Description
These Simple Homemade Teriyaki Meatballs are an easy and delicious dish perfect for a quick dinner. Made with lean ground chicken or turkey, flavored with fresh ginger, garlic, and green onions, and coated in a sweet and savory teriyaki sauce, these meatballs are baked to perfection and garnished with sesame seeds for a delightful finish.
Ingredients
Scale
Meatballs
- 1 pound Ground Chicken or Turkey (Lean meat provides a healthy alternative to traditional beef.)
- 0.5 cup Breadcrumbs (Helps bind the meatballs together.)
- 1 large Egg (Acts as a binding agent.)
- 0.25 cup Chopped Green Onions (Adds fresh flavor and color.)
- 2 cloves Garlic (Minced for aromatic flavor.)
- 1 tablespoon Freshly Grated Ginger (Adds a zesty kick.)
Teriyaki Sauce
- 0.25 cup Soy Sauce (Essential for teriyaki flavor.)
- 2 tablespoons Honey (Provides natural sweetness.)
- 1 tablespoon Rice Vinegar (Adds acidity to the sauce.)
- 1 teaspoon Sesame Oil (Adds a nutty aroma.)
Garnish
- Sesame Seeds (To taste, for garnish.)
- Chopped Green Onions (For garnish.)
Instructions
- Preheat the oven: Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C) to prepare for baking the meatballs.
- Mix meatball ingredients: In a large mixing bowl, combine the ground chicken or turkey, breadcrumbs, and egg, mixing gently to avoid overworking the meat.
- Add flavorings: Incorporate the chopped green onions, minced garlic, and freshly grated ginger into the meat mixture, blending well.
- Season the mixture: Add soy sauce, honey, rice vinegar, and sesame oil to the meat mixture, mixing until fully combined for balanced flavor.
- Form meatballs: Shape the mixture into meatballs approximately 1 to 1.5 inches in diameter and place them spaced evenly on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper.
- Bake the meatballs: Bake in the preheated oven for about 20 minutes or until the meatballs are cooked through and have a golden exterior.
- Prepare teriyaki sauce: While the meatballs bake, combine additional soy sauce, honey, rice vinegar, and sesame oil in a saucepan over medium heat.
- Simmer sauce: Let the sauce simmer for 5-7 minutes until it thickens slightly, intensifying the flavors.
- Toss meatballs in sauce: Remove the baked meatballs from the oven and transfer them into the saucepan with the prepared teriyaki sauce.
- Simmer together: Simmer the meatballs in the sauce for an additional 2-3 minutes to allow the flavors to meld.
- Cool slightly: Remove the meatballs from heat and let them cool for a few minutes before serving.
- Garnish and serve: Serve meatballs garnished with toasted sesame seeds and additional chopped green onions for a fresh finish.
Notes
- You can substitute ground chicken or turkey with lean ground beef or pork if preferred.
- Use gluten-free breadcrumbs to make this recipe gluten-free.
- Adjust honey to taste to alter the sweetness of the teriyaki sauce.
- For extra crispiness, broil the meatballs for 2-3 minutes at the end of baking.
- These meatballs are delicious served over steamed rice or with stir-fried vegetables.
