Looking for a delicious and nutritious dinner that comes together quickly? This Ground Turkey Teriyaki Stir Fry is the perfect solution! With lean ground turkey, vibrant vegetables, and a savory homemade teriyaki sauce, this stir fry is not only packed with flavor but also a healthy choice for the whole family. Here’s why this dish is a must-try!
Why You’ll Love This Ground Turkey Teriyaki Stir Fry
- Quick and Easy: Ready in just 30 minutes, this recipe is perfect for busy weeknights when you need a flavorful meal on the table fast.
- Healthy: Ground turkey is a lean protein, making this dish a healthier alternative to traditional stir fries made with beef or chicken. It’s low in fat but high in protein, making it a great choice for those looking to maintain a balanced diet.
- Customizable: You can easily swap in your favorite veggies like bell peppers, broccoli, carrots, or snap peas. The stir fry sauce can also be adjusted to your desired level of sweetness or saltiness.
- Flavor-Packed: The homemade teriyaki sauce brings the dish to life with its perfect balance of salty, sweet, and umami flavors, making each bite irresistible.
Ingredients for Ground Turkey Teriyaki Stir Fry
For this healthy stir fry recipe, you’ll need:
- 1 lb ground turkey – The lean protein that forms the base of this dish.
- 1 tablespoon olive oil – For sautéing the turkey and vegetables.
- 2 cups mixed vegetables – You can use a pre-packaged stir-fry vegetable mix or choose fresh vegetables like broccoli, carrots, bell peppers, and snow peas.
- 2 garlic cloves, minced – For a savory base flavor.
- 1 teaspoon fresh ginger, grated – Adds warmth and depth of flavor.
- 1/4 cup soy sauce – For the salty umami base of the teriyaki sauce.
- 1 tablespoon rice vinegar – For a touch of acidity to balance the sweetness.
- 2 tablespoons honey – To add a natural sweetness to the sauce.
- 1 tablespoon cornstarch – To thicken the sauce.
- 1/4 cup water – To help dissolve the cornstarch and create a smooth sauce.
- Optional garnish: Sesame seeds and sliced green onions for added flavor and presentation.
How to Make Ground Turkey Teriyaki Stir Fry
- Cook the Ground Turkey: Heat a tablespoon of olive oil in a large skillet or wok over medium-high heat. Add the ground turkey and cook, breaking it apart with a wooden spoon, until browned and cooked through (about 5-7 minutes). Transfer the turkey to a plate and set aside.
- Prepare the Vegetables: In the same skillet, add a little more olive oil if needed and sauté the garlic and ginger until fragrant (about 1 minute). Add your mixed vegetables and cook until they are just tender, about 3-5 minutes, depending on your preference.
- Make the Teriyaki Sauce: While the vegetables cook, whisk together soy sauce, rice vinegar, honey, water, and cornstarch in a small bowl. Stir until the cornstarch is dissolved.
- Combine the Ingredients: Add the cooked ground turkey back into the skillet with the vegetables. Pour the teriyaki sauce over the mixture and stir everything together, cooking for an additional 2-3 minutes until the sauce has thickened and coated the turkey and vegetables.
- Serve and Garnish: Serve your Ground Turkey Teriyaki Stir Fry hot, topped with optional sesame seeds and sliced green onions for added texture and flavor.
Tips for the Best Stir Fry
- Add Crunch: For extra texture, consider adding water chestnuts or cashews to the stir fry.
- Low-Sodium Soy Sauce: To make this dish even healthier, opt for low-sodium soy sauce to reduce the salt content.
- Meal Prep: This stir fry is great for meal prep! Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days or freeze for later use.
- Serve with Rice: Pair the stir fry with steamed jasmine rice, brown rice, or cauliflower rice for a complete meal.
Health Benefits of Ground Turkey
Ground turkey is not only a flavorful meat but also an excellent choice for those looking to eat healthier. It’s lower in saturated fat compared to beef, making it heart-healthy while still offering plenty of protein. The addition of vegetables in this recipe boosts your intake of fiber, vitamins, and minerals.
Why You Should Make This Ground Turkey Teriyaki Stir Fry Tonight
This Ground Turkey Teriyaki Stir Fry is the ideal weeknight meal – it’s quick, healthy, and full of flavor. Plus, it’s easy to make and customize to your family’s taste preferences. Whether you’re trying to eat more lean protein or simply looking for a satisfying meal that doesn’t take long to cook, this dish has you covered.
Try this recipe today and enjoy a nutritious, delicious meal that will quickly become a family favorite!
Serving and Storage Tips for Ground Turkey Teriyaki Stir Fry
Serving Tips:
- Pair with Rice or Noodles: Serve your Ground Turkey Teriyaki Stir Fry over steamed white rice, brown rice, or cauliflower rice for a complete meal. You can also try it with noodles like soba, udon, or even whole wheat noodles for added texture.
