Teriyaki Turkey Meatballs

Teriyaki Turkey Meatballs: Simple and Satisfying Weeknight Dinner

Looking for a flavorful and easy dinner idea that’s a little different from the usual? These homemade Asian-inspired turkey meatballs are a fantastic way to spice up your weeknight! Packed with aromatic sesame oil, savory teriyaki sauce, and a hint of fresh basil, these meatballs serve deliciousness in every bite.

These aren’t your average meatballs! The lean ground turkey keeps them light, while the Asian-inspired flavors create a wonderfully savory and slightly sweet profile that’s incredibly satisfying. Whether you serve them over rice, noodles, or alongside your favorite roasted vegetables, these turkey meatballs are a versatile and crowd-pleasing dish. Get ready for a simple yet exciting dinner that will have everyone asking for seconds!

Grocery List

• Ground Turkey
• Basil
• Scallions
• Mayo
• Rice Wine Vinegar
• Seasame Oil
• Teriyaki Sauce
• Olive Oil
• Sriracha
• Honey
• Eggs
• All-purpose Flour
• Salt
• Black Pepper
• Onion Powder
• Garlic Powder

Recipe Ingredients

• 1 lb Ground Turkey
• 2 Fresh Scallions Chopped
• Dried or Fresh Basil
• ½ tsp Salt or to taste
• ½ tsp Black Pepper
• 1 tsp Onion Powder
• 1 tsp Garlic Powder
• 1 tsp Sriracha
• 1 tsp Sesame Oil
• Drizzle of Olive Oil
• Drizzle of Honey (1-2 tsps)
• 1 tbsp Rice Wine Vinegar
• 1 tbsp Mayo
• 1 Large Egg
• 1 tbsp of All-purpose Flour
• 2 tbsp Teriyaki Sauce 

Teriyaki Turkey Meatballs Recipe Steps Overview

• First, wash the fresh basil and scallions to chop finely.
• Next, add the ground turkey to a large mixing bowl followed by the seasonings, oil, vinegar, mayo, and teriyaki sauce.
• Sprinkle the chopped basil and onion to mix the ground turkey gently until well combined.
• Add the egg to the mixture followed by the flour to bind the meatballs.
• Using an ice cream scooper, portion each meatball evenly into a large ball shape and set aside.
• Grease a large skillet on medium-high heat with olive oil and add each meatball to the pan to sear for five minutes or once a crust forms before flipping.
• Sear on the opposite side for an additional five minutes and reduce the heat to low to finish cooking with the lid on an additional ten minutes or until the internal temperature reaches 165 degrees Fahrenheit.
• Finally, drizzle additional teriyaki sauce on top to form a glaze and turn off the heat to serve with rice or noodles.

Teriyaki Style Turkey Meatball Tips

Meatball Tips

• Massage or fold the meatball mixture gently to keep the turkey meatballs tender.
• Allow the meat to rest on the counter for about 15 minutes before cooking to aid tenderness, this ensures the muscles aren’t shocked and tightened by the high heat.
• Use an ice cream scooper to get even sized meatballs. If you do not have an ice cream scooper use a large spoon or small measuring cup to portion each meatball.
• You can reduce the size of the meatballs by using a smaller ice cream scooper. For smaller meatballs, reduce the cooking time provided.
• The recipe will yield 8-10 large meatballs, the size can be adjusted using a smaller ice cream scooper.
• If you are feeding a larger crowd, doubling the recipe is recommended.
• Customize the meatballs by adding chopped onions, spinach, or bell peppers.
• The recipe can be made with ground chicken or beef, adjust the seasoning as needed.
• The recipe can be made gluten free by swapping the all-purpose flour with gluten free flour.
• If you choose to salt to taste, cook about a spoonful of meatball mixture in a skillet for about three to five minutes and taste the sample. Adjust the flavor profile of the meatball mixture accordingly before cooking the remainder.
• When shopping for the ground meat, select an extended expiration date option if you plan to have leftovers.
• Store any leftover meatballs in the fridge for up to four days using an air-tight container.
• To freeze leftover meatballs, use a freeze save zip-loc bags with a labeled date to store for up to three months.
• Prior to reheating frozen meatballs, it is recommended to thaw in the fridge the night before serving to defrost evenly and keep the ball shape.

