Pineapple Teriyaki Turkey Meatballs (with Meal Prep Ideas)

1/16/18

Pineapple Teriyaki Turkey Meatballs pack your favorite sweet and savory Asian-inspired flavors into one little bite. This turkey meatball recipe is perfect for party appetizers and delicious for a quick and easy dinner.

Plus there are meal prep ideas to pack wholesome lunches for the week, with options for whole grain, gluten-free, and paleo meals.

Disclaimer: This recipe was developed through a sponsored partnership with Dole Packaged Foods. As always, all opinions are my own.

It’s a new year and everyone is talking about their resolutions. Except those that don’t make resolutions. Of course, they are often talking about how they don’t make resolutions, but instead have intentions or goals or something else.

My personal take on the whole resolution matter is that whatever you have to do to make better choices for yourself, whether it is publicly proclaiming your resolve to go to the gym or eat better, to share your goals in order to put it out there to the universe, or keep it to yourself and steadily work towards those personal improvements, then I say “go for it!”

So where do I stand with the “New Year, New You” resolution/intention/goal/etc.? Well, my “new me” is really about getting back to my “old me”. I, like many, missed a few more workouts, ate a few more cookies, and took an extra helping. Not surprisingly, I also let the busy season pull me away from my usual meal planning and mindfulness about my choices.

Specifically, I am getting up earlier in the morning so I don’t make excuses for cutting my workout short. This also gives me a little time to myself to plan ahead for the day. I am back to my morning bowl of oatmeal instead of just a smoothie, which does help keep me fuller longer. That means less mid-morning snacking. I am trying to make a batch of Greek Yogurt Maple Dijon Salad Dressing and prep some salad fixin’s and roasted veggies to grab lunch quickly.

And I’m planning ahead so I have all the ingredients and time to make nutritious dinners that are satisfying. This way I’m not grabbing extra servings or looking for an indulgent dessert in the evening (though Mango Lava Flow Smoothies or Pineapple Upside Down Cake for Two are a healthier way to satisfy that sweet tooth).

Generally I prefer the “everything in moderation” approach. Therefore, I’m not following a low carb diet or paleo diet (I am gluten-free by necessity), but I do love the option to reduce carbs and pack in a few more veggies. That is why I love these…

How to Make Pineapple Teriyaki Turkey Meatballs

Pineapple Teriyaki Turkey Meatballs are a delicious way to stay on track while customizing to everyone’s tastes and preferences!

These teriyaki meatballs start with a basic mixture of ground turkey and egg. Season the turkey meatballs with ginger, garlic, and a pinch of red pepper flakes for a bit of Asian flair. To bind them, you can stick with traditional bread crumbs, or use ground oatmeal (gluten-free, if needed) or almond meal. In a large bowl combine the ingredients, form balls, then bake them in the oven.

While they bake, a simple mixture of pantry ingredients is simmered together to make a sauce that you cook until it is slightly thickened. Again, a couple simple swaps can customize this for everyone. The base can be soy sauce, or you can use tamari if you have a gluten allergy. But there’s also the option of coconut aminos if you are following the paleo diet. And the mixture is thickened with your choice of corn starch or tapioca starch, based on your preference.

Open a can of Dole Canned Pineapple Tidbits in 100% Juice and pour some of that juice into your sauce to help sweeten it up a bit. Then some of the Pineapple Tidbits get mixed in when you add the meatballs. That’s what I love about products from Dole. I can always keep Dole products in my pantry or freezer to have on hand to add to healthy meals and snacks. And since the fruit is packed in 100% juice, I know that I’m adding an ingredient I can feel good about!

How to Make Turkey Meatballs for Meal Prep

• Make sure you’ve bought some meal prep containers. Standard ones work fine, or choose the kind with separate compartments.
• Steam some broccoli or sugar snap peas, or any other veggie of your choice. Another option is to take the super easy route of picking up a bag of frozen vegetables (I like to use an Asian blend).
• Then pack the veggies into containers with your choice of brown rice that you’ve cooked on the stove or in your Instant Pot (or grab these microwaveable pouches), ramen noodles (I like a gluten-free rice ramen I pick up at my local warehouse store), cauliflower rice, or zucchini noodles you’ve made with a spiralizer. Pack four of the same or one of each and you have lunches for the week!
• Want to serve them as an appetizer? Just grab some cute bamboo toothpicks and put them in a bowl.

