Asian turkey meatballs are packed with flavor and and smothered in a mouthwatering sweet sauce. They’re the perfect addition to any meal, or serve them with some toothpicks as an appetizer!
I’m on a quest to make allll types of meatballs. So far I have the best vegetarian meatballs around. I have some others in the lineup coming atchu soon, but for now I’d like to introduce you to your new favorite meatball. The meatball to end all meatballs.
I wish I could express my love for these meatballs. But, I cannot. You need to try them. I drool just thinking about them. They’re so delicious on top of some spaghetti, or veggie noodles like zoodles or spaghetti squash.
How to make Asian Turkey Meatballs:
First, fork your ground turkey so it’s broken up. Does that make sense? Like smash it with your fork!
Then, add the onion, garlic, tamari (or soy sauce), hot sauce, sesame oil, sesame seeds, and egg. Use your fork to mix everything together. Fold in the cilantro.
Place a few tablespoons of coconut oil in a pan over medium-high heat. Make golf-sized balls from the meatball mixture and place them into the coconut oil. Fill the entire pan with balls, and turn down the heat to medium.
Use tongs to flip the balls after about 5 minutes. Cook another 5 minutes and flip again. Continue to turn the meatballs until they are cooked through, another 5-10 minutes. Turn down the heat a bit if they are too brown when you turn them.
In a small bowl, whisk together the avocado oil, tamari (or soy sauce), agave nectar (honey or maple syrup works), hot sauce, and sesame oil.
When you only have a few minutes left for cooking, pour the sauce over the meatballs and cook for 2-3 minutes, until the sauce reduces a bit.
Serve over noodles, zoodles, in a lettuce wrap, the list goes on!
Recipe
Asian Turkey Meatballs
Asian turkey meatballs are the best easy recipe for a weeknight meal. Throw them on top of pasta or spaghetti squash, it’s so flavorful!
Ingredients
Meatballs:
- 1 lb. ground turkey
- 1/2 cup onion, finely chopped
- 2 garlic cloves, minced
- 1 tablespoon tamari (or soy sauce)
- 1 teaspoon hot sauce
- 1 tablespoon sesame oil
- 1 tablespoon sesame seeds
- 1 egg
- handful cilantro, coarsely chopped
- 2 tablespoons refined coconut oil, for cooking
- additional sesame and chopped cilantro for topping
Sauce:
- 1/4 cup avocado oil
- 2 tablespoons tamari (or soy sauce)
- 1 tablespoon agave nectar
- 1 teaspoon hot sauce
- 1 teaspoon sesame oil
Instructions
- First, in a medium bowl, smash your ground turkey with a fork so it’s broken up.
- Then, add the onion, garlic, tamari (or soy sauce), hot sauce, sesame oil, sesame seeds, and egg.
- Use your fork to mix everything together.
- Fold in the cilantro.
- Place a few tablespoons of coconut oil in a pan over medium-high heat.
- Make golf-sized balls from the meatball mixture and place them into the coconut oil.
- Fill the entire pan with balls, and turn down the heat to medium.
- Use tongs to flip the balls after about 5 minutes.
- Cook another 3 – 5 minutes and flip again.
- Continue to turn the meatballs until they are cooked through, another 5-10 minutes. Turn down the heat a bit if they are too brown when you turn them.
- In a small bowl, whisk together the avocado oil, tamari (or soy sauce), agave nectar (honey or maple syrup works), hot sauce, and sesame oil.
- When you only have a few minutes left for cooking, pour the sauce over the meatballs and cook the remaining 2-3 minutes, until the sauce reduces a bit.
- Serve over noodles, zoodles, in a lettuce wrap, the list goes on!
- Sprinkle with additional sesame seeds and cilantro as wanted.
Tips
Serving (4 meatballs): Calories 369; Fat 22.7g (Sat 6.6g); Protein 37.3g; Carb 8.8g (net carb 7.6g); Fiber 1.2g; Sodium 2464mg
Enjoy!! xo
Would you double the egg if you double the recipe? I’m worried it doesn’t need it as it is already pretty egg-y.
I don’t think I would double the egg. It should be fine with just the same number as eggs. Let me know how it goes!
Great weeknight recipe. Made it last night and loved the taste and texture of the meatballs. I baked them for 7 minutes while I finished the zucchini noodles and they turned out perfect. Thanks for the great recipe!
★★★★★
Aw yay! I’m so happy you loved them! xo