The Ultimate Thai Turkey Meatballs in Coconut Curry (Easy & Flavorful!)

Imagine the most tender, juicy, and flavor-packed meatballs you’ve ever had, simmered in a luscious, aromatic, and incredibly creamy red coconut curry sauce. Picture them served over a bed of fluffy jasmine rice, soaking up every last drop of that fragrant, savory sauce. That, my friends, is the vibrant, weeknight-winning magic of these Thai Turkey Meatballs in Coconut Curry. This is, without a doubt, the most delicious and satisfying meal you will make.

I promise you, from the moment the incredible aroma of coconut, lime, and basil fills your kitchen, you’ll know you’re making something extraordinary. It’s a complete, restaurant-quality meal that’s ready in under an hour. It’s the kind of dish that’s perfect for a cozy night in, but impressive enough to serve to guests. Every bite is a perfect harmony of spicy, savory, creamy, and fresh.

Get ready to transform your dinner routine and create a stunning, unforgettable meal that will transport your taste buds straight to Thailand.

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Why This Will Be Your New Go-To Weeknight Dinner!

You are going to be completely obsessed with this rich, fragrant, and deeply satisfying dish. It’s a guaranteed crowd-pleaser. Here’s why you have to make it:

• Incredibly Flavorful and Aromatic: This dish is a powerhouse of classic Thai flavors—creamy coconut, spicy red curry, zesty lime, and fresh basil create a sauce that is absolutely irresistible.
• Tender, Juicy Baked Meatballs: The turkey meatballs are packed with flavor and baked in the oven until perfectly cooked, which means they are tender and juicy without the mess of frying.
• A Quick and Easy Weeknight Meal: This entire spectacular dish comes together in about 45 minutes, making it perfect for a busy night when you’re craving something special.
• Restaurant-Quality at Home: The complex flavors of the creamy curry sauce will make you feel like you’re dining at your favorite Thai restaurant, but it’s surprisingly simple to make from scratch.
• Perfect for Meal Prep: The meatballs and sauce taste even better the next day as the flavors continue to meld, making this a fantastic option for delicious leftovers.

Recipe Snapshot

Your Shopping List for This Thai Feast

This recipe uses a beautiful mix of fresh ingredients and flavorful pantry staples. Here’s what you’ll need:

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→ For the Thai Turkey Meatballs

• 1 pound ground turkey → A lean and delicious base for our meatballs.
• ½ cup green onions, diced → For a fresh, mild onion flavor.
• 1 tsp fresh garlic, minced & 1 tsp fresh ginger, grated → The essential aromatic duo.
• 1 tablespoon red curry paste → Infuses the meatballs with flavor from the inside out.
• 1 tablespoon fish sauce → The secret to a deep, savory, umami flavor.
• ½ cup breadcrumbs → To bind the meatballs and keep them tender. Panko is a great choice.
• 1 large egg, beaten → The primary binder.
• 1 teaspoon salt

→ For the Thai Coconut Curry Sauce

• 1 tablespoon coconut oil → For sautéing the aromatics.
• 1 medium onion, diced & 1 red bell pepper, sliced → The colorful, sweet vegetable base.
• 2 tablespoons red curry paste → The heart of our sauce’s flavor.
• 1 (13.5 ounce) can coconut milk → Use full-fat for the richest, creamiest sauce.
• 1 tablespoon fish sauce → For that essential savory depth.
• 1 lime → We’ll use both the zest and the juice for a bright, tangy finish.
• ½ cup fresh basil leaves → Thai basil is ideal, but regular sweet basil is also delicious.

Let’s Get Cooking! Your Step-by-Step Guide

Ready to create an incredible, restaurant-quality meal? This process is so simple and rewarding.

Part 1: The Flavor-Packed Turkey Meatballs

1. Preheat and Prep: Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). Line a large baking sheet with parchment paper.
2. Mix the Meatballs: In a large mixing bowl, combine the ground turkey with all the other meatball ingredients: green onions, garlic, ginger, curry paste, fish sauce, breadcrumbs, egg, and salt. Use your hands to mix everything together until it’s just uniformly combined. Don’t overmix!
3. Let the Flavors Marinate (Optional but Recommended!): Cover the bowl and let the mixture sit for at least 20 minutes (or even overnight in the fridge). This step allows all those amazing flavors to infuse into the meat.
4. Roll and Bake: Scoop out about 2 tablespoons of the turkey mixture at a time and roll it into smooth meatballs. Place them in a single layer on your prepared baking sheet. Bake for 18-20 minutes, until they are golden brown and cooked through (internal temperature of 165°F).

Part 2: The Creamy Coconut Curry

5. Sauté the Veggies: While the meatballs are baking, heat the coconut oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the diced onion and sliced bell pepper and sauté for 3-4 minutes, until they are tender.
6. Bloom the Curry Paste: Stir in the red curry paste and cook for 1 minute, stirring constantly, until it’s fragrant. This step is key to unlocking its full flavor.
7. Simmer the Sauce: Pour in the coconut milk, fish sauce, lime zest, and lime juice. Stir well to combine and bring the sauce to a gentle boil. Reduce the heat to medium and let it simmer for 3-4 minutes, stirring occasionally, to allow the flavors to meld.

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Part 3: Combine and Serve

8. Combine and Finish: Stir the fresh basil leaves into the sauce. Add the freshly baked meatballs (and any juices from the pan!) to the skillet and gently toss them in the sauce to coat. Let them simmer in the sauce for a minute to warm through.
9. Serve Immediately: Serve the hot meatballs and creamy curry sauce immediately over a bed of steamed jasmine rice, noodles, or with some warm naan bread for dipping.

