Name: Asian Glazed Turkey Meatballs Recipe
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 15 min
Total time: 25 min
Cuisine: Asian
Ingredients: 1 lb ground turkey; 1/3 cup whole wheat panko breadcrumbs; 1 egg; 1 Tbsp low-sodium soy sauce; 1 tsp fresh grated ginger or 1/4 tsp ground ginger; 1 clove garlic, minced; 2 green onions, sliced; Extra green onions, sliced; Sesame seeds; 1/2 cup low-sodium soy sauce; 1/3 cup beef broth or water; 1/4 cup honey; 1 tsp sesame oil; 4 cloves garlic, minced; 2 tsp fresh grated ginger or 1/2 tsp ground ginger; 1/4 tsp black pepper; 1/4 to 1/2 tsp crushed red chili flakes (optional); 1/2 Tbsp cornstarch; 1/2 Tbsp water

These Asian Glazed Turkey Meatballs are a fantastic mix of sweet, savory, and just a hint of spice that will have your taste buds dancing. The sticky, shiny glaze clinging to tender turkey meatballs makes this Asian Glazed Turkey Meatballs Recipe truly stand out in any weeknight dinner lineup.

A white bowl holds three main layers: the bottom layer is light brown cooked rice with some dark sauce drizzled on top and green onion pieces scattered; on one side, bright green broccoli florets with a fresh texture sit closely together; on the other side, small round meatballs coated in a shiny dark brown sauce sprinkled with white sesame seeds and sliced green onions complete the dish; the bowl rests on a white marbled surface. photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Jump to:

Why You'll Love This Recipe
Ingredients & Why They Work
Make It Your Way
Step-by-Step: How I Make Asian Glazed Turkey Meatballs Recipe
Top Tip
How to Serve Asian Glazed Turkey Meatballs Recipe
Make Ahead and Storage
Frequently Asked Questions:
Final Thoughts
Asian Glazed Turkey Meatballs Recipe

Why You'll Love This Recipe

I’m honestly obsessed with how easy yet impressive this Asian Glazed Turkey Meatballs Recipe is. It’s one of those dishes that feels fancy enough to serve guests but comes together fast enough for a cozy weeknight meal. Plus, the flavors are balanced so well—it’s sweet, tangy, and a little spicy all at once.

Easy to prepare: You only need a handful of ingredients and about 25 minutes total to have this delicious dish on your table.
Healthy alternative: Using ground turkey makes these meatballs leaner but still incredibly juicy and flavorful.
Versatile flavors: The glaze can be adjusted with more heat or sweetness based on your mood, and the meatballs pair well with rice, noodles, or veggies.
Great for meal prep: These meatballs keep well in the fridge and freeze beautifully, so you can enjoy them again later without fuss.

The image shows a white bowl filled with multiple shiny, golden-brown meatballs covered in a thick dark brown sauce. The meatballs are small, round, and garnished with white sesame seeds and small green onion slices scattered on and around them. The sauce is rich and glossy, pooling in the bottom of the bowl, contrasting with the bright white bowl and making the meatballs stand out. The scene is set on a white marbled surface. photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Ingredients & Why They Work

Each ingredient in this Asian Glazed Turkey Meatballs Recipe plays a part in balancing texture and flavor. From the panko adding a delicate crunch inside to the fresh ginger and garlic bringing that unmistakable bright zest, here’s why I use what I do—and some shopping tips along the way.

Flat lay of a mound of fresh ground turkey, a small mound of whole wheat panko breadcrumbs, one whole uncracked brown egg, a small white bowl with low-sodium soy sauce, a small white bowl with golden honey, a small white bowl with clear beef broth, a small white bowl with amber sesame oil, fresh ginger root and a small pile of freshly grated ginger, several cloves of garlic whole and minced garlic in a small white bowl, two whole green onions with sliced green onion rings arranged beside them, a small white bowl with black pepper, a small white bowl with crushed red chili flakes, and a small white bowl with cornstarch alongside a small white bowl with water, sesame seeds scattered neatly on a simple white ceramic plate placed on a clean white marble surface, soft natural light, photo taken with an iPhone, professional food photography style, fresh ingredients, white ceramic bowls, no bottles, no duplicates, no utensils, no packaging --ar 2:3 --v 7 --p m7354615311229779997

Ground turkey: Lean and tender, turkey offers a lighter alternative to beef but still absorbs the bold Asian flavors beautifully.
Whole wheat panko breadcrumbs: These keep the meatballs fluffy and help bind them, plus they add a subtle nuttiness.
Egg: Acts as the perfect glue to hold everything together without making the meatballs dense.
Low-sodium soy sauce: Adds umami and saltiness; choosing low-sodium lets you control the salt level better.
Fresh ginger: Fresh is always best for that bright, slightly spicy kick, but ground ginger is a fine backup.
Garlic: A must-have flavor punch, both in the meatballs and the glaze.
Green onions: They lend a crisp freshness inside the meatballs and as a garnish.
Honey: Balances the savory soy sauce with natural sweetness, helping the glaze caramelize.
Beef broth: Adds depth to the sauce—water works in a pinch but broth gives richer flavor.
Sesame oil: Just a splash adds that signature nutty aroma that's a hallmark of Asian cooking.
Crushed red chili flakes (optional): For those who like a little heat, this adds just the right spark without overwhelming the glaze.
Cornstarch & water (optional): To thicken the glaze for that glossy, restaurant-style finish.

📝

Note: You'll find the complete list of ingredients, along with their exact measurements, in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.

