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Moist and tender Teriyaki Meatballs are packed with a blend of ground turkey, garlic, and fresh ginger, and coated in a sticky sauce with savory flavors and sweet pineapple. Easily made gluten free, these meatballs are wonderful served as a hot appetizer, or round them out into dinner with rice or noodles and veggies.
Delicious Details
- Cuisine Inspiration: Japanese
- Primary Cooking Method: Stovetop, Oven
- Dietary Info: Gluten-free option, Dairy-free
- Skill Level: Easy
The Easiest Teriyaki Meatballs Recipe
Infuse savory turkey meatballs with ginger and garlic, bake, and then simmer them in an easy homemade teriyaki sauce. Add a side of rice or Brown Butter Cauliflower Rice, gluten-free noodles, or pop the meatballs on top of a Sesame Zoodles Salad to turn them into a complete meal (they also make a fantastic appetizer or afternoon pick-me-up snack). Like in my Pineapple Teriyaki Chicken recipe, the mix of fruit juice and salty soy sauce is irresistible. Here’s why I love these meatballs:
- Easy to adjust. When you make homemade meatballs you can adjust the ingredients to suit any diet, meaning that you can make them whole grain, gluten-free, or paleo.
- The perfect balance of flavors. There’s just the right amount of salty soy or tamari sauce to balance the sweetness of the pineapple juice and honey, and the meatballs have a nice little kick from fresh ginger and red pepper flakes.
- Versatile. As noted, these meatballs make a perfect appetizer or fuller meal. I also like them as a post-workout snack eaten straight from the fridge. You have options!
What You’ll Need
Here’s a look at the ingredients that go into this recipe, plus some substitution notes. Find the full ingredient amounts in the recipe card at the end of this post.
For the Turkey Meatballs
- Ground Turkey: Or use ground chicken.
- Bread Crumbs: Use gluten-free bread crumbs if needed, or try almond flour or ground oats.
- Egg: One large egg helps to hold the meatballs together.
- Garlic: Add a bit more garlic if you like a lot of garlic flavor.
- Fresh Ginger: If you don’t have fresh ginger, use 1/4 teaspoon of dried ginger (but fresh is the best!).
- Salt: I use fine sea salt or table salt.
- Red Pepper Flakes: Adjust the amount of pepper to make this spicier or less spicy.
- To Serve: Rice or noodles, steamed vegetables, and scallions.
For the Teriyaki Sauce
- Soy Sauce. Use gluten free soy sauce or tamari, if needed. You can also substitute the combined amount of soy sauce and water with coconut aminos.
- Water.
- Cornstarch. Tapioca starch can also be used.
- Honey.
- Rice Vinegar: Plain, not seasoned.
- Pineapple Tidbits in 100% Pineapple Juice: You’ll want some of the juice and the fruit itself.
- Garlic: Finely minced or crushed
- Fresh Ginger: Again, you can also substitute with 1/2 teaspoon dried ginger.
How to Make Teriyaki Meatballs
I’ve included an overview in photos below of how to put together these meatballs. Find the detailed instructions in the recipe card lower down.
- Prep. Grease a baking sheet and preheat the oven to 400°F.
- Make meatball mix. Combine the ground turkey, bread crumbs, egg, garlic, ginger, salt, and red pepper flakes.
- Form meatballs. Shape the meatball mixture into 1-inch balls and place on the baking sheet.
- Bake. Let the meatballs bake for up to 15 minutes, until firm.
- Make the sauce. Whisk the soy sauce, water, and cornstarch in a skillet.
- Add remaining ingredients. Whisk in the honey, rice vinegar, pineapple juice, garlic, and ginger.
- Cook the sauce. Bring the sauce to a boil.
- Simmer. Reduce the heat and cook and whisk it until it is thick.
- Finish. Add the meatballs and pineapple.
- Coat the meatballs. Gently toss the meatballs in the sauce until they are coated, then serve.
Helpful Tips
- Try ground beef. Use this method to make teriyaki meatballs with ground beef rather than ground turkey. Or try a mix of ground beef and ground pork for a different flavor.
- For meal prep: Cook the meatballs and sauce, make rice or noodles, and have airtight storage containers ready. Steam some broccoli, sugar snap peas, or another veggie of your choice (or pick up a bag of frozen vegetables). Then divide the meatballs, rice or noodles, and vegetables evenly between four containers. Store your prepped lunches in the fridge and enjoy them all week.
- Form meatballs gently. For the moistest and most tender meatballs, gently bring the mix together using your hands, then divide it up into equal-sized balls. Try a tablespoon or small cookie scoop to help make uniformly sized meatballs (although this step is not necessary).
- Gluten-free filling options: To make the meatballs gluten-free, just use gluten-free breadcrumbs. If you don’t have those on hand, use fine-ground almond flour or oat flour (ground oats), making sure to use certified gluten-free oat flour or oats.
How to Store and Reheat Extras
- Fridge – Transfer the cooked, cooled meatballs and sauce to an airtight container and store them in the fridge for up to 4 days.
- Freezer – Place the meatballs in a freezer-safe container or sealable bag and store them in the freezer for up to 3 months. Thaw the meatballs in the fridge before reheating.
- To Reheat – Gently warm the meatballs and sauce in a skillet over low heat until heated through, or place them in a microwave-safe bowl and reheat them in 1-minute increments until hot. Add a splash of water or pineapple juice if the sauce seems very thick.
Make It a Meal
When I really need a quick meal, I’ll pop a rice pouch and frozen broccoli in the microwave. But if I have a little more time, here’s what I’ll whip up:
- Noodles. Pair teriyaki meatballs with a peanut buttery pile of Spicy Sesame Noodles or gluten-free rice noodles.