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Thai Turkey Meatballs in Coconut Curry

These Thai turkey meatballs in coconut curry are the perfect flavorful, healthy, and satisfying weeknight dinner. Tender baked turkey meatballs are simmered in a rich, creamy, and aromatic red coconut curry sauce. Ready in 45 minutes!

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Prep Time 20 minutes mins

Cook Time 25 minutes mins

Total Time 45 minutes mins

Servings: 4

Course: Dinner, Main Course

Cuisine: Thai

Calories: 450

Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients

  

For the Thai Turkey Meatballs

• 1 pound ground turkey
• 1/2 cup green onions, diced
• 1 teaspoon fresh garlic, minced
• 1 teaspoon fresh ginger, grated
• 1 tablespoon red curry paste
• 1 tablespoon fish sauce
• 1/2 cup breadcrumbs
• 1 large egg, beaten
• 1 teaspoon salt

For the Thai Coconut Curry

• 1 tablespoon coconut oil
• 1 medium onion, diced
• 1 red bell pepper, sliced
• 2 tablespoons red curry paste
• 1 (13.5 ounce) can coconut milk
• 1 tablespoon fish sauce
• 1 lime, juiced and zested
• 1/2 cup fresh basil leaves

Equipment

• Large Mixing Bowl
• Baking sheet
• Parchment paper
• Large Skillet

Method

 

Part 1: Make and Bake the Meatballs

1. Preheat oven to 400°F. In a large bowl, combine all meatball ingredients. Mix well with your hands until just combined, but do not overmix. Let the mixture rest for 20 minutes if time allows.
2. Roll the mixture into 2-tablespoon-sized meatballs and place them on a parchment-lined baking sheet.
3. Bake for 18-20 minutes, or until cooked through and golden brown.

Part 2: Make the Curry Sauce

1. While the meatballs bake, heat oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add onion and bell pepper and sauté until tender, about 3-4 minutes.
2. Stir in the curry paste and cook for 1 minute until fragrant.
3. Add coconut milk, fish sauce, lime zest, and lime juice. Stir to combine, bring to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer for 3-4 minutes.

Part 3: Combine and Serve

1. Stir the fresh basil leaves into the sauce. Add the baked meatballs and toss gently to coat them in the curry.
2. Serve immediately over steamed rice or noodles.

Notes

Baking is Best: Baking the meatballs is an easy, mess-free way to ensure they are tender and evenly cooked without having to pan-fry them.

Bloom the Curry Paste: Frying the red curry paste in the oil for a minute before adding liquids is a crucial step that unlocks its deep, aromatic flavor.

Finish with Freshness: Add the fresh basil and lime juice at the very end of cooking to preserve their bright, zesty flavors.

Nutritional Information Disclaimer: Nutritional information is an estimate and may vary based on the specific ingredients and portion sizes used.

WiseRecipes’ Top Tips for Perfect Thai Meatballs

These simple secrets will ensure your dish is bursting with authentic flavor.

1. Don’t Overmix the Meatballs. When combining the meatball ingredients, mix with a light hand and only until everything is just incorporated. Overworking the ground turkey can result in tough, dense meatballs instead of tender, juicy ones.
2. Let the Meatball Mixture Marinate. If you have the time, letting the mixture rest for at least 20 minutes before rolling makes a huge difference. It allows the salt and spices to penetrate the meat, making for a much more flavorful meatball.
3. Baking is Best. Baking the meatballs is a fantastic, mess-free method. It allows them to cook evenly and develop a beautiful golden color without the splatter and hassle of pan-frying.
4. Bloom Your Curry Paste. This is a crucial step for incredible flavor! Frying the curry paste in the hot oil for a minute before adding the coconut milk awakens all the aromatic compounds in the spices, creating a much deeper and more complex curry.
5. Add Fresh Herbs at the End. The fresh basil and lime juice should be added at the very end of the cooking process. This preserves their bright, fresh, and zesty flavors, which perfectly cut through the richness of the coconut milk.

Keep It Fresh! Storing Your Leftovers

These meatballs are a meal prep dream and make for a fantastic lunch the next day!

• Refrigerator: Store leftover meatballs and sauce in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. The flavors will get even better overnight!
• Freezer: This dish freezes beautifully! Once cooled, you can freeze the meatballs and sauce together in a freezer-safe container for up to 3 months.
• Reheating: Gently reheat on the stovetop over medium-low heat. The coconut sauce may thicken in the fridge, so you can add a small splash of water or broth to loosen it to your desired consistency while it warms up.

FAQs: Your Thai Meatball Questions, Answered!

Can I use a different kind of ground meat?

Yes, absolutely! This recipe would also be delicious with ground chicken. Ground pork would also work well and would be a bit richer in flavor.

Is this dish very spicy?

The heat level depends entirely on the brand of red curry paste you use, as they can vary significantly. Most standard grocery store brands will give you a pleasant, medium level of warmth. If you are sensitive to spice, start with a little less curry paste in the sauce.

What kind of coconut milk should I use?

For the richest, creamiest sauce, it’s essential to use full-fat, canned coconut milk. The kind that comes in a carton is much thinner and will not produce the same luscious consistency.

What are the best things to serve with this?

This dish is absolutely perfect served over a bed of fluffy steamed jasmine rice to soak up all the incredible sauce. It’s also wonderful with rice noodles, or served with some warm, pillowy naan or pita bread for dipping.

Final Thoughts: A Weeknight Trip to Thailand

There is nothing quite like a meal that can transport you to another part of the world with its incredible aromas and flavors. These Thai Turkey Meatballs in Coconut Curry are a true celebration of vibrant, exciting, and satisfying food, all made simple for a busy weeknight. It’s a rewarding, impressive, and utterly delicious dish that I know will become a new favorite in your dinner rotation. Happy cooking!