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Thai Turkey Meatballs are about to become a new dinnertime favorite! They’re made with Thai curry paste and simmered in a creamy coconut curry sauce with canned coconut milk, curry paste, shallots, bell peppers, scallions, tamari, and cilantro. Serve these Thai meatballs over steamed jasmine rice and top with spicy coconut and basil-tossed avocado. They’re some of my best meatballs, so YUMMMY!
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Oh, I am excited about today’s recipe. Making these meatballs has been a month-long process, so I’ve been eager to share them. I have to start by saying that my family—everyone from my very picky mother to my brother, Creighton, who prefers intense flavors—adores them.
I’ve been serving these all month long and no one is complaining about our “meatball” nights. In fact, they’ve been requesting these over and over!
Originally, I had a different idea for this recipe. But after realizing that I was missing ingredients, I ended up with the simplest skillet meatball dish.
Thai red curry paste is a key element in so many recipes. It’s a simple ingredient that packs in so much flavor. It’s certainly become a staple. I always have some in the fridge, with backups on my pantry shelf!
Jumping into the details
Step 1: mix the meatballs
I used ground turkey for these meatballs, but you can use ground chicken, pork, or beef. They’re all very similar.
Then, for texture and to help bind the meat together, I add panko breadcrumbs and an egg. For flavor, I use Thai red curry paste, ground ginger, and garlic powder, then season lightly with salt and black pepper.
Step 2: Start searing the meatballs
Now, working in a skillet, melt the butter around the meatballs and let them get crispy. At this point, the meatballs do not need to be cooked throughout. They will finish cooking in the curry sauce.
Step 3: the curry sauce
With the meatballs in the skillet, add some butter. I really love to use butter for the flavor, you have to trust me. It’s delicious.
Then, additional Thai red curry paste, bell peppers (orange, yellow or red), shallots, and scallions. Let the curry paste and peppers cook around the meatballs for a minute or two. This will give you the best flavor. When you smell the curry paste in the air, add the coconut milk. Mix in some tamari (or use soy sauce) and allow the meatballs to simmer in the sauce until it thickens a bit. Then mix in fresh cilantro.
Step 4: the spicy coconut-tossed avocado
You all know I love to add salsa or a simple topping to most dishes, and I’m obsessed with coconutty avocados.
It is kind of like an avocado salsa. Chunks of avocado, jalapeño, toasted, unsweetened coconut flakes, fresh basil, lime zest and juice.
Step 5: let’s eat
I always serve saucy curries over steamed jasmine rice. The curry sauce soaks into the rice, which is super yummy.
Spoon the sauce and meatballs over the rice, then top with the avocado. The green on top really makes these meatballs look pretty too, and you know I’m all about that!
Here’s a tip for you: If you like, you can freeze the meatballs and sauce together. Just thaw overnight in the fridge, then warm on the stove until heated through. You’ll now have a yummy 10-minute dinner. Save this Thai Turkey Meatballs recipe for back-to-school/back-to-work dinners in August!
It will be here before we know it!
Looking for other easy weeknight dinners? Here are some favorites.
Creamy White Bean Noodle Soup with Rosemary Bacon.
Mustard Herb Chicken and Creamy Orzo
Crockpot Crispy Buffalo Chicken Tacos with Jalapeño Ranch
Slow Cooker Saucy Sunday Bolognese Pasta
Slow Cooker Herbed Chicken and Rice Pilaf
Crockpot Spaghetti Squash Lasagna Bolognese
Lastly, if you make these Thai Turkey Meatballs, be sure to leave a comment and/or give this recipe a rating! Above all, I love to hear from you guys and always do my best to respond to each and every comment. And, of course, if you do make this recipe, don’t forget to tag me on Instagram! Looking through the photos of recipes you all have made is my favorite!
Thai Turkey Meatballs
Ingredients
- 1 1/2 pounds ground turkey or chicken
- 1/2 cup panko bread crumbs
- 1 egg
- 4 tablespoons Thai red curry paste
- 2 teaspoons ground ginger
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- salt and black pepper
- 3 tablespoons salted butter
- 2 shallots, chopped
- 2 red or orange bell peppers, chopped
- 4 green onions, chopped
- 1 can (14 ounce) full-fat coconut milk
- 1/4 cup tamari/soy sauce
- 1/2 cup fresh cilantro
- 1 avocado, chopped
- 1 jalapeńo, seeded and chopped
- 1/4 cup toasted, unsweetened coconut
- 1/2 cup fresh basil, chopped
- zest and juice from 1 lime
Instructions
- 1. Add the turkey, panko, egg, 1 tablespoon of curry paste, ground ginger, garlic powder, salt, and pepper to a bowl. Mix until just combined. Roll the meat into 15 to 20 meatballs. 2. In a large skillet set over medium heat, add 2 tablespoons butter and the meatballs. Let the butter melt, then cook for 5 minutes, turning them 2-3 times, until crisp.3. Add 1 tablespoon butter, 2 tablespoons curry paste, and the bell peppers, shallots, and green onions. Cook until they're fragrant and the peppers have softened, 2 minutes. Stir in the coconut milk and tamari. Cook, stirring occasionally, until the sauce thickens slightly and the meatballs are cooked throughout. Remove from the heat and stir in a handful of cilantro.4. In a small bowl, combine the avocado, jalapeño, coconut, basil, lime zest, and lime juice. Season with salt. 5. Serve the meatballs and sauce over bowls of rice topped with herby/spicy avocado.
