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 irresistibly satisfying about a tangy, sweet, and slightly spicy bite of the Asian Glazed Turkey Meatballs Recipe. These meatballs pack big flavor but keep things light and fresh, making them perfect for a quick weeknight dinner that still feels special.

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

These Asian Glazed Turkey Meatballs are a total game-changer in my kitchen. They bring together flavors that are bright and balanced, and they come together quickly, which makes them my go-to when I want a comforting meal without spending hours cooking.

Flavor-packed: The glaze brings an amazing blend of sweet, salty, tangy, and savory all in one bite.
Healthy twist: Using ground turkey keeps these meatballs lighter but still juicy and tender.
Super versatile: Serve them over rice, noodles, or even as a fun appetizer at your next get-together.
Easy prep and quick cook: Great for busy weeknights when time’s tight but flavor can’t be compromised.

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

Using fresh, well-balanced ingredients really makes this Asian Glazed Turkey Meatballs Recipe shine. Each component plays a role—from keeping the meatballs tender to creating that sticky, flavorful glaze that clings perfectly.

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 but moist if you don’t overwork it, it’s a healthier base that soaks up the Asian flavors beautifully.
Whole wheat panko breadcrumbs: These add texture without weighing the meatballs down—plus a nice nutty subtlety.
Egg: The binder that keeps everything together, making sure your meatballs hold their shape.
Low-sodium soy sauce: Key for that umami punch without turning the dish too salty.
Ginger (fresh or ground): Adds a bright warmth that’s essential in Asian dishes; fresh gives you a punchier, livelier note.
Garlic: Minced garlic lends that savory depth we all crave.
Green onions: Both in the mix and for garnish, they give a fresh crunch and mild onion flavor.
Beef broth (or water): Adds richness to the sauce; broth yields a deeper flavor.
Honey: Sweetens the glaze naturally and gives that signature sticky glaze texture.
Sesame oil: Aromatic and toasty, it’s the little magic touch you don’t want to skip.
Crushed red chili flakes (optional): I like to add just a pinch for a subtle kick, but you can skip or adjust to taste.
Cornstarch slurry (optional): Helps thicken the sauce to a shiny, clingy finish if you prefer that texture.

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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

I love experimenting with the basics of this Asian Glazed Turkey Meatballs Recipe to match whatever mood I’m in or what ingredients I have on hand. The great news is, it’s so flexible!

Meat variation: I’ve swapped in ground chicken or pork before to mix up the flavor profile, and both work beautifully—just watch the cooking time a bit.
Glaze adjustments: For a tangier bite, a splash of rice vinegar or lime juice stirred into the glaze really brightens it up.
Heat level: I often add more crushed red chili flakes or a dash of sriracha to up the spice when I want a fiery kick.
Breadcrumb alternatives: If you want gluten-free, try almond flour or crushed rice crackers as a substitute for the panko.

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

Step 1: Mix the Meatball Ingredients

I start by gently mixing the ground turkey with panko, egg, soy sauce, fresh ginger, garlic, and sliced green onions. The trick is to handle the meat gently—overmixing can make the meatballs tough. I use my hands, just until everything is combined evenly.

Step 2: Form and Brown the Meatballs

Next, I roll the mixture into bite-sized meatballs, about the size of a golf ball. Using a non-stick skillet over medium heat, I brown them in batches—this locks in juices and builds flavor. Don’t crowd the pan to keep them nice and brown, usually about 3–4 minutes per side.

Step 3: Make the Glaze Sauce

While the meatballs brown, I whisk together soy sauce, beef broth, honey, sesame oil, garlic, ginger, black pepper, and chili flakes in a small bowl. Once the meatballs are browned, I pour the sauce into the pan and simmer everything together so the sauce thickens a bit and lovingly coats each meatball.

Step 4: Optional - Thicken the Sauce

If you want a thicker glaze, I stir cornstarch with water to make a slurry and add it to the simmering sauce. A quick stir and a minute or two later, the sauce gets wonderfully glossy and clingy—perfect for scooping with rice or noodles!

Step 5: Garnish and Serve

Finally, I sprinkle extra sliced green onions and a handful of toasted sesame seeds over the top before serving—these little fresh and crunchy touches bring everything together.

Top Tip

From my experience making Asian Glazed Turkey Meatballs Recipe, a few little tricks make all the difference between good and unforgettable. The glaze is the star, so balancing the sweet and salty notes is key!

Don’t skip fresh ginger: It brightens the flavor and adds that authentic zing that dried just can’t match.
Rest the meatball mixture briefly: Letting it sit for 5-10 minutes before forming helps the breadcrumbs absorb moisture, making the meatballs more tender.
Brown the meatballs well: A good sear creates flavor and texture, so be patient and don’t rush this step.
Adjust sweetness carefully: I start with slightly less honey and add more after tasting the sauce as it simmers—it depends on your soy sauce’s saltiness.

How to Serve Asian Glazed Turkey Meatballs Recipe

Asian Glazed Meatballs - Serving Suggestion

Garnishes

I always top mine with sliced green onions and sesame seeds—that pop of color and crunch makes such a difference. Sometimes, a little fresh cilantro or a drizzle of sriracha sauce is a fun addition if I want to amp up the flavor.

Side Dishes

For a balanced meal, I love serving these meatballs over steamed jasmine rice or brown rice noodles tossed lightly with a splash of sesame oil and soy sauce. A crisp side of steamed broccoli or bok choy rounds everything out perfectly.

Creative Ways to Present

For parties, I’ve served these meatballs on skewers with little cucumber ribbons on the side—a total crowd-pleaser. They also make a fantastic slider filling with some crunchy slaw tucked inside a soft bun.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Leftover Asian Glazed Turkey Meatballs keep well in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. I usually separate the meatballs from the sauce to prevent them from getting soggy if I’m planning to reheat later.

Freezing

I freeze leftover meatballs on a parchment-lined tray first, then transfer them into a freezer-safe bag. They freeze beautifully for up to 3 months. When ready to use, thaw overnight in the fridge for best results.

Reheating

To reheat, I gently warm meatballs and sauce together in a skillet over low heat or microwave them covered in short bursts. Adding a splash of water or broth helps keep them moist.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Can I make these meatballs gluten-free?

Absolutely! To make this Asian Glazed Turkey Meatballs Recipe gluten-free, swap the whole wheat panko breadcrumbs for gluten-free breadcrumbs or almond flour, and make sure to use gluten-free soy sauce or tamari in the glaze and meatballs.

Can I use ground chicken instead of turkey?

Yes, ground chicken works wonderfully in this recipe and will give you a similarly light and tender meatball. Just be careful not to overcook, as ground chicken can dry out faster than turkey.

How do I prevent the meatballs from falling apart?

To keep your meatballs together, make sure to not overmix the ingredients, use enough binder like breadcrumbs and egg, and brown them gently without flipping too often. Resting your meatball mixture before cooking also helps the ingredients bind better.

Can I prepare the meatballs ahead of time?

Yes! You can prepare the meatball mixture and shape them ahead of time, then store them in the refrigerator for up to 24 hours before cooking. This makes dinner prep even faster on busy nights.

Final Thoughts

I honestly can’t recommend this Asian Glazed Turkey Meatballs Recipe enough—it’s become a staple in my meal rotation. The balance between easy prep and bold flavors is just what I’m always looking for, and I bet once you give it a try, you’ll feel the same. It’s like having a restaurant-worthy dish on your table in under 30 minutes, and what’s better than that?