Ground Turkey Teriyaki Stir Fry Quick and Simple Meal

by Abigail on February 23, 2025

Looking for a quick and tasty meal? Ground Turkey Teriyaki Stir Fry is your answer! This dish is easy, fresh, and packed with flavor. In this post, I’ll guide you through simple steps to make it. You’ll learn about the best ingredients, cooking methods, and creative tweaks. Whether you’re a busy parent or just want a fast dinner, this stir fry will satisfy your cravings without stress. Let’s get cooking!

$You need 1 pound of ground turkey. This lean meat cooks fast and takes on flavors well. It gives you a protein boost while keeping the dish light. Ground turkey is easy to find in stores. For the veggies, gather: - 1 red bell pepper, sliced - 1 cup broccoli florets - 1 carrot, peeled and sliced into thin rounds - 3 green onions, chopped - 3 cloves garlic, minced - 1 inch piece of ginger, grated These vegetables add color and crunch. The bell pepper brings sweetness, while broccoli adds a nice texture. Carrots give a slight earthiness. Green onions and garlic pack a punch of flavor, and ginger adds warmth. For the sauce, you will need: - 1/4 cup low-sodium soy sauce - 2 tablespoons honey - 1 tablespoon rice vinegar - 1 teaspoon sesame oil - Salt and pepper to taste This combination makes a tasty teriyaki sauce. Low-sodium soy sauce keeps it healthier. Honey adds sweetness, while rice vinegar gives a tangy kick. Sesame oil adds depth and rounds out the taste. Adjust salt and pepper to fit your taste. Serve your stir fry hot over cooked rice or quinoa. Garnish with sesame seeds and more green onions for a finishing touch. This meal is quick, tasty, and good for you! {{ingredient_image_1}} First, grab a small bowl. In this bowl, mix together these ingredients: - 1/4 cup low-sodium soy sauce - 2 tablespoons honey - 1 tablespoon rice vinegar - 1 teaspoon sesame oil Stir them well until they blend nicely. Set the sauce aside for later. Now, take a large skillet or wok and heat 2 tablespoons of vegetable oil over medium-high heat. Once the oil is hot, add 1 pound of ground turkey. Use a spatula to break it apart. Cook for about 5 to 7 minutes. You want it to turn brown and cook through. Season it with a pinch of salt and pepper. Next, add 3 cloves of minced garlic and 1 inch of grated ginger. Stir these in for about a minute until you can smell the great aroma. Time to add some crunch! Toss in the sliced red bell pepper, 1 cup of broccoli florets, and the sliced carrot. Stir-fry these for about 3 to 4 minutes. You want them to be tender but still crisp. Now, pour in the teriyaki sauce you made earlier. Toss everything to coat the turkey and vegetables. Cook for an extra 2 minutes. This step helps the sauce become thicker. Just before serving, stir in the chopped green onions. Reserve some for garnish. Serve your stir fry hot over cooked rice or quinoa. Top it with sesame seeds and extra green onions for a nice touch. Enjoy! Cooking ground turkey takes just a few simple steps. First, use a large skillet or wok. Heat it over medium-high heat with vegetable oil. Once hot, add the ground turkey. Break it apart with a spatula for even cooking. Brown it for about 5-7 minutes. This method gives you a nice texture. Stir constantly to prevent burning. To boost flavor, add minced garlic and grated ginger right after the turkey. Cook these for about one minute. This step releases their aroma and makes the dish pop. For extra richness, drizzle sesame oil at the end. It adds a nutty taste that pairs well with teriyaki sauce. Feel free to swap the ground turkey for other meats. Chicken