Ground Turkey Stir Fry Recipe
If you’re on the hunt for a fast, flavorful dish that’s loaded with veggies and perfectly seasoned turkey, say hello to your new favorite: Ground Turkey Stir Fry Recipe. This colorful stir fry is the answer to busy weeknights—packed with bell peppers, carrots, broccoli, and savory aromatics, all wrapped up in a sweet and zesty sauce. Whether you serve it over rice, cauliflower rice, or enjoy it as is, every bite delivers big taste with minimal effort. It’s healthy, flexible, and comes together in just about 25 minutes, making it a hero for quick weeknight dinners or meal prep alike!
Ingredients You’ll Need
The beauty of this Ground Turkey Stir Fry Recipe is in its simplicity—each ingredient brings its own pop of color, crunch, or depth of flavor, creating a dish that’s both hearty and fresh. From vibrant vegetables to a well-balanced sauce, these staples come together for serious weeknight magic.
- Ground turkey (1 pound): Lean, protein-packed, and absorbs flavors beautifully for a satisfyingly hearty base.
- Sesame oil (1 tablespoon): Adds a hint of nutty richness that’s key to classic stir fry flavor.
- Red bell pepper (sliced): Sweet and slightly crisp, it gives the stir fry gorgeous color and a nutritional boost.
- Yellow bell pepper (sliced): A touch milder, bringing a pretty golden hue and mellow sweetness.
- Broccoli florets (1 cup): Adds crunch and earthiness, pairing beautifully with the savory sauce.
- Carrot (1 medium, julienned): Brings subtle sweetness and a satisfying snap with every bite.
- Green onions (3, chopped): Fresh and zesty, they brighten up both the stir fry and the final garnish.
- Garlic (2 cloves, minced): That unmistakable aromatic base that infuses the dish with robust flavor.
- Fresh ginger (1 teaspoon, grated): Offers a warming, slightly spicy undertone you’ll crave in every forkful.
- Low-sodium soy sauce or tamari (¼ cup): The essential savory-salty element that ties everything together.
- Hoisin sauce (1 tablespoon): Gives a touch of sweetness and irresistible depth to the sauce.
- Rice vinegar (1 tablespoon): Balances out the richness with the perfect little bite of acidity.
- Sriracha (1 teaspoon, optional): Kicks up the heat for spice lovers—add more or less to taste.
- Cornstarch mixed with water (1 teaspoon cornstarch + 1 tablespoon water, optional): If you love a thicker, glossy sauce, this quick slurry does the trick.
- Sesame seeds and more green onions (for garnish): A sprinkle of fun and a final layer of flavor, making each serving look irresistibly fresh.
How to Make Ground Turkey Stir Fry Recipe
Step 1: Cook the Ground Turkey
Start by heating the sesame oil in a large skillet or wok over medium-high heat. Once hot, add the ground turkey and let it sizzle, breaking it apart with a spatula as it cooks. You want it perfectly browned and crumbly—this takes about 5 to 7 minutes. Browning the turkey at this stage lays down a flavorful foundation for your Ground Turkey Stir Fry Recipe.
Step 2: Add Aromatics
When the turkey is nicely browned, stir in the minced garlic, grated ginger, and half of your chopped green onions. Let them cook for just a minute, releasing their fragrant magic throughout the pan. This short step makes a huge impact, infusing your turkey and oil with irresistible aroma and flavor.
Step 3: Toss in the Veggies
It’s time for color and crunch: stir in the sliced bell peppers, broccoli florets, and julienned carrot. Sauté these together, stirring frequently, for about 4 to 5 minutes. Aim for veggies that are vibrant and slightly crisp, not mushy—this gives the Ground Turkey Stir Fry Recipe that signature fresh texture.
Step 4: Make and Add the Sauce
While your veggies are cooking, quickly whisk together your soy sauce (or tamari), hoisin sauce, rice vinegar, and sriracha in a small bowl. Pour this sauce over your turkey and veggies, stirring well to cover everything in the sweet-salty goodness. If you’d like a thicker sauce, go ahead and stir in the cornstarch slurry, and let it simmer for an extra minute or two until it thickens up.
Step 5: Garnish and Serve
Take the skillet off the heat and sprinkle on sesame seeds and those remaining green onions. Not only does this add a pop of color, but you get a final boost of flavor and texture. Serve your Ground Turkey Stir Fry Recipe piping hot, whether it’s with fluffy white rice, nutty brown rice, or a heaping scoop of cauliflower rice for extra veggies.
How to Serve Ground Turkey Stir Fry Recipe
Garnishes
A generous sprinkle of sesame seeds and a handful of freshly chopped green onions really make the dish look (and taste) restaurant-worthy. Feel free to add a few cilantro leaves or a drizzle of sesame oil for an extra flavorful finish—garnishes are the easiest way to make each serving feel a little special.
