Sweet Chili Turkey Meatballs Recipe
Introduction
These Sweet Chili Turkey Meatballs offer a perfect balance of spicy, sweet, and tangy flavors wrapped around lean, tender turkey. They make a fantastic appetizer or main dish that’s easy to prepare and sure to impress your guests.
Ingredients
- Sweet Chili Sauce:
- 3 tbsp. sugar
- 1/2 tbsp. sambal oelek
- 2 tbsp. rice vinegar
- 1/4 cup + 1 tbsp. water
- 1/2 tbsp. tamari (or soy sauce or coconut aminos)
- 2 tsp. cornstarch
- Plain Jane Meatballs:
- 1 lb. 99% lean ground turkey
- 3 tbsp. panko bread crumbs
- 1 tsp. dried parsley
- 1 tsp. garlic powder
- 1 tsp. onion powder
- 1 egg
- 1/2 tbsp. Worcestershire sauce
- 1 tsp. kosher salt
- 1/2 tsp. black pepper
Instructions
- Step 1: Preheat your oven to 400° F (200° C).
- Step 2: In a large bowl, combine all the turkey meatball ingredients. Portion out about 20 meatballs, each weighing approximately 1 ounce, using a mini ice cream scoop or kitchen scale.
- Step 3: Lightly spray a baking sheet with cooking spray and arrange the meatballs on it. Bake for 12-15 minutes, turning them halfway through to ensure even cooking.
- Step 4: While the meatballs cook, prepare the sweet chili sauce. In a small pot, mix together sugar, sambal oelek, rice vinegar, 1/4 cup water, and tamari. Bring to a gentle boil while stirring.
- Step 5: In a separate small bowl, combine cornstarch with 2 tablespoons of water to create a slurry. Stir this into the boiling sauce.
- Step 6: Continue stirring as the sauce thickens and becomes glossy. Once thick enough to coat a spoon or whisk, remove it from heat.
- Step 7: When the meatballs are fully cooked, toss them directly in the sauce until well coated.
- Step 8: Garnish with sesame seeds and thinly sliced scallions. Serve warm with toothpicks for easy eating.
Tips & Variations
- For an extra kick, add more sambal oelek or include a pinch of red pepper flakes in the sauce.
- Use gluten-free panko or crushed rice crackers to make the meatballs gluten-free.
- Serve over steamed rice or noodles for a complete meal.
- Swap turkey with ground chicken or pork if preferred.
Storage
Store leftover meatballs in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat gently in a microwave or on the stovetop until warmed through, adding a splash of water or sauce to keep them moist.
How to Serve
Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.
FAQs
Can I make these meatballs ahead of time?
Yes, you can prepare and bake the meatballs in advance. Store them in the fridge, and toss them in the sauce just before serving to keep them fresh and flavorful.
Is there a substitute for sambal oelek?
If you don’t have sambal oelek, you can use another chili paste or a few dashes of hot sauce to add heat, adjusting the amount based on your spice preference.
PrintSweet Chili Turkey Meatballs Recipe
These Sweet Chili Turkey Meatballs are a delicious, protein-packed appetizer perfect for any occasion. Lean ground turkey meatballs are baked to juicy perfection and tossed in a homemade sweet chili sauce that balances spicy, sweet, and tangy flavors. Topped with sesame seeds and scallions, this dish is easy to prepare and full of vibrant taste.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 20 meatballs 1x
- Category: Appetizer
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Asian Fusion
Ingredients
Sweet Chili Sauce
- 3 tbsp. sugar
- 1/2 tbsp. sambal oelek
- 2 tbsp. rice vinegar
- 1/4 cup + 1 tbsp. water
- 1/2 tbsp. tamari (or soy sauce or coconut aminos)
- 2 tsp. cornstarch
Plain Jane Meatballs
- 1 lb. 99% lean ground turkey
- 3 tbsp. panko bread crumbs
- 1 tsp. dried parsley
- 1 tsp. garlic powder
- 1 tsp. onion powder
- 1 egg
- 1/2 tbsp. Worcestershire sauce
- 1 tsp. kosher salt
- 1/2 tsp. black pepper
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 400° F to prepare for baking the meatballs.
- Prepare Meatball Mixture: In a large bowl, combine the ground turkey, panko bread crumbs, dried parsley, garlic powder, onion powder, egg, Worcestershire sauce, kosher salt, and black pepper. Mix thoroughly until all ingredients are evenly incorporated.
- Form Meatballs: Portion out 20 meatballs, each weighing approximately 1 ounce. A mini ice cream scoop or kitchen scale can help ensure even sizing.
- Bake Meatballs: Lightly spray a baking sheet with cooking spray and place the meatballs evenly spaced on the tray. Bake in the preheated oven for 12 to 15 minutes, flipping the meatballs halfway through cooking to ensure even browning.
- Make Sweet Chili Sauce: While the meatballs bake, combine sugar, sambal oelek, rice vinegar, 1/4 cup water, and tamari in a medium pot over medium heat. Stir and bring to a low boil.
- Thicken Sauce: Mix cornstarch with 2 tablespoons of water to create a slurry. Add this slurry to the boiling sauce while stirring continuously. The sauce will thicken and become glossy. Bring it back to boil, then remove from heat once it coats the spoon or whisk thickly.
- Toss Meatballs in Sauce: When the meatballs are fully cooked, transfer them directly into the pot with the sweet chili sauce, tossing gently until all are evenly coated.
- Garnish and Serve: Sprinkle the meatballs with sesame seeds and thinly sliced scallions. Serve warm, ideally with toothpicks for easy eating.
Notes
- For a gluten-free version, substitute panko breadcrumbs with gluten-free breadcrumbs.
- You can adjust the heat by varying the amount of sambal oelek according to your spice tolerance.
- These meatballs make great party appetizers or can be served as a main dish with steamed rice or veggies.
- Leftover sauce can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 3 days and reheated gently before serving.
Keywords: turkey meatballs, sweet chili sauce, appetizer, party food, baked meatballs, Asian-inspired
