If you’re searching for a comforting yet exciting recipe to impress your loved ones, this Honey Garlic Turkey Meatballs Recipe is an absolute winner. Juicy, tender turkey meatballs coated in a luscious, sticky honey garlic glaze bring together sweet, savory, and umami flavors in a dish that’s perfect for dinner or a party appetizer. With its simple ingredients and straightforward steps, this recipe proves that easy can also mean deliciously satisfying. It’s a wonderful way to enjoy a healthier twist on classic meatballs without compromising an ounce of flavor.
Ingredients You’ll Need
Ingredients You’ll Need
These ingredients are straightforward and easy to find, yet each plays a crucial role in making these meatballs burst with flavor and hold their tender texture. From the lean ground turkey to the sticky honey sauce, every element is essential for achieving the perfect balance.
- 1 pound ground turkey: The base of the meatballs, providing lean protein and mild flavor.
- 1/2 cup breadcrumbs: Helps bind the meatballs and gives them a light, tender texture.
- 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese: Adds a subtle nutty flavor and richness.
- 1 large egg: Acts as a binder to keep everything together.
- 2 cloves garlic, minced: Imparts a fragrant punch right in the meat mixture.
- 2 green onions, finely chopped: Adds freshness and a mild zing.
- 1 teaspoon soy sauce: Brings umami depth into the meatballs.
- 1/2 teaspoon salt: Enhances all the flavors without overpowering.
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper: Adds just a whisper of heat.
- 1/2 cup honey: The star of the sauce, providing sweetness and a signature sticky glaze.
- 1/4 cup low-sodium soy sauce: Balances the honey with savory richness.
- 3 cloves garlic, minced: For the sauce, doubling down on garlic goodness.
- 2 tablespoons rice vinegar: Adds tang to cut through the sweetness.
- 1 tablespoon cornstarch mixed with 2 tablespoons water: Thickens the sauce perfectly.
- 1 tablespoon sesame seeds: Adds a delightful crunch and nutty flavor as garnish.
- 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped: Brightens the dish with vibrant color and fresh herb notes.
How to Make Honey Garlic Turkey Meatballs Recipe
Step 1: Prepare the Oven and Meat Mixture
Start by preheating your oven to 400°F (200°C) and lining a baking sheet with parchment paper to prevent sticking. In a large bowl, combine the ground turkey, breadcrumbs, Parmesan cheese, egg, minced garlic, chopped green onions, soy sauce, salt, and black pepper. Mix gently until everything is just combined — avoid overmixing so the meatballs stay tender.
Step 2: Shape and Bake the Meatballs
Using your hands, form the mixture into uniform 1-inch meatballs and place them evenly spaced on the prepared baking sheet. This size ensures they cook through quickly without drying out. Bake in the preheated oven for 18–20 minutes until the meatballs are golden brown and cooked through.
Step 3: Make the Honey Garlic Sauce
While the meatballs bake, pour the honey, low-sodium soy sauce, minced garlic, and rice vinegar into a small saucepan over medium heat. Bring the mixture to a gentle simmer. Then stir in the cornstarch slurry and cook for about 2 minutes, until the sauce thickens to a sticky consistency perfectly suited for coating the meatballs.
Step 4: Toss Meatballs in the Sauce
Once the meatballs are done baking, transfer them to a large bowl and pour the warm honey garlic sauce over them. Toss gently but thoroughly so each meatball is beautifully coated with the luscious glaze.
Step 5: Garnish and Serve
Sprinkle the meatballs with sesame seeds and freshly chopped parsley just before serving to add a pop of color and a hint of crunch that complements every bite.
How to Serve Honey Garlic Turkey Meatballs Recipe
Garnishes
A sprinkle of toasted sesame seeds and fresh parsley elevates the appearance and adds texture and freshness. Feel free to add thinly sliced green onions or a dash of chili flakes if you want to introduce a little spice.
Side Dishes
This dish pairs wonderfully with steamed jasmine rice, garlic butter noodles, or even a crisp Asian-style slaw. These sides help soak up any extra sauce while balancing the rich sweetness of the meatballs.
Creative Ways to Present
For a party, serve these meatballs on skewers drizzled with extra sauce for easy eating. Alternatively, pile them onto slider buns with a little crunchy slaw for irresistible mini sandwiches that everyone will love.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Store any leftover meatballs in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. The sauce helps keep them moist and flavorful even after chilling.