Side Dishes
While this stir fry is fantastic all on its own, it’s also delicious alongside some simple steamed jasmine rice or light and fluffy brown rice. For a lower-carb option, serve it over cauliflower rice or with steamed edamame on the side. Even a crisp Asian slaw or quick cucumber salad can bring a refreshing contrast to the flavors.
Creative Ways to Present
If you want to switch things up, spoon your Ground Turkey Stir Fry Recipe into lettuce cups for a fun, hands-on meal, or fold it into whole-wheat tortillas for impromptu Asian-inspired wraps. You can even top a bowl of stir fry with a runny fried egg for a protein-packed lunch—it’s endlessly adaptable and charming however you serve it!
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Cool the stir fry before transferring it to an airtight container, then pop it in the fridge. Leftovers will stay fresh for up to 4 days, making this recipe ideal for meal prepping lunches or speedy dinners.
Freezing
To freeze, let the stir fry cool completely, then portion it into freezer-safe containers or bags. It’ll keep well for up to 3 months—simply thaw overnight in the fridge when you’re ready to enjoy it again.
Reheating
Gently reheat individual portions in the microwave, stirring halfway through, or warm larger amounts in a skillet over medium heat. Add a splash of water or broth if the sauce seems thick. Either way, the Ground Turkey Stir Fry Recipe comes back to life beautifully!
FAQs
Can I substitute ground chicken or beef for turkey?
Absolutely! Both ground chicken and lean ground beef work well in this recipe. You may need to adjust cooking times slightly but the stir fry is just as tasty and satisfying.
What other vegetables can I add to the stir fry?
This recipe is incredibly flexible—snap peas, snow peas, mushrooms, zucchini, or baby corn are all wonderful additions. Use what’s in season or whatever you have on hand.
How spicy is the stir fry if I use sriracha?
Adding a teaspoon of sriracha brings a mild kick but isn’t overwhelmingly spicy. Feel free to adjust the amount or leave it out for a milder dish the whole family can enjoy.
Is this recipe gluten-free?
Yes, the Ground Turkey Stir Fry Recipe can be completely gluten-free—just use tamari instead of regular soy sauce and double check all your sauces for gluten-containing additives.
Can I make this dish ahead for meal prep?
Definitely! This stir fry holds up well in the fridge and reheats easily, making it perfect for quick lunches or dinners throughout the week. The flavors even deepen after a day or two.
Final Thoughts
With its speedy cook time, flexible ingredients, and crowd-pleasing flavor, the Ground Turkey Stir Fry Recipe is bound to become a staple in your kitchen. Give it a try, play with the veggies, and make it your own—you’ll love how easy and tasty dinnertime can be!
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Ground Turkey Stir Fry Recipe
- Total Time: 25 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Diet: Non-Vegetarian
Description
This Ground Turkey Stir Fry recipe is a quick and flavorful dish packed with colorful vegetables and Asian-inspired flavors. It’s a perfect option for a healthy weeknight dinner that is gluten-free and can be customized with your favorite veggies.
Ingredients
Ground Turkey Stir Fry:
- 1 pound ground turkey
- 1 tablespoon sesame oil
- 1 red bell pepper (sliced)
- 1 yellow bell pepper (sliced)
- 1 cup broccoli florets
- 1 medium carrot (julienned)
- 3 green onions (chopped)
- 2 cloves garlic (minced)
- 1 teaspoon fresh ginger (grated)
- ¼ cup low-sodium soy sauce or tamari
- 1 tablespoon hoisin sauce
- 1 tablespoon rice vinegar
- 1 teaspoon sriracha (optional)
- 1 teaspoon cornstarch mixed with 1 tablespoon water (optional, for thickening)
- sesame seeds and additional green onions for garnish
Instructions
- Heat sesame oil and cook turkey: Heat sesame oil in a skillet, add ground turkey, and cook until browned.
- Add aromatics and vegetables: Add garlic, ginger, green onions, bell peppers, broccoli, and carrot; cook until vegetables are tender.
- Prepare sauce: Whisk together soy sauce, hoisin sauce, rice vinegar, and sriracha; pour over the meat and veggies.
- Thicken sauce (optional): If desired, stir in cornstarch slurry and simmer until thickened.
- Garnish and serve: Remove from heat, garnish with sesame seeds and green onions, and serve hot with rice or cauliflower rice.
Notes
- Customize with your favorite veggies like snap peas, mushrooms, or zucchini.
- For a lower-carb version, serve over cauliflower rice.
- Use tamari for a gluten-free option.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Asian-Inspired
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 portion (without rice)
- Calories: 280
- Sugar: 5g
- Sodium: 540mg
- Fat: 14g
- Saturated Fat: 3g
- Unsaturated Fat: 9g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 12g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 24g
- Cholesterol: 75mg
