Description
These Hoisin Glazed Asian Turkey Meatballs offer a deliciously flavorful and healthy twist on classic meatballs. Made with lean ground turkey, fresh ginger, garlic, and scallions, they’re glazed with a sweet and tangy hoisin sauce mixture. Perfect as an appetizer or main dish, these meatballs balance savory and bright flavors, finished with optional crunchy panko breadcrumbs, sesame seeds, and fresh herbs for a delightful texture contrast.
Ingredients
Scale
Meatballs
- 1 ½ pounds lean ground turkey (93% lean)
- ½ cup Panko breadcrumbs
- 4 cloves garlic, minced (about 2 teaspoons)
- ⅓ 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
For Serving (Optional)
- 2 tablespoons Panko breadcrumbs, gluten-free if needed
- 2 teaspoons sesame seeds
- Chopped cilantro
- Chopped scallions
Instructions
- Prepare the Meatball Mixture: In a large bowl, combine the lean ground turkey, ½ cup Panko breadcrumbs, minced garlic, chopped scallions, egg, ginger, toasted sesame oil, salt, and black pepper. Mix everything together gently but thoroughly to evenly distribute the ingredients without overworking the meat.
- Form the Meatballs: Shape the mixture into about 20 evenly sized meatballs, roughly 1 to 1 ½ inches in diameter, to ensure even cooking.
- Cook the Meatballs: Heat a non-stick skillet or frying pan over medium heat with a small amount of oil. Add the meatballs carefully and cook, turning occasionally, until browned on all sides and cooked through, about 10-12 minutes total. Ensure the internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C) for safety.
- Make the Glaze: While the meatballs are cooking, whisk together the hoisin sauce, fresh lime juice, low-sodium soy sauce, toasted sesame oil, and grated ginger in a small bowl until well combined.
- Glaze the Meatballs: Once the meatballs are fully cooked, pour the glaze over them in the skillet. Stir gently to coat all meatballs evenly and cook for an additional 1-2 minutes, allowing the glaze to thicken slightly and adhere to the meatballs.
- Serve: Transfer the glazed meatballs to a serving dish. If desired, sprinkle with toasted Panko breadcrumbs and sesame seeds for added crunch and garnish with chopped cilantro and scallions for freshness. Serve warm as an appetizer or over rice or noodles as a main dish.
Notes
- Use gluten-free Panko breadcrumbs if a gluten-free dish is desired.
- To save time, the meatballs can be baked at 400°F for 20 minutes instead of pan-frying.
- For a spicier kick, add a splash of chili garlic sauce to the glaze.
- These meatballs reheat well and make great leftovers for lunches.
Keywords: Hoisin glazed turkey meatballs, Asian meatballs, healthy meatballs, turkey recipes, easy dinner, quick meatballs