Tantalizing Ground Turkey Teriyaki Rice Bowls Recipe

Irresistible Ground Turkey Teriyaki Rice Bowls Recipe

Weeknight dinners demand simple yet delectable solutions that ground turkey teriyaki rice bowls effortlessly deliver.

Packed with savory flavors and wholesome ingredients, this recipe promises a quick culinary adventure.

The tender turkey mingles with sweet and umami teriyaki sauce, creating a harmonious blend.

Crisp vegetables add vibrant color and nutritional punch to the dish.

Each forkful offers a delightful balance of protein, grains, and seasonings that dance across your palate.

Minimal prep time meets maximum taste satisfaction in this crowd-pleasing meal.

You’ll want to make this recipe again and again, so grab your skillet and let’s get cooking.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 10 minutes

Cook Time: 15 minutes

Total Time: 25 minutes

Calories: 350 kcal

Servings: 5

Ingredients for Ground Turkey Teriyaki Rice Bowls

For Sauce Base:
  • Soy Sauce: Delivers deep umami flavor and saltiness, choose low-sodium for healthier option.
  • Honey: Adds natural sweetness and helps sauce caramelize, opt for local raw honey.
  • Rice Vinegar: Provides tangy brightness, look for clear or seasoned varieties.
  • Cornstarch: Creates silky sauce texture, ensures smooth thickening without lumps.
  • Water: Helps blend sauce ingredients, use filtered water for best taste.
  • Brown Sugar: Enhances caramel undertones, select dark brown sugar for richer flavor.
For Protein and Aromatics:
  • Ground Turkey: Lean protein base with mild flavor, choose fresh ground turkey with minimal fat.
  • Garlic: Adds robust depth, select firm cloves without sprouts.
  • Ginger: Brings warm, spicy notes, pick fresh root with smooth skin.
  • Black Pepper: Provides subtle heat, use freshly ground for maximum flavor.
For Finishing and Garnish:
  • Sesame Oil: Adds nutty aroma, use toasted variety for deeper flavor.
  • Sesame Seeds: Creates crunchy texture, toast lightly before sprinkling.
  • Green Onions: Offers fresh, sharp accent, select bright green stalks.
  • Broccoli: Adds nutritious crunch, choose firm, dark green florets.
  • Carrots: Provides sweet texture, select bright orange, firm carrots.
  • Rice: Serves as hearty base, use short-grain or jasmine rice.

Tools to Build Teriyaki Rice Bowls Fast and Easy

  • Small bowl: Perfect for whisking together the teriyaki sauce ingredients smoothly.
  • Large skillet: Essential for browning ground turkey and creating the delicious sauce.
  • Wooden spoon or spatula: Helps break up turkey and stir ingredients while cooking.
  • Measuring spoons and cups: Needed for accurate sauce ingredient measurements.
  • Whisk: Ensures teriyaki sauce ingredients blend perfectly without lumps.
  • Sharp knife: For slicing green onions and preparing garnishes.
  • Cutting board: Provides a clean surface for chopping vegetables and garnishes.

How to Cook Ground Turkey Teriyaki Rice Bowls Right

  • Create Teriyaki Sauce

Whip up a delicious sauce by blending soy sauce, honey, rice vinegar, cornstarch, water, and brown sugar until silky smooth.

  • Brown the Turkey

Splash some sesame oil into a sizzling skillet and toss in ground turkey. Break it apart while cooking until it turns a beautiful golden brown.

  • Add Flavor Boosters

Sprinkle in minced garlic, freshly grated ginger, and a dash of black pepper. Let these aromatic ingredients dance together for a minute.

  • Simmer the Sauce

Pour the prepared teriyaki mixture over the cooked turkey. Watch as the sauce transforms, thickening and hugging each turkey morsel.

  • Build Your Bowl

Spread warm fluffy rice as your base. Top with the teriyaki turkey, then crown it with vibrant steamed broccoli and crisp shredded carrots.

  • Final Touch

Shower your creation with a sprinkle of sesame seeds and delicate green onion slices for a restaurant-worthy presentation.

Variations and Flavor Additions for Your Rice Bowl

  • Adjust cornstarch amount for thicker or thinner sauce depending on personal preference. More cornstarch creates a richer, clingy sauce while less keeps it lighter.
  • Easily replace ground turkey with chicken, beef, or plant-based crumbles for different flavor profiles and dietary needs.
  • Swap rice with cauliflower rice or zucchini noodles to reduce carbohydrate intake while maintaining the delicious teriyaki flavor.
  • Prepare turkey mixture in advance and store separately from rice. Keeps well in refrigerator for 34 days, making quick weeknight dinners a breeze.
  • Add red pepper flakes or sriracha for extra heat, or keep it mild for sensitive palates. Adjust spiciness according to individual preference.

Best Ways to Serve These Teriyaki Bowls

  • Fresh Family Feast: Serve the ground turkey teriyaki rice bowls with colorful side additions that elevate the meal's nutrition and taste.
  • Veggie Rainbow Topping: Sprinkle extra shredded carrots, thinly sliced cucumber, and red cabbage for crunch, color, and added nutrients that complement the savory teriyaki turkey.
  • Quick Protein Boost: Top the bowl with soft-scrambled eggs or a sunny-side-up egg to increase protein content and create a rich, creamy texture that blends perfectly with the teriyaki sauce.
  • Spice Lover's Twist: Add a small side of sriracha or chili garlic sauce for those who enjoy extra heat, allowing each person to customize their bowl's spice level according to their preference.

