Ground Turkey Teriyaki Stir Fry: Quick, Healthy & Delicious Recipe

Ground Turkey Teriyaki Stir Fry: Craving a quick, healthy, and incredibly flavorful weeknight dinner? Look no further! Imagine tender ground turkey, perfectly browned and coated in a luscious, homemade teriyaki sauce, tossed with vibrant, crisp-tender vegetables. This isn’t your average stir-fry; it’s a symphony of sweet, savory, and umami flavors that will have your taste buds singing.

While teriyaki sauce has become a global phenomenon, its roots lie deep in Japanese culinary tradition. The word “teriyaki” itself describes a cooking technique where foods are glazed with a soy sauce-based marinade and then broiled or grilled to a glossy sheen. Our Ground Turkey Teriyaki Stir Fry takes that classic flavor profile and adapts it for a modern, busy lifestyle.

What makes this dish so irresistible? It’s the perfect balance of sweet and savory, the satisfying texture of the ground turkey against the crunchy vegetables, and the sheer convenience of having a complete meal ready in under 30 minutes. Plus, using ground turkey makes it a leaner, healthier alternative to traditional beef stir-fries without sacrificing any of the deliciousness. Get ready to experience a weeknight dinner revolution!

this Recipe

Ingredients:

• 1 pound ground turkey
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 1 medium yellow onion, chopped
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 red bell pepper, thinly sliced
• 1 green bell pepper, thinly sliced
• 1 cup broccoli florets
• 1 cup sliced carrots
• 1/2 cup snow peas
• 1/4 cup water chestnuts, sliced
• 1/4 cup bamboo shoots, sliced
• 1/4 cup chopped green onions, for garnish
• Sesame seeds, for garnish (optional)

Teriyaki Sauce:

• 1/2 cup soy sauce (low sodium preferred)
• 1/4 cup brown sugar, packed
• 2 tablespoons honey
• 1 tablespoon rice vinegar
• 1 teaspoon sesame oil
• 1 teaspoon ground ginger
• 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1 tablespoon cornstarch
• 2 tablespoons cold water

Instructions:

Preparing the Teriyaki Sauce:

1. In a medium saucepan, whisk together the soy sauce, brown sugar, honey, rice vinegar, sesame oil, ground ginger, and garlic powder.
2. Place the saucepan over medium heat and bring the mixture to a simmer, stirring occasionally.
3. In a small bowl, whisk together the cornstarch and cold water until smooth. This is your cornstarch slurry.
4. Slowly pour the cornstarch slurry into the simmering sauce, whisking constantly to prevent lumps from forming.
5. Continue to simmer the sauce for 1-2 minutes, or until it has thickened to your desired consistency. Remember that it will thicken slightly more as it cools.
6. Remove the saucepan from the heat and set the teriyaki sauce aside. You can taste it and adjust the sweetness or saltiness to your liking by adding a little more honey or soy sauce, respectively.

Cooking the Ground Turkey:

1. Heat the olive oil in a large skillet or wok over medium-high heat. Make sure the skillet is large enough to accommodate all the ingredients.
2. Add the ground turkey to the skillet and break it up with a spatula.
3. Cook the ground turkey, stirring occasionally, until it is browned and fully cooked through. This usually takes about 5-7 minutes. Ensure there is no pink remaining.
4. Once the turkey is cooked, drain off any excess grease from the skillet. This will help prevent the stir-fry from becoming too oily.
5. Add the chopped onion and minced garlic to the skillet with the cooked turkey.
6. Cook the onion and garlic for about 2-3 minutes, or until the onion is softened and translucent and the garlic is fragrant. Be careful not to burn the garlic.

Adding the Vegetables:

1. Add the sliced red bell pepper, green bell pepper, broccoli florets, sliced carrots, snow peas, water chestnuts, and bamboo shoots to the skillet with the turkey, onion, and garlic.
2. Stir-fry the vegetables for about 5-7 minutes, or until they are tender-crisp. You want them to be cooked through but still have a slight bite to them. Stir frequently to ensure even cooking.
3. If the vegetables start to stick to the skillet, you can add a tablespoon or two of water to help steam them.

Combining and Serving:

1. Pour the prepared teriyaki sauce over the ground turkey and vegetables in the skillet.
2. Stir well to coat all the ingredients evenly with the sauce.
3. Bring the mixture to a simmer and cook for another 2-3 minutes, or until the sauce is heated through and the vegetables are glazed.
4. Taste the stir-fry and adjust the seasoning as needed. You can add a pinch of salt or pepper to enhance the flavors.
5. Remove the skillet from the heat.
6. Serve the ground turkey teriyaki stir-fry hot over rice or noodles. Brown rice, white rice, quinoa, or even cauliflower rice are all great options. For noodles, consider using soba noodles, udon noodles, or egg noodles.
7. Garnish with chopped green onions and sesame seeds (if desired) before serving.

