Honey Garlic Turkey Meatballs

$- 1 lb ground turkey - 1/4 cup breadcrumbs - 2 cloves garlic, minced - 1 egg, lightly beaten - 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped - Salt and pepper to taste The main ingredients form the heart of your meatballs. Ground turkey is lean and healthy. It keeps the meatballs moist, especially when mixed well. Breadcrumbs add a nice texture. They help hold the meatballs together. Garlic brings a punch of flavor. You can adjust the amount to suit your taste. The egg acts as a binder, making the meatballs firm. Parsley adds freshness and a pop of color. Don’t forget to season with salt and pepper! - 1/4 cup honey - 1/4 cup low-sodium soy sauce - 1 tablespoon rice vinegar - 1 teaspoon cornstarch (optional, for thickening) The sauce is what makes these meatballs shine. Honey gives a sweet flavor that balances the salt from soy sauce. Low-sodium soy sauce keeps it tasty without too much salt. Rice vinegar adds a little zing to the sauce. If you want a thicker sauce, mix cornstarch with water. It will help the sauce cling to the meatballs better. This combination of sweet and savory makes every bite delightful! {{ingredient_image_1}} 1. Preheat oven and prepare baking sheet: Start by setting your oven to 400°F (200°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper. This helps the meatballs not stick and makes cleanup easy. 2. Combine meatball ingredients: In a large bowl, mix together the ground turkey, breadcrumbs, grated Parmesan cheese, minced garlic, beaten egg, chopped parsley, salt, and pepper. Use your hands or a spoon to get everything blended well. The mixture should be moist but not too wet. 3. Forming meatballs and baking: Take the turkey mixture and roll it into 1-inch meatballs. Place them on the baking sheet, leaving some space between each one. Bake for 20-25 minutes. The meatballs should be golden brown and reach an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C). 4. Making the honey garlic sauce: While the meatballs bake, grab a small saucepan. Combine honey, soy sauce, and rice vinegar in it. Heat this over medium heat until it simmers. For a thicker sauce, mix cornstarch with a tablespoon of cold water. Add this to the sauce and stir until it thickens. Then, remove it from heat. 5. Coating meatballs with sauce: Once the meatballs are done, put them in a large bowl. Drizzle the honey garlic sauce over them. Toss gently to coat each meatball evenly with the sauce. 6. Serving suggestions: Serve these meatballs warm. For a nice touch, sprinkle sesame seeds and sliced green onions on top. They pair well with rice or noodles. Enjoy a flavorful meal that is easy to make! To keep your meatballs moist, use ground turkey with some fat. I like to mix in breadcrumbs and Parmesan cheese. These help with moisture too. You can bake or fry your meatballs. Baking is easier and less messy. It gives a nice brown color. Frying can add crunch but needs more oil. Choose what you like! You can change the sweetness of the sauce. If you want it sweeter, add more honey. For less sweetness, use less honey or more soy sauce. If you like a thicker sauce, use cornstarch. Mix it with water to make a slurry. Add it to the sauce while it simmers, and stir until it thickens. If you want to try different proteins, use ground chicken or beef. They work well with the same recipe. For a dairy-free option, skip the Parmesan cheese. You can use nutritional yeast instead. It adds a nice flavor without the dairy! Pro Tips Use Fresh Ingredients: Always opt for fresh garlic and parsley for the best flavor. Fresh ingredients enhance the overall taste and aroma of your meatballs. Don’t Overmix: When combining the ingredients for the meatballs, mix just until everything is incorporated. Overmixing can result in tough meatballs. Check Internal Temperature: Use a meat thermometer to ensure your turkey meatballs reach an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C) for safe consumption and optimal juiciness. Experiment with Seasonings: Feel free to add different herbs or spices, such as oregano or crushed red pepper, to the meatball mixture for a unique flavor twist. {{image_2}} You can change up the flavor of honey garlic turkey meatballs in fun ways. - Spicy honey garlic meatballs: Add red pepper flakes or sriracha to the sauce. This gives a nice kick. You can also mix chopped jalapeños into the meatball mix for added heat. - Asian-inspired twists: Swap soy sauce with teriyaki sauce for a sweeter taste. You can also add ginger to the meatball mix for a fresh, zesty flavor. Honey garlic turkey meatballs fit well with many sides. - Meatballs with rice or noodles: Serve your meatballs over white rice or noodles. This absorbs the sauce and adds a great texture. You can use jasmine rice or soba noodles for a unique touch. - Appetizer options: These meatballs make great appetizers. Serve them on toothpicks with extra sauce for dipping. You can also pair them with veggie sticks for a fresh bite. Make these meatballs even better for kids. - Reducing spice levels: Keep the dish mild by leaving out spicy ingredients. Use only honey and soy sauce for a sweeter taste. Kids love that! - Creative serving ideas: Shape the meatballs into fun forms. You can make mini sliders by placing them on small buns. Kids will enjoy building their own sandwiches! Store leftover honey garlic turkey meatballs in an airtight container. This keeps them fresh and tasty. Make sure to cool them to room temperature before sealing. They can last in the fridge for up to three days. When ready to eat, check for any signs of spoilage before enjoying. To freeze meatballs, place them in a single layer on a baking sheet. Freeze them for about two hours until firm. After freezing, transfer them to a freezer bag. Label the bag with the date. They will stay good for up to three months. When you are ready to cook them, thaw in the fridge overnight. Reheat meatballs in the oven or on the stovetop. For the oven, set it to 350°F (175°C). Place meatballs on a baking dish and cover with foil. Heat for about 15 minutes. For stovetop, add a little water to a pan and cover. Heat until warmed through. This keeps the meatballs moist and tender. Avoid using the microwave as it can dry them out. How long to cook turkey meatballs? You should cook turkey meatballs for 20-25 minutes. Bake them at 400°F (200°C). Check that they reach 165°F (74°C) inside. This ensures they are safe to eat and juicy. Can I use ground chicken instead? Yes, you can use ground chicken. It works well and is similar to ground turkey. The flavor will change slightly, but it still tastes great. Both options are healthy and delicious. Caloric breakdown per serving Each serving has about 250 calories. This includes protein from turkey and fat from cheese. The honey adds some sugar, making them sweet and tasty. Health benefits of turkey Turkey is a lean protein. It has fewer calories and fat than beef. It is also rich in vitamins and minerals. These include B vitamins, zinc, and iron, which are good for your body. How to adjust sauce consistency? To change the sauce thickness, you can add cornstarch. Mix it with cold water first. Then stir it into the sauce as it heats. For a thinner sauce, just skip the cornstarch. Alternatives to honey and soy sauce? You can use maple syrup instead of honey. For soy sauce, try coconut aminos or tamari. Both options will still give you a sweet and savory flavor. In this blog post, we explored how to make delicious turkey meatballs. We covered key ingredients, like ground turkey and honey garlic sauce. I shared step-by-step instructions for preparation and cooking. We discussed tips to keep meatballs moist and even suggested variations to fit your taste. Remember, you can easily store or freeze leftovers for later. Keep experimenting to find your favorite blend of flavors. Enjoy your cooking journey with these turkey meatballs and impress your family at the dinner table!$

