of frying? Even better! You get all the deliciousness without all the extra grease. Woohoo!

Ingredients for ASIAN GLAZED TURKEY MEATBALLS

Alright, let’s gather our goodies! Here’s what you’ll need to make these amazing ASIAN GLAZED TURKEY MEATBALLS. Don’t worry, most of it’s pantry staples. Double check you have everything before you get started – it makes life so much easier!

1 lb ground turkey – I always go for lean!
1/3 cup whole wheat panko breadcrumbs – Adds a nice texture, but regular panko works too.
1 large egg – To bind everything together.
1 Tbsp low-sodium soy sauce – Gotta watch that salt!
1 tsp fresh grated ginger – Or, if you’re in a pinch, 1/4 tsp ground ginger. Fresh is best, though!
1 clove garlic, minced – Because garlic makes everything better.
2 green onions, sliced – These add a nice little zing.

For that amazing glaze:

1/2 cup low-sodium soy sauce – Again, go easy on the salt!
1/3 cup beef broth – Or water, if you don’t have broth on hand.
1/4 cup honey – Adds the perfect sweetness.
1 tsp sesame oil – This is key for that authentic Asian flavor! Don’t skip it!
4 cloves garlic, minced – Yep, more garlic!
2 tsp fresh grated ginger – Or 1/2 tsp ground ginger.
1/4 tsp black pepper – Just a little kick.
1/4 to 1/2 tsp crushed red chili flakes (optional) – For some extra heat! I love ’em!
1/2 Tbsp cornstarch (optional) – For thickening the sauce.
1/2 Tbsp water (optional) – To make a slurry with the cornstarch.

How to Make ASIAN GLAZED TURKEY MEATBALLS: Step-by-Step Instructions

Okay, ready to get cooking? Don’t worry, it’s easier than you think! Just follow these simple steps, and you’ll have a batch of delicious ASIAN GLAZED TURKEY MEATBALLS in no time. I promise!

Preparing the ASIAN GLAZED TURKEY MEATBALLS Mixture

First things first, preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). This is important! And line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Trust me, it makes cleanup a breeze. If you don’t have parchment, lightly grease the baking sheet.
Now, in a large bowl, get ready to mix! Add your ground turkey, panko breadcrumbs, egg, soy sauce, ginger, garlic, and green onions.
Here’s the key: gently combine everything with your hands until *just* mixed. Don’t overmix! Overmixing leads to tough meatballs, and nobody wants that.
Grab a cookie scoop (about 1-inch size) – this helps keep the meatballs uniform. Scoop out the mixture and roll it into balls. You should get around 25-26 meatballs. Place them on the prepared baking sheet.

Baking the ASIAN GLAZED TURKEY MEATBALLS to Perfection

Pop those meatballs into the preheated oven and bake for 13 to 15 minutes. Keep an eye on them! You want them lightly browned and cooked through.
How do you know they’re done? The internal temperature should reach 165°F (74°C). If you don’t have a thermometer, just cut one open to make sure it’s no longer pink inside.

Creating the ASIAN GLAZED Sauce

While the meatballs are baking, let’s whip up that amazing sauce! In a small saucepan, combine the soy sauce, honey, beef broth (or water), sesame oil, garlic, ginger, and black pepper.
Bring the mixture to a boil over medium heat. Then, reduce the heat to low and let it simmer for about 5 minutes, or until it thickens slightly. Mmm, it smells SO good!
Want a thicker sauce? No problem! In a small bowl, mix 1/2 tablespoon of cornstarch with 1/2 tablespoon of water to make a slurry.
Pour the cornstarch slurry into the simmering sauce and stir constantly until thickened. It should only take a minute or two. If you’re using crushed red chili flakes, add them now.
Take the saucepan off the heat. The sauce is ready!

Combining the ASIAN GLAZED TURKEY MEATBALLS and Sauce

Once the meatballs are baked, transfer them to a large bowl (or just keep them on the baking sheet if you’re feeling lazy!).
Pour that sticky, delicious sauce over the meatballs. Yum!
Gently toss everything together until all the meatballs are evenly coated in the glaze. Make sure every meatball gets some love!

Tips for the Best ASIAN GLAZED TURKEY MEATBALLS

Okay, you’ve got the basics, but wanna take these ASIAN GLAZED TURKEY MEATBALLS to the *next* level? Here are a few little tricks I’ve learned along the way to make them absolutely perfect. Trust me, these little things make a big difference!

