Pecan Crusted Asian Turkey Meatball Lettuce Wraps
Pecans lend extra crunch and nutrition to these Asian-inspired (and optional Whole30 approved) turkey meatballs. Serve in lettuce wraps, on greens for a salad or make it into a bowl and serve over zucchini noodles.
Ingredients
- For the Meatballs:
- 1 1/2 pounds ground turkey
- 1/3 cup chopped green onions (about 2 stalks)
- 1 teaspoon toasted sesame oil
- 1/2 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
- 1 teaspoon Kosher salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1/4 teaspoon powdered ginger
- 1 cup fresh pecans halves or pecan pieces, ground
- For the Sauce:
- 1/2 cup soy sauce (see recipe notes)
- 1/2 teaspoon cornstarch (see recipe notes)
- 1/2 teaspoon fish sauce
- 1 tablespoon toasted sesame oil
- For Serving:
- 1 head of butter lettuce leaves
- 1/2 cup matchstick carrots
- Chopped scallions (optional)
- Cilantro leaves (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 375 degrees F.
- In a large bowl, combine the ground turkey, green onions, sesame oil, red pepper flakes, salt, pepper, garlic, powdered ginger. Use your hand to combine until mixed.
- In a food processor, pulse pecans until coarsely ground. They should be about the same consistency as panko bread crumbs.
- Scoop 1 tablespoon of the meat mixture at a time and roll into meatballs. Place the pecan crumbs on a plate, then roll the meatballs in the ground pecans until evenly coated.
- Place the pecan crusted meatballs on a parchment lined baking sheet. Continue until all meatballs are formed and coated with pecans.
- Place meatballs in oven and bake at 375 degrees F. for approximately 20 minutes. Flip after 15 minutes.
- Make the sauce: While meatballs are cooking, combine the Soy Sauce, Cornstarch, fish sauce and sesame oil in a bowl. Heat a small sauce pan over medium heat and add the sauce. Continue to stir until sauce thickens, about 3 minutes. Remove from heat and let cool until ready to serve.
- To serve: sprinkle the lettuce cups with the shredded carrots. Then, place the meatballs on top and drizzle with sauce. Garnish (optional) with scallions and cilantro.
Recipe Notes:
- You may substitute with coconut aminos if you are following a Whole30 diet
- You may substitute for arrowroot flour if you are following a Whole30 diet