These Honey-Sriracha Turkey Meatballs are the perfect combo of sweet and spicy - juicy, tender, and smothered in a sticky glaze that brings the heat, just the way we like it around here. They’re easy to whip up and packed with bold flavor, awesome for party snacks, meal prep, or an epic weeknight dinner. Let’s get cooking!
Honey-Sriracha Turkey Meatballs
I got some spicy meatballs coming at you, my friends. You can't go wrong with meatballs, particularly ground turkey meatballs, for parties and holiday gatherings.
Ground turkey is a healthier option to ground beef meatballs, which I also love, and there is just something about ground turkey that I gravitate toward.
I love that it's a blank canvas, taking on all of those wonderful flavors you can throw at it, giving them right back to you.
Like this recipe - Honey-Sriracha Meatballs.
What You'll Love About This Recipe
- I'm using Cajun seasonings as well as cooked celery, onion and peppers (of course!) for both flavor and moisture. You won't believe how juicy and tender these are.
- The meatballs are finished off with a sweet and spicy honey sriracha sauce that is very much like a glaze and brings it all together.
- I share with you several ways you can spice things up even more!
So delicious! If you're looking for an easy turkey meatballs recipe that isn't boring, this is the one, though you can also make this recipe with ground beef, ground pork, ground chicken, or a mix.
Let's talk about how to make honey-sriracha meatballs, shall we?
Featured Reader Comment
"Super delicious meatballs! I will make these again and again with any kind of sauce to go along with them." -- Tracy.
Honey-Sriracha Meatballs Ingredients
- Ground Meat. I'm using ground turkey, but you can use your favorite ground meat.
- Olive Oil.
- Veggies. Use celery, onion, a jalapeno pepper and garlic cloves. Cooked vegetables add not only flavor to your turkey meatballs, but moisture.
- Seasonings. I love using a good homemade Cajun seasoning blend with this recipe, but feel free to use your favorites. Italian seasonings are quite popular here. I'm also including some chopped parsley, spicy chili flakes and some salt and pepper. Try a nice garlic salt.
- Beaten Egg. This helps bind the meatballs.
- Panko. This also helps to bind the turkey meatballs together. You may need a bit more or less, so start with half a cup then add more as needed.
- Garnish. I'm using fresh chopped parsley, chopped green onion and spicy chili flakes.
For the Honey-Sriracha Glaze
- Tomato Sauce.
- Sriracha.
- Honey.
- Garlic Powder.
- Chili Flakes.
- Salt and Pepper.
How to Make Honey-Sriracha Meatballs - the Recipe Method
Heat 1 tablespoon olive oil in a large pan over medium heat. Cook the celery, onion, and peppers for 5 minutes. Add the garlic and cook another minute to bloom. Transfer to a mixing bowl and let cool slightly.
Add the Cajun seasoning, parsley, chili flakes, egg, ground turkey (or other meat), panko, salt, and pepper. Hand mix until just combined. Do not overmix or the meatballs can become mealy. Form into 16 1-inch meatballs.
Preheat the oven to 400°F (200° C). Heat the remaining oil in the same pan and brown meatballs for 3-4 minutes, turning to brown all sides. Transfer to the oven and bake for 10 minutes, or until cooked through.
While the meatballs are cooking, make the glaze/sauce. Warm the tomato sauce, sriracha, honey, garlic powder, chili flakes, salt, and pepper in a small pot. Stir to combine.
Pour the honey-sriracha sauce / glaze over the turkey meatballs, or you can brush it on. See my Honey-Sriracha Sauce recipe.
Sprinkle with red pepper flakes and fresh parsley and serve.
Boom! Done! Pretty easy overall, right? Turkey meatballs are awesome! Such a great recipe. I love them, especially with a nice honey-sriracha sauce or glaze.
Recipe Tips & Notes
- Heat Factor: Mild-Medium. You'll get a good level of heat from the sriracha, depending on the brand you're using. You can spice things up even further by using 1 cup sriracha in place of the tomato sauce. Nice! Or, incorporate hotter peppers into your turkey meatball mixture, and/or using extra spicy chili flakes. I like to mix in a few chopped habanero peppers, though that can get pretty hot and spicy for most people. Give it a try, though, you crazy chilihead!
- For Baked Meatballs: Alternatively, you can add your meatballs to a prepared rimmed baking sheet, lightly oiled or lined with parchment paper, and bake them at 400 degrees F for 15 to 20 minutes, or until they are cooked through.
- Internal Temperature of Turkey Meatballs. The internal temperature of your baked turkey meatballs should be 165 degrees F when measured with a good meat thermometer.
- Keto Friendly. These can be keto turkey meatballs, my friends, if you either skip or go very easy on the honey. Healthy turkey meatballs? You bet!
Storage & Leftovers
Storing your Honey-Sriracha Meatballs in an airtight container in the fridge may allow you to store the leftovers for up to 3-4 days. To maximize the storage life, make sure to refrigerate them promptly.
You can also freeze meatballs in freezer containers for 3 months or longer.
More Meatball Recipes
- Buffalo Chicken Meatballs
- Spicy Korean Chicken Meatballs
- Spicy Meatballs in Chipotle-Lime Sauce
- Albondigas (Mexican Meatballs)
- Spicy Meatballs Sub Sandwiches
- Spicy Italian Meatballs
- Grape Jelly Meatballs
Want More Honey-Sriracha Recipes?
Got any questions? Ask away! I’m happy to help. If you enjoy this recipe, I hope you’ll leave a comment with some STARS. Also, please share it on social media. Don’t forget to tag us at #ChiliPepperMadness. I’ll be sure to share! Thanks! — Mike H.