or beef work great too. For a vegan option, use tofu or tempeh. If you want different veggies, try snap peas or bell peppers. You can also adjust the sauce. Use maple syrup instead of honey for a vegan twist. Always taste and tweak for your preference. Pro Tips Use Fresh Ingredients: Fresh vegetables and high-quality ground turkey enhance the flavor and texture of your stir fry. Customize Your Veggies: Feel free to substitute or add other vegetables like snap peas, zucchini, or baby corn based on your preference. Adjust Sweetness: Modify the amount of honey in the sauce to suit your taste; you can add more for a sweeter teriyaki flavor. Meal Prep Friendly: This stir fry can be cooked in advance and stored in the refrigerator for up to three days, making it perfect for meal prep. {{image_2}} You can switch the ground turkey for other meats. Chicken or pork works well. If you prefer a plant-based dish, try using tofu or tempeh. These options provide different flavors and textures while keeping the dish healthy. Feel free to mix and match your veggies. Snap peas, zucchini, or mushrooms add variety. You can also use frozen mixed vegetables if you're short on time. Just remember to adjust cooking time for each type of vegetable. While teriyaki sauce is delicious, you can explore other flavors. Try sweet and sour sauce for a tangy twist. If you like spice, add some sriracha or chili garlic sauce. You can even make a peanut sauce for a creamy, nutty flavor. After cooking your ground turkey teriyaki stir fry, let it cool. Store it in an airtight container. It will stay fresh in the fridge for up to three days. Make sure it cools to room temperature before sealing it. This helps prevent moisture buildup. You can freeze leftovers for future meals. Place the stir fry in a freezer-safe container. It will keep well in the freezer for up to three months. To avoid freezer burn, wrap it tightly in plastic wrap before sealing it. Label the container with the date to track freshness. When you're ready to eat, thaw the stir fry in the fridge overnight. Reheat it in a skillet over medium heat. Stir it often to warm evenly. You can also use the microwave. Heat in short bursts, stirring in between, until hot. Always check the internal temperature reaches 165°F for safety. Enjoy your meal! It takes about 5 to 7 minutes to cook ground turkey. Start by heating your skillet over medium-high heat. Once hot, add the ground turkey. Break it apart with a spatula as it cooks. You want it to be browned and fully cooked. Make sure to check for any pink color. This ensures it is safe to eat. Yes, you can use frozen vegetables in this dish. Frozen veggies are quick and easy. They save time and still taste great. Just add them directly to the skillet when you add the fresh vegetables. Cook them a bit longer, about 5 to 7 minutes. This helps them warm through and blend well with the turkey. I recommend serving this stir fry over cooked rice or quinoa. Both options soak up the sauce well. You can also serve it with noodles for a fun twist. Add a side of steamed veggies or a fresh salad. This will balance the meal and add more color to your plate. This blog post covered how to create a tasty ground turkey stir fry. We explored essential ingredients like vegetables and sauce. I gave you step-by-step instructions for each cooking stage. Plus, I shared tips to boost flavor and suggested variations for customization. In summary, you can make this dish your own while enjoying how easy it is. Grab the ingredients, follow the steps, and create a wonderful meal. Enjoy your cooking adventure!$

