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Honey Garlic Turkey Meatballs Recipe

Honey Garlic Turkey Meatballs Recipe

This Honey Garlic Turkey Meatballs recipe is a quick, healthy, and flavorful meal featuring tender lean turkey meatballs coated in a sweet and savory honey garlic sauce. Perfect for busy weeknights, this dish offers a comforting taste with simple ingredients and an easy cooking method that the whole family will love.

  • Total Time: 25 minutes
  • Yield: 4 servings 1x

Ingredients

Scale

Meatball Mixture

  • 1 lb lean ground turkey
  • 3 cloves minced garlic
  • 1/2 cup bread crumbs (or almond flour/gluten-free breadcrumbs for gluten-free)
  • 1 large egg
  • 2 green onions, chopped
  • 1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper
  • 1 tablespoon soy sauce

Honey Garlic Sauce

  • 2 cloves minced garlic
  • 1/4 cup honey
  • 2 tablespoons soy sauce

For Cooking

  • 2 tablespoons olive oil

Instructions

  1. Prepare the Meatball Mixture: In a large bowl, combine the ground turkey, minced garlic, breadcrumbs, egg, green onions, black pepper, and a splash of soy sauce. Mix gently until just combined to avoid dense meatballs.
  2. Shape the Meatballs: Form the mixture into evenly sized meatballs about 1 to 1.5 inches wide using your hands or a small scoop. Place them on a tray.
  3. Cook the Meatballs: Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add meatballs in batches without crowding the pan. Cook 3-4 minutes per side until golden brown and cooked through.
  4. Prepare the Honey Garlic Sauce: In the same skillet, sauté minced garlic briefly until fragrant. Pour in honey and soy sauce, stirring until the sauce thickens slightly and becomes glossy.
  5. Toss Meatballs in Sauce: Return the cooked meatballs to the skillet and gently toss to coat evenly in the honey garlic sauce. Let simmer for one minute to lock in flavor.

Notes

  • Don’t overmix the meat to keep meatballs tender.
  • Shape meatballs uniformly for even cooking.
  • Use fresh minced garlic for more intense flavor.
  • Sauté garlic in the sauce before adding liquids to deepen flavor.
  • Let meatballs rest in sauce before serving to absorb flavors.
  • For a spicy twist, add red pepper flakes or sriracha to the sauce.
  • To make gluten-free, substitute breadcrumbs with almond flour or gluten-free breadcrumbs.
  • Vegetable additions like grated carrots or zucchini can boost nutrition.
  • You can bake the meatballs at 400°F for 20 minutes as a healthier alternative to frying.
  • Author: Lina
  • Prep Time: 10 minutes
  • Cook Time: 15 minutes
  • Category: Appetizers
  • Method: Pan-frying (alternative: Baking)
  • Cuisine: American
  • Diet: Gluten Free (with substitutions)

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 4 meatballs
  • Calories: 220 kcal
  • Sugar: 8 g
  • Sodium: 480 mg
  • Fat: 8 g
  • Saturated Fat: 1.5 g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 6 g
  • Trans Fat: 0 g
  • Carbohydrates: 18 g
  • Fiber: 1 g
  • Protein: 20 g
  • Cholesterol: 75 mg

Keywords: honey garlic turkey meatballs, healthy meatballs, gluten-free meatballs, easy weeknight dinner, turkey recipes