![](https://lorispeak.life/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/Sweet-Sour-Turkey-Meatballs-1024x768.jpeg)
Tender turkey meatballs become every more scrumptious, coated with a tangy sweet & sour sauce. Just a few simple ingredients create an easy, wonderful sauce. Enjoy them on their own, or make them a meal with rice and a simple vegetable.
I have been making this recipe for years. Over time, I have changed it up, cutting down the amount of sugar and adding vinegar and hoisin sauce. This has resulted in a more complex flavor, yet the sauce is absolutely still indulgent and delicious.
Ingredients
Ground Turkey: I usually use 90% lean ground turkey.
Egg: Binds the meatballs together and gives them a rich flavor.
Onion: Red, yellow, or white onions are all fine. A bit of diced onion adds a nice pop of flavor to the meatballs.
Panko Bread Crumbs: Panko is my go-to for bread crumbs. Lighter and crispier than traditional bread crumbs, they keep the meatballs light and tender.
Salt & Pepper: Add to taste to enhance the flavors.
Olive Oil: Used to sauté the meatballs.
White Vinegar, Balsamic Vinegar & Apple Cider Vinegar: Vinegar adds acidity, flavor, and depth to savory recipes.
Ketchup: Adds flavor, tang, and sweetness to the sauce. It also adds a pleasing red color.
Hoisin Sauce: Hoisin sauce is the essential ingredient in many Asain-inspired recipes.
Low Sodium Soy Sauce: Adds unmistakable flavor.
Brown Sugar: Makes the sauce sweet.
Water: Thins the sauce to allow the ingredients to combine before cooking down until it is rich and delicious.
![](https://lorispeak.life/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/Sweet-Sour-Turkey-Meatballs-in-skillet-1024x755.jpeg)
Instructions
Start by making the meatballs. Add the ground turkey, onion, panko, salt, and pepper to a bowl and mix until combined. Avoid over mixing to help the meatballs stay tender. Using a spoon or a cookie scoop, form the meatballs. Try to keep them to a fairly uniform size, so they cook at the same rate.
Heat up the olive oil in a large skillet. When the oil is hot, add the meatballs, leaving room between them to allow you to flip them over. Let them sauté a good five minutes before attempting to turn. If you turn too quickly, the meatballs will fall apart. I speak from experience. 😉
While the meatballs get crisp and brown, combine the sauce ingredients. When the meatballs are cooked through, pour the sauce into the skillet. Bring the sauce to a simmer and stir the sauce gently with the meatballs. The sauce will thicken as it simmers.
![](https://lorispeak.life/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/Sweet-Sour-Meatballs-rice-and-broccoli-1024x768.jpeg)
We typically enjoy sweet & sour turkey meatballs with rice and a side of broccoli. Try sweet chili or honey chipotle for more meatballs with an Asian-inspired flare.