Why I Love This Recipe

Quick and Easy: This stir fry can be prepared in just 25 minutes, making it perfect for busy weeknights.
Healthy Ingredients: Loaded with lean protein from ground turkey and a variety of colorful vegetables, it’s a nutritious choice.
Flavorful Sauce: The homemade teriyaki sauce adds a delicious sweet and savory flavor that ties everything together.
Versatile Serving Options: Serve it over rice or quinoa for a filling meal, or enjoy it on its own for a low-carb option.

Ingredients

Ground Turkey

You need 1 pound of ground turkey. This lean meat cooks fast and takes on flavors well. It gives you a protein boost while keeping the dish light. Ground turkey is easy to find in stores.

Vegetables

For the veggies, gather:

– 1 red bell pepper, sliced

– 1 cup broccoli florets

– 1 carrot, peeled and sliced into thin rounds

– 3 green onions, chopped

– 3 cloves garlic, minced

– 1 inch piece of ginger, grated

These vegetables add color and crunch. The bell pepper brings sweetness, while broccoli adds a nice texture. Carrots give a slight earthiness. Green onions and garlic pack a punch of flavor, and ginger adds warmth.

Sauce Components

For the sauce, you will need:

– 1/4 cup low-sodium soy sauce

– 2 tablespoons honey

– 1 tablespoon rice vinegar

– 1 teaspoon sesame oil

– Salt and pepper to taste

This combination makes a tasty teriyaki sauce. Low-sodium soy sauce keeps it healthier. Honey adds sweetness, while rice vinegar gives a tangy kick. Sesame oil adds depth and rounds out the taste. Adjust salt and pepper to fit your taste.

Serving Suggestions

Serve your stir fry hot over cooked rice or quinoa. Garnish with sesame seeds and more green onions for a finishing touch. This meal is quick, tasty, and good for you!

Step-by-Step Instructions

Preparing the Sauce

First, grab a small bowl. In this bowl, mix together these ingredients:

– 1/4 cup low-sodium soy sauce

– 2 tablespoons honey

– 1 tablespoon rice vinegar

– 1 teaspoon sesame oil

Stir them well until they blend nicely. Set the sauce aside for later.

Cooking the Ground Turkey

Now, take a large skillet or wok and heat 2 tablespoons of vegetable oil over medium-high heat. Once the oil is hot, add 1 pound of ground turkey. Use a spatula to break it apart. Cook for about 5 to 7 minutes. You want it to turn brown and cook through. Season it with a pinch of salt and pepper.

Next, add 3 cloves of minced garlic and 1 inch of grated ginger. Stir these in for about a minute until you can smell the great aroma.

Stir-Frying the Vegetables

Time to add some crunch! Toss in the sliced red bell pepper, 1 cup of broccoli florets, and the sliced carrot. Stir-fry these for about 3 to 4 minutes. You want them to be tender but still crisp.

Now, pour in the teriyaki sauce you made earlier. Toss everything to coat the turkey and vegetables. Cook for an extra 2 minutes. This step helps the sauce become thicker.

Just before serving, stir in the chopped green onions. Reserve some for garnish. Serve your stir fry hot over cooked rice or quinoa. Top it with sesame seeds and extra green onions for a nice touch. Enjoy!

Tips & Tricks

Best Cooking Techniques

Cooking ground turkey takes just a few simple steps. First, use a large skillet or wok. Heat it over medium-high heat with vegetable oil. Once hot, add the ground turkey. Break it apart with a spatula for even cooking. Brown it for about 5-7 minutes. This method gives you a nice texture. Stir constantly to prevent burning.

Enhancing Flavor

To boost flavor, add minced garlic and grated ginger right after the turkey. Cook these for about one minute. This step releases their aroma and makes the dish pop. For extra richness, drizzle sesame oil at the end. It adds a nutty taste that pairs well with teriyaki sauce.

Substitutions and Adjustments

Feel free to swap the ground turkey for other meats. Chicken or beef work great too. For a vegan option, use tofu or tempeh. If you want different veggies, try snap peas or bell peppers. You can also adjust the sauce. Use maple syrup instead of honey for a vegan twist. Always taste and tweak for your preference.

Pro Tips

Use Fresh Ingredients: Fresh vegetables and high-quality ground turkey enhance the flavor and texture of your stir fry.
Customize Your Veggies: Feel free to substitute or add other vegetables like snap peas, zucchini, or baby corn based on your preference.
Adjust Sweetness: Modify the amount of honey in the sauce to suit your taste; you can add more for a sweeter teriyaki flavor.
Meal Prep Friendly: This stir fry can be cooked in advance and stored in the refrigerator for up to three days, making it perfect for meal prep.

Variations

Alternative Proteins

You can switch the ground turkey for other meats. Chicken or pork works well. If you prefer a plant-based dish, try using tofu or tempeh. These options provide different flavors and textures while keeping the dish healthy.

Vegetable Substitutions

Feel free to mix and match your veggies. Snap peas, zucchini, or mushrooms add variety. You can also use frozen mixed vegetables if you’re short on time. Just remember to adjust cooking time for each type of vegetable.

Different Sauces

While teriyaki sauce is delicious, you can explore other flavors. Try sweet and sour sauce for a tangy twist. If you like spice, add some sriracha or chili garlic sauce. You can even make a peanut sauce for a creamy, nutty flavor.

