Low Carb Turkey Meatballs in Coconut Curry Sauce

Name: Low Carb Turkey Meatballs in Coconut Curry Sauce
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 20 min
Total time: 30 min
Ingredients: 1 pound Ground turkey; 6 ounces Tofu (firm); 3 Green onions (sliced thinly both white and green parts); 2 tablespoons Soy sauce (or coconut aminos, tamari sauce to keep gluten free); 1 tablespoon Sesame oil; Salt and white pepper (to taste); 3 cloves Garlic (peeled and minced); 1 inch Ginger (knob peeled and grated); 1 tablespoon Oil; Scrappings from pan; 13 oz Coconut milk (canned ); 1 tablespoon red Thai curry paste; 1 tablespoon Fish Sauce (we used a gluten- free brand); 1 teaspoon Stevia (or sweetener of choice - optional (we did not use any)); 2 tablespoons Lime juice (or juice of one lime upon serving ); Salt and white pepper (to taste)

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Eating healthy has never tasted so delicious and satisfying! Savor the goodness of our easy Thai-inspired Low Carb Turkey Meatballs—tender, juicy, and boasting just 1 gram of carbs per serving.

These gluten-free meatballs forgo the traditional breadcrumbs and eggs, opting instead for high-protein tofu, all embraced by a creamy red coconut curry sauce. Each delightful bite packs the traditional spicy, savory, sour flavors of Thai cuisine while so tender they practically melt in your mouth.

A bowl of Thai low carb turkey meatballs in a coconut red curry sauce in a black bowl.

Perfect for busy days, these curried Asian meatballs and venison meatballs freeze effortlessly, providing a quick 30-minute solution for your weekday dinners. Make this recipe your go-to for a delightful, hassle-free meal. Your taste buds and schedule will thank you!

Jump to:

Turkey Meatball Ingredients
Red Coconut Curry Sauce Ingredients
Assemble the Meatballs
Crafting the Coconut Curry Sauce
Cooking Methods for Asian Meatballs
Recipe Tips
What to Serve with Turkey Meatballs?
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ’s)
More Curry Recipes
Low Carb Turkey Meatballs in Coconut Curry Sauce

Ingredients to make Thai turkey tofu meatballs in a coconut curry sauce.

Turkey Meatball Ingredients

The key ingredients mirror the flavor palette of our homemade dumpling filling, but with a turkey twist. These low carb turkey meatballs are so packed with flavor that you might find yourself enjoying them even without the tempting curry sauce.

Ground (Minced) Turkey: Also delightful with chicken, this recipe allows flexibility for those low-carb meatball cravings. While beef, lamb, or veal can be used, note that it will alter the flavor profile.

Tofu (Bean Curd): Choose a firm tofu, the undercover hero imparting an extra tender and moist texture to this Thai-inspired recipe. Can you believe there are about 38 grams of carbohydrates in ½ cup of breadcrumbs compared to just 5 grams of carbohydrates in ½ cup of tofu? In addition, tofu is higher in protein keeping you feeling fuller longer.

Soy Sauce: Keep it gluten-free by choosing coconut aminos or tamari sauce.

Sesame Oil: Gives a nutty kick and plays a dual role by ensuring the meatballs stay moist and tender.

Aromatics: Ginger, green onion, and the essential garlic elevate these turkey tofu meatballs to a whole new level.

Coconut red curry sauce getting spooned over the turkey tofu meatballs.

Red Coconut Curry Sauce Ingredients

Coconut milk – (canned) We have only tested this recipe with full fat coconut milk. If you decide to add low fat coconut milk, it will take you longer to reduce the sauce and it will not be as rich and creamy.

Red Curry Paste – (Spicy) Both red or green curry paste are delicious in this curried turkey meatball recipe, coconut curry dumpling soup and salmon curry. Mae Ploy Green Curry Paste is not listed as gluten free. So, if you are celiac, you may want to stick with the Thai Kitchen red curry paste brand or make your own curry paste from scratch.

Fish Sauce – (Savory) It gives these curried turkey meatballs that delicious funky Thai flavor that we all love. Red Boat fish sauce is our go to brand as it is certified gluten free and delicious.

Fresh Lime Juice – (Sour) or even a squirt of bottle in a pinch brightens up the flavors of the coconut curry sauce.

Sugar alternative or natural sweetener of choice – (Sweet) – Optional- just a touch to balance the flavors. To keep this recipe low carb, keto and diabetic friendly, it is best just to skip the sugar or sugar alternative – your body won’t miss it!

Assemble the Meatballs

Crafting these low carb turkey meatballs is a breeze. Follow these easy steps:

Mixing: Combine ground turkey, tofu, soy sauce, sesame oil, and aromatics in a large bowl. Give it a thorough mix. If you find yourself with leftover tofu, consider adding it to a spicy Thai hotpot or toss it into a tofu scramble for a delightful breakfast.

rolling Asian turkey meatballs into balls in a hand.

