Imagine the ultimate mashup of sweet, savory, and just a hint of tang: that’s what you’ll experience with these Asian Glazed Turkey Meatballs. Tender turkey is seasoned with fresh aromatics and tossed in a sticky soy-hoisin glaze for a dish that’s nothing short of irresistible. Whether you’re after a weeknight dinner or an easy party appetizer, these meatballs are the punchy, flavor-packed treat you’ll want to make again and again.
Ingredients You’ll Need
You’ll be amazed at how a handful of everyday ingredients—some classic, some with an Asian twist—transform into something so delicious. Every addition here works its magic on the taste, texture, and glossy look that truly makes these meatballs stand out.
- Ground turkey: The star protein—lean yet juicy, it’s the perfect blank canvas for bold flavors.
- Breadcrumbs: Binding everything together while keeping the meatballs moist and tender.
- Egg: Acts as glue to hold all the ingredients in perfect bite-sized spheres.
- Green onions: Bring a fresh, slightly sharp crunch and a pop of color.
- Garlic: Adds deep, savory notes that linger beautifully in every bite.
- Fresh ginger: Don’t skip this—its zing is the secret to lifting the flavor profile.
- Soy sauce: The liquid umami that seasons and enriches both the meatballs and the glaze.
- Sesame oil: Incredibly aromatic, with a toasty, nutty essence that screams “Asian-inspired.”
- Salt: Seasons the meatballs so they’re anything but bland.
- Black pepper: A subtle hint of heat to balance the sweeter glaze.
- Vegetable oil (for cooking): Helps the meatballs brown and crisp beautifully in the oven.
- Hoisin sauce (for the glaze): Sweet and savory, it’s crucial for that glossy, sticky finish.
- Honey (for the glaze): Adds floral sweetness and makes that glaze irresistible.
- Rice vinegar (for the glaze): A splash of brightness to balance all the sweet and salty notes.
- Cornstarch slurry (for the glaze): Thickens the glaze just enough to coat every meatball perfectly.
How to Make Asian Glazed Turkey Meatballs
Step 1: Mix the Meatball Ingredients
Grab a large mixing bowl and toss in your ground turkey, breadcrumbs, egg, green onions, garlic, ginger, soy sauce, sesame oil, salt, and black pepper. Using clean hands or a fork, gently mix just until everything looks evenly combined. Be careful not to overwork it—a light touch keeps the meatballs juicy and tender!
Step 2: Shape the Meatballs
With damp hands, scoop out about a tablespoon of the mixture at a time and roll it between your palms to form neat, 1-inch balls. Arrange them on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper, leaving a bit of space for even browning. You should have around 20 meatballs, ready for their golden transformation.
Step 3: Bake to Perfection
Preheat your oven to 400°F, then slide in your tray of meatballs. Let them bake for 18 to 20 minutes, or until they’re cooked through and just turning golden. The aroma alone is enough to get your appetite going!
Step 4: Make the Asian Glaze
While the meatballs are baking, move over to the stove. In a small saucepan, whisk together the remaining soy sauce, hoisin sauce, honey, rice vinegar, and a touch of sesame oil. Set over medium heat and bring to a gentle simmer, then stir in the cornstarch slurry. Watch as the sauce thickens and becomes glossy—this is what gives Asian Glazed Turkey Meatballs their signature shine!
Step 5: Toss and Serve
Once the meatballs are out of the oven, add them to a large bowl and pour that gorgeous glaze all over. Gently toss to coat each meatball generously. Serve immediately while warm, ideally with a sprinkle of fresh green onions and sesame seeds if you love a little extra flair.
How to Serve Asian Glazed Turkey Meatballs
Garnishes
Nothing takes these Asian Glazed Turkey Meatballs over the top quite like a finishing touch of thinly sliced green onions and a scatter of toasted sesame seeds. They add a burst of freshness and a nutty crunch that makes every bite feel special. If you love heat, a tiny drizzle of sriracha or some red chili flakes works wonders, too!
Side Dishes
These meatballs are super adaptable—set them on a fluffy bed of steamed jasmine rice or nutty brown rice for a true comfort bowl. Want a low-carb option? Pile them high in crisp lettuce cups or serve alongside quick-sautéed veggies like snap peas, bok choy, or shredded carrots for vibrant color and crunch.
