Hot Honey Meatballs

My hot honey meatballs are bursting with flavor, made with ground turkey, Panko, and a buttery hot honey sauce. They’re excellent on rice, in a stir fry, or stacked on a toasted baguette. Whichever way you serve them, know they’re going to be GOOD. 

Hot honey meatballs

Meatball, oh meatball – a dish after my own heart. These tiny balls of protein and flavor explosion are a perfect vessel for dressing up a simple pasta or bringing life to a vegetable stir-fry… am I overselling it? 

Simply put, I love meatballs. 

This humble food packs a serious punch in the flavor department. I’ve shared plenty of meatball recipes in the past, like my Soup Dumpling Meatballs, Cranberry Turkey Meatballs, and Butter Chicken Meatballs; they’re just that versatile. 

Today’s recipe is an extra yummy addition to my meatball hall of fame: hot honey meatballs. They’re made with seasoned ground turkey and a bubbling hot honey sauce with just the right amount of heat. 

Serve with rice and veggies for a nutritious combo you’ll want again and again!

Ingredients needed

Here’s a little bit on everything that goes into my hot honey turkey meatball recipe.

• Turkey: I use 1 lb of ground turkey (93/7 preferred) in these meatballs. It’s lighter than traditional ground beef and is a better flavor match for the hot honey sauce. 
• Panko breadcrumbs: ⅔ cup of Panko gives these meatballs a crispy crust and an airy texture. 
• Yellow onion: I include ½ small yellow onion in these meatballs for flavor. 
• Garlic: 2 cloves of minced garlic add extra aromatics.
• Sriracha: For a bit of a kick, I include 2 tbsp sriracha in the meatballs, along with ¼ cup in the hot honey sauce. 
• Salt: 1 tsp salt enhances all of the ingredients in these turkey meatballs. 
• Olive oil: I use 2 tbsp olive oil to brown the meatballs. Feel free to substitute for your preferred neutral oil. 
• Honey: ½ cup honey makes the sauce deliciously sweet, balancing the heat from the sriracha. 
• Butter: I use 2 tbsp melted butter in the hot honey sauce for a creamy addition. 
• Garlic and onion powder: Finally, I season the hot honey sauce with ½ tsp each of garlic and onion powder.

Kitchen tools required

Gather a few kitchen essentials to bring these hot honey meatballs to life!

• Mixing bowl
• Box grater
• Wooden spoon (optional)
• Large sauté pan
• Slotted turner
• Whisk
• Liquid measuring cup

You’ll also need a few measuring cups, including ½ cup, ⅓ cup, ¼ cup, 1 tbsp, 1 tsp, and ½ tsp.

How to make hot honey meatballs

The first step in making hot honey meatballs is to prepare the meat. To a large mixing bowl, add 1lb of ground turkey and ⅔ cup of panko breadcrumbs. Grate ½ small yellow onion over top, then add 2 tbsp sriracha, 1 tsp salt, and 2 cloves of minced garlic. 

Mix everything using your hands or a wooden spoon. 

Next, we’re going to shape the meatballs. Section out about 3 tbsp of meat, roll it between your palms to form the meatball, and repeat. 

Add 2 tbsp of olive oil to a large sauté pan, heating over medium-high heat. 

Once the pan is hot, add your meatballs in an even layer. Turn them every few minutes to make sure each side is evenly cooked. This will take about 6 minutes. You’ll know they’re done when the meatballs are golden brown on all sides and the internal temperature is at 140°F. 

Reduce the heat to low while you whisk up your sauce. 

In a liquid measuring cup, add ½ cup honey, ¼ cup sriracha, 2 tbsp melted butter, ½ tsp garlic powder, and ½ tsp onion powder. Whisk well, then pour over your meatballs. 

Increase the heat to medium-low, stirring the meatballs in the sauce until they’re well-coated. Let your sauce bubble for 3-4 minutes before turning off the heat; it will thicken and coat the meatballs. 

And with that, your hot honey meatballs are ready to enjoy!

Recipe tips

Below are some common hot honey meatball questions. Don’t see the answer you’re looking for? Leave a comment at the bottom of this post!

How to serve hot honey meatballs 

These meatballs are absolutely delicious served on a bed of jasmine rice and your favorite steamed veggies. I highly recommend broccoli, snap peas, and bean sprouts, but they’ll work with just about anything!

Alternatively, you can transform this easy meatball recipe into a flavorful sandwich combination. Serve on a toasted baguette, smeared with aioli and piled with crispy veggies. Some topping recommendations include:

• Shredded cabbage or slaw
• Sliced cucumbers
• Red onions
• Caramelized onions
• Arugula 
• Shredded carrots 
• Roasted red bell peppers

Are these hot honey meatballs gluten-free?

It’s really easy to make these meatball celiac-friendly. While traditional Panko does contain gluten, they do sell a gluten-free version that works just as well. 

This small swap is all it takes!

How spicy are these hot honey meatballs?

These meatballs have a gentle kick, but this is relative to your specific spice tolerance. If you’re ok with a moderate heat that isn’t overpowering, these meatballs are perfect for you. 

If you’re extra sensitive to heat, I’d recommend reducing the amount of sriracha you use in your sauce. Reduce from 2 tbsp to 1 tbsp in the meatballs, and from ¼ cup to 2 tbsp in the sauce. 

Storing leftovers

To store leftover hot honey meatballs, let them cool completely before transferring to an airtight container. These meatballs will keep well in the refrigerator for 3-4 days. 

Can I freeze these meatballs?

You can freeze these meatballs for longer storage, either in freezer-safe containers or bags. I recommend storing them in pre-portioned servings for easy meal prep. 

This simple meatball recipe will keep well in the freezer for 2-3 months.

If you liked this recipe, you’ll want to try these!

I have plenty more flavour-packed recipes for you to enjoy – start with these:

• Buffalo Chicken Sweet Potato Casserole
• Honey Mustard Crispy Chicken Salad
• Spicy Roasted Veggie Date Salad
• Butternut Squash Mac and Cheese
• Soft Pretzel Bites Recipe with Beer Cheese

Recipe by Erin Antoniak and Photos by Bake and Bacon