Don’t Overmix Your ASIAN GLAZED TURKEY MEATBALLS

Seriously, this is HUGE! I can’t stress it enough. Overmixing the turkey mixture makes the meatballs tough and dense. You want them light and tender, right? So, just gently combine the ingredients until they’re *barely* mixed. A few streaks of breadcrumbs are totally okay!

Control the Simmer for the ASIAN GLAZED Sauce

That sauce is the star of the show, so you gotta treat it right! Make sure it simmers gently, not boils like crazy. A gentle simmer allows the flavors to meld together beautifully and thicken up just right. A raging boil can burn the honey and make it taste bitter – yuck!

Ingredient Notes and ASIAN GLAZED TURKEY MEATBALLS Substitutions

Alright, let’s talk swaps! Sometimes you’re missing an ingredient, or maybe you just wanna mix things up. No problem! These ASIAN GLAZED TURKEY MEATBALLS are pretty flexible. Here are a few of my go-to substitutions that still keep the flavor amazing!

Alternative Protein for ASIAN GLAZED TURKEY MEATBALLS

Don’t have ground turkey? No sweat! Ground chicken, pork, or even beef work great. Just keep in mind that ground beef will be a bit richer and might need a little less salt in the sauce. Ground chicken is a super easy swap, though, and it’s just as lean as turkey!

Sweetener Options for the ASIAN GLAZED TURKEY MEATBALLS

Out of honey? Oops! Maple syrup is a fantastic substitute in the glaze. It adds a slightly different flavor, but it’s still delicious. Just use the same amount as the honey. You could even try brown sugar in a pinch, but it’ll give it a deeper, more molasses-y flavor. I prefer maple syrup, though – it’s got that nice, subtle sweetness!

Serving Suggestions for ASIAN GLAZED TURKEY MEATBALLS

Okay, so you’ve got these amazing ASIAN GLAZED TURKEY MEATBALLS… what do you serve with them? Well, my go-to is fluffy brown rice – it soaks up all that delicious sauce! But quinoa works great too, or even some steamed broccoli for a healthy kick. Honestly, they’re good with almost anything! Don’t be afraid to experiment!

Storing and Reheating Your ASIAN GLAZED TURKEY MEATBALLS

Got leftovers? Lucky you! These ASIAN GLAZED TURKEY MEATBALLS are just as good the next day (maybe even better!). Just pop them in an airtight container and stash them in the fridge. They’ll keep for about 3-4 days.

Reheating is a breeze! You can microwave them (quickest!), bake them in a low oven (for a more even heat), or even toss them in a skillet on the stovetop. Just make sure they’re heated through before digging in! I usually add a splash of water if I’m reheating on the stovetop to keep them from drying out.

Frequently Asked Questions About ASIAN GLAZED TURKEY MEATBALLS

Got questions? I got answers! Here are a few of the most common questions I get asked about these ASIAN GLAZED TURKEY MEATBALLS. Hopefully, this clears up any confusion and makes you feel like a meatball-making pro!

Can I Freeze ASIAN GLAZED TURKEY MEATBALLS?

Absolutely! These ASIAN GLAZED TURKEY MEATBALLS freeze beautifully. Just let them cool completely, then pop them into a freezer-safe bag or container. They’ll keep for up to 2-3 months. When you’re ready to eat them, thaw them overnight in the fridge and reheat as usual. Easy peasy!

Are ASIAN GLAZED TURKEY MEATBALLS Gluten-Free?

That’s a great question! As written, this recipe isn’t *necessarily* gluten-free because of the panko breadcrumbs and the soy sauce. But, you can easily make it gluten-free! Just use gluten-free panko breadcrumbs (they’re readily available these days!) and tamari instead of soy sauce. Tamari is a gluten-free alternative that tastes almost identical! Just double check all your labels to be sure!

Can I Make ASIAN GLAZED TURKEY MEATBALLS in an Air Fryer?

You betcha! Air fryers are amazing for getting things crispy, and these meatballs are no exception. Preheat your air fryer to 375°F (190°C). Place the meatballs in a single layer in the air fryer basket (don’t overcrowd it!). Cook for about 8-10 minutes, or until they’re cooked through and nicely browned. Then, toss them in the glaze as usual. So easy, and so delicious!

Nutritional Information for ASIAN GLAZED TURKEY MEATBALLS

Okay, quick disclaimer: I’m no nutritionist! The nutrition info can vary a LOT based on the brands you use, so just keep in mind this is an estimate, not a guarantee!

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