When I entertain, I like to include a hot appetizer, like these tasty Shrimp and Turkey Asian Meatballs. This is a fantastic twist on the traditional meatball. You can substitute the ground turkey for ground pork, ground chicken, or even ground sausage. So many options!
The secret to these luscious meatballs is a mix of both ground turkey and chopped shrimp. The combo of these two proteins is "amaze-balls!"
These super juicy Shrimp and Turkey Meatballs feature aromatic Asian seasonings and a heavenly sweet and spicy glaze, making them a perfect appetizer!
Ingredients you'll need for this recipe
Gather up these simple ingredients for making these shrimp and turkey meatballs.
- Shrimp of course! 🦐 Depending on how many guests you want to serve, start with about ½ pound of peeled and deveined shrimp. I used a food processor to finely chop the shrimp.
- Ground turkey, which is a perfect combo with the shrimp!
- Three garlic cloves, or more. I love garlic everything so I usually put in more! Finely chop them for the mixture.
- Finely chopped shallots. I used just one medium shallots.
- A small carrot, finely chopped. This adds a wonderful texture to the meatballs.
- Fresh grated ginger for that tangy kick.
- A dash of red pepper flakes for some heat!
- One egg which helps to bind the mixture together.
- Panko bread crumbs, again for binding. (Using gluten-free Panko bread crumbs will not alter the taste.)
- Chopped green onions. The green onions give the meatballs a nice pop of color!
- Fresh cilantro for garnish.
- Salt & pepper for the finishing touch!
- A sweet and spicy sauce for dipping and drizzling. The contrast of sweet and spicy is amazing with these shrimp and turkey meatballs!
I used a food processor which made it so much easier. It finely chops the raw shrimp with just a few pulses! So easy!
Once you mix together all of the ingredients, use a small cookie scoop to form even two-inch meatballs.
Give these meatballs a quick sear in a skillet to brown them on all sides before putting them in the oven.
You can pan sear these Shrimp and Turkey Asian Meatballs and put them in the oven to finish, or you can grill these on the stovetop. Either way you make them, they will taste amazing!
To finish off these Shrimp and Turkey Asian Meatballs, drizzle the sweet and spicy sauce over the top, and serve the extra on the side for dipping! Wow! These meatballs are a bit different in flavor than my Spicy Baked Shrimp Balls recipe, which you should try too. They're a blog fave!
TIPS & TRICKS
- Using a food processor to finely chop the shrimp will make your life so much easier! You’ll thank me later! 😉
- Using a small cookie scoop to form the meatballs will help to make the balls even.
- Make sure to spray the tops of the meatballs so they get golden brown when cooking in the oven. I put the oven on broil for the last few minutes to help that browning process along.
- To make this appetizer gluten-free, use gluten-free Panko bread crumbs and gluten-free soy sauce.
- The meatballs can be made ahead a day in advance. Refrigerate overnight. Or freeze for up to two months.
WANT MORE?
If you liked these Shrimp and Turkey Asian Meatballs, you’re going to want these recipes:
- Spicy Baked Shrimp Balls
- Sweet and Spicy BBQ Meatballs
- Pressure Cooker Asian Meatballs
- Air Fryer Falafel Balls
- Honey Garlic Chicken Wings
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Update Notes: This post was originally published on March 28, 2016, but was republished with slight text changes and additions, like new images, step by step instructions, and tips in December 2020.
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Shrimp and Turkey Asian Meatballs
These Shrimp and Turkey Asian Meatballs are a fantastic twist on the traditional meatball appetizer. They're so perfect to serve at cocktail hour during the holiday season!
- Total Time: 45 min
- Yield: 20 meatballs 1x
Ingredients
- ½ pound uncooked shrimp, peeled and finely chopped
- 1 pound ground turkey
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 shallot, finely chopped
- 3 green onions, chopped
- 1 tablespoon fresh ginger, grated
- 1 small carrot, finely chopped
- ¼ teaspoon red pepper flakes
- 1 egg
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- ⅛ teaspoon pepper
- ½ cup Panko bread crumbs
- 1 tablespoon canola oil
Dipping Sauce
- 2 tablespoons sweet chili sauce
- 1 tablespoon sambal oelek or sriracha sauce
- 1 tablespoon mirin wine
- 1 teaspoon fresh ginger, grated
- ½ fresh lime, juiced
- 1 tablespoon reduced-sodium soy sauce
- 1 tablespoon fresh cilantro, chopped
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 400 degrees. In a large mixing bowl combine turkey, shrimp, garlic, shallots, onions, ginger, carrots, red pepper flakes, egg, salt, pepper, and bread crumbs until thoroughly mixed. Form into 2-inch balls and place on baking tray lined with waxed paper.
- Heat canola oil in a heavy, oven-proof skillet or cast iron pan on high heat. Brown meatballs in skillet on both sides, about 2 minutes, and place skillet in hot oven for 10 more minutes until cooked through. Remove and serve immediately with dipping sauce.
- To make dipping sauce: Whisk together chili sauce, sambal oelek, mirin wine, ginger, lime juice, soy sauce, and fresh cilantro. Serve along side the meatballs.
Notes
- Using a food processor to finely chop the shrimp will make your life so much easier! You’ll thank me later! 😉
- Using a small cookie scoop to form the meatballs will help to make the balls even.
- Make sure to spray the tops of the meatballs so they get golden brown when cooking in the oven. I put the oven on broil for the last few minutes to help that browning process along.
- To make this appetizer gluten-free, use gluten-free Panko bread crumbs and gluten-free soy sauce.
- The meatballs can be made ahead a day in advance. Refrigerate overnight. Or freeze for up to two months.
- Prep Time: 25 min
- Cook Time: 20 min
- Category: Appetizer
- Method: Stove Top & Oven
- Cuisine: Asian Fusion
- Diet: Low Calorie
Nutrition
- Serving Size: Meatballs
- Calories: 140
- Sugar: 2 g
- Sodium: 263.7 mg
- Fat: 5.8 g
- Carbohydrates: 6.8 g
- Protein: 15.2 g
- Cholesterol: 86.4 mg
Beth Amy Salkins says
Wow, do these meatballs look good! I was looking for a yummy New Year’s appetizer and I’ve definitely found it! 😋
Asian Caucasian says
Thank you Beth! I think you will absolutely love this easy meatball appetizer! It's been a hit in our house. Happy New Year!
Asian Caucasian says
Thanks, sweet Nancy! So glad you enjoyed this appetizer!
Nancy whitesides says
Yummy delicious appetizer.