Description
These Asian Glazed Turkey Meatballs offer a deliciously savory and slightly sweet flavor profile, blending tender ground turkey with aromatic garlic and ginger, baked to perfection, and coated in a rich soy-based glaze. Perfect for a quick and healthy meal, these meatballs are garnished with sesame seeds and green onions for added texture and freshness.
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 oven: Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C) to get it ready for baking the meatballs evenly and thoroughly.
- Prepare meatball mixture: In a large bowl, combine ground turkey, breadcrumbs, grated carrot, soy sauce, sesame oil, beaten egg, minced garlic, grated ginger, and ground black pepper. Mix well until all ingredients are evenly incorporated.
- Shape and bake meatballs: Form the mixture into 1-inch meatballs and place them on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper or a non-stick surface. Bake in the preheated oven for 15-20 minutes until the meatballs are golden brown and fully 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 over medium heat for 3-4 minutes to meld the flavors. If a thicker glaze is desired, stir in cornstarch dissolved in a little water and cook for an additional 1-2 minutes until thickened.
- Coat meatballs: Once cooked, toss the hot meatballs in the prepared Asian glaze ensuring each meatball is fully coated for maximum flavor.
- Garnish and serve: Sprinkle the glazed meatballs with sesame seeds and chopped green onions for a fresh crunch and vibrant presentation. Serve immediately and enjoy!
Notes
- For a spicier version, increase the amount of red pepper flakes or add a drizzle of sriracha in the glaze.
- Breadcrumbs can be substituted with gluten-free breadcrumbs to make this recipe gluten free.
- Make sure not to overmix the meatball mixture to keep the meatballs tender.
- You can prepare the glaze ahead of time and reheat when ready to serve.
- Serve these meatballs with steamed rice, noodles, or a side of stir-fried vegetables for a complete meal.
