Ground Turkey Rice Bowls

This ground turkey rice bowl recipe has quickly become my weeknight dinner hero, offering that perfect balance of flavor and simplicity when I need something delicious without spending hours in the kitchen. The bang bang sauce takes these bowls from ordinary to extraordinary with just a few minutes of extra effort.

I first created these bowls during a particularly hectic week when I needed something quick but didn't want to sacrifice flavor. My family immediately requested they become part of our regular rotation, and the bang bang sauce now makes appearances on everything from salads to sandwiches.

Ingredients

• Ground turkey provides a leaner protein option than beef while still bringing satisfying texture and flavor
• Sesame oil adds that authentic Asian flavor profile that elevates the entire dish
• Garlic and ginger create an aromatic base that infuses the meat with warmth and depth
• Soy sauce delivers that perfect umami punch and saltiness to balance the sweet components
• Sriracha brings customizable heat that you can adjust based on your preference
• Honey balances the spice with just enough sweetness to round out the flavors
• Cornstarch creates that restaurant quality thick sauce that coats each bite perfectly
• Mayonnaise forms the creamy base for the bang bang sauce that makes this dish special
• Sweet chili sauce adds complexity with its perfect balance of sweet and mild heat

Step-by-Step Instructions

Prepare The Bang Bang Sauce

Combine mayonnaise sweet chili sauce sriracha rice vinegar and honey in a small bowl. Whisk thoroughly until completely smooth and uniform in color. Taste and adjust by adding more sriracha for extra heat or honey for more sweetness. The sauce should be creamy with visible specks of chili flakes. Refrigerate while preparing the rest of the dish to allow flavors to meld.

Brown The Turkey

Heat sesame oil in a large skillet over medium high heat until shimmering but not smoking. Add ground turkey and break into small pieces using a wooden spoon. Cook for approximately 7 to 8 minutes until no pink remains and meat reaches 165°F internally. The turkey should develop some golden brown edges for best flavor.

Season And Flavor The Meat

Reduce heat to medium low. Add minced garlic ginger paprika onion powder soy sauce sriracha chicken broth honey salt and pepper to the cooked turkey. Stir constantly for about 30 seconds to prevent garlic from burning. Allow mixture to simmer gently for 2 to 3 minutes letting the meat absorb all those beautiful flavors.

Thicken The Sauce

Sprinkle cornstarch evenly over the turkey mixture and stir immediately to incorporate. Continue cooking for about 1 minute until the liquid thickens noticeably and coats the back of a spoon. For extra flavor optional but highly recommended stir in 2 tablespoons of the prepared bang bang sauce directly into the meat mixture.

Assemble The Bowls

Start with a base of warm rice in each bowl. Arrange your chosen vegetables around the edges cucumber carrot edamame cabbage avocado and pickled onions all work wonderfully. Spoon the seasoned turkey mixture in the center. Drizzle generous amounts of bang bang sauce over everything. Finish with sliced green onions and a sprinkle of sesame seeds.

Bookmark

The sriracha is truly the magic ingredient in this recipe. I discovered its transformative power years ago when trying to recreate my favorite restaurant dishes at home. Now I always keep a bottle in my refrigerator for whenever a dish needs that perfect balance of heat garlic and tanginess.

Make Ahead Tips

This recipe is perfect for meal prepping. The turkey mixture actually improves in flavor after a day in the refrigerator as the seasonings continue to develop. I often make a double batch on Sunday nights for easy lunches throughout the week.

For the ultimate convenience prepare all components separately and store in individual containers. The bang bang sauce will keep for up to a week refrigerated and actually gets better as the flavors meld together. The turkey mixture stores well for 3 to 4 days refrigerated or up to 3 months frozen.

When freezing I recommend portioning the meat into individual servings and adding a tablespoon of the bang bang sauce before freezing this helps keep the meat moist during reheating.

Ingredient Substitutions

This recipe welcomes adaptations based on what you have available. Ground chicken works perfectly in place of turkey with virtually no other changes needed. For a vegetarian version crumbled tofu or a plant based ground meat alternative performs beautifully just increase the seasonings slightly as these options tend to absorb less flavor.

The bang bang sauce can be lightened up by using Greek yogurt in place of half the mayonnaise though the texture will be slightly thinner. No sweet chili sauce? Combine honey sriracha and a splash of rice vinegar as a quick substitute.

For a lower carb option replace the rice with cauliflower rice or serve the seasoned turkey over a bed of crisp lettuce for a satisfying salad version.

Serving Suggestions

These bowls are wonderfully versatile and can be enjoyed in multiple ways. For a fun interactive dinner set up a build your own bowl bar with all the components separated allowing everyone to customize their creation.

On particularly hot evenings serve the turkey mixture chilled over crisp vegetables for a refreshing alternative to the traditional warm bowl.

For entertaining consider making mini versions served in small cups as appetizers topped with just a drizzle of bang bang sauce and a sprinkle of green onion.

Recipe Q&A

→ Can I substitute ground turkey with another protein?

Yes, you can easily substitute ground chicken, beef, or even plant-based ground meat alternatives. The seasoning blend works well with various proteins, though cooking times may vary slightly.

→ How can I make this meal less spicy?

To reduce the spice level, decrease or omit the sriracha in both the meat mixture and bang bang sauce. You can also increase the amount of honey or sweet chili sauce in the bang bang sauce to balance the heat.

→ What can I use instead of rice for a low-carb option?

For a lower-carb alternative, use cauliflower rice, zucchini noodles, or a bed of mixed greens. These options pair well with the seasoned turkey and sauce while reducing carbohydrates.

→ Can I prepare any components ahead of time?

Yes! The bang bang sauce can be made up to a week in advance and stored in the refrigerator. You can also cook the turkey mixture ahead of time and reheat it when ready to serve. Prep vegetables in advance for even quicker assembly.

→ Is there a substitute for the bang bang sauce?

If you prefer an alternative, you could use a pre-made sweet chili sauce, teriyaki sauce, or even a peanut sauce. Each will create a different flavor profile but still complement the seasoned turkey.

→ What vegetables work best with these bowls?

While the recipe suggests shredded carrots, cucumbers, edamame, and avocado, other great additions include bell peppers, broccoli, snap peas, mushrooms, and spinach. Use what's in season or your favorites.