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A Delicious and Healthy Recipe

A Delicious and Healthy Recipe

4.8 from 24 reviews

Honey Garlic Turkey Meatballs are a delicious, healthy, and easy-to-make recipe that the whole family will love. Made with lean ground turkey and flavored with a savory honey garlic sauce, these meatballs are perfect for a weeknight dinner or meal prep. They’re juicy, flavorful, and made with wholesome ingredients including whole wheat breadcrumbs and fresh herbs.

Ingredients

Scale

Meatballs

  • 1 pound ground turkey
  • 1/2 cup breadcrumbs (preferably whole wheat)
  • 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
  • 1/4 cup finely chopped onion
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 large egg
  • 1 tablespoon soy sauce
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
  • 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
  • 1/2 teaspoon dried thyme

Honey Garlic Sauce

  • 1/4 cup honey
  • 1/4 cup ketchup
  • 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar

For Cooking and Garnish

  • 1 tablespoon olive oil (for cooking)
  • Fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish)

Instructions

  1. Combine Meatball Ingredients: In a large mixing bowl, combine the ground turkey, whole wheat breadcrumbs, and grated Parmesan cheese to form the base of the meatballs.
  2. Add Aromatics: Mix in the finely chopped onion and minced garlic into the bowl to add flavor and texture to the meatball mixture.
  3. Add Egg: Crack the large egg into the mixture to help bind the ingredients together for a cohesive texture.
  4. Season: Pour in the soy sauce, then sprinkle the salt, black pepper, dried oregano, and dried thyme evenly over the mixture.
  5. Mix Gently: Use your hands or a spoon to mix the ingredients together until just combined. Be careful not to overmix to keep the meatballs tender.
  6. Form Meatballs: With clean hands, take about 1.5 tablespoons of the mixture and roll it into approximately golf ball-sized meatballs.
  7. Place on Baking Sheet: Arrange the formed meatballs on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper to keep them from sticking.
  8. Finish Forming: Continue rolling the remaining mixture into about 20-24 meatballs in total.
  9. Prepare Sauce: In a small saucepan, combine honey, ketchup, and apple cider vinegar. Place over medium heat and stir until the mixture is well combined and bubbling, about 2-3 minutes.
  10. Simmer Sauce: Reduce the heat to low and let the sauce simmer gently for 5 minutes to thicken and blend flavors.
  11. Heat Oil: In a large skillet, heat olive oil over medium heat to prepare for browning the meatballs.
  12. Cook Meatballs: Add the meatballs carefully to the skillet, avoiding overcrowding. You may need to cook them in batches. Fry for 5-7 minutes, turning occasionally to brown all sides evenly.
  13. Coat with Sauce: Pour the prepared honey garlic sauce over the browned meatballs in the skillet and gently toss to coat them evenly.
  14. Simmer Meatballs: Cover the skillet and allow the meatballs to simmer in the sauce for 10-15 minutes until fully cooked and internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C).
  15. Garnish and Serve: Remove from heat, sprinkle with fresh chopped parsley, and serve warm as a flavorful main dish.

Notes

  • To ensure moist meatballs, avoid overmixing the mixture.
  • You can bake the meatballs at 400°F (200°C) for 15-20 minutes as a healthier cooking alternative to frying.
  • Ground turkey breast works best for a lean and tender result, but a mixture of dark and light meat is acceptable.
  • Adjust soy sauce amount to low sodium if you want to reduce salt content.
  • Use a meat thermometer to make sure meatballs are cooked thoroughly to 165°F for food safety.
  • Serve with rice, pasta, or steamed vegetables for a complete meal.
  • The sauce can be doubled for extra coating or dipping.

Nutrition

Keywords: honey garlic turkey meatballs, healthy meatballs, turkey meatball recipe, low-fat dinner, easy family meals, honey garlic sauce