Creative Ways to Present
Take your Asian Glazed Turkey Meatballs to the next level as party bites by arranging them on skewers or plating them with fancy toothpicks for easy grabbing. If you’re feeling extra festive, assemble them into lettuce wrap “tacos” with pickled veggies, or thread them with cucumber slices and serve as a playful, crowd-pleasing platter.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Leftover Asian Glazed Turkey Meatballs store beautifully! Transfer them to an airtight container, making sure they’re cooled completely first, then refrigerate for up to 3 days. The glaze will keep the meatballs moist and full of flavor, so they taste just as delicious the next day.
Freezing
If you want to make a batch ahead of time, these meatballs are perfect for freezing. Let the glazed meatballs cool, then arrange them in a single layer on a baking sheet to freeze until solid. Once frozen, store them in a zip-top freezer bag for up to 2 months. You can freeze just the baked meatballs, too, and glaze them fresh when you’re ready to eat.
Reheating
Reheating Asian Glazed Turkey Meatballs is a breeze. Place them in a covered skillet with a splash of water and warm over medium heat until heated through—this keeps them tender and prevents drying out. They’re also microwave-friendly; just use a microwave-safe dish, cover loosely, and heat in bursts until hot.
FAQs
Can I use ground chicken instead of turkey?
Absolutely! Ground chicken will make a slightly lighter, milder meatball, but it pairs beautifully with the glaze. Just be sure to use ground chicken with some fat for the juiciest result.
Are Asian Glazed Turkey Meatballs gluten free?
With some simple swaps, they sure can be! Use gluten-free breadcrumbs and replace regular soy sauce with gluten-free tamari. Always double-check your hoisin sauce and other condiments for hidden gluten, too.
Can I pan-fry instead of bake the meatballs?
You sure can, especially if you want extra browning. Heat some oil in a large nonstick skillet over medium heat and cook the meatballs in batches, turning to brown all sides, until cooked through. Just be careful—they’re tender and may need gentle handling!
What should I do if my mixture is too wet or too dry?
If the mixture feels too sticky or loose, add a bit more breadcrumbs, a tablespoon at a time, until you can form balls easily. If it seems dry and crumbly, try mixing in a tablespoon of milk or water so the meatballs hold together.
Can I make the glaze ahead of time?
Definitely! Prepare the glaze up to three days in advance, then reheat gently on the stove or in the microwave before tossing with freshly baked or reheated Asian Glazed Turkey Meatballs. It saves loads of time for busy nights or parties.
Final Thoughts
Some dishes have a way of turning first-timers into lifelong fans, and that’s exactly how Asian Glazed Turkey Meatballs win hearts at every table. If you’re craving something that’s easy, exciting, and totally family-friendly, give these a try—you might just find them landing in your weekly dinner rotation!
Print
Asian Glazed Turkey Meatballs Recipe
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Total Time: 35 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Asian
- Diet: Non-Vegetarian
Description
These Asian Glazed Turkey Meatballs are a flavorful twist on a classic dish. Tender turkey meatballs are baked to perfection and then coated in a sticky, sweet, and savory glaze that will have you coming back for more. Perfect for a quick weeknight dinner or as a party appetizer.
Ingredients
For the Meatballs:
- 1 pound ground turkey
- ½ cup breadcrumbs
- 1 egg
- 2 green onions, finely chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tablespoon grated fresh ginger
- 2 tablespoons soy sauce
- 1 tablespoon sesame oil
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
- 1 tablespoon vegetable oil (for cooking)
For the Glaze:
- ¼ cup soy sauce
- 2 tablespoons hoisin sauce
- 2 tablespoons honey
- 1 tablespoon rice vinegar
- 1 teaspoon sesame oil
- 1 teaspoon cornstarch mixed with 1 tablespoon water
Instructions
- Preheat and Prepare Meatballs: Preheat the oven to 400°F. In a large bowl, combine ground turkey, breadcrumbs, egg, green onions, garlic, ginger, soy sauce, sesame oil, salt, and pepper. Form into 1-inch meatballs and bake for 18–20 minutes.
- Make the Glaze: In a small saucepan, whisk together soy sauce, hoisin sauce, honey, rice vinegar, and sesame oil. Thicken with cornstarch slurry.
- Glaze Meatballs: Toss baked meatballs in the glaze until coated. Serve warm, garnished with green onions and sesame seeds.
Notes
- Serve over rice, in lettuce wraps, or as party appetizers.
- For a gluten-free option, use tamari and gluten-free breadcrumbs.
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