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These quick and easy ground turkey rice bowls are topped with bang bang sauce that makes the most simple meal level up in a big way. Seasoned browned ground turkey with soy sauce, sriracha and seasoning and then tossed in spicy sauce, and then added to rice bowls with all the toppings–a delicious weeknight meal the whole family will love!
Bang bang sauce is my latest obsession and when I say I put in on everything, I am not kidding!
It started with these air fryer bang bang salmon bites, and it’s just been nonstop since! I took the salmon variation and worked it into a super simple variation for these ground turkey rice bowls and then smothered them in all the bang bang sauce, of course!
A quick and easy dinner recipe that can easily be customized and made to cater to each person in the family–that is always a win!
Try these other rice bowls as well: Greek Salmon Rice Bowls, Slow Cooker Chicken Burrito Bowl Recipe, Ground Turkey Teriyaki Stir Fry or this Ground Beef Teriyaki!
Why We Love These Ground Turkey Bang Bang Rice Bowls
- A super simple 20 minute dinner that packs in lots of flavor.
- Really easy to accommodate everyone in the family.
- Endless possibilities for toppings and rice bowl add ins.
Ingredient Notes
- I typically prefer 85%-93% lean ground turkey versus the 99% lean. It has more flavor and I find the texture to also be better. You are welcome to use whatever is your preference though as any type will work.
- If you don’t have sesame oil, don’t worry–just use your preferred cooking oil. The sesame oil does add a layer of flavor into the meat, but it is not worth skipping making these ground turkey rice bowls or buying the oil just for one recipe.
- I use minute rice 9 times out of 10 when making this recipe as it saves a ton of time. Another great option is to make this when you have leftover rice already in the fridge!
- Low sodium soy sauce is our preference to keep the sodium down in this recipe.
- After testing this recipe a few more times, I added the ginger as it is not in this image. Also, cornstarch was an optional add-in added later.
Recipe Variations
- use a different meat: you are welcome to make this recipe with ground beef, ground pork, ground chicken, etc. I love the flavor of the turkey, but by all means use what you have on hand!
- stir fry some veggies with the meat: I have added shredded carrots in with the ground turkey as well as some broccoli, etc.
- serve it as lettuce wraps, over cauliflower rice or serve it another way
- make it gluten free: use tamari in place of the soy sauce to make this recipe gluten free
- a touch of lime or orange juice or zest will add a bit more flavor to the ground turkey mixture. Orange zest is soooo good in it!
Step-By-Step Instructions
Step 1: Add all of the bang bang sauce ingredients to a small bowl.
Step 2: Whisk well to combine. Adjust flavor by adding more spice with extra sriracha or cutting it a bit with more honey or sweet chili sauce. Chill until ready to serve.
Step 3: Over medium-high heat, add a drizzle of olive oil to a large skillet, When glistening, add the ground turkey and break into smaller pieces. When turkey is browned and reaches internal temperature of 165°F, shift heat to medium-low and add in remaining ingredients, except the cornstarch.
Step 4: Simmer for 2-3 minutes, stirring occasionally. To thicken up the mixture, sprinkle the corn starch over top and stir to combine. Just before serving, I like to stir in about 2 tablespoons of the bang bang sauce into the meat (this is optional)
Assemble Rice Bowls
Add your cooked rice, veggies, and ground turkey mixture to bowls. Spoon bang bang sauce over top and garnish with sesame seeds and chopped green onions if desired.
No add-in is off limits! Any of the following and more are amazing: mukiame (shelled edamame), shredded carrots or cabbage, sliced cucumbers, diced avocado, pickled onions, kimchi, steamed broccoli, and so much more!
Recipe Tips
- If the ground turkey mixture becomes a bit dry, add some more soy sauce or broth. The skillet will still be pretty hot when all of the seasoning and liquid is added to the pan. This will reduce some of the liquid more quickly than you may like. Just add an extra splash as needed.
Storage
Store leftovers separately in an airtight container in the refrigerator. The turkey will keep for about 3-4 days while the sauce is good for up to a week.
You can freeze the turkey mixture as well. We like to toss it in the bang bang sauce and then freeze. Freeze for about 3 months.
Other Ground Turkey Recipes
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Ground Turkey Rice Bowls with Bang Bang Sauce
Ingredients
Ground Turkey Mixture
- 1 lb ground turkey
- 1 Tbsp sesame oil, or favorite cooking oil
- 2-3 garlic cloves, minced
- 2 tsp grated ginger
- ½ tsp smoked paprika
- ½ tsp onion powder
- 3 Tbsp soy sauce, low sodium
- 1-2 Tbsp sriracha
- 2-3 T chicken broth
- 2 tsp honey
- ½ tsp black pepper
- ½ tsp sea salt, more or less to taste
- 2 tsp corn starch
Bang Bang Sauce
- ½ c mayonnaise
- 3 Tbsp sweet chili sauce
- ½-1 Tbsp sriracha, more to kick up the spice
- 1 tsp rice vinegar
- 2 tsp honey
Rice Bowl Options
- rice, shredded carrots, sliced cucumbers, shelled edamame, pickled onions, avocado, shredded cabbage, sliced green onion, sesame seeds and more!
Instructions
- Prep Bang Bang Sauce: Add all of the bang bang sauce ingredients to a small bowl. Whisk well to combine. Adjust flavor by adding more spice with extra sriracha or cutting it a bit with more honey or sweet chili sauce. Chill until ready to serve.
- Prepare the Ground Turkey Mixture: Over medium-high heat, add a drizzle of sesame oil to a large skillet, When glistening, add the ground turkey and break into smaller pieces. When turkey is browned and reaches internal temperature of 165°F, shift heat to medium-low heat and add in remaining ingredients, except the cornstarch.
- Simmer for 2-3 minutes, stirring occasionally. To thicken up the mixture, sprinkle the corn starch over top and stir to combine. Just before serving, I like to stir in about 2 tablespoons of the bang bang sauce into the meat (this is optional)
- Assemble Rice Bowls: No rules here! Add rice, veggies and all of your favorites. Spoon the ground turkey mixture in and then drizzle bang bang sauce over top. Garnish with sliced green onion and sesame seeds.
Notes
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
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