Honey-Sriracha Meatballs Recipe
Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons olive oil divided
- 1 celery stalk chopped
- 1 small onion chopped
- 1 jalapeno pepper chopped
- 3 cloves garlic chopped
- 1 tablespoon Cajun seasonings
- 2 tablespoons fresh chopped parsley
- 1 tablespoon spicy chili flakes
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 1 egg beaten
- 1 pound ground turkey you can use beef, chicken or pork as well
- 1 cup panko or more as needed
- Fresh chopped herbs and spicy chili flakes for garnish
FOR THE HONEY-SRIRACHA GLAZE
- 1 cup tomato sauce
- 2-3 tablespoons sriracha
- 2 tablespoons honey
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon chili flakes
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Heat 1 tablespoon olive oil in a large pan to medium heat and add celery, onion and peppers. Cook about 5 minutes to soften..
- Add garlic and cook 1 minute, stirring.
- Remove from heat and add contents to a mixing bowl. Cool slightly.
- To the mixing bowl, add the Cajun seasonings, parsley, chili flakes, egg, ground turkey and panko. Salt and pepper to your taste.
- Hand mix the meat mixture until everything is combined, but do not over mix. If you over mix with your hands, the meatballs can become mealy.
- Form the meat mixture into 1-inch turkey meatballs. You should get about 16 meatballs.
- Preheat your oven to 400 degrees F.
- Heat the pan again to medium heat and add remaining olive oil. Brown the meatballs 3-4 minutes, rolling them a bit to brown all of the sides.
- Transfer the pan to the oven and bake the meatballs for 10 minutes, or until the turkey meatballs are cooked through.
- While turkey meatballs are cooking, add the tomato sauce, sriracha, honey, garlic powder, chili flakes, and salt and pepper to a small pot. Heat gently, stirring, until it is well combined.
- Pour the honey-sriracha sauce / glaze over the turkey meatballs, or you can brush it on.
- Sprinkle with chili flakes and fresh parsley and serve.
Video
Notes
Nutrition Information
NOTE: This recipe was updated on 4/10/25 to include new information and photos. It was originally published on 12/20/19.
Phil says
I did these. However, I put them on the smoker as an appetizer for a party and they were amazing! They were gone in a matter of seconds.
Mike H. says
Haha, that's what I am talking about!
Paul:-) says
Hi Mike & Patty,
I served these up for the family on Sunday night along with your Cajun fries, lots of garlic bread and salad. I originally bought 800g of English Rose Veal mince then at the last moment found out we had extra guests. It became a two third Veal and one third pork mix, with the seasoning increased accordingly (56 small meatballs in all).Admittedly as my youngest Niece is not good with chilli I limited the Sriracha to two tablespoons and omitted the chilli flakes. Habanero Papaya sauce on the side.
Everyone absolutely loved it…5* from the Lightfoot’s, Saxton’s and Hillmer’s!
Another excellent meal, nice one!
Paul:-)
Mike Hultquist says
Perfection. I think this would be great with veal, and a veal/pork mix. I love it. Thanks, Paul.
ADRIAAN says
What a fantastic recipy, thank you mike.
I made it yesterday using beef mince and by following your instructions to the letter it turned out so yummy.
I can envisage using your recipy with many different applications in the future.
Mike H. says
Thank you, Adriaan - enjoy! =)
Simon Hall says
Followed this recipe nice flavours loved it
Mike H. says
Appreciate the review, Simon.
Maddie says
I’ve never made turkey meatballs, but these may be the most flavorful meatballs I’ve ever had! The sautéed veggies truly make a difference. I didn’t use jalapeños as I was out of them, but they still had a small kick from the Cajun seasonings and the sriracha sauce (which made me cough while cooking it). The sauce is definitely on the hot side and the meatballs don’t really need it in my opinion, but they sure are good with it too. 10/10 rating for these!
Mike Hultquist says
Wonderful! Glad you enjoyed them, Maggie! I appreciate your comments!!
David Peart says
Your recipes are tops, but as ex South African I use birdseye chilies and Nando's Peri Peri sauce where Hot Chilies & sauces are required, also use Nando's Perinaise for milder creamier sauce, but keep the recipes coming, I been cooking since was about 13 and am 77 now and still experimenting, My mother was a farmers daughter, and after Living in Philipines for 8 years love there hot foods, and 26 years in Australia where you should come and teach them to cook
Mike Hultquist says
Yes, I LOVE peri peri sauce! SO GOOD. Thanks, David.
Tracy R. says
Super delicious meatballs! I will make these again and again with any kind of sauce to go along with them.
Mike Hultquist says
Glad you enjoyed them, Tracy! Thanks!
Ashley says
What would you serve with this?!
Michael Hultquist - Chili Pepper Madness says
Ashley, I like to serve them as an appetizer. If you'd like to serve them as a meal, you can serve them over mashed potatoes or other veg, hummus, rice or couscous. Or, serve them on a toasted roll with some roasted jalapenos and other veg. Delicious!
EDDIE says
Made these last night while watching reruns of football. The meat was full of flavor and the sauce was spicy yet not overpowering. Stay safe and thank you
Michael Hultquist - Chili Pepper Madness says
Great, Eddie! Glad you enjoyed them!
Oosha Rao says
Your recipes are fantastic. I plan to try out the meatballs with ground chicken since we don’t get ground turkey here.
Especially love the idea of honey sriracha yummy!11
Michael Hultquist - Chili Pepper Madness says
Perfect, Oosha! Thanks so much! I hope you enjoy them.
Sam Visser says
The meatballs turned out fantastic. Delicious!! Thanks for sharing it