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Teriyaki Turkey Meatballs are baked in the oven and then simmer in a homemade sweet teriyaki sauce on the stove top. Serve these ground turkey meatballs over cooked rice and garnish with green onions and extra sauce!

For more meatball recipes be sure and try these pineapple teriyaki chicken meatballs, slow cooker sweet and sour meatballs, and these easy swedish meatballs.

Ground turkey meatballs topped with teriyaki sauce and green onions.

TURKEY MEATBALLS RECIPE

Ground turkey meatballs are a family favorite dinner recipe with homemade meatballs and a sweet teriyaki sauce that simmers on the stove top. Serve these meatballs over rice and garnish with green onions and some extra sauce. This recipe makes plenty of sauce so there is enough to go around.

I consider meatballs one of the more kid friendly foods. They’re one of those things that I can serve and know that my kids will actually eat them! Which makes these a dinnertime favorite around here. 

Overhead picture of turkey meatballs on top of rice on a white plate.

WHAT YOU’LL NEED

Baked teriyaki turkey meatballs are simple to make with ingredients like ground chicken, dried seasonings, brown sugar, and some Asian inspired sauces. 

  • Ground Turkey – I prefer to use either the 15% or 7% fat ground turkey. You need some fat for meatballs. There is a really lean ground turkey but I would recommend not using that one for these meatballs.
  • Panko Bread Crumbs – Any bread crumbs will work but Panko are the best to use because of their crispy and hearty texture. 
  • Egg – You will only need one large egg for this recipe. 
  • Sesame Oil – This is a really flavorful Asian oil (found by the soy sauce in the grocery store) that adds so much to this recipe. Make sure you have it!
  • Garlic Salt & Ground Ginger – Ground seasonings are easy to use because they can stay on the shelf for awhile. No need to buy expensive fresh stuff for this recipe. 
  • Broth – Chicken broth or beef broth will work for this recipe. Beef broth will add more of a robust, rich taste while using chicken broth is more mild. I’ve used both and they’re both really good. Feel free to use low-sodium broth if wanted, depending on salt preference. 
  • Brown Sugar – Light brown sugar works well in this recipe. If you prefer a less sweet teriyaki sauce then reduce the amount of brown sugar.
  • Soy Sauce – Be sure and use reduced-sodium soy sauce or otherwise things could turn out a bit salty. 

How to make turkey meatballs with 6 pictures in a picture collage.

HOW TO MAKE TURKEY MEATBALLS WITH GROUND TURKEY

You will need a baking sheet to bake the meatballs, a mixing bowl to mix up the meatballs mixture, and a saucepan for the teriyaki sauce. This dinner can be made in about 30 minutes so it’s perfect for a weeknight dinner. 

Make the Meatballs : Combine the meatball ingredients into a mixing bowl and stir together. You want to make sure that you mix it well to combine all the seasonings among everything. Use a wooden spoon or even your clean hands. Roll into balls and bake in the oven. 

Simmer the Teriyaki Sauce : While the meatballs are baking prepare the teriyaki sauce. Simmer the ingredients in a skillet pan over medium-high heat. Once boiling, reduce heat and simmer for about 3 minutes. 

Finishing Touches : Add the cornstarch slurry and cooked meatballs. Let cook together for a few minutes until thickened. Serve over rice and garnish with green onions and additional teriyaki sauce. 

Meatballs in sauce inside a skillet pan.

TIPS FOR SUCCESS

There are a few extra tips that will hopefully make this recipe easy to make at home.

  • Sweet Teriyaki Sauce? : We love the recipe as is, but if you prefer a less-sweet teriyaki sauce then reduce the brown sugar. Maybe to 1/3 cup.
  • Mix the Meatball Mixture Well : It will take a few minutes but make sure you are mixing it thoroughly so that all the seasonings, sauces, and bread crumbs are evenly distributed among the meat. 
  • Want Even Shaped Meatballs? : Use a cookie scoop to make the meatballs the same shape and roll them tight so they form perfect meatballs. 
  • Meat Temperature : No matter what the cook time on the recipe says the most important thing is that the meatballs are up to the correct temperature. Do not take them out if they are not 165 degrees (F) or above. 
  • Should I use regular broth or low-sodium broth? : Either one will work depending on preference. I love the robust flavor of the beef broth but chicken broth is really good too. It’s a milder flavor. I always use regular salt broth as I like the flavor it adds to this dish. 

Plate of meatballs with teriyaki sauce.

