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Glazed Asian Turkey Meatballs

5 from 7 votes
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Total Time 35 minutes
Yield 20 meatballs (5 servings)
Category Lunch/Dinner
Cuisine Asian
Author Lauren

Description

Baked tender turkey meatballs get tossed in a delicious sweet, salty and umami hoisin glaze! Ready in just over 30 minutes, these Asian meatballs make the perfect weeknight meal or go-to appetizer.

Ingredients

Meatballs

  • 1 ½ pounds lean ground turkey (93% lean)*
  • ½ cup Panko breadcrumbs
  • 4 cloves garlic, minced (2 teaspoons)
  • cup chopped scallions
  • 1 large egg
  • 2 teaspoons grated fresh ginger, or 1 ½ teaspoons dried ground ginger
  • 2 teaspoons toasted sesame oil
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • ½ teaspoon black pepper

Glaze

  • ¼ cup hoisin sauce
  • 2 tablespoons fresh lime juice
  • 2 tablespoons low-sodium soy sauce
  • 2 teaspoons toasted sesame oil
  • 1 teaspoon grated fresh ginger, or ¾ teaspoon dried ground ginger
  • 2 tablespoons Panko breadcrumbs, gluten-free if needed, for serving (optional)
  • 2 teaspoons sesame seeds for serving (optional)
  • Chopped cilantro and scallions for serving, optional

Instructions

Meatballs

  • Heat oven to 425°F (218ºC); coat a baking sheet with nonstick spray. 
  • Mix turkey, ½ cup Panko, garlic, scallions, egg, 2 teaspoons ginger, 2 teaspoons sesame oil, salt, and pepper together using hands. Using 2 heaping tablespoons at a time, roll turkey mixture into 20 meatballs (1½ ounces each); arrange on prepared baking sheet.
  • Bake meatballs until browned and an instant read thermometer inserted in the centers reached 165ºF (74ºC), 15–20 minutes. 

Glaze

  • Meanwhile, whisk together hoisin, lime juice, soy sauce, 2 teaspoons sesame oil, and 1 teaspoon ginger in a large bowl. 
  • Add warm meatballs to sauce and gently toss to coat; transfer to a serving dish.
  • Combine panko and sesame seeds. Sprinkle Panko mixture, cilantro and scallions over meatballs.

Video

Notes

* Ground turkey: depending on your store, ground turkey can be sold by 1 pound, 1.2 pounds, or 1.5 pounds. I find 1.5 pounds of 93% lean ground turkey works best, but you can also use 1 pound or 1.2 pounds. 85% lean ground turkey works well (a bit more decadent), but avoid 97% or 99% lean ground turkey. 
Make these gluten-free: use gluten-free Panko breadcrumbs and make sure to use certified gluten-free hoisin and soy sauce.
Mix up the meat: these meatballs can also be made with lean ground chicken, pork or beef.

Nutrition

Serving: 4meatballsCalories: 268kcalCarbohydrates: 6.5gProtein: 29gFat: 14gSaturated Fat: 4gCholesterol: 135mgSodium: 1006mgFiber: 0.5gSugar: 3g
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