Save These Bowls for Meal Prep or Leftovers

  • Prepare multiple servings of ground turkey teriyaki in advance for quick weeknight meals. Store cooked portions in airtight containers for easy grab-and-go lunches or dinners.
  • Keep leftovers sealed in the fridge for 35 days. The flavors will actually deepen and become more delicious as they sit, making next-day meals even tastier than the first serving.
  • Portion the cooked turkey teriyaki into individual containers before freezing. When ready to enjoy, thaw overnight in the refrigerator and reheat gently in a skillet to maintain moisture and texture.
  • Warm refrigerated or thawed meals in a skillet over medium-low heat, adding a splash of water or extra teriyaki sauce to prevent drying. Stir occasionally to distribute heat evenly and keep the turkey tender and flavorful.
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Tantalizing Ground Turkey Teriyaki Rice Bowls Recipe

Tantalizing Ground Turkey Teriyaki Rice Bowls Recipe


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4.8 from 31 reviews

  • Total Time: 25 minutes
  • Yield: 5 1x

Description

Savory ground turkey teriyaki rice bowls bring Japanese-inspired comfort to weeknight dinners. Zesty sauce, tender turkey, and fluffy rice create a quick, satisfying meal that delights with each delectable bite you’ll crave.


Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 lb ground turkey
  • 2 tbsps honey
  • ¼ cup low-sodium soy sauce
  • 2 cups cooked white or brown rice
  • 1 tbsp rice vinegar
  • 1 cup steamed broccoli
  • ½ cup shredded carrots
  • 1 tbsp sesame oil
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 tsp fresh ginger, grated
  • ¼ tsp black pepper
  • 1 tbsp cornstarch
  • ¾ cup water
  • 1 tbsp brown sugar (optional)
  • 1 tbsp sesame seeds (optional)
  • 2 green onions, sliced

Instructions

  1. Prepare Teriyaki Sauce: Whisk soy sauce, honey, rice vinegar, cornstarch, water, and brown sugar into a silky, uniform glaze. Set mixture aside for later use.
  2. Sear Turkey: Warm sesame oil in a spacious skillet over medium flame. Introduce ground turkey, methodically fragmenting meat while cooking until perfectly golden and thoroughly done, approximately 6-8 minutes.
  3. Infuse Aromatics: Fold in minced garlic, freshly grated ginger, and cracked black pepper. Briefly sauté to release vibrant, fragrant notes, stirring continuously for one minute.
  4. Integrate Sauce: Stream teriyaki glaze over seasoned turkey, ensuring complete coverage. Allow mixture to gently simmer, reducing and thickening for 3-5 minutes until sauce clings richly to meat.
  5. Compose Bowl: Layer warm rice as foundation, crown with teriyaki-glazed turkey. Accompany with steamed broccoli florets and delicately shredded carrots for textural contrast.
  6. Finish and Garnish: Sprinkle toasted sesame seeds and thinly sliced green onions across the bowl, adding visual appeal and complementary flavor dimensions.

Notes

  • Break turkey into small, even pieces while cooking to ensure uniform browning and prevent clumping, which helps achieve a better texture and flavor absorption.
  • Whisk cornstarch mixture thoroughly to prevent lumps and create a smooth, glossy teriyaki sauce that clings perfectly to the ground turkey.
  • Cook ground turkey on medium heat to avoid burning and maintain moisture, allowing the meat to brown evenly without becoming dry or tough.
  • Swap white rice with cauliflower rice for a low-carb version, or use tamari instead of soy sauce for a gluten-free alternative that doesn’t compromise the dish’s authentic teriyaki flavor.
  • Prep Time: 10 minutes
  • Cook Time: 15 minutes
  • Category: Lunch, Dinner
  • Method: Sautéing
  • Cuisine: Japanese

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 5
  • Calories: 350
  • Sugar: 12 g
  • Sodium: 600 mg
  • Fat: 10 g
  • Saturated Fat: 2 g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 8 g
  • Trans Fat: 0 g
  • Carbohydrates: 45 g
  • Fiber: 3 g
  • Protein: 25 g
  • Cholesterol: 70 mg
Michael Thompson

Michael Thompson

Founder & Culinary Director

Expertise

Classical & Contemporary Cooking Techniques, Global Cuisine Appreciation, Nutrition & Menu Engineering, Sustainable Cooking Practices, Farm-to-Table Cuisine

Education

Southwestern Oregon Community College

  • Program: Culinary Arts, Associate of Applied Science
  • Focus: Emphasis on mastering core culinary competencies, like safety and sanitation, hot, cold, and pastry techniques, while cultivating appreciation of global cuisines and developing operational skills in nutrition, menu design, costing, purchasing, and supervisory management.

Michael grew up in Oregon, where he learned early that food tastes better when it’s fresh, local, and made with care. 

After earning his degree from the Southwestern Oregon Community College, he focused his career on teaching others how to cook with the seasons, reduce food waste, and reconnect with what’s on their plate.

Michael keeps his cooking simple, sustainable, and full of flavor. His favorite part of the process? Watching people realize how easy and satisfying it can be to cook a single great meal from scratch.

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