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Asian Glazed Turkey Meatballs Recipe

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If you’re craving a deliciously different twist on your usual meatball dinner, I’ve got just the thing for you. This Asian Glazed Turkey Meatballs Recipe is an easy, mouthwatering way to impress your family or friends with bold flavors and a healthy spin. The glaze is irresistibly sticky and savory, perfectly complementing lean turkey meatballs that stay juicy and tender. Trust me, once you try this, it’ll become one of your go-to recipes for a quick weeknight dinner or party appetizer.

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Why You’ll Love This Recipe

  • Lean and Healthy: Made with ground turkey breast, these meatballs are lighter but still juicy and flavorful.
  • Bold, Balanced Flavors: The hoisin and soy glaze adds sweet, tangy, and umami notes that make every bite pop.
  • Super Easy to Make: Minimal prep and no-fuss baking means you can have this on the table fast—even on busy nights.
  • Family Favorite: My crew always asks for seconds, and I bet yours will too once they try it.
A white bowl contains three sections of food: on the left, a group of long, green roasted green beans with a slightly wrinkled texture; next to them at the bottom, a serving of light brown cooked rice with a soft, grainy look; on the right side, three round golden-brown meatballs covered with a shiny dark brown glaze, sprinkled with white sesame seeds and small green onion pieces on top. Behind this bowl, there is another white bowl filled with similar glazed meatballs, slightly blurred. Both bowls rest on a wooden surface with a white marbled texture background. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7 - Asian Glazed Turkey Meatballs, healthy turkey meatballs with Asian glaze, simple Asian meatball recipe, quick weeknight dinner ideas, savory turkey meatballs this …

Ingredients You’ll Need

Choosing the right ingredients is key for this Asian Glazed Turkey Meatballs Recipe. You’ll want fresh aromatics like garlic and scallions to brighten things up and good quality hoisin and soy sauce for that rich glaze. The turkey keeps it lean but tender thanks to the eggs and panko binding everything perfectly.

Flat lay of fresh ground turkey breast in a neat mound, whole eggs with smooth cream-colored shells, unseasoned golden panko breadcrumbs scattered loosely, plump garlic bulbs and individual peeled cloves showing their white papery texture, vibrant green scallions with leafy tops and white bulbs, fresh ginger root with its knobby light brown skin, glossy dark brown hoisin sauce in a small spill, rich amber rice wine vinegar in a clear small puddle, and tiny white sesame seeds sprinkled naturally nearby, all arranged with balance and harmony, placed on white marbled surface, photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7 - Asian Glazed Turkey Meatballs, healthy turkey meatballs with Asian glaze, simple Asian meatball recipe, quick weeknight dinner ideas, savory turkey meatballs
  • Ground Turkey Breast: Look for lean turkey breast to keep it healthy but moist.
  • Eggs: These help bind the meatballs without making them heavy.
  • Panko Breadcrumbs: Plain, unseasoned ones create a great texture inside the meatballs.
  • Garlic: Use fresh cloves for maximum flavor both in the meatballs and glaze.
  • Scallions: Adds a fresh, mild onion taste—plus a nice pop of green color!
  • Ground Ginger: Warm and fragrant, it gives the meatballs an authentic Asian flair.
  • Kosher Salt & Fresh Pepper: Essential for seasoning and balancing flavors.
  • Hoisin Sauce: This sticky, sweet sauce is front and center in the glaze.
  • Reduced Sodium Soy Sauce: Provides the salty umami base without overpowering the dish.
  • Rice Wine Vinegar: A little acidity to brighten up the glaze.
  • Corn Starch: Helps thicken the glaze to a perfect sticky consistency.
  • Water: Used to balance the glaze and cook the cornstarch smoothly.
  • Sesame Seeds: Toasted on top for crunch and a nutty aroma.
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Note: You’ll find the complete list of ingredients, along with their exact measurements, in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.

Variations

I love to mix things up with this Asian Glazed Turkey Meatballs Recipe depending on what’s in my fridge or my mood. Feel free to personalize this with your favorite add-ins or make it suit your dietary needs.

  • Spicy Kick: My family goes crazy when I add a few dashes of Sriracha to the glaze for some heat.
  • Veggie Boost: Finely grated carrot or zucchini mixed into the meatball mix is a sneaky way to add nutrition and moisture.
  • Gluten-Free: Swap panko breadcrumbs for gluten-free alternatives or ground oats.
  • Different Protein: I’ve also tried ground chicken or pork with good results—just adjust seasoning slightly.

How to Make Asian Glazed Turkey Meatballs Recipe

Step 1: Prep Your Meatball Mixture

Start by preheating your oven to 375°F. While it warms up, mince the garlic cloves and finely chop the scallions. In a large bowl, combine the ground turkey, eggs, panko breadcrumbs, garlic, scallions, ground ginger, kosher salt, and freshly cracked pepper. Mix everything gently—not too roughly—to keep your meatballs tender instead of dense.

