Ground Turkey Stir Fry Recipe

This Ground Turkey Stir Fry is your new weeknight hero! Packed with tender turkey, crisp-tender veggies, and an irresistibly savory-sweet sauce, it’s a dinner that comes together in 30 minutes and leaves you dreaming of leftovers. The beauty of this dish lies in its blend of bold flavors, bright colors, and vibrant crunch—plus, it’s endlessly customizable, so you can truly make it your own.

Ingredients You’ll Need

Ground Turkey Stir Fry is the ultimate example of how a handful of simple ingredients can create something truly spectacular. Each item here plays a key role—whether it’s adding juiciness, superior flavor, or pops of color that make every bite a total delight.

• Ground turkey: The star of the show! Lean, tender, and soaks up all that savory sauce.
• Low-sodium soy sauce: Provides depth and umami without overwhelming saltiness.
• Brown sugar: Adds a gentle sweetness that balances the heat and acidity.
• Rice vinegar: Lends a subtle tang and brightens up the dish.
• Sesame oil: For rich, nutty aroma and flavor in every bite.
• Fresh ginger (or ginger paste): Gives the stir fry its signature zesty kick.
• Sriracha: For a customizable hit of spicy warmth—add more or less to taste!
• Neutral oil (canola, avocado, or olive): Perfect for sautéing without overpowering the veggies or meat.
• Garlic powder: Infuses quick, bold flavor into the turkey.
• Zucchini: Softens just enough for a tender bite with gorgeous color.
• Carrot: Shredded for fast cooking and a sweet crunch that pops through the sauce.
• Red bell pepper: Adds a sweet, juicy bite and a vibrant red hue.
• Green onions: Both texture and freshness; split between the stir fry and a sprinkle on top!
• Cornstarch: Mixed with a little water to create a quick slurry that thickens the sauce to glossy perfection.
• Jasmine rice (for serving): The ideal backdrop, soaking up every drop of the savory-sweet sauce.

Variations

One of my favorite things about Ground Turkey Stir Fry is how easy it is to riff on. Don’t be afraid to experiment—a quick swap here or there can totally transform your meal, and it’s a fantastic way to use up whatever’s in your fridge or tailor the dish to your needs!

• Make it gluten-free: Swap the soy sauce for tamari or coconut aminos for a wheat-free version that’s just as flavorful.
• Boost the veggies: Add quick-cooking veggies like snow peas, shredded cabbage, or baby spinach for extra color and crunch.
• Adjust the heat: Prefer it mild? Skip the sriracha. Want it fiery? Add extra sriracha or toss in sliced red chili.
• Try a different protein: You can easily use ground chicken or even crumbled tofu instead of turkey for a fresh twist.

How to Make Ground Turkey Stir Fry

Step 1: Make the Sauce

In a medium mixing bowl or large liquid measuring cup, whisk together the low-sodium soy sauce, water, brown sugar, rice vinegar, sesame oil, ginger, and sriracha. You want everything fully dissolved and blended, so take a minute to stir well—this is the magic that brings the entire Ground Turkey Stir Fry together!

Step 2: Cook the Ground Turkey

Heat 2 teaspoons of your neutral oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the ground turkey and sprinkle over the garlic powder. As the turkey cooks, break it apart with a spatula—this helps it brown evenly and prevents big clumps. Sauté until there’s no more pink and the turkey is slightly golden, then scoop it onto a clean plate while you move on to the veggies.

Step 3: Stir Fry the Veggies

Pop your skillet back on the heat and swirl in the remaining teaspoon of oil. Add the diced zucchini, shredded carrot, red bell pepper, and the white and light green parts of the green onion. Sauté for 3-5 minutes, stirring often, until they’re just tender but still crisp—you want that perfect stir fry bite! While they cook, quickly whisk together the cornstarch and water in a tiny bowl to make a slurry.

Step 4: Bring It All Together

Lower the heat to medium, then return the cooked turkey to the pan. Drizzle in the sauce, stirring to coat every nook and cranny with that glossy, flavorful goodness. Pour in the cornstarch slurry and keep tossing until the sauce thickens and clings beautifully to the turkey and veggies—this is when it looks and smells absolutely irresistible!

Step 5: Serve and Savor

Spoon the steaming stir fry over a bed of jasmine rice. Top with the reserved green parts of the onion, maybe another squiggle of sriracha if you love heat, and enjoy every single forkful of your homemade Ground Turkey Stir Fry bliss!

How to Serve Ground Turkey Stir Fry

Garnishes

Nothing brightens up a bowl of Ground Turkey Stir Fry quite like fresh garnishes. Try a generous handful of thinly sliced green onion tops, a sprinkling of sesame seeds for nutty crunch, or a little extra sriracha for those who crave some extra zing. If you have fresh cilantro or Thai basil on hand, they make a fabulous finishing touch too!

Side Dishes

This stir fry is a complete meal over jasmine rice, but you can level things up with easy sides like steamed edamame, miso soup, or a crisp Asian-style cucumber salad for freshness and contrast. Or, double down on veggies by serving with roasted broccoli or sautéed bok choy on the side.

Creative Ways to Present

Ground Turkey Stir Fry is dazzling in a big family-style bowl, but for a fun twist, try serving it in lettuce cups for a light, hand-held meal, or pile it over quinoa or cauliflower rice for a hearty, lower-carb option. You can even stuff leftovers into wraps or use them as a filling for meal prep bowls throughout the week!

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Cool any extra Ground Turkey Stir Fry to room temperature and stash it in an airtight container in the fridge. It keeps perfectly for up to four days and makes an unbeatable next-day lunch with all those flavors even more melded!

Freezing

You can absolutely freeze your cooked stir fry! Let it cool, then portion into freezer-safe bags or containers. Freeze for up to two months—just know that the veggies will soften a bit after thawing but it’ll still be just as tasty for a quick and wholesome dinner.

Reheating

To reheat, just microwave individual portions until steaming hot, or pop them into a skillet with a splash of water over medium heat. The sauce will loosen up beautifully and your stir fry will taste freshly made in minutes.

FAQs

Final Thoughts

If you’re looking for a dinner that’s full of flavor, packed with nutrition, and sure to win hearts at your table, Ground Turkey Stir Fry truly delivers. I can’t wait for you to try it—don’t forget to make enough for leftovers, because you’ll be craving it again and again!

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