Juicy Honey Garlic Turkey Meatballs Recipe: A Family Favorite

Meatballs simmered in honey garlic sauce strike the perfect balance between sweet and savory.

These delectable honey garlic turkey meatballs pack serious flavor into every single bite.

Home cooks searching for an easy weeknight dinner will adore this simple recipe.

Each tender meatball bursts with rich, golden-brown goodness that promises to satisfy hungry appetites.

The combination of lean ground turkey and aromatic seasonings creates a protein-packed meal everyone will love.

Serve these meatballs over rice or alongside roasted vegetables for a complete and satisfying dinner.

Prepare to transform your meal routine with this irresistible recipe that delivers maximum taste with minimal effort.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 10 minutes

Cook Time: 20 minutes

Total Time: 30 minutes

Calories: 367 kcal

Servings: 4

Ingredients to Make Honey Garlic Turkey Meatballs

• Ground Turkey: Lean protein that creates tender, juicy meatballs with mild flavor.
• Breadcrumbs: Helps bind ingredients and provides light, airy texture to meatballs.
• Egg: Acts as a crucial binding agent to hold meatball mixture together.
• Green Onions: Adds fresh, subtle onion flavor and vibrant green color.
• Garlic: Provides deep, aromatic flavor that complements turkey perfectly.

• Salt, Black Pepper: Fundamental seasonings that enhance overall meat flavor.
• Onion Powder: Delivers concentrated onion essence without added moisture.
• Smoked Paprika: Introduces subtle smoky undertone and warm reddish color.
• Soy Sauce: Brings umami depth and helps tenderize the meat.

• Honey: Creates glossy, sweet coating with rich caramelization potential.
• Soy Sauce: Adds savory complexity and balances sweetness of honey.
• Garlic: Intense aromatic that builds robust sauce foundation.
• Ginger: Provides warm, slightly spicy background note.
• Rice Vinegar: Introduces subtle tangy brightness to sauce.
• Red Pepper Flakes: Optional heat element for those loving slight spiciness.
• Cornstarch: Helps thicken sauce to perfect glazing consistency.

• Green Onions: Fresh finishing touch with bright flavor.
• Sesame Seeds: Adds nutty crunch and visual appeal.

Kitchen Gear for Honey Garlic Turkey Meatball Prep

• Large mixing bowl: Perfect for combining ground turkey and spices smoothly.
• Measuring spoons and cups: Essential for accurate seasoning and ingredient proportions.
• Large skillet: Key for browning meatballs and creating the honey garlic sauce.
• Wooden spoon or spatula: Great for stirring and coating meatballs in sauce.
• Cutting board: Helpful for chopping green onions and preparing ingredients.
• Sharp knife: Needed for finely chopping garlic and green onions.

How to Cook Honey Garlic Turkey Meatballs to Perfection

• Create Flavor Blend

Combine ground turkey with aromatic ingredients using your hands, ensuring everything mixes thoroughly for maximum taste sensation.

• Shape Delightful Bites

Roll meat mixture into small, uniform spheres that promise juicy goodness in every single bite.

• Sizzle and Brown

Heat pan with olive oil and gently cook meatballs, turning carefully to develop a gorgeous golden exterior while keeping interiors tender.

• Craft Magical Sauce

Whisk together sweet and tangy liquid ingredients in the same pan, creating a glossy coating that will make taste buds dance.

• Thicken Sauce Magic

Simmer sauce briefly and introduce cornstarch mixture, watching it transform into a luscious glaze that clings perfectly to each meatball.

• Final Flavor Fusion

Tenderly return meatballs to sauce, rolling them gently to ensure complete and luxurious coating.

• Serve with Flair

Present meatballs over fluffy rice or tender noodles, garnishing with fresh green onions and nutty sesame seeds for a restaurant-worthy presentation.

Tips to Add Variety to Turkey Meatballs

• Low-Carb Friendly Swap: Replace breadcrumbs with almond flour or crushed pork rinds to make the meatballs lower in carbohydrates and suitable for keto dieters.
• Meal Prep Magic: These meatballs freeze beautifully for up to 3 months. Cool completely, store in airtight containers, and reheat gently in the skillet with extra sauce.
• Spice Level Control: Adjust red pepper flakes based on heat preference. Use just a pinch for mild flavor or increase for a spicier kick that adds exciting warmth to the dish.
• Protein Power Alternative: Swap ground turkey with ground chicken or lean ground beef for different flavor profiles while maintaining the recipe's healthy protein base.
• Gluten-Free Adaptation: Use gluten-free soy sauce or tamari and replace breadcrumbs with gluten-free panko or ground gluten-free crackers to make the recipe celiac-friendly.

