Teriyaki Turkey Meatballs

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.

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. 

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 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. 

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. 

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.