Ground Turkey Rice Bowls (Printable Version)
Seasoned ground turkey with rice, fresh vegetables, and a sesame-soy glaze in under 35 minutes.
# What You Need:
→ Meats
01 - 1 pound ground turkey
→ Grains
02 - 2 cups cooked white or brown rice
→ Vegetables
03 - 1 cup shredded carrots
04 - 1 red bell pepper, diced
05 - 1 cup shelled edamame
06 - 2 green onions, thinly sliced
→ Aromatics and Sauces
07 - 2 cloves garlic, minced
08 - 1 tablespoon fresh ginger, grated
09 - 1/4 cup low-sodium soy sauce (or tamari for gluten-free)
10 - 1 tablespoon sesame oil
11 - 2 tablespoons rice vinegar
12 - 1 tablespoon honey or maple syrup
13 - 1 tablespoon sriracha or chili sauce (optional, to taste)
→ Toppings
14 - 1 tablespoon sesame seeds
15 - Fresh cilantro, chopped
16 - Lime wedges
# How To Make:
01 - Prepare the rice according to package instructions if not already cooked. Keep warm and set aside.
02 - Heat a large skillet or wok over medium heat and add the sesame oil, allowing it to shimmer.
03 - Add the ground turkey to the skillet and cook, breaking it apart with a spatula, until browned and cooked through, about 6 to 8 minutes.
04 - Stir in the garlic, ginger, red bell pepper, and shredded carrots. Cook for 3 to 4 minutes until the vegetables are slightly softened.
05 - Add the shelled edamame to the pan and cook for 2 more minutes until heated through.
06 - In a small bowl, whisk together the soy sauce, rice vinegar, honey, and sriracha. Pour the sauce into the skillet and stir well to coat all ingredients evenly.
07 - Simmer for 2 to 3 minutes, allowing the flavors to meld and the sauce to thicken slightly.
08 - Divide the cooked rice among serving bowls and spoon the turkey mixture over each portion.
09 - Top with green onions, sesame seeds, fresh cilantro, and lime wedges as desired. Serve immediately.
# Expert Advice:
01 -
- The sauce balances sweet, savory, and heat in a way that makes you question why you ever ordered takeout.
- Everything cooks in one skillet, which means cleanup is almost embarrassingly easy for something this flavorful.
02 -
- Do not overcrowd the skillet or the turkey will steam instead of browning, and you will lose those caramelized bits that carry the most flavor.
- Taste the sauce mixture before adding it to the pan so you can adjust the sweetness or heat to your liking before it reduces and intensifies.
03 -
- Let the turkey sit undisturbed for the first two minutes in the pan so a proper crust forms before you start breaking it apart.
- Double the sauce recipe and keep the extra in a jar in the fridge for when you need to transform leftover rice and vegetables into something exciting.