Pin These Spicy Chili Honey Turkey Meatballs are a perfect blend of sweet and savory with a kick of heat. Oven-baked to stay tender and glazed in a sticky honey-sriracha sauce, they work wonderfully as a quick weeknight dinner or a crowd-pleasing appetizer for game day.
Pin Ground turkey serves as a lean and versatile base, absorbing the aromatic flavors of garlic, ginger, and soy sauce. The result is a flavorful, juicy meatball that pairs beautifully with the glossy, thickened chili glaze.
Ingredients
- 500 g (1 lb) ground turkey
- 1/2 cup breadcrumbs
- 1 large egg
- 2 green onions, finely chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 tbsp soy sauce
- 1 tbsp sriracha
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/4 tsp black pepper
- 1/4 cup honey
- 2 tbsp sriracha (for glaze)
- 1 tbsp soy sauce (for glaze)
- 1 tbsp rice vinegar
- 1 tsp sesame oil
- Optional garnish: sliced green onions and sesame seeds
Instructions
- Step 1
- Preheat your oven to 200°C (400°F) and line a large baking sheet with parchment paper for easy cleanup.
- Step 2
- In a large mixing bowl, combine the ground turkey, breadcrumbs, egg, chopped green onions, minced garlic, soy sauce, sriracha, salt, and pepper. Mix until just combined, being careful not to overwork the meat.
- Step 3
- Shape the mixture into 20–24 small meatballs, approximately 1.5 inches in diameter, and arrange them on the prepared baking sheet.
- Step 4
- Bake for 15–18 minutes, or until the meatballs are fully cooked through and have developed a light golden-brown color.
- Step 5
- While the meatballs bake, whisk together the honey, sriracha, soy sauce, rice vinegar, and sesame oil in a small saucepan over medium heat. Simmer for 2–3 minutes until the glaze thickens slightly.
- Step 6
- Remove the meatballs from the oven and gently toss them in the warm chili honey glaze until every meatball is evenly coated.
- Step 7
- Serve immediately, garnished with sesame seeds and extra green onions if desired.
Zusatztipps für die Zubereitung
For the best texture, avoid over-mixing the turkey dough, as this can make the meatballs dense. Using a small cookie scoop can help you create uniform meatballs that cook evenly at the same time.
Varianten und Anpassungen
You can easily adjust the heat levels by increasing or decreasing the sriracha in the glaze. For a gluten-free version, use tamari in place of soy sauce and swap the standard breadcrumbs for a certified gluten-free variety.
Serviervorschläge
These meatballs are excellent served as an appetizer with toothpicks. To turn them into a complete meal, serve them over a bowl of steamed white rice, brown rice, or even rice noodles, garnished with extra sesame seeds for crunch.
Pin With their vibrant color and irresistible sweet-heat flavor, these honey-glazed meatballs are guaranteed to become a new staple in your recipe rotation.
Recipe Q&A
- → Can I make these meatballs ahead of time?
Absolutely. Bake the meatballs and store them in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat in a 350°F oven for 10 minutes, then toss with fresh glaze just before serving for best results.
- → How can I adjust the spice level?
Reduce sriracha to 1 tablespoon in both the meatball mixture and glaze for milder flavor. For extra heat, increase to 3 tablespoons or add a pinch of red pepper flakes to the glaze.
- → Can I freeze these meatballs?
Yes. Freeze uncooked meatballs on a baking sheet until firm, then transfer to a freezer bag for up to 3 months. Bake from frozen, adding 5 minutes to cooking time. Glaze after baking.
- → What can I serve with these meatballs?
They pair wonderfully with steamed jasmine rice, udon noodles, or quinoa. For appetizers, serve with toothpicks alongside cucumber slices or bok choy to balance the sweetness.
- → Can I use ground chicken instead of turkey?
Certainly. Ground chicken works perfectly as a substitute with identical cooking times. The glaze complements both meats equally well, creating the same sweet-spicy finish.