Honey Garlic Turkey Meatballs

Delicious turkey meatballs coated in a sweet and savory honey garlic sauce.

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 10

Cook Time 30

Total Time 40

Course Main Course

Cuisine American

Servings 4

Calories 250 kcal

Ingredients

1 lb ground turkey
0.25 cup breadcrumbs
0.25 cup grated Parmesan cheese
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 large egg, lightly beaten
2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped
to taste salt
to taste pepper
0.25 cup honey
0.25 cup low-sodium soy sauce
1 tablespoon rice vinegar
1 teaspoon cornstarch (optional, for thickening)
for garnish sesame seeds
for garnish green onions

Instructions

Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
In a large mixing bowl, combine the ground turkey, breadcrumbs, Parmesan cheese, minced garlic, beaten egg, parsley, salt, and pepper. Mix well until all ingredients are fully incorporated.
Form the turkey mixture into 1-inch meatballs and place them on the prepared baking sheet, ensuring they are evenly spaced.
Bake the meatballs for 20-25 minutes or until they are golden brown and cooked through, reaching an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C).
While the meatballs are baking, prepare the honey garlic sauce. In a small saucepan, combine honey, soy sauce, and rice vinegar. Heat over medium until it starts to simmer.
If you prefer a thicker sauce, mix the cornstarch with a tablespoon of cold water to form a slurry, then add it to the sauce, stirring constantly until it thickens slightly. Remove from heat.
Once the meatballs are done baking, transfer them to a large bowl and drizzle the honey garlic sauce over them. Toss gently until all meatballs are evenly coated.
Serve the meatballs warm, garnished with sesame seeds and sliced green onions.

Notes

For a thicker sauce, use cornstarch slurry.

Keyword honey garlic, meatballs, turkey