Ground Turkey Rice Bowls (Print View)

Savory ground turkey over jasmine rice with crisp veggies and tangy sauce. Ready in 35 minutes.

# What You'll Need:

→ Meats

01 - 1 lb ground turkey

→ Grains

02 - 1 cup uncooked jasmine or basmati rice
03 - 2 cups water

→ Vegetables

04 - 1 red bell pepper, diced
05 - 1 medium carrot, grated
06 - 2 spring onions, sliced
07 - 1 cup shredded purple cabbage
08 - 1 cucumber, thinly sliced

→ Sauces & Aromatics

09 - 2 garlic cloves, minced
10 - 1 tbsp fresh ginger, minced
11 - 2 tbsp soy sauce (or tamari for gluten-free)
12 - 1 tbsp hoisin sauce
13 - 1 tbsp sesame oil
14 - 1 tsp sriracha or chili sauce (optional)

→ Toppings

15 - 2 tbsp toasted sesame seeds
16 - Fresh cilantro leaves for garnish
17 - Lime wedges

# How To Make It:

01 - Rinse rice under cold water until water runs clear. Combine rice and water in a medium saucepan, bring to a boil, then reduce heat to low. Cover and simmer for 15 minutes until tender. Remove from heat and let stand covered.
02 - Heat sesame oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add minced garlic and ginger, sautéing for 1 minute until fragrant.
03 - Add ground turkey to the skillet. Cook, breaking apart with a wooden spoon, until browned and cooked through, about 6 to 8 minutes.
04 - Stir in soy sauce, hoisin sauce, and sriracha if using. Add diced bell pepper and grated carrot, cooking for another 3 to 4 minutes until vegetables are slightly tender.
05 - Divide cooked rice among four bowls. Top each with the turkey mixture, then arrange shredded cabbage, cucumber, and spring onions on top.
06 - Finish each bowl with toasted sesame seeds, fresh cilantro leaves, and lime wedges. Serve immediately.

# Expert Hints:

01 -
  • The sauce combination of soy, hoisin, and sriracha creates a glaze that coats every crumb of turkey and makes you forget you are eating something healthy.
  • It comes together in about half an hour, which means you can pull it off even on nights when takeout sounds like the only option.
  • Every bowl is customizable so picky eaters and adventurous ones can sit at the same table in peace.
02 -
  • Do not skip rinsing the rice because excess starch makes the grains gummy rather than fluffy, and gummy rice drags down the entire texture of the bowl.
  • Let the turkey sit undisturbed for the first two minutes in the skillet so it develops a proper brown crust instead of steaming in its own juices.
03 -
  • Toast your own sesame seeds in a dry pan for two minutes and you will never go back to the untoasted store bought version because the difference in aroma is remarkable.
  • A squeeze of lime at the very last second, not during cooking, preserves its bright acidity and keeps the flavors lively on the plate.

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