Teriyaki Turkey Meatballs

Jayanni

Try our simple Asian-inspired turkey meatballs featuring savory teriyaki, aromatic sesame oil, and fresh basil. A delicious and easy dinner recipe perfect for weeknights!

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 10 minutes mins

Cook Time 25 minutes mins

Total Time 35 minutes mins

Course Main Course

Cuisine Japanese

Servings 4 servings

Equipment

• 1 Large Mixing Bowl
• 1 Large Mixing Spoon
• 1 Large Ice cream scooper
• 1 Large Skillet
• 1 Measuring Cup
• 1 Set of measuring spoons
• 1 Knife
• 1 Cutting Board
• 1 Tongs

Ingredients

  

• 1 lb Ground Turkey
• ½ tsp Salt or to taste
• ½ tsp Black Pepper
• 1 tsp Onion Powder
• 1 tsp Garlic Powder
• 2 Fresh Scallions chopped
• Sprinkle of Dried or Fresh Basil
• 2 tbsp Teriyaki Sauce homemade or store-bought
• 1 tsp Honey optional
• 1 tsp Sriracha
• 1 tbsp Mayo
• 1 tsp Sesame Oil
• Drizzle of Olive Oil extra virgin
• 1 tbsp Rice Wine Vinegar
• 1 large Egg
• 1 tbsp All-purpose Flour

Instructions

 

• Place the ground turkey into a large mixing bowl. Add the oil, rice wine vinegar, sriracha, mayo and teriyaki sauce; mix gently.
• Wash your scallions and fresh basil leaves to chop finely and add to the bowl.
• Next, add all the spices: onion powder, garlic powder, black pepper, salt, and dried basil leaves.
• Fold the mixture together before adding the egg, lastly sprinkle in the flour until well combined.
• Use a large ice cream scooper to portion each meatball and form into a ball shape, set aside.
• Grease a large skillet with olive oil on medium to high heat. Once the skillet begins to lightly sizzle add each meatball to sear for five to six minutes before flipping.
• Flip the meatball once it has reached a nice sear and cook for an additional five minutes.
• Reduce to low heat and add a lid to the skillet to allow the meatball to finish cooking for an additional ten minutes or until it reaches an internal temperature of 165℉.
• Remove the lid and drizzle additional teriyaki sauce as a glaze and turn off the heat.
• Serve the meatballs with jasmine rice, rice noodles, or lo mein noodles.

Notes

Tips:

• • Massage or fold the meatball mixture gently to keep the turkey meatballs tender.

• • Allow the meat to rest on the counter for about 15 minutes before cooking to aid tenderness, this ensures the muscles aren’t shocked and tightened by the high heat.

• • Use an ice cream scooper to get even sized meatballs. If you do not have an ice cream scooper use a large spoon or small measuring cup to portion each meatball.

• • You can reduce the size of the meatballs by using a smaller ice cream scooper. For smaller meatballs, reduce the cooking time provided.

• • The recipe will yield 8-10 large meatballs, the size can be adjusted using a smaller ice cream scooper.

• • If you are feeding a larger crowd, doubling the recipe is recommended.

• • Customize the meatballs by adding chopped onions, spinach, or bell peppers.

• • The recipe can be made with ground chicken or beef, adjust the seasoning as needed.

• • The recipe can be made gluten free by swapping the all-purpose flour with gluten free flour.

• • If you choose to salt to taste, cook about a spoonful of meatball mixture in a skillet for about three to five minutes and taste the sample. Adjust the flavor profile of the meatball mixture accordingly before cooking the remainder.

• • When shopping for the ground meat, select an extended expiration date option if you plan to have leftovers.

• • Store any leftover meatballs in the fridge for up to four days using an air-tight container.

• • To freeze leftover meatballs, use a freeze save zip-loc bags with a labeled date to store for up to three months.

• • Prior to reheating frozen meatballs, it is recommended to thaw in the fridge the night before serving to defrost evenly and keep the ball shape.