Make It Your Way

One of the things I adore about this recipe is how easy it is to tailor. Whether you like things spicier, sweeter, or prefer to swap ingredients for dietary needs, you can make this your own without losing the soul of these Asian Glazed Turkey Meatballs.

Variation: I once swapped ground turkey for a mix of pork and beef for a richer flavor—and it was fantastic for a family gathering. Feel free to experiment with what you have on hand.
Heat level: If you want to dial up the spice, add extra crushed red pepper flakes or a dash of Sriracha to the glaze.
Sweetness tweak: Try using maple syrup instead of honey if you prefer a different kind of sweetness.
Gluten-free: Swap panko for gluten-free breadcrumbs, and confirm your soy sauce is gluten-free, like tamari.

Step-by-Step: How I Make Asian Glazed Turkey Meatballs Recipe

Step 1: Mix all the meatball ingredients gently

Start by combining ground turkey, breadcrumbs, egg, soy sauce, fresh ginger, garlic, and sliced green onions in a bowl. I like to mix with my hands because it’s easier to feel when everything’s just combined—the key is not to overwork the meat so your meatballs stay tender and juicy.

Step 2: Form and cook the meatballs

Shape the mixture into bite-sized meatballs, about the size of a golf ball. Heat a skillet over medium and lightly oil it, then brown the meatballs on all sides. This takes around 8 minutes. You want a nice golden color without burning—this step locks in flavor before the meatballs finish cooking in the glaze.

Step 3: Whip up the glaze while meatballs cook through

In a separate saucepan, combine soy sauce, beef broth, honey, sesame oil, minced garlic, ginger, black pepper, and crushed red chili flakes if you’re using them. Bring this mixture to a simmer and let the flavors develop for a few minutes.

Step 4: Thicken the glaze and coat the meatballs

If you want that restaurant-quality shiny glaze, mix cornstarch with water, then slowly whisk it into your simmering sauce until it thickens. Toss the browned meatballs into the sauce, stirring gently to coat each one beautifully. Let them simmer for another 5 minutes to soak up the flavor and finish cooking inside.

Step 5: Garnish and serve

Transfer the meatballs to a serving dish and sprinkle generously with extra sliced green onions and toasted sesame seeds. This little flourish really brightens the dish and gives a lovely crunch.

Top Tip

From my time making this recipe multiple times, I’ve learned a few things that really help nail the texture and flavor every single time. These tips make the process smoother and the results impressive, even for a weeknight dinner.

Gentle mixing: Mixing your meatball ingredients by hand and just until combined prevents toughness and keeps the meatballs tender.
Browning first: Don’t skip browning your meatballs—it builds layers of flavor. Take your time to get a nice crust.
Sauce simmering: Let the glaze simmer before thickening to deepen the flavors. Add the cornstarch slurry gradually to avoid lumps.
Don’t overcrowd the pan: Gives meatballs room to brown properly instead of steaming.

How to Serve Asian Glazed Turkey Meatballs Recipe

Asian Glazed Turkey Meatballs - Serving Suggestion

Garnishes

I always go for extra sliced green onions and toasted sesame seeds on top—they add freshness and a lovely crunch. Sometimes, I wedge in a few fresh cilantro leaves or a sprinkle of chopped peanuts for even more texture and a pop of flavor.

Side Dishes

I love serving these meatballs over steamed jasmine rice or alongside some garlic sautéed bok choy. For a lighter meal, pair them with a crisp cucumber salad dressed in rice vinegar and a touch of sugar for balance.

Creative Ways to Present

For a party, I like to skewer a few meatballs and drizzle them with extra glaze, serving with small bowls of dipping sauce on the side. They also make fabulous sliders inside mini buns with a swipe of sriracha mayo—total crowd-pleasers!

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

After the initial meal, I store leftover meatballs in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. The glaze stays beautifully sticky, and reheating is a breeze—just make sure not to dry them out.

Freezing

I often freeze batches of cooked meatballs in a single layer on a baking sheet first, then transfer them to a freezer bag. They freeze wonderfully and reheat well without losing their tender texture or flavorful glaze.

Reheating

To reheat, I gently warm the meatballs in a skillet with a splash of water or broth, covering the pan to keep them moist and warm through without sticking or drying out. Microwave works in a pinch but be careful not to overcook.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Can I make these meatballs ahead of time?

Absolutely! You can prepare the meatballs up to a day in advance and keep them refrigerated without cooking. Alternatively, cook them fully, then store or freeze. Reheat gently to enjoy the best flavor and texture.

What can I serve with Asian Glazed Turkey Meatballs?

These meatballs pair beautifully with steamed rice, noodles, or stir-fried vegetables. You can also serve them as appetizers on toothpicks or go creative with sliders or salad bowls.

Can I substitute ground turkey with other meats?

Definitely! Ground chicken, pork, or even beef will work well in this recipe. Each brings a slightly different flavor and fat content, so you might want to adjust cooking time and seasoning accordingly.

How do I thicken the glaze properly?

Mixing cornstarch with a little cold water to make a slurry before adding it to the hot glaze is the key. Stir constantly while adding it slowly to avoid lumps, and simmer until you reach your desired thickness.

Final Thoughts

For me, this Asian Glazed Turkey Meatballs Recipe is like a trusty friend in the kitchen—always delivering big flavor with minimal fuss. I love how it brings some exotic flair to dinner without hours of prep, and I think you’ll enjoy how effortlessly it fits into your weekly meals while still feeling special. Give it a try, have fun with the glaze, and don’t forget the crunchy garnish—these meatballs really shine when you make them your own!