Skinny Asian Turkey Meatballs With Lime Sesame Dipping Sauce

I am always trying to perfect the infamous meatball. This Sicilian girl may not make the perfect meatball just yet, but I promise you when I do, you will hear all about it. In the meantime, I must share with you a fabulous recipe for a twist on the traditional meatball - skinny Asian turkey meatballs. I know what you are thinking - skinny Asian turkey meatball, that sure does sound strange. I thought so too, but as strange as it sounds, it's that much better. Seriously. These are way beyond delicious.

These meatballs are loaded with tons of flavor. From garlic to green onions to ginger, soy sauce and sesame oil. If that doesn't have you hooked yet, let me continue. These meatballs are a snap to throw together and in less than 30 minutes, you will have a hot, delicious and healthy meal on the table your whole family will love. Even those that are meatball shy. Do those people even exist? These meatballs start off with ground turkey (if you use fat free ground turkey, these will come out too dry, so try to find the 93% ground turkey breast if you can!) and you mix in egg, panko, green onions and so much more. My family does not prefer cilantro, so I swapped this for some fresh parsley. there is so much other flavor you won't even miss the cilantro. If you like it though, throw it in. If you don't, leave it out. My sister thinks it tastes like soap. Mix all the ingredients together and form 12 huge meatballs. I mean, big! I still can't believe three of these things are a serving, but they are. Once the meatballs are formed and ready to go (you can even make these ahead of time and pop them in when you are ready to eat) the meatballs in a super hot oven - 500 degrees - for about 15-17 minutes. Once they come out, you top them with a little bit of the dipping sauce which is made up of soy sauce, a little water, green onions, lime juice and sesame oil. How good does that sound? Delish! Three meatballs make up a serving with a tablespoon of dipping sauce for 230 calories. That's it! Serve with a half cup of brown rice and you are looking at under 350 calories for a meal that is healthy, fresh and loaded with protein. Doesn't get much easier or better than that. Don't wait to try these. In fact, try these for dinner tonight - you won't regret it!

so much flavor!

everybody into the pool

dipping sauce - it's a must!

best mixed with your hands. yes, it's gross, but just remember to not over mix it! no one likes tough meatballs.

cooked and ready to enjoy

served with brown rice and a side of broccolini and sugar peas!

Skinny Asian Turkey Meatballs (slightly adapted from Skinny Taste)

Meatballs
1/4 cup panko crumbs
1-1/4 lbs 93% lean ground turkey
1 egg
1 teaspoon ginger, minced
2 clove garlic, minced
1/2 tsp salt
1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley
3 scallions, chopped
1 tbsp low sodium soy sauce
2 tsp sesame oil

Dipping Sauce
4 tbsp low sodium soy sauce
2 tsp sesame oil
2 tbsp fresh lime juice
2 tbsp water
1 tbsp chopped fresh scallion

Preheat oven to 500°F.

Mix ground turkey, panko, egg, salt, scallions, ginger, garlic, fresh parsley, 1 tbsp soy sauce, and 2 tsp oil and mix with your hands until combined well. Shape 1/4 cup meat mixture into a ball and transfer to a baking dish. Repeat with remaining mixture. Bake until cooked through, about 15-17 minutes.

For the dipping sauce mix together lime juice, water, soy sauce, and remaining 2 teaspoons of oil in a bowl. Add scallions.

Transfer meatballs to a serving dish. Stir sauce, then drizzle meatballs with 1 tablespoon sauce. Serve meatballs with remaining sauce, about 1 tbsp per person. Chances are you won't use all the dipping sauce.

Makes 12 meatballs.

Who thought skinny meatballs would taste so good?!