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Turkey Meatballs Recipe

Juicy baked turkey meatballs tossed in a sweet and savory soy-based glaze with hints of garlic and sesame.
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Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 25 minutes
Total Time 40 minutes
Servings: 30
Course: Main Course
Calories: 59
Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients
  

  • 2 pounds ground turkey or 1 package of Butterball Sweet Onion Turkey Burgers, thawed
  • ½ cup Italian breadcrumbs
  • 1 egg lightly beaten to break up the yolk
  • 1 teaspoon paprika
  • ½ teaspoon cayenne pepper or to taste
  • ¾ teaspoon salt or to taste
  • ¼ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper or to taste
  • 2 cloves garlic minced
  • 1 teaspoon dried oregano
For the Glaze
  • ⅔ cup water
  • ½ cup low sodium soy sauce
  • ½ cup light brown sugar
  • 2 tablespoons white vinegar
  • 1 tablespoon rice vinegar
  • 1 teaspoon sesame oil

Equipment

  • Large mixing bowl
  • Wooden spoon
  • Measuring cups and spoons
  • Baking sheet
  • Wire rack
  • Non-stick frying pan or skillet
  • Spatula or tongs
  • Oven

Method
 

  1. Preheat the oven to 350°F and set a wire rack over a baking sheet.
  2. In a large bowl, mix the ground turkey, breadcrumbs, egg, paprika, cayenne, salt, pepper, garlic, and oregano until well combined.
  3. Shape the mixture into small, 1-inch meatballs and place them on the prepared rack.
  4. Bake for 16–18 minutes, or until the meatballs are fully cooked through.
  5. While the meatballs bake, combine water, soy sauce, brown sugar, white vinegar, rice vinegar, and sesame oil in a large non-stick pan.
  6. Bring the glaze to a gentle simmer and cook for about 2 minutes.
  7. Add the baked meatballs to the pan and cook over medium heat, turning once, until coated and glossy.
  8. Remove from heat and serve warm.

Notes

Turkey meatballs aren’t flashy. They’re dependable. They show up, do their job, and make dinner easier without demanding much attention.
If yours aren’t perfectly round or one of them breaks apart, congrats. You made real food. That’s kind of the whole point around here anyway