Smart Honey‑Garlic Turkey Meatballs
These smart honey-garlic turkey meatballs are juicy, flavorful, and coated in a sticky-sweet glaze made with honey, garlic, and Dijon mustard. Light yet satisfying, they’re perfect for weeknight dinners and pair beautifully with veggies, grains, or mashed potatoes.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Total Time: 35 minutes
- Yield: 2 servings (about 12 meatballs)
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baking or Stovetop
- Cuisine: American-Inspired
- Diet: Low Fat
Ingredients
- 1 lb ground turkey
- 2 cloves garlic, minced (divided)
- 1 tbsp Dijon mustard (divided)
- 2 tbsp honey
- ½ cup breadcrumbs
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- 1–2 tbsp water (to adjust sauce consistency, optional)
- Optional: 1 beaten egg (for binding)
- Optional: grated zucchini or carrot (for moisture)
- Vegetables or side of choice (e.g., zucchini, carrots, mashed potatoes, rice, or noodles)
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C) or heat a large skillet over medium heat.
- In a large bowl, mix ground turkey with breadcrumbs, salt, pepper, half of the minced garlic, ½ tbsp Dijon mustard, and optional beaten egg or grated vegetables if using.
- Form the mixture into evenly sized meatballs.
- Arrange on a baking sheet and bake for 20–25 minutes, or cook in a skillet until golden and internal temp reaches 165°F (74°C).
- While meatballs cook, add remaining garlic, honey, remaining Dijon mustard, and 1–2 tbsp water to a pan over medium heat. Simmer until slightly thickened, about 3–5 minutes.
- Add cooked meatballs to the sauce and toss to coat evenly.
- Serve warm over your favorite vegetables, grains, or creamy mash. Spoon extra sauce on top if desired.
Notes
- Add a beaten egg for better binding and tenderness.
- Mix in grated zucchini or carrot to keep meatballs moist and boost nutrition.
- Use ground chicken as a substitute for turkey.
- Add chili flakes or hot sauce to the glaze for heat.
- Serve over rice, noodles, or cauliflower mash for variation.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving (about 6 meatballs with sauce)
- Calories: 310
- Sugar: 8g
- Sodium: 480mg
- Fat: 14g
- Saturated Fat: 3g
- Unsaturated Fat: 9g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 20g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 28g
- Cholesterol: 105mg
