Easy Thai-Inspired Gluten Free Turkey Meatballs
These Easy Gluten Free Turkey Meatballs and veggies are packed with Thai-inspired flavors in a creamy and delicious dairy free sauce. This recipe is also Whole30-friendly!
TABLE OF CONTENTS
What Makes These Gluten-Free Turkey Meatballs Great
I absolutely love Thai food. These Thai-inspired meatballs are the best turkey meatballs ever! The sauce is creamy, slightly spicy and packed with tangy flavors. It pairs well with some white jasmine rice and is just so delicious. This These-Inspired Gluten Free Turkey Meatballs are made with red Thai curry paste and curry powder in a coconut lime curry sauce. These healthy turkey meatballs are baked in the oven while you make the sauce, so it comes together in less than 30 minutes. No need to worry about grease splattering or making a mess. These flavorful meatballs are simple to make, yet tastes like restaurant-quality! And no bread crumbs needed. It also uses real food ingredients and is perfect for a gluten-free diet, dairy free diet, and it’s also Whole30 friendly.
Recipe Highlights
- Easy to make
- Perfect for busy weeknights
- The whole family will love it
- One of my favorite turkey recipes
- Perfect for meal prep
- Low carb & keto-friendly
- Packed with Thai-inspired flavors
- Gluten free & dairy free
- 30 minute meal
- Whole30 friendly
- Healthy turkey meatball recipe
Ingredient Notes
Ground turkey: I prefer to use lean ground turkey. You can also use ground chicken or ground beef for this gluten-free meatballs recipe.
Coconut milk: Make sure to look for canned full-fat coconut milk.
Red Thai Curry Paste: This can be found in the grocery store in the ethnic foods aisle. You can also find it on Thrive Market! It gives this dish great flavor.
Onion & Red Pepper: You can use any color pepper.
Almond flour: I use almond flour to make these paleo turkey meatballs. You can substitute 1/3 the amount of coconut flour, or the same amount of measure for measure gluten free flour for nut free.
Garlic powder:Feel free to use 2 tsp minced garlic in its place.
Fresh basil: You can also use fresh basil – about 1 tbsp chopped fine.
How To Make Thai-Inspired Gluten Free Turkey Meatballs
First, make the meatballs: Preheat the oven to 375. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Combine all meatball ingredients in a large mixing bowl and mix well using your hands. Do not over-mix, or you may get tough meatballs. Form the meat mixture into 1.5 inch balls (it should make about 12) and place onto the prepared baking sheet. I like to use a cookie scoop to form uniform meatballs with the turkey mixture. Bake the meatballs for 20 minutes.
Meanwhile, make the sauce. Heat the coconut oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add onion, garlic, and red pepper. Saute until the onion becomes translucent, about 5-7 minutes. Add the red curry paste and stir for about 1-2 minutes. Add the coconut milk and stir to combine. Bring to a boil and reduce heat down to low.
Add the cooked meatballs to the sauce and simmer for 1-2 additional minutes. Serve over caulirice, carrot noodles, or whatever you want! Sprinkle with fresh cilantro. Enjoy!
Mary’s Tips & Tricks
Air Fryer: If you want to make gluten free turkey meatballs in the air fryer, simply form the balls. Preheat your air fryer to 400. Spray the basket with cooking oil. Add a single layer of meatballs and cook for 6 minutes. Flip and cook for an additional 5-6 minutes. Add to the sauce and enjoy!
Nut free: Use 1/3 the amount of coconut flour or the same amount of 1:1 gluten free flour for a nut free version.
Storage: Store leftover gluten free turkey meatballs in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 3-4 days.
Reheating: Reheat in a pan over medium heat, or in the microwave for 2-3 minutes.
Recipe FAQs
Yes, ground beef, lamb, or chicken would also work well with this recipe.
Absolutely! Store in a freezer-safe airtight container for up to 6 months in the freezer.
Yes, all of the ingredients in this recipe are Whole30 friendly.
What To Serve with Thai-Inspired Gluten Free Turkey Meatballs
I love serving these with my Instant Pot Coconut Rice, or for keto version you can use this Cilantro Lime Coconut Cauliflower Rice recipe! It would also be delicious over zucchini noodles, gluten-free pasta, jasmine rice, or spaghetti squash.
Looks for some other delicious Meatballs Recipes? Check out my Pesto Turkey Meatball and Gnocchi Skillet or Prosciutto Meatballs!
Thai-Inspired Gluten Free Turkey Meatballs
Ingredients
Meatballs
- 1 lb ground turkey
- 1 egg
- â…“ cup almond flour, can sub 1:1 gluten free flour for nut free
- 1 tsp ground ginger
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1 tsp red pepper flakes
- ½ tsp fine sea salt
- 1 tsp curry powder
- 1 tsp dried basil, use 1 tbsp fresh chopped basil or cilantro instead if you want!
