Name: Asian Glazed Turkey Meatballs Recipe
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 15 min
Total time: 25 min
Cuisine: Asian
Ingredients: 1 lb ground turkey; 1/3 cup whole wheat panko breadcrumbs; 1 egg; 1 Tbsp low-sodium soy sauce; 1 tsp fresh grated ginger or 1/4 tsp ground ginger; 1 clove garlic, minced; 2 green onions, sliced; Garnish: extra green onions and sesame seeds; 1/2 cup low-sodium soy sauce; 1/3 cup beef broth or water; 1/4 cup honey; 1 tsp sesame oil; 4 cloves garlic, minced; 2 tsp fresh grated ginger or 1/2 tsp ground ginger; 1/4 tsp black pepper; 1/4 to 1/2 tsp crushed red chili flakes (optional); 1/2 Tbsp cornstarch; 1/2 Tbsp water

There’s something incredibly satisfying about these little bites of goodness—sticky, savory, and with just the right touch of sweet heat. This Asian Glazed Turkey Meatballs Recipe is a total weeknight game-changer that brings a fresh twist to turkey with an irresistible glaze you'll want to dip everything in.

A white bowl holds three main layers: the bottom layer is light brown cooked rice with some dark sauce drizzled on top and green onion pieces scattered; on one side, bright green broccoli florets with a fresh texture sit closely together; on the other side, small round meatballs coated in a shiny dark brown sauce sprinkled with white sesame seeds and sliced green onions complete the dish; the bowl rests on a white marbled surface. photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Jump to:

Why You'll Love This Recipe
Ingredients & Why They Work
Make It Your Way
Step-by-Step: How I Make Asian Glazed Turkey Meatballs Recipe
Top Tip
How to Serve Asian Glazed Turkey Meatballs Recipe
Make Ahead and Storage
Frequently Asked Questions:
Final Thoughts
Asian Glazed Turkey Meatballs Recipe

Why You'll Love This Recipe

Honestly, this recipe quickly became one of my favorites because it's easy, packed with flavor, and feels special without a fuss. Plus, turkey keeps it lighter while the sauce delivers that satisfying umami punch.

Healthy and Delicious: It uses lean ground turkey, making these meatballs a nutritious choice without sacrificing taste.
Quick to Make: From prep to plated in under 30 minutes, perfect for busy evenings or spontaneous guests.
Flavor Explosion: The combination of ginger, garlic, soy, and honey creates a glaze that’s simultaneously sweet, tangy, and a little spicy.
Versatile and Crowd-Pleasing: Serve them as appetizers, over rice, or even in lettuce wraps—you can't go wrong.

The image shows a white bowl filled with multiple shiny, golden-brown meatballs covered in a thick dark brown sauce. The meatballs are small, round, and garnished with white sesame seeds and small green onion slices scattered on and around them. The sauce is rich and glossy, pooling in the bottom of the bowl, contrasting with the bright white bowl and making the meatballs stand out. The scene is set on a white marbled surface. photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Ingredients & Why They Work

The magic here lies in layering simple, fresh ingredients that come together for big flavors. Each part—the meatballs and the sauce—has its own role, so picking quality ingredients really pays off. I always look for fresh ginger and use a good low-sodium soy sauce to keep things balanced.

Flat lay of a mound of fresh ground turkey, a small mound of whole wheat panko breadcrumbs, one whole uncracked brown egg, a small white bowl with low-sodium soy sauce, a small white bowl with golden honey, a small white bowl with clear beef broth, a small white bowl with amber sesame oil, fresh ginger root and a small pile of freshly grated ginger, several cloves of garlic whole and minced garlic in a small white bowl, two whole green onions with sliced green onion rings arranged beside them, a small white bowl with black pepper, a small white bowl with crushed red chili flakes, and a small white bowl with cornstarch alongside a small white bowl with water, sesame seeds scattered neatly on a simple white ceramic plate placed on a clean white marble surface, soft natural light, photo taken with an iPhone, professional food photography style, fresh ingredients, white ceramic bowls, no bottles, no duplicates, no utensils, no packaging --ar 2:3 --v 7 --p m7354615311229779997

Ground Turkey: Lean and mild, it soaks up the flavors beautifully and keeps the meatballs light and tender.
Whole Wheat Panko Breadcrumbs: Adds texture and helps keep the meatballs from falling apart without heaviness.
Egg: Acts as a binder to keep everything together, no crumbly bites.
Low-Sodium Soy Sauce: Essential for that salty-umami base, plus keeping sodium in check helps the honey’s sweetness shine.
Fresh Ginger and Garlic: These aromatics add zing and depth that make the glaze pop—it’s all in the fresh grated ginger!
Green Onions: Folded into the meatballs and as garnish for a fresh, slightly sharp note and color.
Honey: Balances the salty and spicy elements with a natural sweetness.
Beef Broth: Adds richness to the sauce; if you don’t have any, water works fine.
Sesame Oil: A few drops bring that distinct, nutty aroma that’s hard to skip.
Crushed Red Chili Flakes (Optional): I love how a little heat wakes up the sweet glaze without overpowering it.
Cornstarch (Optional): For thickening the sauce if you like it extra glossy and clingy.

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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.

Make It Your Way

One of the things I love about this Asian Glazed Turkey Meatballs Recipe is how easy it is to make it your own. Whether you want to dial up the heat or swap out the meat, these meatballs welcome your creativity.

