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I love making a big batch of these Instant Pot Turkey Teriyaki Meatballs for a healthy dinner, paired with a side of veggies and rice. The Asian twist is a nice change from the typical tomato sauce base you might normally find.
If this healthy meal looks delicious to you, also try this Turkey Lettuce Wrap recipe, our Homemade Goulash, this Stuffed Pepper Soup Recipe, and see our post on how to cook frozen ground turkey for a quick and easy weeknight dinner.
Why Make Teriyaki Meatballs?
These Turkey Teriyaki Meatballs are a fun twist on the classic! The sweet and savory flavor is a great change from tomato-based sauces, and they’re perfect with rice, veggies, or in lettuce wraps. A family favorite and a great way to mix up your weekly meals!
Enjoy!
– Becca
Ingredients in Turkey Teriyaki Meatballs
See the recipe card for full information on ingredients and quantities.
- Ground turkey: I like to use ground turkey to keep calories lower, but you can use lean ground beef, if you prefer.
- Coconut aminos: If you can’t find coconut aminos, use a low sodium tamari or soy sauce. You can learn more about coconut aminos substitute for soy sauce here. If you’re making gluten free meatballs, you’ll want to be sure and grab a soy sauce alternative that’s certified gluten free.
- Oats: I use oats in place of bread crumbs to keep this recipe gluten free.
- Brown rice: Brown rice has a lower glycemic index, it’s packed full of nutrients, and is less processed than white rice. You can read more about the advantages of brown rice here.
How to Make Turkey Meatballs in the Instant Pot
Step 1: In a large bowl, combine all the ingredients for the meatballs.
Step 2: Fill the silicone egg bite molds with the meatball mixture. Cover the meatballs with foil or a silicone food cover and place them on a trivet with long handles.
Step 3: Add the 1 1/2 cups of brown rice and 2 cups water to the bottom of the Instant Pot insert. Place the trivet with the meatballs over the rice.
Close the lid and turn the pressure valve to sealing. Cook the meatballs and rice on high pressure using the manual setting for 25 minutes.
Let the pressure release naturally.
*If you are not cooking rice with the meatballs, then just add the water to the bottom of the Instant Pot insert.
Step 4: While the pressure is releasing, add 1/4 cup of water to a skillet on medium high heat. When the water starts to simmer stir in the aminos, honey, and ginger.
Let the sauce come to a boil then pour in the vinegar. Reduce the heat to medium low. Continue to stir the glaze while the water evaporates, and the glaze thickens. When the sauce is thickened remove it from the heat until you are ready to coat your meatballs.
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Step 5: Add the meatballs to the glaze and roll them around until they’re all lightly coated.
Step 6: Serve the meatballs over rice with a side of steamed vegetables.
Recipe Tips
- If you’d like to add broccoli to this meal, cook the meatballs for 3 minutes less and at the end of the cook time, add chopped fresh broccoli (big florets) to your Instant Pot (on top of the meatballs) and close the lid again. Set the pot to cook for 0 (yes, zero!) minutes. The pot will actually be cooking as it comes to pressure and will then immediately release pressure. When it’s done, quick release the pressure and remove the lid– your broccoli should be perfectly cooked!
- If you’re looking for a homemade easy teriyaki sauce with sesame seed oil, this one is clean and 21 Day Fix approved.
Turkey Meatballs FAQs
This healthy meatball recipe is perfect for meal prep! The meatballs freeze and re-heat very nicely but they can also be kept in the fridge for a few days.
Teriyaki meatballs are delicious with Coconut Rice with Coconut Milk and Air Fryer Frozen Broccoli. Some other great serving options are Teriyaki Brussels Sprouts, Teriyaki Stir Fry, this Pineapple Fried Rice recipe, and this Brown Rice and Quinoa.
Yes! Ground chicken works just as well and has a similar texture and flavor. It’s a great option if that’s what you have on hand.
Healthy Eating Plans
21 Day Fix Containers
Entire Recipe: (makes 14 meatballs)
I give you the counts for the entire recipe so it’s easier for you to recalculate if you change anything.
- Meatballs: 6 Red Containers, 2 Yellow Containers, 1/2 Green Container
- Rice: 8 Yellow Containers
- Glaze: 3 teaspoons
Per Serving: (2 meatballs)
- Meatballs: (just under) 1 Red Container, 1/7 Yellow Container, Negligible Green Container
- Rice: (just over) 1 Yellow Container
- Glaze: (just under) 1/2 teaspoon
2B Mindset
For 2B, I’d double the amount of veggies you eat with it so it counts as half your plate for lunch, then eyeball an equal amount of meatballs and rice for the other half.
For dinner, you’ll want to omit the rice and increase the veggies to 75% of your plate.
If you tried this recipe for Turkey Teriyaki Meatballs or any other recipe on my site please leave a rating and let me know how it went in the comments!
