Every now and then, you stumble upon a recipe that feels like a cozy sweater on a chilly day—unexpected yet utterly comforting. These Easy Baked Asian Turkey Meatballs with Carrot Rice are just that. Imagine savoring the savory, aromatic flavors of the East, all while your kitchen smells like a street market in Bangkok—except, without the bustling crowd and with a hint of home.
Steps
- Begin by preheating the broiler and bringing 1 1/2 cups of salted water to a boil in a medium saucepan. Add the rice, cover, reduce to a simmer, and cook for about 15 minutes until tender. Remove from heat, place shredded carrots on top, cover, and let stand for 8 minutes before stirring them in and fluffing the rice with a fork.
- In a medium bowl, mix together panko breadcrumbs, ground turkey, cilantro, soy sauce, sriracha, egg, sugar, garlic, black pepper, salt, and water. Form the mixture into tablespoon-sized meatballs and arrange them on a foil-lined baking sheet sprayed with cooking spray.
- Lightly coat the tops of the meatballs with cooking spray and broil them about 4-6 inches from the heat source for 10-15 minutes, until they are fully cooked through.
- To prepare the honey garlic sauce, combine honey, soy sauce, and minced garlic in a small bowl. Drizzle the sauce over the cooked meatballs and toss to ensure they are evenly coated.
- Serve the meatballs over the carrot rice, garnishing with chopped cilantro and sesame seeds if desired. Accompany with lime wedges for added flavor.
Ingredients
- For the rice:
- 1 cup long-grain white rice
- 2 carrots, peeled and shredded
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- For the meatballs:
- 3/4 cup panko breadcrumbs (can use regular or gluten-free)
- 1 1/2 pounds ground dark-meat turkey
- 1/3 cup chopped fresh cilantro leaves
- 4 teaspoons soy sauce
- 2 teaspoons sriracha (optional)
- 4 teaspoons sugar
- 1 large garlic clove, minced
- 1 egg
- Cooking spray
- For the honey garlic sauce:
- 3 tablespoons soy sauce
- 1/4 cup honey
- 1 clove of garlic, minced
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- For serving and garnish:
- Lime wedges
- Sesame seeds and chopped cilantro (optional)
Nutritional Values
Calories: 525kcal | Carbohydrates: 71g | Protein: 48g | Fat: 5g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 134mg | Sodium: 1351mg | Potassium: 742mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 24g | Vitamin A: 5285IU | Vitamin C: 3.9mg | Calcium: 58mg | Iron: 3.1mg
FAQ
- How do you make Asian meatballs?
- To prepare Asian meatballs, use ground turkey mixed with panko breadcrumbs and season with cilantro, soy sauce, garlic, and a hint of sriracha for flavor. Broil the meatballs instead of pan frying them for an easier cooking method. They can also be frozen for later use.
- What makes the carrot rice special in this dish?
- Carrot rice is made by adding shredded carrots to cooked rice and letting it sit covered for a few minutes. The heat from the rice gently cooks the carrots, giving the rice an appealing orange hue and a delightful taste, making it a clever way to include vegetables in your meal.
- Can the meatballs be prepared in advance?
- Yes, the meatballs can be made ahead of time. Once cooked, let them cool and freeze them in resealable bags for future meals.
- What ingredients are used in the honey garlic sauce?
- The honey garlic sauce is made by mixing honey, soy sauce, and minced garlic. It is drizzled over the meatballs to enhance their flavor.
- How long does it take to prepare this meal?
- The entire meal, including both the Asian meatballs and carrot rice, can be prepared and ready to serve in approximately 30 minutes.
Tips
- To achieve a healthier version of meatballs, use ground turkey instead of beef, which will result in lighter and less greasy meatballs without compromising on flavor.
- Consider broiling the meatballs instead of pan-frying them. This method is simpler and ensures the tops brown just as well as if they were seared in a pan, while also reducing the need for added oil.
- The carrot rice is a fun twist and a clever way to incorporate vegetables into the meal. After cooking the rice, stir in shredded carrots and let them steam in the covered pot for a few minutes. This not only adds a vibrant color but also slightly cooks the carrots, enhancing the overall flavor.
- For meal prep convenience, double the recipe and freeze half of the cooked meatballs. This allows you to have a quick meal option ready for another day.
Equipment
- Broiler Pan – If you don’t have a broiler pan, you might need to get one for broiling the meatballs.
- Baking Sheet – A foil-lined baking sheet is needed to broil the meatballs.
- Cooking Spray – To coat the baking sheet and the tops of the meatballs.
- Grater/Shredder – For shredding the carrots.