Freezing
You can freeze the cooked, sauced meatballs for up to 2 months. Arrange them in a single layer on a tray to freeze individually first, then transfer to a freezer bag to avoid clumping.
Reheating
Reheat gently in a skillet over medium-low heat or microwave covered until warmed through. Adding a splash of water or extra sauce can help restore the perfect saucy texture.
FAQs
Can I use ground chicken instead of turkey?
Absolutely! Ground chicken will work just as well, though turkey tends to have a slightly richer flavor which complements the honey garlic sauce beautifully.
Is this recipe dairy-free?
If you omit or substitute the Parmesan cheese with a dairy-free alternative, this recipe can easily be made dairy-free without losing any of its incredible flavor.
Can I make the meatballs gluten-free?
Yes! Simply replace the regular breadcrumbs with gluten-free breadcrumbs or crushed gluten-free crackers.
How spicy is the Honey Garlic Turkey Meatballs Recipe?
This dish is mild by default, but if you enjoy a little heat, adding sriracha or red pepper flakes to the sauce is a fantastic way to spice things up.
What’s the best way to prevent meatballs from drying out?
Mixing the ingredients gently, using a binder like egg and breadcrumbs, and baking at the right temperature ensures they stay juicy. Coating them in sauce right after baking also locks in moisture.
Final Thoughts
Whether you’re making a family dinner or looking for a crowd-pleasing appetizer, this Honey Garlic Turkey Meatballs Recipe is sure to become one of your favorites. Its balance of sweet and savory, combined with simple ingredients and quick preparation, makes it a reliable go-to meal that everyone will rave about. Give it a try and discover just how delicious and comforting healthy home cooking can be.
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Honey Garlic Turkey Meatballs Recipe
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Total Time: 35 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings
- Category: Main Course, Appetizer
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Asian-Inspired
- Diet: Dairy-Free
Description
These Honey Garlic Turkey Meatballs offer a deliciously sweet and savory flavor combination, baked to perfection and coated in a sticky honey garlic sauce. Perfect as a main course or appetizer, they are easy to prepare and great served over rice, noodles, or on their own.
Ingredients
Meatballs
- 1 pound ground turkey
- 1/2 cup breadcrumbs
- 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 large egg
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 green onions, finely chopped
- 1 teaspoon soy sauce
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
Sauce
- 1/2 cup honey
- 1/4 cup low-sodium soy sauce
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 tablespoons rice vinegar
- 1 tablespoon cornstarch mixed with 2 tablespoons water
- 1 tablespoon sesame seeds
- 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped
Instructions
- Preheat Oven and Prepare Baking Sheet: Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper to prevent sticking and make cleanup easier.
- Mix Meatball Ingredients: In a large bowl, combine the ground turkey, breadcrumbs, Parmesan cheese, egg, minced garlic, chopped green onions, soy sauce, salt, and black pepper. Mix everything gently until just combined to keep the meatballs tender.
- Form Meatballs: Shape the mixture into 1-inch meatballs and place them evenly spaced on the prepared baking sheet, ensuring they don’t touch each other.
- Bake Meatballs: Bake the meatballs in the preheated oven for 18–20 minutes, or until they are cooked through and golden brown on the outside.
- Prepare Honey Garlic Sauce: While the meatballs bake, combine honey, low-sodium soy sauce, minced garlic, and rice vinegar in a saucepan over medium heat. Bring the mixture to a gentle simmer.
- Thicken Sauce: Stir in the cornstarch slurry (cornstarch mixed with water) and continue to cook for about 2 minutes until the sauce has thickened to a glossy consistency.
- Toss Meatballs with Sauce: Remove the meatballs from the oven and gently toss them in the prepared honey garlic sauce until they are fully coated.
- Garnish and Serve: Sprinkle sesame seeds and chopped fresh parsley over the coated meatballs before serving to add a nutty crunch and fresh flavor.
Notes
- These meatballs are great served over rice, noodles, or as an appetizer.
- For a spicier kick, add a teaspoon of sriracha or red pepper flakes to the sauce.
- To make this dairy-free, simply omit the Parmesan cheese or substitute it with a dairy-free alternative.
- Use low-sodium soy sauce to control the salt content and balance flavors better.
- Make sure not to overmix the meat mixture to keep the meatballs tender and moist.
