Teriyaki Turkey Meatballs

Meatballs don't always have to be served with marinara sauce. These little guys are another healthy dish that is still tasty. I make a lot and keep them in the freezer to have on hand or keep in the fridge for the week. They're great for a meal or a mid-day/post work-out snack! 

Ingredients:

Meatballs

2 lbs ground turkey (or ground chicken if you don't like turkey)
3/4 cup rolled oats
2 eggs
1/2 cup of milk (I use almond milk)
2 tbsp minced parsley
1 tbsp minced garlic or a 1/2 tsp of garlic powder
salt and pepper

Teriyaki Sauce (buy your favorite bottle or make)

1/2 cup soy sauce (I use tamari)
1/4 cup brown sugar
1/4 cup sherry
1/4 cup rice wine vinegar (white or vinegar works)
4 cloves minced garlic
2 tsp grated ginger
1/4-1/2 tsp red pepper flakes

Directions:

Meatballs:

Mix all ingredients (by hand is easiest). Take a tablespoon ice cream scooper and scoop out balls onto a parchment paper lined baking sheet. Once finished, you have two options.

1. Bake meatballs on the baking sheet in a 400 degree preheated oven for 15 minutes.

or

2. Place the pan of meatballs into the freezer to form a little bit (until your pan is heated and ready to cook, 5-10 mins). Heat a little olive oil in a large pan over medium-high heat. Once heated, add meatballs in batches - make sure not to crowd. Cook and brown on all sides, 10-12 minutes. Sometimes I put a lid on the pan for a little to help it cook through quicker.

If freezing or saving for later, let the meatballs cool and store in ziploc bags in freezer or fridge. 

To serve...

Baked route - if you baked your meatballs, add the home-made or bottled teriyaki sauce (home-made, just whisk ingredients together) to a pan big enough to hold the meatballs. Bring it to a boil and add the cooked meatballs, lower heat and let simmer for 7-10 minutes.

Skillet route - pour your home-made or bottled teriyaki sauce (home-made, just whisk ingredients together) over meatballs in the pan, bring to a boil then lower heat and let simmer for 7-10 minutes. If you want to help the home-made sauce thicken, you can add a teaspoon or so of cornstarch to the sauce  - don't forget to bring it all to a boil before letting it simmer.

Serve with the sauce from the pan over rice or noodles. :) Sprinkle with toasted sesame seeds and chopped green onion (if you want)!

p.s. The noodles pictured are brown rice noodles I buy from Costco. I drizzled the noodles with a little sesame oil and tamari and tossed together before topping with meatballs.