- 1 tsp red curry paste, I used Thai Kitchen brand – it is compliant
Sauce/Veggies
- 2 tsp coconut oil
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 red pepper, cut into 1 inch pieces
- ½ onion, chopped
- 3 tsp Thai red curry paste
- 1 can full fat coconut milk, canned
- squeeze of fresh lime juice
- salt & pepper to taste
- Chopped cilantro, for garnish, optional
Equipment
Instructions
Meatballs
- Preheat the oven to 375. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Combine all meatball ingredients in a large bowl and mix well using your hands. Form 1.5 inch balls (it should make about 12) and place onto the lined baking sheet. Bake the meatballs for 20 minutes
Sauce
- Meanwhile, heat the coconut oil over medium high heat. Add onion, garlic, and red pepper. Saute until the onion becomes translucent, about 5-7 minutes. Add the red curry paste and stir for about 1-2 minutes. Add the coconut milk and stir to combine. Bring to a boil and reduce heat down to low.
- When the meatballs are done, add them to the sauce and simmer for 1-2 additional minutes. Serve over caulirice, carrot noodles, or whatever you want! Sprinkle with fresh cilantro. Enjoy!
Video
Notes
Nutrition
This recipe was originally published on September 20, 2017 and was updated with new content on January 7, 2024.
86 Comments on “Easy Thai-Inspired Gluten Free Turkey Meatballs”
This recipe was very easy to make and had tons of flavor. I served over mashed potatoes for a delicious comfort dish.
These meatballs, omg SO GOOD!!! Flavor is amazing, everyone asked for the recipe and the kids loved it. SO So so so good (and easy to make!).
Thanks Emily! Glad you enjoyed it!
Thank you, Emily!!
This personally wasn’t very flavorful to me. The meatballs were great- but I def had to add more seasoning and spices to the sauce. Most likely won’t make it again
Made this recipe for the first time tonight and WOW – definitely a keeper! The meatballs were SO FLAVORFUL and the sauce and veggies were a nice added touch. My sauce wasn’t as red as the photo … but was amazing nonetheless! I may add a little more red curry next time – YUM!
Oh my goodness these are SO good. I have made these multiple times now and they’re a hit with the whole family. Double the recipe and freeze for an easy dinner later!
Thank you, Kendra!!
Love how easy it is to make the meatballs— they turn out perfect every time! Such a great dinner 🙂
Thank you so much, Rachel!
Made this recipe for the first time last night. I’m so glad I did. It was delicious!
Thank you Amanda! I am glad you enjoyed it!
Wow. Delish!!! I am sharing this amongst friends. Light, kick of heat. Served over zero carb noodles. Amazing. Having for lunch tomorrow so I’m sure a few of my fellow employees will be asking for this recipe. Thank you 😊
Hi Patti! This is great to hear – so glad you enjoyed it!
Holy moly! Just made these to have for dinner tonight (planning to reheat on the stovetop later) – had to sneak a bite to taste test and literally said “Oh sh*t!” out loud cause they’re that good!
No clue how i’m going to hold off til dinner on these! Can’t wait to see what my husband thinks!
Hi Molly! YAY! Thanks so much – glad to hear you loved them! Hope your husband did too 🙂
Is there something else you can use besides almond flour? Does bread crumbs or regular flour work?
I haven’t tested it with those since I have to be gluten free. You could sub coconut flour and just use 1/3 the amount!
When I mixed the meatball ingredients the meatballs were very gooey and hard to form into balls
Even after adding more almond flour they were still difficult to work with.
Is that normal? Perhaps my ratios are a bit off? What do you find works best for forming the meatballs?
That is pretty normal for ground turkey and ground chicken. I usually wet my hands with some water before rolling the balls (and continue to do so throughout rolling them) to prevent sticking!
We made these for supper tonight, they were so good. Served them with steamed vegetables but will definitely try them with noodles or rice in the future. Thanks for another great recipe!
Thanks Sarah! I’m so glad you enjoyed them!
A staple in our house! Full of flavor and comes together quickly!
Thanks Holly! So glad you enjoy it!
What is the garnish herb you have in pics…cilantro or fresh basil?
Cilantro 🙂
Absolutely my favorite Mary’s recipe! Perfect for a busy weeknight and so flavorful!
Thank you so much!
Hi! can I substitute rice or chickpeas flour for the almond flour? Thank you
I haven’t tried it so I cannot be sure – I’ve only done coconut flour instead (use 1/3 the amount of almond flour) – it you try it let me know how it goes!
Could you substitute coconut flour for the almond flour?
Yes! Just do 1/3 the amount 🙂
Wow! I doubled the recipe and it was Soo delicious! Even my 8 and 6 year old ate em! Not too spicy, just enough kick. Really very delicious!
Should that be tablespoon for the curry paste in the sauce? Mine is barely pink!
Hi Jenn, There is only 1 tsp of the red curry paste in the actual meatballs…but if you look under the ingredients for the sauce, there is 3 additional tsp of the red curry paste there! So 4 tsp total 🙂 Let me know if you have any other questions!
Could you use frozen turkey meatballs if your in a hurry?
Yes – you may need to adjust cooking time a bit based on the package directions but I don’t see why that would not work 🙂