SERVING SUGGESTIONS FOR BAKED TURKEY MEATBALLS

I always cook up some white rice and thinly slice some green onions when I make these meatballs. 

You can also serve them over brown rice, quinoa, or even cauliflower rice. Really anything at all would be delicious. Or just eat them plain as meatballs with some sauce on top. 

One of my kids loves lettuce wraps so she will even take some lettuce leaves and add some rice, a meatball, and a drizzle of extra sauce. 

HOW TO STORE AND REHEAT TURKEY MEATBALL LEFTOVERS

Leftovers of these turkey meatballs keep really well in the fridge. Store in a covered container, like Tupperware with a lid, for 3-4 days. I reheat leftovers in the microwave and it works great. 

CAN I FREEZE GROUND TURKEY BAKED MEATBALLS?

Yes you can! Prepare and cook the meatballs. Once the meatballs are cooked store them in a freezer safe Ziploc bag for 1-2 months. When you are ready to serve, thaw the cooked meatballs and prepare the sauce according to recipe instructions. 

I have never tried freezing them uncooked but I think it would work just fine. Although I would probably recommend freezing the already cooked meatballs. 

Turkey meatballs on top of rice on a white plate.

Ground turkey meatballs topped with teriyaki sauce and green onions.
Together As Family Logo

Teriyaki Turkey Meatballs


Author Jessica - Together as Family
Course Dinner
Cuisine American
Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 12 minutes
Servings 6 people (3 meatballs each)
Teriyaki Turkey Meatballs are baked in the oven and then simmer in a homemade sweet teriyaki sauce on the stove top. Serve these ground turkey meatballs over cooked rice and garnish with green onion and extra sauce!

Ingredients
  

Turkey Meatballs

  • 1 lb ground turkey
  • 1/2 cup panko bread crumbs
  • 1 large egg
  • 1 teaspoon sesame oil
  • ½ teaspoon garlic salt
  • ¼ teaspoon ground ginger

Teriyaki Sauce

  • 1 cup beef or chicken broth
  • 1/2 cup light brown sugar
  • 3 tablespoons hoisin sauce
  • 2 tablespoons reduced-sodium soy sauce
  • 1 tablespoon sesame oil
  • ¼ teaspoon ground ginger
  • ¼ teaspoon garlic salt
  • 1 tablespoon cornstarch
  • 1 tablespoon cold water

Instructions

  • Heat oven to 425°.
    Spray a cookie sheet or other baking pan with cooking spray. You can also line it with parchment paper or tin foil (lightly spray the tin foil with cooking spray if using).
  • Add all meatball ingredients into a large mixing bowl. Use a wooden spoon to combine together well.
  • Use a cookie scoop or hands and roll into balls. About the size of a golf ball (1-inch). Place meatballs on the baking sheet.
  • Bake for 10-12 minutes. Internal temperature needs to be at 165° F.
  • Add all the teriyaki sauce ingredients into a skillet pan, over medium-high heat. Whisk together and bring to a boil. Once boiling, reduce heat to medium-low and let simmer for 3 minutes.
  • Stir together the water and cornstarch in a small bowl with a fork.
  • Add the cooked meatballs and cornstarch mixture into the skillet pan. Let simmer for about 5 minutes or until the sauce is thickened.
  • Serve meatballs over cooked rice and garnish with green onions and extra teriyaki sauce.

Notes

Nutrition Information : Recipe makes 18 meatballs. Nutrition information is for 3 meatballs each plus some teriyaki sauce. If you roll the meatballs smaller or larger, it will change how many servings and meatballs this recipe will yield. Calorie information is for 3 meatballs + sauce and does not include rice. 
Broth : Chicken or beef broth will work just fine. You can either use regular broth or reduced-sodium broth depending on preference. I prefer to use the full salt broth as it adds more flavor to the dish. 
Spicy? : If you prefer some spice then add some cayenne red pepper or a dash of hot sauce to the teriyaki sauce. 
Teriyaki Sauce : We love the sweet balance of the sauce as is, but if you prefer a less sweet teriyaki sauce then reduce the brown sugar to 1/3 cup. 
Hoisin sauce and sesame oil can be found by the soy sauce and other Asian ingredients at the grocery store. 

Nutrition

Calories: 241kcal | Carbohydrates: 27g | Protein: 21g | Fat: 6g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 2g | Monounsaturated Fat: 2g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 73mg | Sodium: 839mg | Potassium: 312mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 20g | Vitamin A: 64IU | Vitamin C: 1mg | Calcium: 38mg | Iron: 1mg

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