This post may contain affiliate links. Please read our disclosure policy.
WW Recipe of the Day: Thai Green Curry Turkey Meatballs
Thai green curry is one of my all-time favorite dishes and Quick and Easy Thai: 70 Everyday Recipes (affiliate link) by Nancie McDermott is my go to Thai cookbook. When I came across a recipe by Casey Barber that referenced them both, I just knew this would be a winner.
Where the original recipe called for ground beef, I opted to substitute ground turkey to lower the fat and calories. To lighten things up a little more, I tossed in shredded zucchini and fresh lime juice.
These cocktail size meatballs are extremely versatile and can be frozen and reheated. In our house we use them as a protein-packed quick and easy snack food. They can be warmed in the microwave (affiliate link) for 30 seconds or even eaten cold.
To make them Paleo and gluten-free, just replace the breadcrumbs with additional shredded zucchini.
This recipe calls for Thai Green Curry Paste.
What is Thai Green Curry Paste?
It’s a puree of green chili peppers and other aromatic ingredients that can include green birds eye chilis, galangal, garlic, shallots, lemongrass, kaffir lime peel or leaves and cilantro stems. With so many ingredients it is highly preferable to buy a pre-made paste, which you will find in the Asian area of most well-stocked markets.
If you don’t have Thai Green Curry Paste, feel free to make a substitute, though the flavor will be different.
Possible Thai Green Curry Paste Substitutes
Curry Powder
The flavor will be quite different, but curry powder can usually do the trick. As a general rule of thumb substitute 1 teaspoon curry powder for 1 tablespoon curry paste. If you prefer milder curries, start with less and add to taste. It’s easy to add more, but difficult to fix a curry that’s too hot!
Other Curry Pastes
Thai red and green curry pastes can be used interchangeably. The flavor will be different but not necessarily in a bad way. Other Thai/Malaysian curry pastes such as, yellow curry, laksa or Massaman also work well as substitutes. Indian curry pastes including madras, korma and vindaloo can also be used. Just be careful of the heat intensity. Start with less than the recipe calls for and taste and add as needed.
How Many Calories and WW Points in Thai Green Curry Turkey Meatballs?
According to my calculations each serving (4 meatballs) has 195 calories.
To see your WW Points for this recipe, track it in the WW App!
(You must be logged into WW on a smartphone or tablet.)
4 SmartPoints (Green plan)
4 SmartPoints (Blue plan)
4 SmartPoints (Purple plan)
5 PointsPlus (Old plan)
Recipe Notes
Use a box grater (affiliate link) or food processor (affiliate link) to shred the zucchini. Then use a dry dishtowel to squeeze out as much water as possible.
If you don’t care for cilantro, you can use basil instead. Fresh herbs should be used for the best flavor, but if necessary half the amount of dried herbs can be substituted.
I used a small cookie scooper (approximately a tablespoon size), to form the meatballs which really speeds up the process and eliminates the need to roll them.
Sprinkle with chopped fresh herbs and coconut for a pretty presentation.
Serving Suggestions
- Add curry meatballs to an Asian cabbage salad in place of plain chicken
- Serve meatballs alongside rice and steamed or fresh spinach
- Add to a lettuce leaf with carrots and cucumbers for a tasty low-calorie wrap
Ways to Use Leftovers
- Make a Thai-inspired soup by adding them to chicken broth with ramen, or any other noodle, and fresh spinach
- Slice several curry meatballs and add them to an omelet
- Make a sauce with 1 can unsweetened coconut milk, 1-2 tablespoons green curry paste, 1 teaspoon fish sauce and 1 teaspoon brown sugar. Add meatballs and serve over rice, or keep it low carb and serve over cauliflower rice
- Add green curry meatballs to a crockpot with your favorite jarred Thai simmer sauce and bring to your next potluck
If you’ve made these Thai Curry Turkey Meatballs, please give the recipe a star rating below and leave a comment letting me know how you liked it. And stay in touch on Pinterest, Facebook, Instagram and Twitter for the latest updates.
Low Calorie Green Curry Turkey Meatballs Recipe
Ingredients
- 2 pounds ground turkey
- 1/2 cup plain bread crumbs (gluten-free or regular)
- 1/4 cup cilantro, chopped (or use basil, if you prefer)
- 1/4 cup mint, chopped (optional)
- 1/2 cup zucchini, shredded (water squeezed out)
- 1 serrano or jalapeño pepper, diced (optional)
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon ground cumin
- 1/2 teaspoon ground ginger
- 1 tablespoon green curry paste
- 1/2 lime, juiced
- 2 teaspoons fish sauce
- 1 egg, beaten
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350F degrees. Line 2 baking sheets with parchment paper or lightly grease pans.
- Add ground turkey to a large mixing bowl (affiliate link). Add breadcrumbs, cilantro, mint, zucchini, garlic, cumin and ginger to bowl with turkey.
- In a separate small bowl (affiliate link) add curry paste, lime juice, fish sauce and egg. Whisk until the egg is well beaten and mixture blended.
- Add curry paste mixture to the turkey bowl.
- Use your hands to gently fold all ingredients together until blended.
- Use a small cookie scoop (affiliate link) or shape a tablespoon of turkey into meatballs.
- Place approximately 22 meatballs per prepared sheet pan.
- Cook for 15-20 minutes until meatballs are golden brown.
Notes
(Must be logged into WW on a smartphone or tablet.) 4 SmartPoints (Green plan) 4 SmartPoints (Blue plan) 4 SmartPoints (Purple plan) 5 PointsPlus (Old plan) Where the original recipe called for ground beef, I opted to substitute ground turkey to lower the fat and calories. To lighten things up a little more, I tossed in shredded zucchini and fresh lime juice. These cocktail size meatballs are extremely versatile and can be frozen and reheated. In our house we use them as a protein-packed quick and easy snack food. They can be warmed in the microwave for 30 seconds or even eaten cold. To make them Paleo and gluten-free, just replace the breadcrumbs with additional shredded zucchini.
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
Recipe source: Adapted from GoodFoodStories.com
More WW Friendly Asian-Inspired Recipes
- Thai Basil Chicken (SkinnyTaste)
- Thai Chicken Skewers with Peanut Sauce (EmilyBites)
- Spicy Thai No-Cook Stir Fry (Hungry Girl)
There is an egg listed in the ingredients, but it is not used in the instructions.
Hi Robert, Sorry for the oversight. The recipe is corrected. You mix the egg with the curry paste, fish sauce and lime juice. ~Martha