Sticky Asian Meatballs recipe is made with a slightly spicy, seasoned turkey meat mixture and simmered on the stovetop in a sweet and savory sauce. Serve over steamed rice or noodles for a hearty homemade meal.

Asian Meatballs over rice with broccoli at the side.
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Easy Asian Meatballs

Our easy Asian Meatball recipe turns my Teriyaki Chicken Meatballs into a spicy, gluten free turkey meatball meal by replacing the soy sauce and sugar with pepper paste and preparing it all in one pot. (Becauce why use both a baking sheet and a skillet?)

Asian turkey meatballs are a healthier alternative to most Homemade Meatballs made with lean ground beef; they’re tender and juicy on the inside with a sticky exterior from simmering in the from-scratch sauce. 

Serve your Asian meatballs with rice and steamed veggies on the side and you’ve made a complete family-friendly meal of freshly cooked meatballs covered in a sticky, stir fry flavored glaze. (They’re finger licking good if you eat them without a fork!)

Why We Love Asian Meatballs Recipes

  • Quick and easy to make.
  • Uses a handful of simple ingredients.
  • Moist and tender meatballs tossed in a super simple homemade sticky sauce are delicious!
  • Healthy, hearty, and satisfying supper for any night of the week.
  • Asian meatball sauce has a savory and sweet flavor profile similar to glazed Korean meatballs but is made without beef or garlic.
  • It can be prepared in a slow cooker, baked in the oven, or simmered on the stove.
  • Perfect to serve as a side dish, appetizer, or part of the main meal.

Asian Meatballs Ingredients

Asian Meatballs ingredients.
  • Ground turkey
  • Egg
  • Panko breadcrumbs or regular breadcrumbs
  • Pepper paste or gochujang paste: If you don’t like spicy food use a mild pepper paste to make your Korean meatballs.
  • Ginger powder
  • Salt
  • Black pepper
  • Chicken broth
  • Rice vinegar: White vinegar will also work.
  • Hoisin sauce
  • Cornstarch
  • Toasted sesame seeds (optional garnish)
  • Green onions (optional garnish)

See the recipe card for full information on ingredients and quantities.

Substitutions and Additions

  • Make With Other Meat: I used ground turkey to make my meatball mixture, but you can use ground chicken, ground beef, or ground pork.
  • Change The Chicken Broth: Chicken broth can be replaced with vegetable broth or water.
  • Create Without Cornstarch: Use arrowroot powder or tapioca flour to thicken your sauce.
Asian Meatballs in the skillet.

How to Make Asian Meatballs

  1. Make The Meatballs: Mix together all of the meatball ingredients until combined. Scoop the meat mixture into balls and set aside.
  2. Make The Sauce: Mix together the broth, rice vinegar, hoisin sauce and pepper paste.
  3. Brown The Meatballs: Cook the meatballs over medium-high heat until browned on each side.
  4. Simmer In Sauce: Pour the sauce over the meatballs, reduce the heat, and cook for 10 minutes. Mix the cornstarch with water and add it to the skillet during the last 5 minutes of cooking.
  5. Serve: Garnish and serve hot. Enjoy!
Mix all the ingredients in a large bowl. Scoop the mixture and roll into balls. Cook until brown. Pour the sauce over the meatballs and simmer.

Tips For Making Asian Meatballs

  • Hoisin sauce is a sweet and savory sauce that can be found in the Asian section of most grocery stores. Rice vinegar can also be found in the Asian section of most grocery stores.
  • Ginger powder can be found in the spice aisle of your local grocery store.
  • I prefer to lightly beat my egg before I add it to the meatball mixture. This helps ensure the egg is evenly distributed, and you do not end up with clumps of yolk. 
  • I like to use a small cookie scoop to help form my meatballs to ensure they are equal in size.
  • Wetting your hands before forming the meatballs will help keep the mixture from sticking to you. 
  • Sesame seeds are optional but add a nice flavor and texture to the dish.

How to Store Asian Meatballs

  • To Store: Leftover meatballs can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to four days.
  • To Freeze: You can freeze your meatballs in a freezer-safe bag or container for up to three months. Thaw them in the fridge overnight before reheating. 
  • To Reheat: Reheat your meatballs in the microwave or oven before serving.
a couple of asian meatballs in a skillet

How To Serve Asian Meatballs

These Asian meatballs make a great party appetizer or side dish, but especially taste great served over rice with a side of steamed vegetables for dinner. They are a quick and easy weeknight meal idea that are picky eater approved!