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I am proud to be partnering with Dole Packaged Foods to create recipes featuring their highest quality, GMO-free fruits and veggies. You can always find Dole in my freezer and pantry, and often in #BugsLunchbox. I am thrilled to share ways to use their products to make it easy to get more fruits and veggies in your diet in a no-fuss way. Find out more about their products by following Dole Sunshine on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and Pinterest.

Here’s some more make-ahead meals and snacks using products from Dole…

• Tropical Chicken Salad
• Pineapple Coconut Energy Balls
• Fruit and Yogurt Snack Hack
• Mexican Pineapple Black Bean Stuffed Baked Sweet Potatoes

My friends are here to help too. You can blend up this Strawberry Banana Smoothie from i heart naptime. Another meal prep option is Grilled Chicken and Pineapple Rice Bowls from RecipeGirl. Or make a big Tropical Pineapple Salad from Chelsea’s Messy Apron.

For more yumminess from me and my foodie friends, keep up with me on…

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Pineapple Teriyaki Turkey Meatballs Recipe

Infuse turkey meatballs with ginger and garlic, bake, and then simmer in an easy homemade teriyaki sauce. By making them yourself, you can adjust the ingredients based on your dietary needs or preferences, making the entire meal whole grain, gluten-free, or paleo. Choose between rice, ramen noodles, cauliflower rice, or zoodles for your sides to pack wholesome lunches to eat all week.

I hope you’ll leave a comment and give it a FIVE STAR rating or share a photo on this pin on Pinterest!

Print Recipe

5 from 2 votes

Pineapple Teriyaki Turkey Meatballs

Prep Time10 mins

Cook Time20 mins

Total Time30 mins

Servings: 4

Calories: 280kcal

Author: Brianne @ Cupcakes & Kale Chips

Ingredients

For the meatballs

• 1 pound ground turkey
• 1/4 cup almond meal or bread crumbs or ground oats
• 1 egg
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes
• 1 clove garlic, finely minced or crushed
• 1 teaspoon grated fresh ginger

For the teriyaki sauce and serving

• 1/2 cup soy sauce or tamari or 3/4 cup coconut aminos and omit water
• 1/4 cup water
• 2 tablespoon cornstarch or tapioca starch
• 2 tablespoons honey
• 1/4 cup rice vinegar
• 1/2 cup of reserved pineapple juice from a can of Dole Pineapple Tidbits in 100% Pineapple Juice
• 1 clove garlic finely minced or crushed
• 2 teaspoons grated fresh ginger
• 1/2 cup drained Dole Pineapple Tidbits in 100% Pineapple Juice
• Your choice of rice, ramen noodles, cauliflower rice, or zoodles
• About 1 pounds 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
• Combine the ingredients in a bowl and 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 15-18 minutes, or until firm and cooked through.

For the teriyaki sauce and serving:

• In a skillet, whisk soy sauce or tamari, water, and cornstarch or tapioca starch together until smooth.
• Whisk in the honey, rice vinegar, pineapple juice, garlic, and ginger.
• Over medium heat, bring to a boil. Reduce heat and continue whisking to desired thickness.
• Add the meatballs and pineapple, and toss to coat the meatballs in the sauce, and 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

Sauce adapted from The Adventure Bite's Easy Teriyaki Sauce.

Tried this recipe?Mention @cupcakekalechip or tag #cupcakesandkalechips!

Nutrition

Serving: 5meatballs and sauce | Calories: 280kcal | Carbohydrates: 27g | Protein: 31g | Fat: 5g | Cholesterol: 62mg | Sodium: 1973mg | Potassium: 483mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 19g | Vitamin A: 100IU | Vitamin C: 7.1mg | Calcium: 35mg | Iron: 2mg

Enjoy!