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30-Minute Teriyaki Turkey Meatballs & Rice

Tender turkey meatballs glazed in homemade teriyaki, served over fluffy jasmine rice with broccoli — 30 minutes, about 34g protein per serving (estimated).
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Total Time 30 minutes
Servings: 4 servings

Ingredients
  

  • 1 1/2 lb ground turkey (93% lean)
  • 1/3 cup panko breadcrumbs
  • 1 large egg lightly beaten
  • 2 green onions whites and greens separated, sliced
  • 2 cloves garlic minced
  • 1 tbsp fresh ginger grated
  • 1 tbsp low-sodium soy sauce
  • 1/2 tsp kosher salt
  • 1/4 tsp black pepper
  • 1 tbsp neutral oil (avocado or vegetable)
  • 4 cups broccoli florets
  • 1 1/2 cups jasmine rice
  • 2 1/4 cups water
  • Toasted sesame seeds for serving
Homemade teriyaki glaze
  • 1/2 cup low-sodium soy sauce
  • 3 tbsp honey
  • 2 tbsp rice vinegar
  • 1 tbsp fresh ginger grated
  • 2 cloves garlic minced
  • 1 tbsp cornstarch whisked with 2 tbsp cold water

Equipment

  • Large skillet with lid (12-inch)
  • Medium saucepan with lid (for the rice)
  • Mixing bowl
  • Wooden spoon or spatula

Method
 

  1. Combine the jasmine rice and water in a medium saucepan. Bring to a boil over high heat, then reduce to low, cover, and cook 12–14 minutes until tender. Remove from heat and keep covered. The rice runs in parallel with everything below — that overlap is what keeps this at 30 minutes.
  2. In a large bowl, combine the ground turkey, panko, egg, green onion whites, garlic, ginger, 1 tablespoon soy sauce, salt, and pepper. Mix gently with your hands just until combined — overmixing makes dense meatballs. Roll into about 20 small meatballs, roughly 1 tablespoon each.
  3. Heat the neutral oil in the large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the meatballs in a single layer (work in two batches if the pan is crowded) and cook, turning, until browned on all sides and cooked through, 8–10 minutes total.
  4. Transfer the meatballs to a plate. Add the broccoli to the same skillet with a splash of water (about 2 tablespoons), cover, and steam 2 minutes. Uncover and cook 2 minutes more, stirring, until bright green and crisp-tender.
  5. Whisk together the soy sauce, honey, rice vinegar, ginger, and garlic for the glaze. Pour it into the skillet and bring to a simmer. Stir the cornstarch slurry once more and pour it in, stirring constantly until the sauce turns thick and glossy, about 1 minute. Return the meatballs to the pan and toss to coat.
  6. Fluff the rice with a fork. Serve the glazed meatballs and broccoli over the rice, spooning extra sauce from the pan over everything. Finish with green onion greens and toasted sesame seeds.

Notes

Food safety: ground turkey must reach 165°F internally — small 1-tablespoon meatballs cook through in about 8 minutes, but verify with a thermometer. Jasmine rice runs in parallel with the skillet. Re-whisk the cornstarch slurry right before adding. Leftovers 4 days refrigerated / 3 months frozen; reheat to 165°F. Protein ~34g/serving estimated from USDA FoodData Central; not lab-tested.