Gluten Free Asian Meatballs with Hoisin Sauce Recipe

Last Updated on January 13, 2023 by Anne-Marie

A gluten free hoisin meatball recipe for dinner. Makes a delicious gluten free Asian meatballs appetizer recipe, too. 

Gluten Free Asian Meatballs with Hoisin Sauce on a white plate with chopped green onions.

Why this recipe works

Do you love Asian food but never go out for it because you’re gluten free? Well, here’s a gluten free recipe for Asian Meatballs with Hoisin Sauce that’s so easy to make that you won’t mind staying home and cooking!

My whole family loves hoisin sauce recipes like moo shu pork. Unfortunately, I have to avoid them because of all the gluten from the soy and hoisin sauces.

So I knew I needed to come up with a safe hoisin sauce recipe that we all could enjoy.

(Looking for more Asian recipes? Check out 35 of the Best Recipes to Serve with Fried Rice! )

Closeup of Asian Meatballs with Hoisin Sauce on a white plate with chopped green onions on rice noodles.

How to make a gluten free hoisin sauce recipe

The problem with making a hoisin sauce from scratch is that you have to find miso paste. Most Asian markets and health food stores have it in stock.

However, I recently found out that my local grocery store now carries their own house brand of hoisin sauce.

Luckily, the ingredients seem to be gluten free. (It’s not certified as gluten free, however.)

I still make my own gluten free hoisin sauce, since I two containers of miso paste taking up room in my refrigerator.

You may want to, too, since you can make hoisin sauce as sweet or spicy as you like it. For example, I usually use agave nectar, but you may want to use maple syrup or honey instead.

Finally, an alternative to making a miso-based hoisin sauce is one with tahini sauce and honey – Homemade Hoisin Sauce (Gluten Free).

Overhead view of Gluten Free Asian Meatballs with Hoisin Sauce on a white plate with chopped green onions and chopsticks.

Gluten Free Asian Meatballs aren’t just for dinner

This recipe would also make a terrific Asian meatball appetizer at your next party.

Dish up some crunchy pea pods, carrot sticks, and slices of sweet peppers with these healthy Asian meatballs.

It’ll make a colorful – and gluten free – party platter!

Closeup of Asian Meatballs with Hoisin Sauce on a white plate with chopped green onions and chopsticks.

How to serve Asian meatballs

I serve Gluten Free Asian Meatballs with Hoisin Sauce on gluten free Thai rice noodles.

You could try your gluten free turkey meatballs on gluten free vermicelli noodles or on rice with a side of stir fry veggies for a complete meal.

Don’t forget to serve them with plenty of gluten free hoisin sauce – the more the better!

Serve hoisin Asian meatballs to your guests with toothpicks or small bamboo skewers and some extra hoisin dipping sauce on the side.

Or put four or five meatballs on bamboo skewers as a fun presentation!

More Asian inspired dishes

Love Asian foods? Try these recipes. Best of all, they’re all gluten free!

  • Best Gluten Free General Tso Chicken Recipe
  • Asian Watermelon Fruit Salad Recipe
  • Instant Pot Orange Chicken Recipe
  • Asian Style Gluten Free Meatballs Recipe
  • Slow Cooker Teriyaki Chicken Recipe
  • Slow Cooker Chicken Adobo Recipe with Quinoa
  • Easy Instant Pot Chicken Thighs with Honey Garlic Sauce
  • Homemade Hoisin Sauce (Gluten Free)

  • Yield: 8 SERVINGS

    Gluten Free Asian Meatballs wit Hoisin Sauce Recipe

    Gluten Free Asian Meatballs with Hoisin Sauce Recipe

    A gluten free hoisin meatball recipe. Makes a delicious Asian meatballs appetizer recipe or an easy Asian meatballs dinner recipe.

    Prep Time 45 minutes
    Cook Time 15 minutes
    Total Time 1 hour

    Ingredients

    For the Gluten Free Asian Meatballs:

    • 4 tablespoons tamari sauce
    • 2 tablespoons toasted sesame oil
    • 4 teaspoons fresh ginger, grated
    • 1 teaspoon crushed red pepper
    • 2 teaspoons stevia or powdered monk fruit
    • 2 tablespoons corn starch
    • 8 scallions (green onions) 4 minced plus 4 more, thinly sliced for a garnish
    • 1 8-ounce can drained, finely chopped water chestnuts
    • 2 pounds lean ground turkey
    • canola cooking spray
    • 1 cup store-bought hoisin sauce or homemade gluten free hoisin sauce (see recipe below)

    For the homemade gluten free hoisin sauce:

    • 1 tablespoon grapeseed oil
    • 1 large garlic clove, minced
    • 1/2 teaspoon Chinese five-spice powder
    • 1/2 cup red miso paste
    • 1/2 cup agave nectar
    • 2 tablespoons rice vinegar

    Instructions

    For the Gluten Free Asian Meatballs:

    1. Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Line 2 to 3 baking sheets with parchment paper and set aside.
    2. In a large bowl, combine the tamari sauce, sesame oil, grated ginger, red pepper flakes, and sugar substitute. Stir in the corn starch until smooth.
    3. Stir in the 4 minced scallions and chopped water chestnuts, then add the ground turkey. Mix until all ingredients are thoroughly combined.
    4. Using a tablespoon-sized ice cream scoop, drop the turkey mixture in rounded tablespoons onto the prepared baking sheet.
    5. Lightly coat the meatballs with cooking spray and transfer to the oven.
    6. Bake until the meatballs are completely cooked through, approximately 15-20 minutes until they start to turn gold and brown on the edges.
    7. While the meatballs are cooking, make the hoisin sauce.
    8. Add the cooked hot meatballs to the hoisin sauce. (You may need to do this in batches.) Gently stir to coat.
    9. Serve meatballs over gluten free Thai rice noodles or rice. Sprinkle the remaining sliced scallions over the top.

    For the Homemade Gluten Free Hoisin Sauce:

    1. In a medium saucepan, heat the oil over medium heat. Add the garlic and Chinese five-spice powder. Stir and cook for 15-20 seconds, until fragrant.
    2. Add the remaining ingredients. Stir miso paste until it dissolves and the sauce is smooth.
    3. Turn heat up to medium-high. Stirring constantly, bring to a slow boil, and cook for 3 to 4 minutes until the hoisin sauce has thickened. Remove from heat.

    Notes

    Makes approximately 70 meatballs and 1 cup of gluten free hoisin sauce

    Nutrition Information:

    Yield:

    8

    Serving Size:

    9 meatballs with sauce

    Amount Per Serving: Calories: 475Total Fat: 21gSaturated Fat: 4gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 14gCholesterol: 119mgSodium: 1805mgCarbohydrates: 39gFiber: 3gSugar: 22gProtein: 36g

    Nutritional information is automatically calculated per the ingredients list. Serving size may not be accurate. Please double-check with your preferred nutritional app for the most accurate information.

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