Teriyaki Turkey Meatballs

$- 1 pound ground turkey - 1/4 cup breadcrumbs - 1/4 cup green onions, finely chopped - 1/4 cup fresh cilantro, chopped - 1 egg, beaten - 2 cloves garlic, minced - 1 tablespoon ginger, grated - 3 tablespoons soy sauce - 2 tablespoons honey - 1 tablespoon sesame oil - 1 tablespoon rice vinegar - Salt and pepper to taste - Sesame seeds, for garnish The main base of this dish is ground turkey. It is lean and packs protein. I love using fresh herbs like cilantro and green onions for flavor. Garlic and ginger add a warm touch. The soy sauce, honey, sesame oil, and rice vinegar blend into a sweet and savory glaze. - Additional spices - Alternative coatings You can spice things up with extra flavors. Try adding red pepper flakes for heat or smoked paprika for depth. If you want a crunchy bite, consider using panko instead of regular breadcrumbs. - Rice options - Vegetable sides Serve these meatballs over fluffy rice. Jasmine or brown rice works great. For a healthy side, steamed broccoli adds color and nutrients. You could also try sautéed greens for a nice contrast. {{ingredient_image_1}} Start by gathering your ingredients in a large bowl. You need: - 1 pound ground turkey - 1/4 cup breadcrumbs - 1/4 cup green onions, finely chopped - 1/4 cup fresh cilantro, chopped - 1 egg, beaten - 2 cloves garlic, minced - 1 tablespoon ginger, grated - 3 tablespoons soy sauce - Salt and pepper to taste Combine the ground turkey, breadcrumbs, green onions, cilantro, beaten egg, garlic, ginger, and 1 tablespoon of soy sauce. Use your hands to mix well. This ensures all the flavors blend nicely. Season with salt and pepper to your liking. Now it’s time to shape the meatballs. Take a small amount of the mixture and roll it into a ball about 1 inch in diameter. This helps them cook evenly. Place each meatball on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). Bake the meatballs for about 20 minutes. They should be cooked through and golden brown on the outside. For the teriyaki glaze, gather these ingredients: - 2 tablespoons honey - 1 tablespoon sesame oil - 1 tablespoon rice vinegar - 2 tablespoons soy sauce In a small saucepan, combine the honey, sesame oil, rice vinegar, and the remaining soy sauce. Heat over medium heat. Stir the mixture until it simmers gently. Let it cook for about 5 minutes until it thickens slightly. Once the meatballs are baked, add them to the saucepan. Gently toss them to coat with the glaze. Serve the meatballs over rice or alongside steamed broccoli. Enjoy the flavor! To make tender meatballs, you need the right ingredient ratios. Use equal amounts of meat and breadcrumbs. This helps keep them moist. Adding chopped herbs also adds flavor and moisture. Avoid overmixing the meatball mixture. Mix just until combined. Overmixing makes the meatballs tough. When serving, a nice plate can impress. Use a white plate to make the colors pop. Place the meatballs in the center and add rice or broccoli around them. For garnishing, sprinkle sesame seeds on top. Fresh cilantro or green onions also add a bright touch. Store leftover meatballs in an airtight container. Keep them in the fridge for up to three days. To reheat, place them in a pan on low heat. Add a splash of water or broth. This helps keep them moist while warming. You can also use the microwave. Cover them with a damp paper towel to avoid drying out. Pro Tips Use Fresh Ingredients: Fresh garlic and ginger will elevate the flavor of your meatballs significantly compared to dried or powdered versions. Adjust the Sweetness: If you prefer a less sweet teriyaki glaze, reduce the amount of honey or substitute with a low-calorie sweetener. Experiment with Spices: Feel free to add spices like red pepper flakes or ground black pepper to the meatball mixture for a little heat. Meal Prep Friendly: These meatballs freeze well! Make a double batch and freeze some for an easy meal later. {{image_2}} You can swap ground turkey for other lean meats. Ground chicken or pork works well. You can also try plant-based options like lentils or chickpeas for a veggie twist. For gluten-free meals, use gluten-free breadcrumbs. You can also replace soy sauce with tamari, which is gluten-free. This keeps the flavor but meets dietary needs. Adding different herbs or spices can change the taste. Try parsley or basil for a fresh touch. A pinch of chili powder adds heat, while smoked paprika gives a nice smoky flavor. Experiment with sauces too! You can mix teriyaki with barbecue sauce for a sweet, tangy kick. Or try a spicy sriracha blend for a bolder flavor. For Asian-inspired adaptations, add sesame seeds and green onions on top. You can also serve the meatballs with rice noodles instead of rice. To give a Western-style twist, mix in Italian herbs like oregano and thyme. Serve with marinara sauce instead of teriyaki for a fun change. Teriyaki turkey meatballs are tasty and good for you. Each serving has about 250 calories. You get around 20 grams of protein, which helps build muscles. The dish has about 12 grams of fat, mostly from healthy sources like sesame oil. These meatballs also pack vitamins and minerals. Green onions and cilantro add Vitamin K. Garlic and ginger bring antioxidants. The soy sauce gives a little sodium, so keep that in mind. If you seek low-carb or low-fat meals, these meatballs fit well. Ground turkey is lean, so it has less fat than beef. You can swap breadcrumbs for almond flour to reduce carbs. Be careful with soy sauce if you have allergies. It contains soy, which is a common allergen. Use a gluten-free soy sauce if you need it. A recommended serving size is about four meatballs. This makes it easy to share with friends or family. If you need more portions, double the recipe. Just keep the meatball size the same. This way, they cook evenly and stay juicy. To make teriyaki turkey meatballs gluten-free, you can use gluten-free breadcrumbs. Many stores sell these, or you can make your own. Just pulse gluten-free bread in a food processor. Also, choose gluten-free soy sauce, like tamari. This simple swap keeps the flavor but removes gluten. Yes, you can freeze teriyaki turkey meatballs. After baking, let them cool completely. Place the meatballs in a single layer on a baking sheet. Freeze them for about an hour. Once frozen, transfer them to a freezer-safe bag. To thaw, put them in the fridge overnight. Reheat in a pan with a little sauce or in the oven at 350°F (175°C) until warm. If you want to replace the egg, there are great options. You can use a flaxseed meal. Mix 1 tablespoon of flaxseed with 2.5 tablespoons of water. Let it sit for about 5 minutes. Another option is unsweetened applesauce. Use 1/4 cup for each egg. Both work well to bind the meatballs together. Now you have all you need to make teriyaki turkey meatballs, from ingredients to serving options. You learned how to carefully mix and bake the meatballs for perfect texture. We explored tips for tender meatballs and fun flavor variations. Don't forget the nutritional facts, too, so you can enjoy them guilt-free. Remember, you can customize these meatballs to fit your taste. Get creative! Happy cooking!$