Turkey Teriyaki Meatballs
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Equipment
- Instant Pot 6 qt
- Sealing Rings
- Silicone Covers
Ingredients
Meatballs:
- 1 ½ lbs ground turkey
- 2 eggs
- 1 tbsp garlic minced
- 1 tsp fresh ginger fresh, ground or minced
- 1 tsp coconut aminos or low sodium tamari or soy sauce
- ½ cup oats rolled
- ½ cup green onions chopped
Rice:
- 1 ½ cup brown rice dry
- 2 cups water
Glaze:
- ¼ cup water
- 2 tbsp coconut aminos or low sodium tamari or soy sauce
- 1 tbsp honey
- ½ tsp fresh ginger fresh, ground or minced
- 1 tsp vinegar
Instructions
Instant Pot
- In a large bowl combine all the ingredients for the meatballs. 1 ½ lbs ground turkey, 2 eggs, 1 tbsp garlic, 1 tsp fresh ginger, 1 tsp coconut aminos, 1/2 cup oats, 1/2 cup green onions
- Fill the silicone egg bite molds with the meatball mixture. Cover the meatballs with foil or a silicone food cover and place them on a trivet with long handles.
- Add the 1 1/2 cups of brown rice and 2 cups water to the bottom of the Instant Pot insert. Place the trivet with the meatballs over the rice. If you are not cooking rice with the meatballs, then just add the water to the bottom of the Instant Pot insert. 1 1/2 cup brown rice, 2 cups water
- Close the lid and turn the pressure valve to sealing. Cook the meatballs and rice on high pressure using the manual setting for 25 minutes. Let the pressure release naturally.
- While the pressure is releasing add the water to a skillet on medium high heat. When the water starts to simmer stir in the aminos, honey, and ginger. 1/4 cup water, 2 tbsp coconut aminos, 1 tbsp honey, 1/2 tsp fresh ginger
- Let the sauce come to boil then pour in the vinegar. Reduce the heat to medium low. Continue to stir the glaze while the water evaporates, and the glaze thickens. When the sauce is thickened remove it from the heat until you are ready to coat your meatballs. 1 tsp vinegar
- Add the meatballs to the glaze. Roll the meatballs in the glaze until they are all lightly coated. Serve the meatballs over rice with a side of steamed vegetables.
Oven
- Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.
- Combine all meatball ingredients in a large bowl. Using 1/4 cup measuring cup portion the meatballs and roll into shape. Place the meatballs on a lined baking sheet. 1 ½ lbs ground turkey, 2 eggs, 1 tbsp garlic, 1 tsp fresh ginger, 1 tsp coconut aminos, 1/2 cup oats, 1/2 cup green onions
- Cook the meatballs for 30-35 minutes. Let the meatballs rest for 5 minutes.
- Cook rice according to package directions. 1 1/2 cup brown rice, 2 cups water
- While the meatballs are resting add the water to a skillet on medium high heat. When the water starts to simmer stir in the aminos, honey, and ginger. 1/4 cup water, 2 tbsp coconut aminos, 1 tbsp honey, 1/2 tsp fresh ginger
- Let the sauce come to boil then pour in the vinegar. Reduce the heat to medium low. Continue to stir the glaze while the water evaporates, and the glaze thickens. When the sauce is thickened remove it from the heat until you are ready to coat your meatballs. 1 tsp vinegar
- Add the meatballs to the glaze. Roll the meatballs in the glaze until they are all lightly coated. Serve the meatballs over rice with a side of steamed vegetables.
Slow Cooker
- Combine all meatball ingredients in a large bowl. Using 1/4 cup measuring cup portion the meatballs and roll into shape. Brown the meatballs in a skillet with a little olive oil then place the meatballs on the bottom of the slow cooker insert.
- Add 1/4 cup water the Crock Pot then cover it with the lid. Cook on high heat for 3-4 hours or low heat for 5-6 hours.
- Right before you are ready to serve the meatballs make your glaze on the stove by adding the water to a skillet on medium high heat. When the water starts to simmer stir in the aminos, honey, and ginger.
- Let the sauce come to boil then pour in the vinegar. Reduce the heat to medium low. Continue to stir the glaze while the water evaporates, and the glaze thickens. When the sauce is thickened remove it from the heat until you are ready to coat your meatballs.
- Add the meatballs to the glaze. Roll the meatballs in the glaze until they are all lightly coated. Serve the meatballs over rice with a side of steamed vegetables.
Video
Notes
Nutrition
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Is there a way to print the instant pot meatballs in the molds with ingredjents / instructions alone? I don’t t see a print button. Thank you.
The printable version of the recipe is at the bottom! It contains all the instructions though there’s not three different versions though, they’re all on one card!
Can you stack two or more of the silicone trays ?
You can! I like to stagger them a little.
This has become our new favorite grab and go dinner item! I cook them and some rice ahead of time and it makes sporting events SO easy! Love it!
These meatballs are perfect for meal prep/grab and go meals which is SO nice, but then they also are incredibly delicious which just seals the deal for me!
I love these! And I feel good about eating them! (Plus I had some extra ground turkey in my freezer, just looking for the perfect recipe!). THANKS!
There are two different degrees on baking…Is it 450 or 350..thanks
Oops! Good catch Sherry, it’s updated now. The 450 temp is correct!
I really would like to try this recipe but what can I use in place of aminos, this is not something that I really want to use at this time.
It’s similar to tamari or soy sauce. You could try subbing one of those. Make sure you are using low sodium soy sauce if you are subbing that in and doing 21 Day Fix!
Forgot to rate the recipe – this one is definitely 5 stars!!
I haven’t tried meatballs in my Instapot but after reading this post I definitely want to to try!! They look moist and juicy – not easy to do with ground turkey!!
These teriyaki meatballs are so delicious! I love that this recipe is so versatile and can be make in the oven, a slow cooker or an instant pot. A perfect meal for busy families!