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
- ⅓ 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”
Excellent meal! I used fresh garlic and ginger and added green onion to the meatballs. We loved the richness of the sauce.
Thank you, Mia!
How many meatballs to a serving?
1 meatball!
This came together really quickly and it was so tasty!
Can you make them with a “flax seed egg” instead of an egg? Trying to avoid eggs.
Yes, definitely!
Made this for dinner tonight and it was delicious. I subbed ground chicken for turkey because that’s all I had. Served it over rice. Will definitely be making it again.
This is hands down one of our favorite meals! So easy to throw together on busy soccer nights. Thank you for another delicious recipe!
Served these over orzo and it was absolutely heavenly!!!
I’m going to make these today and then reheat them after baseball tonight… Do you have any suggestions for that? With the crockpot work… Or should I just put them in the fridge and then take it out and reheat it on the stove top? Thank you! You are so much fun to follow!
Love this recipe! So easy & delicious.
This is so good, and my kids ages 11, 9, 6, and 3 all loved it too! We need to double it next time!
These are DELICIOUS! Your recipes never disappoint and these meatballs are a new favorite. They are easy to make for a quick, healthy meal that is full of flavor. I can’t wait to make (and eat) them again!
how many meatballs per serving? figuring out keto tracking. got a batch in the oven
I don’t see any nutritional info???
I never leave reviews but I must say this is my family’s #1 favorite meal! Thanks for sharing.
Made these tonight! Amazing! I did add an extra 1/2 tsp of curry paste and extra curry powder and salt to the sauce but yeah it was AMAZING
Can I use light coconut milk instead of full fat?
Yes, however the sauce may be a bit thinner!
Love this recipe! Easy and very flavorful! I added bok choy to the sauce while it simmered and served over cauliflower rice!
Made them some time ago and they were amazing! Can’t stop thinking about them 😉 I will be making double batch tomorrow. Will they freeze well with the sauce, or would you freeze the meatballs only?
Freakin delicious! Super easy and flavorful. Will definitely have this on regular rotation! Thanks Mary!
Love this dish!!!
So easy, healthy and delicious. Flavor combos are on point!!