Super easy to put together, these Teriyaki Turkey Meatballs use seasoned, ground turkey and get some added crunch from diced water chestnuts. As they brown in the skillet a quick, homemade teriyaki glaze gets poured over and cooks until they’re coated and glossy.
Teriyaki Turkey Meatballs
Here is another in my Meatball Series for you. If you’re a regular reader here you know my affinity to meatballs.
I love mixing it up with textures and flavor and instead of grilling some chicken teriyaki the other evening I decided on making my teriyaki meatballs instead.
This ground turkey recipe works, but feel free to use ground chicken, too.
I like to add a little Asian twist with these and add diced water chestnuts, soy sauce and cilantro in the mix.
With a few other pantry ingredients easily on hand these come together in no time at all.
In a hot skillet they go to brown all over.
How to Make Teriyaki Sauce
I keep the homemade teriyaki sauce recipe simple and pretty true to an authentic 4 ingredient version using soy sauce, miren, water and sugar.
I like to use brown sugar, and with a little cornstarch, the sauce is glossy and has a wonderful flavor that compliments the ground turkey meatballs.
If you like you can substitute the water for pineapple juice for another layer of flavor, although this is completely optional and not keeping it authentic. But I like to switch it up occasionally. 🙂
Enjoy!
Watch how to make this below!
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Teriyaki Turkey Meatballs
Ingredients
Meatballs
- 1 lb ground turkey
- 1 egg
- 1 cup Panko breadcrumbs
- 8 oz can water chestnuts diced
- 1 tsp sesame seeds
- 1 tsp soy sauce
- 1/2 tsp salt
- pinch red pepper flakes
- 1/2 cup chopped cilantro separated
Teriyaki Glaze
- 1/2 cup water
- 1/4 cup soy sauce
- 1/4 cup sake (See Note 1)
- 1/4 cup mirin
- 1 tbsp brown sugar (optional)
- 1 tbsp cornstarch
Instructions
Teriyaki Glaze
- In a small bowl or directly in a small saucepan, mix together all the teriyaki glaze ingredients with a whisk until cornstarch is absorbed and there are no lumps. Bring to a simmer over medium heat until thickened and it turns into a glossy sauce. Set aside.
Turkey Meatballs
- Chop cilantro leaves and set aside. Drain the water chestnuts and dice small. Set aside.
- In a bowl mix together the ground turkey, egg, Panko, water chestnuts, sesame seeds, soy sauce, kosher salt, red pepper flakes and 1/4 cup chopped cilantro.
- Using a small scoop (1-2 tablespoon) make the meatballs and roll into balls with your hands. Place on a baking sheet or plate and refrigerate for 15 minutes while you make the teriyaki sauce.
- Heat oil over medium high heat in a large skillet. Add all the meatballs and cook, rolling until brown all over, about 5 minutes.
- Stir teriyaki glaze and add to skillet, being sure to coat the meatballs. Cook for a minute or two shaking skillet to roll meatballs in the teriyaki glaze.
- Serve over rice, garnished with remaining chopped cilantro and sesame seeds (optional).
Notes
- Substitute sake with Chinese cooking wine or a dry sherry.
The information shown is an estimate provided by an online nutrition calculator. It should not be considered a substitute for a professional nutritionist's advice.
These teriyaki meatballs are Delicious. I couldn’t use water chestnuts and sub’d minced green onion. I used pineapple juice instead of water and added Shao Hsing rice cooking wine to sauce. Really the best teriyaki meatballs, so easy and quick. Love your recipes
Oh thank you so much Molly. 🙂
Why is it we all love meatballs so much? These sound great and look delicious topped with the sesame seeds.
Small, bite sized food or anything handheld and I’m all over it Karen! Thanks. 🙂
I can never get enough meatballs in my life, so these are totally being added to the rotation! I love that you used water chestnuts in these!!! Genius! Pinned!
Thanks Chey. That added crunch is a great texture and I love this teriyaki sauce!
I need to think about meatballs for appetizers more often. For some reason I don’t. Or my brain goes to pate and terrines! But these are fabulous. And I just bought a sparkling shiraz…
Thanks Mimi. I have an entire Meatball Series then for you to check out! 🙂
We regularly enjoy ground turkey in our home so I’m gonna have to give these meatballs a try! They look so delicious, Kevin 🙂
Thanks Dawn. Great in a toasted bun too! 🙂 #MeatballSammys
We eat a lot of meatballs in our house – LOVE them! These look so juicy and delicious and love that they’re made with turkey!
Besides meatloaf, meatballs are my go to when it comes to ground turkey. Sauced with this teriyaki and your are golden!
Hey Kevin! My mouth is criyng looking at these pictures! I like the addition of the water chestnuts for the textural contrast. These would be great as appetizers with a piece of grilled pineapple!
Mmmmm, loving that grilled pineapple tip Dorothy! 🙂