My Teriyaki Turkey Meatballs are a delicious twist on classic meatballs, combining savory Asian flavors for a yummy meal.
The tender turkey meatballs are flavored with ingredients like ginger, garlic, and scallions, then glazed with a homemade or store-bought teriyaki sauce that caramelizes beautifully.
These teriyaki turkey meatballs are tender, flavorful, and packed with umami from a sweet and savory homemade teriyaki sauce. Made with lean ground turkey, they’re a lighter alternative to traditional meatballs without sacrificing any of the comforting, rich flavor.
The sauce clings perfectly to each meatball, giving every bite a glossy, sticky finish that’s irresistible. They’re versatile enough to serve over rice, noodles, or alongside steamed vegetables, and they also work great for meal prep since they reheat beautifully. For an extra indulgent twist, you can stuff them with mozzarella, though they’re best enjoyed fresh to keep the cheese gooey.
Homemade Teriyaki Sauce vs. Store-Bought
Homemade teriyaki sauce brings a fresh, rich flavor that’s often unmatched by store-bought options. Making it from scratch gives you full control over ingredients for a purer, more customized taste. Traditional Japanese teriyaki sauce combines soy sauce, mirin, sake, and sugar, simmered until it’s slightly thickened and glossy.
My homemade sauce uses more common household ingredients. Making it at home lets you adjust the flavors and thickness to suit your personal preferences.
Store-bought teriyaki sauce is convenient, however, many are thickened with cornstarch or other stabilizers to give them a longer shelf life, and they often include more sugar and artificial flavors. There are also high-quality store-bought brands that offer closer-to-homemade flavors. See my rec here.
Teriyaki Turkey Meatballs
- Total Time: 30 minutes
Description
My Teriyaki Turkey Meatballs are tender, savory, and glazed with a rich, slightly sweet teriyaki sauce. They’re a perfect fusion of comfort and Japanese-inspired flavors.
Ingredients
- 1 lb ground turkey
- 1 egg
- 1/3 cup green onions, finely chopped
- 2 tbsp teriyaki sauce (use store-bought or my homemade one below)
- 1/4 cup panko breadcrumbs
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tbsp ginger, minced
- 1/2 tbsp salt
- 1 tsp black pepper
- Teriyaki sauce for drizzling (about 3/4 cup)
- For garnish (optional): additional green onions
Roasted Broccoli:
- 2 cups broccoli florets
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Drizzle of olive oil
Homemade Teriyaki Sauce:
- 1/2 cup soy sauce
- 1/4 cup water
- 2 tbsp honey (substitute with brown sugar)
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tsp ginger, grated
- 1 tbsp cornstarch (add more or less depending on thickness preference)
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 400°F (200°C).
- Toss the broccoli florets with salt, pepper, and a drizzle of olive oil.
- Spread on a sheet pan and roast for 20 – 25 minutes, or until lightly browned and tender.
- In a large bowl, combine the ground turkey, egg, green onions, 2 tbsp teriyaki sauce, panko, garlic, ginger, salt, and pepper. Mix until just combined.
- Scoop two tablespoons of the meat mixture into your hand and roll it to form a ball. Repeat with the remaining meat mixture.
- Arrange the meatballs on a sheet pan lined with parchment paper. Bake in the oven for 14 – 15 minutes, or until the meatballs are cooked through and golden.
- Drizzle the baked meatballs with additional teriyaki sauce, and garnish with additional green onions. Serve alongside the roasted broccoli and rice.
For Homemade Teriyaki Sauce:
- To a small sauce pan over medium heat, combine soy sauce, water, brown sugar or honey, minced garlic, grated ginger, and cornstarch.
- Let it cook for 6-8 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the sauce has thickened. Remove from heat and use as needed. Store in an air-tight container for up to two weeks.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
Turkey meatballs have everything I need in life! lol. The still taste so good, but are way healthier. It’s becoming my new favorite way to get my protein in and I love these teriyaki ones in rice bowls.
Hi Lillian – agreed! So healthy but easy and delish 🙂 thanks for sharing!
The cheese made them super juicy, and the teriyaki glaze added a nice umami and sweetness.
Thank you for your review, Warren! 🙂
11/10, absolutely will make again, my kids loved them
Yay! So glad to hear, thanks Martina!