Step 2: Shape and Bake Your Meatballs

I discovered that using a mini muffin tin (sprayed liberally with cooking spray) makes forming and baking these meatballs so much easier—each one cooks evenly and holds its shape beautifully. Use a small scooper to portion about 1.5-ounce meatballs and place one in each muffin cup. If you don’t have a mini muffin tin, laying them out on a baking sheet works just fine. Bake for 15 minutes, then check for doneness—the meatballs should be firm and just starting to brown.

Step 3: Make the Glaze

While the meatballs bake, mince the garlic for the glaze. Combine the hoisin sauce, reduced sodium soy sauce, rice wine vinegar, corn starch, water, garlic, and fresh or paste ginger in a saucepan. Whisk it together over medium heat, stirring frequently to keep the cornstarch from clumping. After about 10 minutes, you’ll see it thicken to a beautiful, shiny glaze. This step always excites me because that glossy sauce smells amazing!

Step 4: Coat and Finish

Once the meatballs are baked, carefully transfer them into the glaze. Toss or spoon the sauce over the meatballs, cooking together for another minute or two so all those flavors meld. Finally, sprinkle with toasted sesame seeds and extra chopped scallions before serving. I love this step because the garnishes add a fresh crunch and beautiful color contrast.

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Pro Tips for Making Asian Glazed Turkey Meatballs Recipe

  • Don’t Overmix: I learned that mixing the meat gently keeps the texture light and prevents tough meatballs.
  • Use a Mini Muffin Tin: Baking meatballs in a well-greased mini muffin tin keeps them perfectly round and evenly cooked every time.
  • Slowly Thicken the Glaze: Stir often and keep your heat moderate so the cornstarch activates without clumping or burning.
  • Don’t Skip Garnishes: Fresh scallions and sesame seeds turn a great meal into a stunning one with very little extra effort.

How to Serve Asian Glazed Turkey Meatballs Recipe

Asian Glazed Turkey Meatballs Recipe - Serving

Garnishes

I always keep sliced scallions and toasted sesame seeds on hand when I make this recipe—they add that essential freshness and a little crunch that I just can’t resist. Sometimes I even sprinkle a few crushed peanuts for extra texture and a touch of nuttiness.

Side Dishes

Personally, I love serving these meatballs over steamed jasmine rice or fluffy cauliflower rice if I’m feeling low-carb. They also pair beautifully with a simple side of stir-fried veggies or a crisp Asian slaw to add a bit of contrast.

Creative Ways to Present

When I’ve had guests over, I like putting these meatballs on skewers as finger food—perfect for parties! You can also serve them atop little lettuce cups for a fun, fresh appetizer or snack that everyone loves.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

I usually let the meatballs cool to room temperature, then store them in an airtight container in the fridge. They keep beautifully for up to 4 days, making them perfect for easy lunches or quick dinners during the week.

Freezing

I’ve frozen these meatballs both baked and raw. To freeze after cooking, just cool completely and freeze in a single layer on a baking sheet before transferring to a freezer bag. They reheat wonderfully and keep in the freezer for about 3 months.

Reheating

For leftovers, I like to reheat the meatballs in a skillet over low heat with a splash of water or extra glaze to keep them moist. You can also pop them in the oven at 350°F for about 10 minutes. Microwave works in a pinch, but the skillet method keeps them tastier.

FAQs

  1. Can I use ground chicken instead of turkey for this recipe?

    Absolutely! Ground chicken works just as well and will give you a similar lean protein option. Just be mindful of moisture levels—chicken can be a bit drier, so you might want to add an extra egg or a touch more panko if the mixture feels too wet or loose.

  2. How do I prevent the meatballs from drying out?

    Great question! Using ground turkey breast can sometimes dry out if overcooked, so be sure not to overmix the meat mixture, use panko for moisture retention, and avoid baking too long. Cooking them just until firm but still juicy (about 15 minutes) and then coating in the flavorful glaze really locks in moisture.

  3. Can I make the glaze ahead of time?

    Yes, you can make the glaze a day in advance and store it in the fridge. Just reheat it gently on the stove before tossing the meatballs in it. If it thickens too much in the fridge, add a splash of water to loosen it up while reheating.

  4. What can I serve with Asian Glazed Turkey Meatballs for a complete meal?

    Serving these meatballs with steamed jasmine rice, sautéed greens like bok choy, or a crisp cucumber salad makes for a balanced and satisfying meal. You can also add some pickled veggies to cut through the richness of the glaze.