Rolling: Shape the gluten-free turkey mixture into either regular-sized or mini balls.

Thai turkey tofu meatballs getting seared in a pan on the stovetop.

Searing: Pan-fry the meatballs until cooked through.

Here's a tip: resist the urge to wash the pan! The savory remnants are what make the coconut sauce extra rich and delicious.

Crafting the Coconut Curry Sauce

Now, let's elevate the dish with our rich and creamy coconut red curry sauce:

Stirring the coconut red Curry Sauce in a pan.

Sauce it up: Pour coconut milk, red or green curry paste, and fish sauce into the pan. Stir well to incorporate all those flavorful turkey tofu meatball bits from the bottom of the pan. Let the sauce simmer until it achieves a rich and creamy consistency.

Thai low carb turkey meatballs put in the pan with the red curry sauce.

Reunion with Meatballs: Introduce the cooked Thai meatballs back into the pan, ensuring each gets a generous coating of the tantalizing coconut curry sauce.

Tossing the meatballs in the curry sauce.

Cooking Methods for Asian Meatballs

Remember to check the internal temperature of the meatballs to ensure they have reached 165°F (77°C) for optimum safety and flavor. Here are 3 ways to cook turkey tofu meatballs…

Stovetop cooking is our favorite way to cook curried turkey meatballs because you can cook everything in one pan. In addition, you can use the pan drippings from frying the meatballs to make the curry sauce extra flavorful.
Air Fry at 400 degrees for about 10 minutes and turn over halfway to ensure browning on all sides.
Bake at 375°F (190°C) for approximately 15 minutes.

Taking a bite of a Thai turkey tofu meatballs dipped in the curried sauce.

Recipe Tips

Drain and pat dry the tofu before crumbling and adding into the meatball mixture.
Use your hands to incorporate all the meatball ingredients. Just squeeze and let the ingredients go through your fingers just like we did with our miso chicken meatballs. You might want to take off any rings before trying this. Using your hands to mix works better and faster than using a fork or spoon.
Don’t overmix the meatball ingredients as this can make the meatballs tough.
Use a good full fat quality coconut milk like Aroy-D or Thai Kitchen. Using the off brands that have lots of fillers or additions can result in a watery sauce.
Don’t wash the pan after cooking the Asian turkey meatballs. These pan dripping make the Thai curried sauce extra scrumptious and satisfying.
Prepared meatballs can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
Frozen turkey meatballs can be stored in the freezer for up to 2 months.

What to Serve with Turkey Meatballs?

To keep this meal low carb, serve with some of these healthy side dishes.

Stir fried cauliflower rice, broccoli rice or crispy cauliflower bites.
Serve on top of zucchini noodles or stuffed in a cabbage roll.
Hallow out a baked spaghetti squash and add a few healthy low carb turkey meatballs.
Try this easy Asian recipe with garlicky Stir fried green beans or a turmeric vegetable medley.
Freshen up this easy dinner inspiration with spicy cucumber refrigerator pickles, Stir fried romaine lettuce or a crisp green salad.
You might even want to lap up all that delicious curry sauce with a couple cloud breads.
Try these meatballs as a low carb appetizer or in your favorite soup.

If you are not watching your carbohydrate intake, these gluten free turkey meatballs are delicious with a bowl of steamed jasmine rice, noodles or even black rice.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ’s)

How to freeze meatballs?

You can freeze turkey meatballs uncooked, cooked with or without the coconut curry sauce…

Uncooked Meatballs – place your meatballs on a lined sheet pan in a single layer and place in freezer until frozen. This step prevents them from sticking together so you can enjoy just a few at a time. Then, transfer gluten free meatballs to a freezer safe baggie or container and place in the freezer for up to 2 months. Place them in the refrigerator overnight to thaw and cook according to the recipe.

Cooked Meatballs No Sauce – First allow the meatballs to come to room temperature and then follow the steps above. The one exception is there is no need to thaw in the refrigerator overnight. Cooked meatballs can be directly thawed and reheated in a pan or microwave until toasty warm all the way through.

Cooked Meatballs in a Sauce or Curry – Allow the meatballs to cool and then place in a freezer safe container. When you are ready to eat, you can place the cooked meatballs in curry sauce directly into a pan and cook over low medium heat until warm and toasty. Alternatively, you can just pop it in the microwave and heat on low heat until warmed though and the sauce is hot.

Can I make the meatballs and sauce in advance for a party?

Certainly! Both the meatballs and the curry sauce can be prepared ahead of time. Store them separately in the refrigerator and combine and reheat when ready to serve.

What can I substitute for fish sauce?

If you prefer a fish sauce alternative, you can use soy sauce, tamari, coconut aminos or a mushroom and soy sauce broth for a savory flavor. Adjust the quantity to suit your taste.

More Curry Recipes

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