Nutrition
Nutritional information is only an estimate. The accuracy of the nutritional information for any recipe on this site is not guaranteed.
Did you make this recipe? Please rate & comment below.
These were AMAZING and so much fun to make!!! The basil lime salad added SO MUCH flavor! Thank you again for an amazing meal! Silly question: How old were you when you started cooking? Just curious. Have a great weekend!
Hey Jenn,
Yay! Love to hear this recipe was a hit, thanks for making it! I was 13 when I started cooking. Have the best weekend:) x
Oh yum! Made these last night for dinner and they are delicious! I ended up mashing the avocado and making more of a guacamole-type topping with it. It seemed weird, but somehow it all worked together. I served it over angel hair because that’s what I had on hand in our raging blizzard, but next time I’ll use Udon noodles. I didn’t have any basil but it was great without. The meatballs could easily be frozen and then finished later. Thanks for an inspiring dish!
Thanks so much, Julie! I appreciate you trying this recipe and your feedback, so glad it turned out well for you! xx
Adding to my previous comment… I warmed some balls and rice up and this was DELICIOUS! The pepper didn’t taste as strong as the other day. LOVED it! Thank you! STILL not cooking next week though. 😂😂
Lol that’s fair:) Thanks again, Jenn!
This took me about 2 hours to make so by the time I was done, I was literally DONE. I told my kid to eat a yogurt for dinner, and he rubbed my back and told me he loved me because he knew I was feeling defeated. I DID enjoy a small it and the meatballs were fluffy and flavorful as was the sauce but I learned something really important…I am not a fan of cooked peppers. I am taking a break from the kitchen next week. LOL!
Hi Jennifer,
Thanks so much for making this dish and sharing your feedback, I’m so sorry to hear it took so long! xx
The list of ingredients is concerning – usually they’re listed in order. For the second time I added the curry to the meat when it’s supposed to go in the sauce.
Hi Alexandra,
Sorry for any confusion! The curry does go into the meat, you are going to add 1 tablespoon and then 2 tablespoons goes into the sauce. xx
I never comment on recipes but this was amazing! I LOVED all the complex flavors together! Thank you so much for sharing!
Hey Danielle,
Awesome! Thanks a bunch for making this recipe, love to hear it was a hit! Xx
WOW! I have tried many of your recipes, but this has to be one of my favorites!! It is beyond delicious. The coconut and herbs come through in a way I did not expect- it is perfection!
Hey Olivia,
So glad to hear this recipe turned out well for you, I appreciate you making it! Have a great fall Friday! xT
Great, FLAVORFUL weeknight dinner. When I say we inhaled this, I mean it was goneee. Would also be a great dish to make for company, it looks like a literal work of art on the plate. Realized after I put the meatballs in the pan that I forgot to add an egg, but was perfectly fine without it.
Hey Jenny,
Amazing! Thanks a bunch for trying this dish and your comment, so glad it turned out well for you! xT
OMGOSH- this dish is amazing!! ❤️❤️
Hey Lisa,
Happy Sunday! So glad to hear this recipe turned out well for you, thanks for making it and your comment! xT
Super yummy and flavorful and easy enough to do fairly quickly. Will likely make and freeze some meatballs to make again!
Hey Amy,
Yay!! So glad to hear this recipe was a hit, thanks so much for making it! Have a great day! xT
Made this as an appetizer (sans rice) for a family gathering and it was a hit!
Then made again tonight as a meal. Served over brown rice and quinoa mixture. Everyone LOVED it!! Thanks for your awesome recipes 🤩
Hey Joy,
Wonderful! So glad to hear that everyone enjoyed this recipe, thank you so much for making it! Happy Sunday! xT
I made this meal tonight for the family. Everyone loved it. The grand kids said it was a 5-start meal!
Hey Paul,
So glad to hear that you enjoyed this recipe, thanks so much for making it and your feedback! xx
I made this last night.. It was a huge hit! i love this dish. I’ll def make it again
Hey Diego,
Awesome!! So glad to hear that you enjoyed this dish, I appreciate you making it! Happy Monday! xx
LOVED this recipe. Honestly wasn’t sure how turkey curry would be, but it was so stinkin tasty. And the leftovers were just as good! Plus my very picky hubby loved it!
Hey Francesca,
Love to hear this:) Thank you so much for trying this dish and your comment! Happy Sunday! xT
My friend and I made these last weekend and they were absolutely incredible. I’ve already shared this recipe with my sisters and I cannot wait to make it again!!! It might be one of my favorite recipes of yours!
Hey Jennifer,
Happy Sunday! I appreciate you making this recipe and your feedback, so glad to hear it turned out nicely for you! xx
This was so tasty! Will definitely be making it again.
I just have one question: the recipe calls for 4 tablespoons of red curry paste but in the instructions, it only calls for 3. Where does the 4th tablespoon go?
Hi Sofia,
So glad to hear you enjoyed this recipe! Sorry for the typo, you can keep the recipe as written with 3T. xx
This is actually one of the best recipes I’ve ever made! I usually have to add way more seasonings than shown in the recipe, but I followed this one exactly and it was delicious.
Hey there,
Happy Wednesday! I appreciate you trying this recipe and your comment:) Love to hear that it turned out well for you! Xx