Description
These Asian Glazed Turkey Meatballs are a flavorful and healthy twist on a classic favorite. Made with lean ground turkey mixed with aromatic ginger, garlic, and soy sauce, then baked to perfection and coated in a sweet and tangy homemade Asian glaze. Perfect as an appetizer, snack, or served over rice or noodles for a complete meal.
Ingredients
Scale
Meatballs:
- 1 lb ground turkey
- 1/4 cup breadcrumbs
- 1/4 cup grated carrot
- 2 tbsp soy sauce
- 1 tbsp sesame oil
- 1 egg, beaten
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tsp fresh ginger, grated
- 1/4 tsp ground black pepper
Glaze:
- 1/4 cup soy sauce
- 2 tbsp honey or brown sugar
- 1 tbsp rice vinegar
- 1 tbsp sesame oil
- 1 tbsp fresh ginger, grated
- 1 garlic clove, minced
- 1 tsp cornstarch (optional, for thickening)
- 1/2 tsp red pepper flakes (optional for heat)
Garnish:
- Sesame seeds
- Chopped green onions
Instructions
- Preheat the oven: Set your oven to 400°F (200°C) to ensure it reaches the correct temperature for baking the meatballs evenly.
- Prepare the meatball mixture: In a large bowl, combine ground turkey, breadcrumbs, grated carrot, soy sauce, sesame oil, beaten egg, minced garlic, grated ginger, and black pepper. Mix everything until just combined to keep the meatballs tender.
- Shape and bake: Form the mixture into 1-inch meatballs and place them on a lined baking sheet. Bake in the preheated oven for 15-20 minutes until they are golden brown and cooked through.
- Make the glaze: While the meatballs bake, combine soy sauce, honey or brown sugar, rice vinegar, sesame oil, grated ginger, minced garlic, and red pepper flakes in a saucepan. Simmer the mixture for 3-4 minutes to blend flavors. For a thicker glaze, stir in cornstarch dissolved in water and cook for another 1-2 minutes until glossy.
- Coat the meatballs: Once the meatballs are cooked, toss them in the warm glaze until fully coated, ensuring each meatball has a shiny, flavorful finish.
- Garnish and serve: Sprinkle sesame seeds and chopped green onions over the glazed meatballs for added texture and fresh flavor. Serve immediately for best taste.
Notes
- For a gluten-free version, substitute breadcrumbs and soy sauce with gluten-free alternatives.
- You can use brown sugar instead of honey for the glaze based on preference.
- Adjust red pepper flakes to taste depending on your heat preference.
- These meatballs pair well with steamed rice or noodles for a complete meal.
- Leftover glazed meatballs can be refrigerated for up to 3 days and reheated gently.
