Description
Thai Turkey Meatballs combine lean ground turkey with bold Thai spices, fresh herbs, and a touch of sweetness for a quick, healthy, and flavorful dish. Ready in under 30 minutes, these meatballs offer a perfect savory, spicy, and tangy balance, ideal for weeknight dinners or entertaining guests. The recipe features aromatic ingredients like garlic, ginger, lime, and fish sauce and can be easily customized for spice level, cooking method, or dietary preferences.
Ingredients
Scale
Meatball Mixture
- 1 lb ground turkey (lean)
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tbsp fresh ginger, grated
- 3 green onions, chopped
- 1/2 cup breadcrumbs (or almond flour for gluten-free)
- 1 large egg, chilled
- 1 tbsp fish sauce
- 1 tsp red chili flakes (adjust to taste)
- 1 tsp lime zest
- 2 tbsp fresh lime juice
- 1/4 cup fresh cilantro, chopped
For Cooking
- 2 tbsp coconut oil or vegetable oil (for frying)
Instructions
- Prepare the Mixture: In a large bowl, combine the ground turkey, minced garlic, grated ginger, chopped green onions, breadcrumbs (or almond flour), egg, fish sauce, lime zest, lime juice, red chili flakes, and chopped cilantro. Mix gently with your hands or a spoon until just combined, being careful not to overwork the meat to keep the meatballs tender.
- Shape the Meatballs: Wet your hands slightly to prevent sticking and roll the mixture into small balls about 1 to 1.5 inches in diameter. Place the meatballs on a plate or baking sheet, ensuring they are not touching to help maintain their shape while cooking.
- Cook the Meatballs: Heat coconut oil or vegetable oil in a skillet over medium heat. Once the oil is hot, add the meatballs in batches, leaving space between each to promote even browning. Cook for 5-7 minutes, turning occasionally, until golden brown and cooked through with an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C). Alternatively, for baking, preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C) and bake for about 20 minutes until cooked through.
- Serve and Garnish: Remove the cooked meatballs from the pan and drain them on paper towels to remove excess oil. Garnish with extra chopped cilantro, sliced green onions, or a squeeze of fresh lime juice. Serve hot.
Notes
- Use cold ingredients like chilled turkey and egg to help meatballs maintain their shape better.
- Fish sauce is essential for authentic Thai umami flavor; substitute with soy sauce or tamari for a vegetarian option.
- Make meatballs uniform in size to ensure even cooking.
- Avoid overcrowding the pan to prevent steaming rather than browning the meatballs.
- Cook a small test meatball first to adjust seasoning before shaping the entire batch.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15-20 minutes
- Category: Appetizers
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Thai
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4-5 meatballs
- Calories: 180 kcal
- Sugar: 1 g
- Sodium: 420 mg
- Fat: 8 g
- Saturated Fat: 3 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 4 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 8 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 22 g
- Cholesterol: 70 mg