Teriyaki Turkey Meatball Recipe

Teriyaki Turkey Meatballs, a delicious fusion dish that brings together Japanese and American flavors, creates something both familiar and excitingly new, perfect for everyday dinners or as elegant appetizers at holiday gatherings. We’ve paired ground turkey, a beloved American protein, with the irresistible sweet and savory notes of Japanese teriyaki sauce to create something really special.

Ground turkey has become a go-to in American kitchens, and for good reason. It’s leaner than most ground meats and incredibly versatile – you’ll find it in everything from oven-baked casseroles to healthy turkey burgers and savory tacos. While turkey has its own distinct flavor (which some might need to warm up to in Asian dishes), we’ve found it works beautifully with Japanese seasonings. If you want to mask the turkey aroma, use fresh ginger, a natural fit with teriyaki sauce. Or try adding minced garlic, chopped green onions, or even some fresh cilantro to build more layers of flavor.

While the teriyaki sauce in this recipe is not what you’d find in Japan (where teriyaki is actually a cooking method rather than a thickened sauce), our version creates this wonderful, clingy coating that makes each meatball absolutely irresistible. The sauce strikes just the right balance – sweet but not overpowering, and thick enough to coat each meatball perfectly.

Here’s a helpful tip for entertaining: you can make the meatballs ahead of time, then just warm them up in freshly made teriyaki sauce right before serving. This keeps everything tasting fresh and prevents the meatballs from getting too tough and the sauce from becoming too thick. They’re fantastic as a main dish over rice or as party appetizers – trust us, your guests will be asking for the recipe! Top them with some sesame seeds for extra flair, and you’ve got a dish that’s sure to become a regular at your table, whether it’s for a casual family dinner or holiday gathering. Hope you try this delightful dish soon!

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Teriyaki Turkey Meatball

5 from 1 vote

Prep Time 5 minutes minutes

Cook Time 10 minutes minutes

Total Time 15 minutes minutes

Servings 3 servings

Healthy turkey meatballs in delicious Teriyaki sauce

Ingredients

• 1/4 cup onion, very finely chopped
• 11 oz ground turkey
• 1 egg
• 1/3 cup Panko (bread crumbs)
• 1/4 tsp salt
• 3 Tbsp oil
• 2 tsp sesame seeds

Teriyaki Sauce

• 2 Tbsp soy sauce
• 2 Tbsp sake
• 2 Tbsp mirin
• 2 Tbsp water
• 1 1/2 Tbsp sugar
• 1/2 Tbsp Katakuriko (potato starch)

US Customary – Metric

Instructions 

• Mix all the ingredients for the Teriyaki sauce. Set aside. Finely chop an onion.
• In a large bowl, combine ground turkey, chopped onion, egg, Panko breadcrumbs, and salt. Mix very well. Scoop a heaping tablespoon of the mixture and roll it into a ball. Repeat until all the meat mixture is used.
• Heat oil in a large frying pan. Add meatballs and cook until browned on all sides. Stir the sauce, making sure the starch is fully dissolved, then pour it over the meatballs. Cook until the sauce thickens. Sprinkle with sesame seeds.

Video

Course: Appetizer, Main Course

Cuisine: Japanese

Keyword: meatballs, teriyaki, tureky