Variation: I’ve swapped ground turkey for ground pork when I wanted a richer, juicier version—totally delicious and just as easy.
Heat level: If you prefer it spicy, adding more crushed red pepper flakes or a dash of Sriracha to the glaze is a nice kick.
Gluten-Free: Just swap whole wheat panko for gluten-free breadcrumbs and use tamari instead of soy sauce—you won’t miss a beat.
Serving Style: Try them tossed with noodles or serve atop a simple cucumber salad for a fresh contrast.

Step-by-Step: How I Make Asian Glazed Turkey Meatballs Recipe

Step 1: Mix and Shape Your Meatballs

Start by combining ground turkey, panko, egg, soy sauce, grated ginger, minced garlic, and sliced green onions in a bowl. Don’t overmix—just enough so everything binds together. I like to wet my hands lightly to shape meatballs about 1 to 1.5 inches in diameter; it keeps them from sticking to your fingers and helps them stay juicy.

Step 2: Cook Meatballs Until Golden

Heat a drizzle of oil in a skillet over medium heat. Add the meatballs in batches, leaving space so they can brown nicely, and cook about 4-5 minutes per side. You’re aiming for golden on the outside but still moist inside. Don’t rush this part; browning brings a ton of flavor that a quick bake can’t replicate for these.

Step 3: Whip Up the Glaze

While the meatballs cook, mix together your low-sodium soy sauce, beef broth, honey, sesame oil, garlic, ginger, black pepper, and optional chili flakes in a small bowl. If you want a thicker sauce, whisk cornstarch in water separately so it’s ready to add.

Step 4: Glaze the Meatballs

Once the meatballs are cooked, reduce heat to low and pour the sauce mixture into the pan. Let it simmer gently, stirring occasionally until it thickens and clings to the meatballs. If you want it extra glossy, add in your cornstarch slurry and stir for another minute or so. This part smells incredible—don’t skip it!

Step 5: Garnish & Serve

Sprinkle with extra green onions and sesame seeds for freshness and that beautiful finish. Serve warm and watch how quickly these disappear.

Top Tip

From my experience, the glaze is what elevates this dish from good to unforgettable. A few simple adjustments can make all the difference — here’s what I’ve learned from making it over and over.

Don’t Skip Browning: Taking the time to brown your meatballs in the pan locks in flavor and keeps them juicy.
Fresh Ginger Over Ground: Freshly grated ginger adds a bright sharpness that ground ginger just can’t match.
Simmer Gently: When glazing, keep the sauce at a gentle simmer so it reduces without burning or becoming bitter.
Adjust Sweetness and Heat: Tweak the honey and chili flakes to find your perfect balance for this sauce—it’s very forgiving!

How to Serve Asian Glazed Turkey Meatballs Recipe

Asian Glazed Turkey Meatballs - Serving Suggestion

Garnishes

I usually go for sliced green onions and a generous sprinkle of toasted sesame seeds on top. They add that lovely crunch and pop of color that make the dish feel festive. Sometimes I toss on fresh cilantro if I want a little herbaceous brightness.

Side Dishes

My go-to sides are steamed jasmine rice or cauliflower rice if I’m watching carbs, paired with quick stir-fried veggies like snap peas or bok choy. This combo absorbs the glaze perfectly and keeps everything balanced.

Creative Ways to Present

For parties, I’ve served these on bamboo skewers as finger food, which always gets a crowd going. Alternatively, I’ve layered them in lettuce cups with crunchy shredded carrots and a drizzle of extra sauce—sort of like mini Asian tacos. So fun and fresh!

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

I store leftover meatballs in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. It’s best to keep the meatballs and sauce together so the flavors meld, but if you prefer, store the sauce separately to keep meatballs firmer.

Freezing

I freeze these meatballs cooked but without the glaze. Lay them on a parchment-lined tray, freeze until firm, then transfer to a bag. When you want them, reheat gently in the sauce or the oven. They hold up beautifully!

Reheating

To warm leftovers, I prefer gently simmering the meatballs in the sauce on low heat, adding a splash of water or broth if it looks thick. This revives the texture and keeps them juicy compared to microwaving.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Can I use ground chicken or beef instead of turkey?

Absolutely! This Asian Glazed Turkey Meatballs Recipe is very adaptable. Ground chicken will keep the meatballs light like turkey, while ground beef adds a richer flavor. Just watch the fat content as it may affect cooking times.

How do I prevent the meatballs from falling apart?

Use fresh breadcrumbs and an egg as a binder, and don't overmix the meat mixture. Letting them rest for a few minutes before cooking also helps them hold together better while they brown.

Can I prepare the meatballs ahead of time?

Yes, you can shape the meatballs a day in advance and keep them refrigerated, covered. For even more convenience, freeze raw shaped meatballs and cook directly from frozen when ready.

What can I serve with Asian Glazed Turkey Meatballs?

They pair wonderfully with steamed rice, simple noodles, fresh stir-fried veggies, or even in lettuce wraps for a lighter bite. You can also serve them as appetizers with toothpicks at parties.

Final Thoughts

This Asian Glazed Turkey Meatballs Recipe is one of those dishes I turn to when I want something quick, satisfying, and a little special. It feels like comfort food with a bright, modern twist. I hope you enjoy making it as much as I do — it’s truly a recipe that impresses without stress. Grab some extra napkins—you’ll want to savor every sticky, flavorful bite!