- Rice or quinoa. See my posts on how to make white rice 5 ways, how to make brown rice 5 ways, and 5 ways to cook quinoa for quick and foolproof sides to teriyaki meatballs. You can also flavor things up with some Coconut Rice.
- Vegetable sides. Simple green veggies like Air Fryer Broccoli, flavorful Sesame Roasted Broccoli with Maple Glaze, or Air Fryer Green Beans are always welcome.
- As an appetizer. Serve meatballs as an appetizer along with Gluten Free Teriyaki Shrimp and a side of homemade Teriyaki Sauce.
More Meatball Recipes
Teriyaki Meatballs
Moist and tender Teriyaki Meatballs are made from a blend of ground turkey, garlic, and fresh ginger, and coated in a sweet and savory pineapple teriyaki sauce. Easily made gluten free, too!
Servings: 4 servings
Ingredients
For the meatballs
- 1 pound ground turkey
- ¼ cup bread crumbs, almond flour, or ground oats (gluten free if needed)
- 1 large egg
- 1 clove finely minced or crushed garlic
- 1 teaspoon grated fresh ginger
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon red pepper flakes
For the teriyaki sauce and serving
- ½ cup soy sauce or tamari (gluten free, if needed) or 3/4 cup coconut aminos and omit water
- ¼ cup water
- 2 tablespoons cornstarch or tapioca starch
- 2 tablespoons honey
- ¼ cup rice vinegar
- ½ cup pineapple juice from a can of Pineapple Tidbits in 100% Pineapple Juice
- 1 clove finely minced or crushed garlic
- 2 teaspoons grated fresh ginger
- ½ cup drained Pineapple Tidbits
- Your choice of rice, ramen noodles, cauliflower rice, or zoodles
- About 1 pound of broccoli or other vegetables, steamed, or a 12-16 oz. package of frozen vegetables, cooked according to package directions
- thinly sliced scallions, optional
Instructions
For the meatballs:
- Preheat your oven to 400°F and lightly coat a baking sheet with oil or cooking spray.
- In a mixing bowl, add 1 pound ground turkey, ¼ cup bread crumbs, 1 large egg, 1 clove finely minced or crushed garlic, 1 teaspoon grated fresh ginger, ½ teaspoon salt, and ¼ teaspoon red pepper flakes. Gently combine with your hands until well mixed.
- Shape the mixture into 1-inch balls (you'll make about 20) and place on the prepared baking sheet.
- Bake for 12-15 minutes, or until firm and cooked through. They should reach an internal temperature of 165°F. While they are baking, prepare the sauce.
For the teriyaki sauce and serving:
- In a skillet, whisk ½ cup soy sauce, ¼ cup water, and 2 tablespoons cornstarch together until smooth. Then whisk in 2 tablespoons honey, ¼ cup rice vinegar, ½ cup pineapple juice (from a can of Pineapple Tidbits), 1 clove finely minced or crushed garlic, and 2 teaspoons grated fresh ginger.
- Over medium heat, bring the sauce to a boil. Reduce heat and continue whisking to desired thickness.
- Add the meatballs and ½ cup drained Pineapple Tidbits, and toss to coat the meatballs in the sauce. Once heated through, remove from the heat.
- Serve over cooked rice, ramen noodles, cauliflower rice, or zucchini noodles and cooked vegetables, spooning on additional sauce and sprinkling with scallions, if desired.
Notes
Nutrition information does not include side dishes for serving.
Sauce adapted from The Adventure Bite’s Easy Teriyaki Sauce.
Nutrition Facts
Teriyaki Meatballs
Amount Per Serving (5 meatballs and sauce)
Calories 280
Calories from Fat 45
% Daily Value*
Fat 5g8%
Cholesterol 62mg21%
Sodium 1973mg82%
Potassium 483mg14%
Carbohydrates 27g9%
Fiber 1g4%
Sugar 19g21%
Protein 31g62%
Vitamin A 100IU2%
Vitamin C 7.1mg9%
Calcium 35mg4%
Iron 2mg11%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.
Disclaimers: Please discuss your individual dietary needs (i.e. gluten free) with a physician. Even when not specified, be sure to verify all ingredients are gluten free, if needed, by reading labels on all packaging and/or confirming with the manufacturer this varies by brand and can change at any time. Nutrition information shown is an estimate and not guaranteed to be accurate.
Did you make this?
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Where is the recipe?? 🙁
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You know my boys would be all about this!
I think they’ll go crazy for them, Liz!
I love anything with pineapples! This is such a great meal for someone who is trying to eat more Paleo!
My kids love meatballs and I know they would love this if I made it for dinner!
This healthy spin on meatballs is a perfect winter meal! My family will devour them!
I’ll admit that I hardly ever made meatballs but they always look so good and I am tempted to try these!
I hope you’ll give them a try, Julianne. You won’t be disappointed!
Mmmm these turkey meatballs sound amazing! I love the pineapple twist.
Pineapple and Teryaki is my fav combo! I can’t wait to try these meatballs out for dinner!
We love meatballs and these are a great twist on a family favorite!
This is exactly the easy dinner that I need. I believe my teenager will eat ALL the meatballs, so I might have to double it so my husband and I actually get some! Looks fantastic!
This is such a bright and beautiful dish! I love the pineapple mixed in this. I have to try this out for my family.
I hope you all love the recipe, Julia!
Oh my you are making me hungry Brianne , my dad and mom will love this kind of meatballs. I am gonna try this looks so summery and spring at the same time . I bet the pineapple really make it taste even better. I pinned this recipe earlier this morning and for my grocery list I wrote down everything to make these! Can’t wait to try them.
Thank you!
I’m so glad to hear that you will be trying the recipe, Richard. I hope you love the meatballs!