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by Mary January 7, 2024
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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
Can I make these gluten free turkey meatballs with another ground meat?
Yes, ground beef, lamb, or chicken would also work well with this recipe.
Can you freeze gluten free turkey meatballs?
Absolutely! Store in a freezer-safe airtight container for up to 6 months in the freezer.
Are these meatballs Whole30 compliant?
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!
Love this recipe? Please leave a 5-star 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟 rating in the recipe card below & a review in the comments section. Or, follow me on Facebook, Pinterest or Instagram today!
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Thai-Inspired Gluten Free Turkey Meatballs
Yield: 4 servings
Prep Time: 10 minutes mins
Cook Time: 20 minutes mins
Total Time: 30 minutes mins
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!
4.93 from 64 votes
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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
Nutritional Information is for a serving size of 3 meatballs + 1/4 of the total sauce.
Storage: Store leftover gluten free turkey meatballs in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.
Reheating: Reheat in a pan over medium heat, or in the microwave for 2-3 minutes.
Additional veggies: This dish would also be great with zucchini, mushrooms, or broccoli!
Nutrition
Serving: 1g, Calories: 429kcal, Carbohydrates: 10g, Protein: 33g, Fat: 31g, Saturated Fat: 21g, Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g, Monounsaturated Fat: 2g, Trans Fat: 0.03g, Cholesterol: 103mg, Sodium: 388mg, Potassium: 688mg, Fiber: 3g, Sugar: 3g, Vitamin A: 1962IU, Vitamin C: 41mg, Calcium: 72mg, Iron: 5mg
Course: Dinner
Cuisine: Thai
Calories: 429
Author: Mary Smith
This recipe was originally published on September 20, 2017 and was updated with new content on January 7, 2024.
posted in: Dinners, Keto, Recipes, Whole30 86 comments
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Laura Pruitt — Reply
Super easy and tasty!! I served over roasted spaghetti squash and asparagus. Will definitely be adding to my rotation.
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Mary — Reply
Thanks Laura!!
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Marie — Reply
Super easy, adaptable to ingredients available or unavailable. A meal prep home run that my husband suggested go in the regular rotation 🍽️😋
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Mary — Reply
Thanks Marie, so glad you enjoyed it!
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Barbara — Reply
This dinner came together so fast! Absolutely delicious with just the right amount of spice. My husband had seconds. Definitely making this again 😊
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Mary — Reply
Thanks Barbara!
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Shari — Reply
Absolutely delicious and filling! Very easy too. I added water chestnuts and carrots. My coworkers all commented on how good my lunch smelled/looked!
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Mary — Reply
Thanks Shari!
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Ashley — Reply
Made this last night and it was so easy and delicious. It was a hit with my whole family so it will definitely be made again!!
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Mary — Reply
So glad you all enjoyed it, Ashley! Thanks!
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Kate V — Reply
Excellent & easy to follow recipe! Full family devoured.
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Mary — Reply
Thanks Kate!!
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Katie — Reply
Loved this recipe. I added ground pork to the turkey because I had it on hand and it worked great. I did use regular flour (beside I’m not gluten free myself) and they meatballs were a bit “bready” but still delicious! Such an easy sauce and meal!
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Mary — Reply
Thanks Katie!
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Christine Foster — Reply
Made this tonight came together quickly and was delicious thanks Mary!
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Mary — Reply
Thanks Christine!!
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Katie — Reply
Huge hit!!! Absolutely loved it. My husband loves curry and he said this is one of his favs. 💕💕
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Mary — Reply
Woo hoo! Thanks Katie!!
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Emmy — Reply
Huge hit! Made a double batch of this for us and our three teens (adult eaters) if you have teens, you know) and they loved it. I added two small
Zucchini to the veggie / sauce at the time I added coconut milk (to bulk it out). Everyone loved it. We served with jasmine rice.-
Mary — Reply
Thank you Emmy!
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Katie — Reply
These are on repeat at my house. So easy. So flavorful. So good. I use em for meal prep a lot!!
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Michelle — Reply
Made this dish for dinner tonight, it was a huge hit with my husband! I too have Celiac disease and often find it difficult to find dishes that are GF friendly but also something appetizing for my non GF hubby. Adding this dish to our rotation! Highly recommend!
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Kasbeach — Reply
Thank you for sharing! I have quite the list of food intolerances and was able to use this recipe and alter it as needed. They came out good, but definitely not as tasty as your original recipe calls for. How do you store them? Can I freeze them with the liquid sauce? Thank you in advance.
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Kas — Reply
Thank you for sharing! I have quite the list of food intolerances and was able to use this recipe and alter it as needed. They came out good, but definitely not as tasty as your original recipe calls for. How do you store them? Can I freeze them with the liquid sauce? Thank you in advance.
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Kay — Reply
Thank you for a beautiful recipe! We are thrilled we have left-overs for another delicious dinner later in the week:) We served the curry meatballs over spaghetti squash with a side of steamed broccoli. The meal was gorgeous!, Thank you, Mary!
