Description
Succulent honey garlic turkey meatballs dance with sweet and savory notes, promising a delightful culinary journey through tender meat and rich flavors. Comfort meets elegance on your plate, inviting hungry diners to savor each perfectly seasoned bite.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients:
- 1 pound (1 lb) ground turkey
- ½ cup breadcrumbs
- 1 egg
Herbs and Seasonings:
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 tablespoons green onions, chopped
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
- ½ teaspoon onion powder
- ½ teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1 tablespoon soy sauce
Sauce and Cooking Ingredients:
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- ⅓ cup honey
- ¼ cup low-sodium soy sauce
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon fresh ginger, grated
- 1 tablespoon rice vinegar
- ½ teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
- 1 tablespoon cornstarch
- 2 tablespoons water
Serving Suggestions:
- Cooked rice or noodles
- Sliced green onions
- Sesame seeds
Instructions
- Combine ground turkey with breadcrumbs, egg, minced garlic, chopped green onions, salt, black pepper, onion powder, smoked paprika, and soy sauce in a mixing bowl, ensuring all ingredients are evenly distributed.
- Gently form the mixture into uniform spherical meatballs, approximately 1-inch in diameter, which should yield around 16-18 total.
- Warm olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat, creating an even cooking surface.
- Carefully place meatballs into the heated skillet, rotating periodically to achieve a golden-brown exterior and ensuring thorough internal cooking, which typically takes 6-8 minutes.
- Transfer cooked meatballs to a separate plate, maintaining their warmth and preventing overcooking.
- Using the same skillet, introduce honey, additional soy sauce, crushed garlic, grated ginger, vinegar, and red pepper flakes to create a vibrant, aromatic sauce.
- Allow the sauce components to gently simmer and meld together for approximately 2 minutes.
- Incorporate the cornstarch slurry into the simmering sauce, stirring continuously to achieve a smooth, glossy consistency.
- Continue cooking for an additional 1-2 minutes until the sauce reaches a desirable thickness.
- Return meatballs to the skillet, carefully coating each piece with the rich, flavorful sauce.
- Plate the glazed meatballs over steamed rice or noodles, garnishing with fresh green onion slices and a sprinkle of sesame seeds for added texture and visual appeal.
Notes
- Boost lean protein intake by using ground turkey instead of higher-fat meats, creating a healthier alternative for health-conscious diners.
- Enhance moisture by avoiding overmixing the meat, which can make meatballs tough and dense during preparation.
- Customize heat levels by adjusting red pepper flakes, allowing flexibility for different spice tolerances while maintaining the recipe’s signature flavor profile.
- Consider gluten-free adaptation by substituting breadcrumbs with almond flour or gluten-free panko for individuals with dietary restrictions.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Dinner, Appetizer, Snacks
- Method: Sautéing
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 367
- Sugar: 26 g
- Sodium: 680 mg
- Fat: 13 g
- Saturated Fat: 2 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 38 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 25 g
- Cholesterol: 80 mg