  • Appetizer: Serve these meatballs as an appetizer in a big bowl with toothpicks.
  • Side Dish: These meatballs make a great side dish for a holiday buffet or potluck dinner.
  • Dinner: Serve the meatballs on top of white rice, brown rice, cauliflower rice, mashed potatoes, or noodles for an easy make-ahead meal.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I prepare my meatballs in advance?

Yes, you can shape the meatballs ahead of time and store them in the fridge until you’re ready to cook them. 

What are the taste and the texture of the Asian Meatballs?

The Asian meatballs are slightly sweet, savory, and spicy. They are tender and juicy on the inside with a sticky exterior. The sesame seeds add a nice nutty flavor and the green onion adds a touch of sweetness and crunch. 

Are these Asian style meatballs gluten free?

This recipe uses naturally gluten-free ingredients. But today, most commercially available products are made with wheat to thicken certain sauces or add other flavors. If you have celiac disease or gluten sensitivities, make sure your ingredients are labeled gluten-free.

Asian Meatballs in a white plate served over rice.

More Easy Meatball Recipes

Asian Meatballs scooped using a spoon.

Other Easy Party Food Recipes

If you tried this Asian Meatballs Recipe or any other recipe on my website, please leave a 🌟 star rating and let me know how it went in the 📝 comments below. Thanks for visiting!!!

5 from 2 votes
Asian Meatballs served with rice.

Asian Meatballs

Serves — 4
Toss your Asian Meatballs in a sticky homemade sauce for a sweet, savory, and spicy taste with a juicy, tender texture.
Prep Time 30 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Total Time 50 minutes

Ingredients
  

For Meatballs

  • 1 pound ground turkey
  • 1 egg beaten
  • ½ cup panko breadcrumbs or regular breadcrumbs
  • 1 teaspoons pepper paste or gochujang paste divided (if you don’t like spicy food use a mild pepper paste)
  • 1 teaspoon ginger powder
  • ½ teaspoon salt
  • ¼ teaspoon black pepper

Sauce

  • cup chicken broth
  • 1 tablespoon rice vinegar
  • 2 tablespoons hoisin sauce
  • 1 teaspoon pepper paste or gochujang paste
  • 1 tablespoon cornstarch mix with 2 tablespoons water

For garnish

  • 1 teaspoon sesame seeds
  • 2 Green onion chopped

Instructions
 

  • Place all the ingredients of the meatball in a medium bowl, and mix everything until it’s well combined.
    1 pound ground turkey, 1 egg, ½ cup panko breadcrumbs, 1 teaspoons pepper paste or gochujang paste, 1 teaspoon ginger powder, ½ teaspoon salt, ¼ teaspoon black pepper
  • Shape the meatballs using 1 tablespoon of the turkey mixture. Set aside
  • In another bowl mix broth, rice vinegar, hoisin sauce and pepper paste.
    ⅓ cup chicken broth, 1 tablespoon rice vinegar, 2 tablespoons hoisin sauce, 1 teaspoon pepper paste or gochujang paste
  • Place the meatballs in the skillet, add cook over medium-high heat until the meatballs are browned on each side.
  • Pour sauce into the skillet with the meatballs, reduce heat and continue cooking for 10 minutes
  • To thicken the sauce, mix the cornstarch with water and add it to the skillet during the last 5 minutes of cooking.
    1 tablespoon cornstarch
  • Serve hot garnish with sesame seeds and green onion if desired.
    1 teaspoon sesame seeds, 2 Green onion

Jenn’s Notes

Storage:
  • To Store: Leftover meatballs can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to four days.
  • To Freeze: You can freezer your meatballs in a freezer-safe bag or container for up to three months. Thaw them in the fridge overnight before reheating.
Tips:
  • Hoisin sauce is a sweet and savory sauce that can be found in the Asian section of most grocery stores. Rice vinegar can also be found in the Asian section of most grocery stores.
  • Ginger powder can be found in the spice aisle of your local grocery store.
  • I prefer to lightly beat my egg before I add it to the meatball mixture. This helps ensure the egg is evenly distributed and you do not end up with clumps of yolk.
  • I like to use a small cookie scoop to help form my meatballs to ensure they are equal size.
  • Wetting your hands before forming the meatballs will help keep the mixture from sticking to you.
  • Sesame seeds are optional, but they add a nice flavor and texture to the dish.

Nutrition Info

Calories: 209kcal | Carbohydrates: 13g | Protein: 30g | Fat: 4g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 1g | Trans Fat: 0.03g | Cholesterol: 104mg | Sodium: 623mg | Potassium: 414mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 3g | Vitamin A: 154IU | Vitamin C: 2mg | Calcium: 38mg | Iron: 2mg

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