Description
These easy honey garlic turkey meatballs are tender, flavorful, and coated in a delicious sweet and savory sauce. Made with lean ground turkey and simple pantry ingredients, they’re perfect for a quick weeknight dinner or appetizer. The meatballs can be cooked on the stovetop or baked, then tossed in a rich honey garlic sauce flavored with soy, garlic, and sesame oil.
Ingredients
Scale
Meatballs
- 1 lb ground turkey (93% lean works best)
- 1/2 cup breadcrumbs (or almond flour for gluten-free)
- 1 egg
- 2 garlic cloves, minced
- 1 tablespoon soy sauce
- 1 green onion, finely chopped
- Salt and pepper to taste
Honey Garlic Sauce
- 1/4 cup honey
- 1/4 cup soy sauce (low sodium recommended)
- 2 garlic cloves, minced
- 1 teaspoon sesame oil
- 1 teaspoon cornstarch mixed with 1 tablespoon water (optional for thickening)
- Red pepper flakes (optional for heat)
Garnish (Optional)
- Sliced green onions
- Sesame seeds
Instructions
- Mix the Meatball Ingredients: In a large bowl, combine the ground turkey, breadcrumbs, egg, minced garlic, green onion, soy sauce, salt, and pepper. Mix gently until just combined, being careful not to overwork the mixture to avoid tough meatballs.
- Form the Meatballs: Use a small scoop or your hands to roll the mixture into 1 to 1.5-inch meatballs. Slightly wetting your hands can prevent sticking during shaping.
- Cook the Meatballs: Heat a little oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the meatballs in a single layer and cook, turning occasionally, until browned on all sides and cooked through, reaching an internal temperature of 165°F; this takes about 8-10 minutes. Alternatively, you can bake the meatballs at 400°F for 15-18 minutes.
- Make the Honey Garlic Sauce: While the meatballs are cooking, whisk together honey, soy sauce, minced garlic, and sesame oil in a small saucepan over medium heat. If you prefer a thicker sauce, stir in the cornstarch slurry and simmer for a few minutes until the sauce thickens. Add red pepper flakes if desired for a bit of heat.
- Combine: Add the cooked meatballs to the sauce pan and toss gently to coat all the meatballs with the sauce. Let them simmer together for a couple of minutes to absorb the flavors.
- Garnish: Serve the meatballs topped with sliced green onions and sesame seeds if you like, adding a bit of crunch and extra flavor.
Notes
- For a gluten-free version, substitute breadcrumbs with almond flour.
- Ensure not to overmix the meatball mixture to keep them tender.
- You can bake the meatballs instead of pan-frying for a hands-off cooking method.
- Adjust the sweetness and saltiness of the sauce by modifying the honey and soy sauce amounts to your preference.
- Red pepper flakes are optional but add a nice kick if you enjoy spice.
- Use low-sodium soy sauce to control the salt content.
- Check meatballs’ internal temperature with a meat thermometer to ensure safety.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Main Dish
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
Keywords: honey garlic turkey meatballs, easy turkey meatballs, healthy meatballs, weeknight dinner, low fat recipes