Serving Suggestions for Honey Garlic Turkey Meatballs

• Delightful Dinner Plate Companions: Fluffy white rice creates the perfect base for catching that amazing honey garlic sauce.
• Asian-Inspired Side Kick: Steamed edamame or quick cucumber salad adds refreshing crunch and balances the rich meatball flavors.
• Zesty Green Topping: Sprinkle extra chopped green onions and toasted sesame seeds for a burst of color and nutty accent.
• Family-Style Feast: Serve in a large sharing platter with extra sauce on the side, allowing everyone to customize their plate and enjoy together.

How to Store and Reheat Honey Garlic Turkey Meatballs

• Quick Chilling Technique: Cool meatballs completely before refrigerating to maintain texture and prevent moisture buildup.
• Fridge Storage Strategy: Keep cooked meatballs in an airtight container for up to 4 days, ensuring they stay fresh and delicious.
• Freezer-Friendly Approach: Pack meatballs in sealed freezer bags, removing excess air, and store for up to 3 months without losing flavor or quality.
• Reheating Smart Method: Warm refrigerated or thawed meatballs gently in a skillet with a splash of sauce, or microwave in 30-second intervals, stirring between each to distribute heat evenly and prevent drying out.

Succulent Honey Garlic Turkey Meatballs Recipe

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4.7 from 31 reviews

• Total Time: 30 minutes
• Yield: 5 1x

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Description

Savory honey garlic turkey meatballs bring Mediterranean flavors to your dinner table. Succulent meatballs glazed with sweet and tangy sauce promise a delightful meal that satisfies hungry palates.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

• 1 lb (454 g) ground turkey
• ½ cup breadcrumbs
• 1 egg
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 2 tbsps green onions, chopped
• 1 tbsp soy sauce
• ½ tsp salt
• ¼ tsp black pepper
• ½ tsp onion powder
• ½ tsp smoked paprika
• 1 tbsp olive oil
• ⅓ cup honey
• ¼ cup low-sodium soy sauce
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 tsp fresh ginger, grated
• 1 tbsp rice vinegar
• ½ tsp red pepper flakes (optional)
• 1 tbsp cornstarch
• 2 tbsps water
• cooked rice or noodles
• sliced green onions
• sesame seeds

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Instructions

1. Mixing: Thoroughly blend ground turkey, breadcrumbs, egg, minced garlic, green onions, salt, black pepper, onion powder, smoked paprika, and soy sauce in a mixing bowl until ingredients are evenly distributed.
2. Shaping: Craft compact, uniform meatballs approximately 1-inch in diameter, handling the mixture gently to maintain a light texture.
3. Searing: Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat, strategically positioning meatballs to develop a golden-brown crust, rotating periodically to ensure even cooking for 6-8 minutes.
4. Sauce Creation: In the same skillet, combine honey, soy sauce, crushed garlic, grated ginger, vinegar, and red pepper flakes, allowing the ingredients to simmer and meld for 2 minutes.
5. Sauce Refinement: Introduce cornstarch slurry, stirring continuously to generate a smooth, glossy sauce with an ideal consistency, cooking for an additional 1-2 minutes.
6. Glazing: Reintroduce meatballs to the skillet, delicately coating each piece with the rich, aromatic sauce to maximize flavor absorption.
7. Serving: Present glazed meatballs atop steamed rice or noodles, elegantly garnishing with fresh green onion slices and a sprinkle of sesame seeds for enhanced visual and textural appeal.

Notes

• Prevent Dry Meatballs: Mix ingredients gently and avoid overworking the meat to maintain moisture and tenderness. Overmixing can make turkey meatballs tough and dense.
• Achieve Perfect Browning: Use medium heat and don’t overcrowd the skillet to ensure each meatball develops a crispy, golden-brown exterior without steaming.
• Balance Sauce Consistency: Whisk cornstarch slurry thoroughly to prevent lumps and create a smooth, glossy sauce that perfectly coats the meatballs without being too thick or thin.
• Customize Spice Levels: Adjust red pepper flakes based on personal heat preference – reduce for mild flavor or increase for a spicier kick that complements the sweet honey glaze.

• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 20 minutes
• Category: Dinner, Appetizer, Snacks
• Method: Sautéing
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 5
• Calories: 350
• Sugar: 14 g
• Sodium: 480 mg
• Fat: 12 g
• Saturated Fat: 2 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 8 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 38 g
• Fiber: 1 g
• Protein: 24 g
• Cholesterol: 80 mg