One of my favorite flavor profiles for lunch or dinner is a sweet, Asian-inspired sauce. I enjoy Chinese takeout, but I also like making lighter, homemade versions. A simple soy-and-honey glaze is my go-to — it’s amazing on salmon and shredded chicken. Recently I thought about trying this flavor on meatballs, and since I love turkey meatballs, combining the two felt like a perfect idea. These Easy & Healthy Asian Turkey Meatballs turned out fantastic: simple, flavorful, and healthy. I’m sure they’ll become a regular in my meal rotation.
What you need to make these Easy & Healthy Asian Turkey Meatballs!
- ground turkey
- almond flour
- egg
- garlic powder
- onion powder
- sesame oil
- tamari (or soy sauce)
- honey
- salt
This recipe has two parts: the meatballs and the sauce. Each is made with just a few straightforward ingredients, which keeps the recipe quick and fuss-free. Almond flour replaces breadcrumbs in the meatballs, making them gluten-free while still holding together nicely. The sauce combines tamari, sesame oil, honey, and garlic powder for a sweet-savory finish. If you don’t have tamari or sesame oil, swap tamari for soy sauce and sesame oil for olive or avocado oil.
How to make these Easy & Healthy Asian Turkey Meatballs!
- Preheat the oven to 400°F (200°C).
- In a bowl, combine 1 lb ground turkey, 1/2 cup almond flour, 1 egg, 1 tsp garlic powder, 1/2 tsp onion powder, and a pinch of salt.
- Form the mixture into 12 evenly sized meatballs.
- Arrange the meatballs on a parchment-lined or foil-lined baking sheet.
- Bake for 15–18 minutes, or until cooked through. Check one meatball to ensure doneness.
- While the meatballs bake, make the sauce: warm 2 tbsp sesame oil, 6 tbsp tamari (or soy sauce), 6 tbsp honey, and 1 tsp garlic powder in a skillet over medium heat.
- When the meatballs are done, transfer them to the skillet with the sauce.
- Simmer the meatballs in the sauce, turning occasionally, until they’re browned and the sauce begins to thicken and glaze the meatballs.
- Serve over brown jasmine rice with stir-fried vegetables for a complete meal. Enjoy!
I like serving these meatballs with brown jasmine rice and a mix of stir-fry vegetables. Pre-packaged stir-fry veggies work well, but you can use frozen or any fresh vegetables you prefer. For meal prep or leftovers, the meatballs reheat nicely and the flavors deepen overnight.
If you love sauce as much as I do, consider doubling or tripling the sauce quantities — it’s delicious spooned over the rice and veggies and makes great leftovers.
Ingredients (detailed)
Turkey Meatballs
- 1 lb ground turkey
- 1/2 cup almond flour
- 1 egg
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1/2 tsp onion powder
- salt, to taste
Sauce
- 2 tbsp sesame oil (or substitute olive/avocado oil)
- 6 tbsp tamari or soy sauce
- 6 tbsp honey
- 1 tsp garlic powder
Notes
- Substitutions: swap tamari for soy sauce and sesame oil for olive or avocado oil if needed.
- Make extra sauce if you prefer a saucier dish or plan to use leftovers.
- These meatballs are gluten-free, grain-free, and free of refined sugars when made as written.
Description
These Easy & Healthy Asian Turkey Meatballs are a simple, flavorful option for busy weeknights or meal prep. They’re quick to make, naturally gluten-free, and pair perfectly with rice and vegetables.
Easy & Healthy Asian Turkey Meatballs
- Author: Kayla Berman
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Total Time: 45 minutes
- Yield: 12 meatballs
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Oven
- Cuisine: Asian