Tips and Variations:

• Spice it up: Add a pinch of red pepper flakes or a dash of sriracha to the teriyaki sauce for a spicy kick.
• Add protein: You can substitute the ground turkey with ground chicken, ground beef, or even tofu. If using tofu, press it first to remove excess water.
• Customize the vegetables: Feel free to use any vegetables you like in this stir-fry. Some other great options include mushrooms, zucchini, bok choy, and bean sprouts.
• Make it gluten-free: Use tamari instead of soy sauce to make this recipe gluten-free. Tamari is a gluten-free soy sauce alternative.
• Meal prep friendly: This stir-fry is perfect for meal prepping. Store it in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. Reheat in the microwave or on the stovetop.
• Add pineapple: For a sweeter and more tropical flavor, add some pineapple chunks to the stir-fry during the last few minutes of cooking.
• Serve with rice noodles: Rice noodles are a great gluten-free alternative to traditional noodles. Soak them in hot water until softened, then add them to the stir-fry during the last minute of cooking.
• Make it a bowl: Serve the stir-fry over rice or quinoa in a bowl and top with a fried egg for a complete and satisfying meal.
• Use fresh ginger: For a more intense ginger flavor, use freshly grated ginger instead of ground ginger in the teriyaki sauce.
• Add a squeeze of lime: A squeeze of fresh lime juice at the end adds a bright and zesty flavor to the stir-fry.
• Marinate the turkey: For even more flavor, marinate the ground turkey in a portion of the teriyaki sauce for at least 30 minutes before cooking.
• Thicken the sauce further: If you prefer a thicker sauce, you can add a bit more cornstarch slurry. Just be sure to whisk it in slowly to avoid lumps.
• Reduce the sodium: Use low-sodium soy sauce and reduce the amount of soy sauce slightly to lower the sodium content of the dish.
• Add sesame seeds to the sauce: Toast some sesame seeds and add them to the teriyaki sauce for a nutty flavor and added texture.

Conclusion:

This Ground Turkey Teriyaki Stir Fry isn’t just another weeknight meal; it’s a flavor explosion waiting to happen, and trust me, you absolutely need to try it! We’ve taken the classic comfort of a stir-fry and elevated it with lean ground turkey and a homemade teriyaki sauce that’s both sweet and savory. Forget takeout – this is faster, healthier, and infinitely more satisfying. The beauty of this recipe lies in its simplicity and adaptability. It’s a guaranteed crowd-pleaser, even for picky eaters!

Why is this a must-try? First, it’s incredibly quick. From prep to plate, you’re looking at under 30 minutes, making it perfect for those busy evenings when you’re short on time but still craving something delicious and nutritious. Second, it’s packed with protein and customizable with your favorite veggies. Feel free to swap out the broccoli and bell peppers for snap peas, carrots, or even some zucchini. The possibilities are endless! Third, that homemade teriyaki sauce? It’s a game-changer. It’s so much better than anything you’ll find in a bottle, and you can easily adjust the sweetness and saltiness to your liking. Plus, knowing exactly what’s going into your sauce is always a win.

But the real magic of this recipe is how it transforms humble ground turkey into something truly special. The teriyaki sauce clings to every morsel, creating a symphony of flavors that will have you coming back for seconds (and maybe even thirds!).

Looking for serving suggestions? I love serving this Ground Turkey Teriyaki Stir Fry over a bed of fluffy white rice or brown rice for a healthier option. Quinoa or cauliflower rice are also fantastic choices if you’re looking to reduce carbs. For an extra touch of freshness, sprinkle some sesame seeds and chopped green onions on top.

And don’t be afraid to experiment with variations! If you’re feeling adventurous, add a pinch of red pepper flakes to the sauce for a little kick. Or, try incorporating some pineapple chunks for a tropical twist. You could even add some water chestnuts or bamboo shoots for extra crunch. For a vegetarian option, you can easily substitute the ground turkey with tofu or tempeh. Just be sure to press the tofu well to remove excess moisture before stir-frying.

I’m so confident that you’ll love this recipe, and I can’t wait to hear what you think! Seriously, give this Ground Turkey Teriyaki Stir Fry a try this week. It’s a guaranteed win for dinner.

Once you’ve made it, please, please, please share your experience! Did you make any modifications? What were your favorite veggies to add? Did your family love it as much as mine does? Leave a comment below and let me know. I’m always looking for new ideas and ways to improve my recipes. Your feedback is invaluable! And don’t forget to snap a picture of your creation and tag me on social media – I’d love to see your culinary masterpieces! Happy cooking! I hope this recipe becomes a staple in your household, just like it has in mine. Enjoy!