Delicious turkey meatballs coated in a sweet and savory teriyaki glaze, perfect for serving over rice or with steamed broccoli.

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 15

Cook Time 20

Total Time 35

Course Main Course

Cuisine Japanese

Servings 4

Calories 250 kcal

Ingredients

1 pound ground turkey
0.25 cup breadcrumbs
0.25 cup green onions, finely chopped
0.25 cup fresh cilantro, chopped
1 large egg, beaten
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 tablespoon ginger, grated
3 tablespoons soy sauce
2 tablespoons honey
1 tablespoon sesame oil
1 tablespoon rice vinegar
to taste salt and pepper
for garnish sesame seeds
for serving steamed broccoli or rice

Instructions

In a large bowl, combine the ground turkey, breadcrumbs, chopped green onions, cilantro, beaten egg, minced garlic, grated ginger, and 1 tablespoon of soy sauce. Season with salt and pepper. Mix until well combined.
Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
Form the turkey mixture into meatballs, about 1 inch in diameter, and place them on the prepared baking sheet.
Bake the meatballs in the preheated oven for about 20 minutes, or until they are cooked through and golden on the outside.
While the meatballs are baking, prepare the teriyaki glaze by combining the remaining soy sauce, honey, sesame oil, and rice vinegar in a small saucepan over medium heat. Stir until the mixture comes to a gentle simmer and thickens slightly, about 5 minutes.
Once the meatballs are done, transfer them to the saucepan with the teriyaki glaze. Gently toss to coat the meatballs evenly in the sauce.
Serve the teriyaki turkey meatballs over steamed rice or alongside broccoli, and sprinkle with sesame seeds for garnish.

Notes

Feel free to adjust the sweetness of the glaze by adding more or less honey.

Keyword easy, healthy, meatballs, teriyaki, turkey