Storage Info

Refrigeration Guidelines

After cooking your ground turkey teriyaki stir fry, let it cool. Store it in an airtight container. It will stay fresh in the fridge for up to three days. Make sure it cools to room temperature before sealing it. This helps prevent moisture buildup.

Freezing Instructions

You can freeze leftovers for future meals. Place the stir fry in a freezer-safe container. It will keep well in the freezer for up to three months. To avoid freezer burn, wrap it tightly in plastic wrap before sealing it. Label the container with the date to track freshness.

Reheating Tips

When you’re ready to eat, thaw the stir fry in the fridge overnight. Reheat it in a skillet over medium heat. Stir it often to warm evenly. You can also use the microwave. Heat in short bursts, stirring in between, until hot. Always check the internal temperature reaches 165°F for safety. Enjoy your meal!

FAQs

How long does it take to cook ground turkey?

It takes about 5 to 7 minutes to cook ground turkey. Start by heating your skillet over medium-high heat. Once hot, add the ground turkey. Break it apart with a spatula as it cooks. You want it to be browned and fully cooked. Make sure to check for any pink color. This ensures it is safe to eat.

Can I use frozen vegetables?

Yes, you can use frozen vegetables in this dish. Frozen veggies are quick and easy. They save time and still taste great. Just add them directly to the skillet when you add the fresh vegetables. Cook them a bit longer, about 5 to 7 minutes. This helps them warm through and blend well with the turkey.

What can I serve with ground turkey teriyaki stir fry?

I recommend serving this stir fry over cooked rice or quinoa. Both options soak up the sauce well. You can also serve it with noodles for a fun twist. Add a side of steamed veggies or a fresh salad. This will balance the meal and add more color to your plate.

This blog post covered how to create a tasty ground turkey stir fry. We explored essential ingredients like vegetables and sauce. I gave you step-by-step instructions for each cooking stage. Plus, I shared tips to boost flavor and suggested variations for customization.

In summary, you can make this dish your own while enjoying how easy it is. Grab the ingredients, follow the steps, and create a wonderful meal. Enjoy your cooking adventur

Ground Turkey Teriyaki Stir Fry

A quick and flavorful stir fry featuring ground turkey and fresh vegetables in a homemade teriyaki sauce.

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 10

Cook Time 15

Total Time 25

Course Main Course

Cuisine Asian

Servings 4

Calories 350 kcal

Ingredients

1 pound ground turkey
2 tablespoons vegetable oil
1 whole red bell pepper, sliced
1 cup broccoli florets
1 whole carrot, peeled and sliced into thin rounds
3 whole green onions, chopped
3 cloves garlic, minced
1 inch piece of ginger, grated
0.25 cup low-sodium soy sauce
2 tablespoons honey
1 tablespoon rice vinegar
1 teaspoon sesame oil
to taste salt and pepper
for serving cooked rice or quinoa
for garnish sesame seeds and additional green onions

Instructions

In a small bowl, mix together the soy sauce, honey, rice vinegar, and sesame oil. Set aside.
In a large skillet or wok, heat the vegetable oil over medium-high heat.
Add the ground turkey to the skillet, breaking it apart with a spatula. Cook until browned and cooked through, about 5-7 minutes. Season with salt and pepper.
Stir in the minced garlic and grated ginger, cooking for another minute until fragrant.
Add the sliced bell pepper, broccoli florets, and carrot rounds to the skillet. Stir-fry for about 3-4 minutes, or until the vegetables are tender-crisp.
Add the prepared teriyaki sauce to the pan and toss everything together to coat the turkey and vegetables evenly. Cook for an additional 2 minutes, allowing the sauce to thicken slightly.
Stir in the chopped green onions just before serving, reserving a few for garnish.
Serve hot over cooked rice or quinoa. Garnish with sesame seeds and additional green onions.

Notes

Serve over rice or quinoa for a complete meal.

Keyword healthy, quick meal, stir-fry, teriyaki, turkey