- Add a Side Salad: For a lighter meal, pair the stir fry with a refreshing side salad, such as a simple cucumber salad or an Asian-inspired slaw.
- Top with Garnishes: Enhance the flavor and appearance by sprinkling sesame seeds, sliced green onions, or fresh cilantro on top. A drizzle of extra teriyaki sauce can also add an extra boost of flavor.
- Serve in Bowls: This stir fry is often best served in deep bowls, allowing you to mix the rice or noodles with the turkey and vegetables thoroughly, ensuring every bite is packed with flavor.
Storage Tips:
- Refrigerating Leftovers: Store any leftover stir fry in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Be sure to cool the stir fry down to room temperature before sealing it in the container to prevent moisture buildup.
- Freezing: If you have extra servings, the Ground Turkey Teriyaki Stir Fry can be frozen for up to 3 months. Let it cool completely before transferring it to a freezer-safe container or zip-top bag. When reheating, thaw in the refrigerator overnight or heat directly from frozen in a pan with a splash of water to prevent the dish from drying out.
- Reheating: Reheat leftover stir fry in a pan over low to medium heat, adding a splash of water or additional soy sauce to bring back the moisture. Alternatively, you can microwave individual portions in a microwave-safe container for 1-2 minutes, stirring halfway through to ensure even heating.
By following these serving and storage tips, you can enjoy your Ground Turkey Teriyaki Stir Fry for multiple meals while keeping it fresh and delicious!
1. Can I use a different protein instead of ground turkey?
Yes! You can easily swap out the ground turkey for other proteins like ground chicken, beef, or even tofu for a vegetarian version. Just make sure to adjust the cooking times accordingly, especially if you’re using whole pieces of meat or tofu.
2. Can I make the teriyaki sauce in advance?
Absolutely! You can prepare the teriyaki sauce ahead of time and store it in the fridge for up to a week. Simply whisk together the ingredients and refrigerate in an airtight container until you’re ready to use it. This will save you time on busy weeknights.
3. What vegetables can I use in this stir fry?
This stir fry is highly customizable! You can use any vegetables you like, such as bell peppers, broccoli, snap peas, carrots, mushrooms, or zucchini. Frozen stir-fry vegetable mixes work great if you’re short on time.
4. Is this stir fry gluten-free?
To make the Ground Turkey Teriyaki Stir Fry gluten-free, simply swap the soy sauce for tamari or a gluten-free soy sauce alternative. Be sure to check the labels of other ingredients to ensure they’re also gluten-free.
Ground Turkey Teriyaki Stir Fry
This ground turkey teriyaki stir fry is a quick, healthy, and delicious meal that’s perfect for busy weeknights. Lean ground turkey is cooked with fresh veggies and tossed in a sweet and savory teriyaki sauce. Serve it over rice or noodles for a satisfying dish packed with flavor!
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Total Time: 25 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Dinner, Main Course
- Method: Stir Fry
- Cuisine: Asian-Inspired
- Diet: Gluten Free
Ingredients
- 1 lb ground turkey
- 1 tbsp olive oil (or sesame oil)
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tbsp fresh ginger, grated
- 1 small onion, diced
- 1 bell pepper, chopped (any color)
- 1 cup broccoli florets
- 1 medium zucchini, sliced
- 1/2 cup carrots, julienned or thinly sliced
- 3 green onions, sliced (optional for garnish)
For the Teriyaki Sauce:
- 1/4 cup soy sauce (use low-sodium if preferred)
- 2 tbsp honey (or brown sugar)
- 1 tbsp rice vinegar (or apple cider vinegar)
- 1 tbsp cornstarch
- 1/4 cup water
- 1/2 tsp sesame oil (optional for extra flavor)
Instructions
- Make the Sauce: In a small bowl, whisk together soy sauce, honey, rice vinegar, cornstarch, water, and sesame oil until smooth. Set aside.
- Cook the Turkey: Heat olive oil in a large skillet or wok over medium-high heat. Add ground turkey, breaking it up with a spoon, and cook until browned and cooked through, about 5-6 minutes. Drain excess fat if needed.
- Add Aromatics: Add garlic, ginger, and onion to the turkey, cooking for 1-2 minutes until fragrant.
- Add Vegetables: Add bell pepper, broccoli, zucchini, and carrots. Stir-fry for 3-5 minutes until the vegetables are tender-crisp.
- Add Sauce: Pour the teriyaki sauce into the skillet, stirring until everything is well coated. Let it cook for 1-2 minutes until the sauce thickens and evenly coats the meat and vegetables.
- Serve: Garnish with green onions if desired. Serve over rice, quinoa, or noodles, and enjoy!
Notes
- Make It Gluten-Free: Use tamari or coconut aminos instead of soy sauce.
- Spicy Option: Add a pinch of red pepper flakes or a drizzle of sriracha for some heat.
- Vegetable Substitutions: Feel free to use other veggies like snap peas, mushrooms, or baby corn.