Final Thoughts

This Asian Glazed Turkey Meatballs Recipe has seriously earned a spot on my regular dinner rotation. I love how the glaze is so flavorful yet simple and how the turkey stays moist and tender without extra fuss. If you want a dish that’s impressive but doesn’t take all day, this one’s your winner. I’m confident you’ll find yourself making it again and again—so grab those ingredients and let’s get cooking!

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Asian Glazed Turkey Meatballs Recipe

4.4 from 132 reviews
  • Author: Mia
  • Prep Time: 10 minutes
  • Cook Time: 20 minutes
  • Total Time: 30 minutes
  • Yield: 24 meatballs
  • Category: Appetizer
  • Method: Baking
  • Cuisine: Asian
  • Diet: Low Fat
Print Recipe

Description

These Asian Glazed Turkey Meatballs are a flavorful and healthy twist on a classic favorite, combining lean ground turkey with aromatic garlic, fresh scallions, and a savory-sweet hoisin glaze. Perfect as an appetizer, party snack, or main dish, these meatballs are baked to perfection and coated in a sticky, tangy sauce that packs a punch of umami and freshness.

Ingredients

Meatballs

  • 2 lbs ground turkey breast
  • 2 eggs
  • 1 cup panko breadcrumbs, plain, unseasoned
  • 4 cloves garlic, minced
  • 2 scallions, chopped
  • 1/4 tsp ground ginger
  • 1 tsp kosher salt
  • Fresh cracked pepper, to taste

Glaze

  • 1/2 cup Hoisin sauce
  • 1/4 cup reduced sodium soy sauce
  • 1/4 cup rice wine vinegar
  • 1 tbsp corn starch
  • 3/4 cup water
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 tsp fresh ginger or ginger paste
  • Sesame seeds for garnish
  • Additional scallions, chopped, for garnish

Instructions

  1. Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) to prepare for baking the meatballs.
  2. Prepare Meatball Mixture: Mince the garlic and chop the scallions finely. In a large mixing bowl, combine 2 lbs ground turkey breast, 2 eggs, 1 cup plain panko breadcrumbs, minced garlic, chopped scallions, 1/4 tsp ground ginger, 1 tsp kosher salt, and freshly cracked pepper. Mix thoroughly until all ingredients are evenly incorporated.
  3. Form Meatballs: Using a small scooper or spoon, form the mixture into 24 equal-sized meatballs, each about 1.5 ounces.
  4. Arrange Meatballs: Spray a mini muffin tin liberally with cooking spray to prevent sticking. Place one meatball in each muffin cup. If you don’t have a mini muffin tin, arrange the meatballs evenly spaced on a baking sheet.
  5. Bake Meatballs: Place the muffin tin or baking sheet in the preheated oven and bake for 15 minutes until the meatballs are cooked through and lightly browned.
  6. Prepare Glaze: While the meatballs bake, mince the remaining 2 cloves of garlic. In a saucepan, combine 1/2 cup hoisin sauce, 1/4 cup reduced sodium soy sauce, 1/4 cup rice wine vinegar, 1 tbsp corn starch, 3/4 cup water, minced garlic, and 1 tsp fresh or paste ginger. Whisk well to combine.
  7. Cook Glaze: Heat the glaze mixture over medium heat, stirring frequently to prevent lumps and sticking. Cook for about 10 minutes, or until the sauce thickens to a glossy consistency.
  8. Coat Meatballs: Add the baked meatballs to the thickened glaze in the saucepan. Stir gently and cook together for 1-2 minutes to allow the meatballs to absorb the flavors.
  9. Garnish and Serve: Transfer the glazed meatballs to a serving platter. Sprinkle with sesame seeds and additional chopped scallions for a beautiful finish and added crunch.

Notes

  • If you don’t have a mini muffin tin, a regular baking sheet works perfectly well for cooking the meatballs.
  • For best results, use fresh ginger instead of paste to enhance the glaze’s flavor.
  • These meatballs can be prepared ahead of time and reheated in the glaze before serving.
  • For a gluten-free version, substitute the panko breadcrumbs with gluten-free breadcrumbs and ensure the soy sauce is gluten-free.
  • Serve with steamed rice or noodles for a complete meal.

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 1 meatball
  • Calories: 85
  • Sugar: 2 g
  • Sodium: 220 mg
  • Fat: 3 g
  • Saturated Fat: 0.7 g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 1.8 g
  • Trans Fat: 0 g
  • Carbohydrates: 6 g
  • Fiber: 0.5 g
  • Protein: 9 g
  • Cholesterol: 40 mg
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Hey there, I’m Mia Miller, the foodie behind MealsByMia.com! I’m on a mission to make cooking COOOL and GOOOOD for everyone, sharing easy, fun, and totally scrumptious recipes, so grab your apron and let’s get cooking!

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