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Looking for a quick, flavor-packed dinner that won’t leave you with a sink full of dishes? This Ground Turkey Stir Fry is your new weeknight go-to dish! Packed with lean protein, crisp veggies, and a sweet-spicy teriyaki sauce, it’s a lighter take on takeout, without the wait.
You may also love my ground beef and rice bowl or my hot honey ground beef bowl.
This dish is great any time of year, but is especially perfect when you need a fast, wholesome meal. It was inspired by my Spicy Chicken Stir Fry and pairs beautifully with this cilantro lime rice for a balanced meal.
If you like to meal prep, then this will be perfect for you. You can also check out these easy meal prep recipes.
I love easy stir-fry dishes!
My kids love stir-fry dishes, and I can’t really blame them. They are also so comforting, and I like to make them too because they are just simple, and I do not have to worry about sides other than a quick side of rice.
If you want a one-pan stir-fry noodle recipe then I think you should make this Mongolian Ground Beef Noodles.
Recipe Overview
Highlights
- Fast & Easy: Ready in just 30 minutes—perfect for busy nights.
- One-Pan Wonder: Fewer dishes = more time to enjoy your meal.
- Customizable: Swap in your favorite veggies or adjust the spice level.
Ingredients Needed
This stir fry comes together with simple ingredients that deliver big flavor! Below is a list of ingredients you will need to make it. Full measurements are listed further down below in the recipe card.
- Olive oil, or you can use avocado oil
- Sweet onion & celery: Adds sweetness and crunch.
- Ground turkey: I like to use really lean ground turkey. You may use ground chicken.
- Garlic: Use fresh if possible instead of garlic powder.
- Red bell pepper & zucchini: to add texture and flavor.
- Green onions: A fresh garnish that ties everything together.
- Cooked rice: A hearty base for serving.
- Teriyaki Sauce: A mix of soy sauce, honey, sriracha, vinegar, sesame oil, and cornstarch for thickening.
How to Make Ground Turkey Stir Fry
This is a simple, step-by-step process, the full recipe is below in the recipe card.
Step 1: Make the sauce. Whisk water and cornstarch, then mix in soy sauce, honey, hot sauce, vinegar, and sesame oil.
Step 2: Sauté the veggies. Cook the onion and celery in olive oil until soft.
Step 3: Brown the turkey. Add garlic and ground turkey, breaking it apart as it cooks.
Step 4: Add more veggies. Stir in bell pepper and zucchini, cooking until just tender.
- Combine everything. Pour in the teriyaki sauce, stir, and let it thicken.
- Serve. Spoon over rice and garnish with green onions and sesame seeds.
Tips from my kitchen
- Don’t overcook the veggies. Keep them slightly crisp for the best texture.
- Adjust spice levels. Add more sriracha if you like heat, or reduce for a milder dish.
- Use fresh garlic. It makes a huge difference in flavor!
Variations and Substitutions
Make this dish your own with these simple tweaks:
- Low-carb: Swap the rice for cauliflower rice.
- Extra veggies: Add mushrooms, carrots, or snap peas.
- Different protein: Try ground chicken or beef instead of turkey.
- Gluten-free: Use tamari instead of soy sauce.
- Nutty flavor: Sprinkle with chopped peanuts or cashews.
- Coconut aminos instead of soy sauce for a soy-free option.
- Maple syrup instead of honey for a vegan version.
- Apple cider vinegar instead of white vinegar for a milder tang.
- Arrowroot powder instead of cornstarch for a grain-free thickener.
Make Ahead & Storage
You can prep parts of this dish in advance for even faster meals!
- Make ahead: Chop veggies and mix sauce up to 2 days in advance.
- Refrigerate: Store leftovers in an airtight container for up to 4 days.
- Freeze: Cool completely and freeze in portions for up to 2 months. Reheat in a skillet for best results.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes! Serve it over quinoa, noodles, or even wrapped in lettuce cups.
Let it simmer a bit longer, or add a tiny extra bit of cornstarch slurry.
Absolutely! Reduce or skip the sriracha for a milder taste.
You may also like
- Mongolian Beef Stir Fry
- Lemon Chicken Orzo
- Beef Stew Recipe
- Beef and Broccoli Stir Fry
- Shrimp Stir Fry
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Ground Turkey Stir Fry
Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 medium sweet onion, finely diced
- 2 sticks celery, finely diced
- 1 pound ground turkey
- 2-3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 red bell pepper, diced
- 1 medium zucchini, small diced
- 3 green onions, only green parts – thinly sliced
- 2 cups cooked rice of choice, or more rice
For the Teriyaki Sauce:
- 1/4 cup filtered water
- 1 tablespoon cornstarch
- 1/4 cup low-sodium soy sauce
- 2 tablespoons honey
- 2 tablespoons hot sauce like sriracha or frank’s
- 1 tablespoon vinegar
- 2 teaspoons toasted sesame oil
- 1 tablespoon toasted sesame seeds, to garnish
Instructions
- In a small jug, whisk the 1/4 cup filtered water and 1 tablespoon cornstarch until smooth. Add in all the remaining ingredients for the teriyaki sauce and stir until combined. (1/4 cup low-sodium soy sauce, 2 tablespoons honey, 2 tablespoons hot sauce like sriracha or frank’s, 1 tablespoon vinegar, 2 teaspoons toasted sesame oil, and 1 tablespoon toasted sesame seeds)
- Heat the 1 tablespoon olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the 1 medium sweet onion (diced) and 2 sticks celery (diced), and sauté for 5 minutes.
- Add the 1 pound ground turkey and 2-3 cloves garlic (minced) and cook, mincing the meat with a wooden spoon.
- Once the meat is no longer pink and starts to get brown on the bottom, stir in the 1 red bell pepper and 1 medium zucchini. Stir-fry for 5 minutes, just until the veggies start to tenderize but are still a bit crunchy.
- Stir in the teriyaki sauce and cook for a couple of minutes, until it’s thick and nicely coats the meat and veggies.
- Divide the 2 cups cooked rice of choice among your serving bowls and top with the turkey stir-fry. Sprinkle it with 3 green onions and sesame seeds.
Notes
- Don’t overcook the veggies. Keep them slightly crisp for the best texture.
- Adjust spice levels. Add more sriracha if you like heat, or reduce for a milder dish.
- Use fresh garlic. It makes a huge difference in flavor!
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
