Ground turkey teriyaki stir fry is one of my go-to meals when I need something fast, flavorful, and packed with protein. It combines lean ground turkey, colorful veggies, and a sweet-savory homemade teriyaki sauce—all tossed together in one skillet. It’s a quick weeknight dinner that tastes better than takeout and comes together in under 30 minutes.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
I love this recipe because it’s incredibly easy and endlessly adaptable. It’s healthy, hearty, and satisfies my craving for something saucy and delicious. Whether I serve it over rice, noodles, or in lettuce wraps, the bold teriyaki flavor makes it a hit every time. Plus, everything cooks in one pan, which means fewer dishes and more time to relax after dinner.
Ingredients
(Here's a tip: Check out the full list of ingredients and measurements in the recipe card below.)
For the Stir Fry:
- Ground turkey
- Garlic (minced)
- Ginger (fresh or ground)
- Onion (diced)
- Bell peppers (sliced)
- Broccoli florets
- Carrots (shredded or thinly sliced)
- Green onions (for garnish)
- Sesame seeds (optional)
For the Teriyaki Sauce:
- Soy sauce
- Brown sugar or honey
- Rice vinegar
- Garlic (minced)
- Fresh ginger
- Cornstarch + water (for thickening)
- Optional: sesame oil, red pepper flakes
Directions
- I start by browning the ground turkey in a large skillet over medium heat, breaking it up as it cooks.
- Once it’s mostly cooked, I add garlic, ginger, and diced onions, sautéing until the turkey is browned and the onions are soft.
- I toss in the vegetables and stir-fry until just tender, about 5–7 minutes.
- While the veggies cook, I whisk together the soy sauce, brown sugar, vinegar, garlic, and ginger in a small bowl.
- I stir in the sauce and let everything simmer for a couple of minutes. If I want it thicker, I mix cornstarch and water, add it to the pan, and stir until the sauce thickens.
- I garnish with sliced green onions and sesame seeds before serving.
Servings and Timing
This recipe makes about 4 servings. It takes around 10 minutes to prep and 15–20 minutes to cook, so dinner’s on the table in under 30 minutes.
Variations
- I’ve used ground chicken or beef instead of turkey, and it works great.
- Swapping in sugar snap peas, zucchini, or mushrooms gives the stir fry a different twist.
- A drizzle of sriracha or a pinch of chili flakes adds a little heat.
- I love serving it over rice, cauliflower rice, or ramen noodles depending on what I’m in the mood for.
Storage/Reheating
I store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. To reheat, I warm it on the stove or microwave until heated through. It makes an excellent meal prep option since it tastes just as good the next day.
FAQs
Can I make this ahead of time?
Yes, I often cook the turkey and sauce ahead, then toss everything together and reheat when I’m ready to serve.
Is this recipe gluten-free?
To make it gluten-free, I use tamari or coconut aminos in place of soy sauce and double-check that all other ingredients are safe.
Can I freeze this stir fry?
I’ve frozen the cooked turkey and veggies with sauce. It reheats well—just thaw overnight and warm it in a skillet.
How do I keep the veggies crisp?
I cook the vegetables just until tender-crisp and avoid overcooking. If needed, I sauté them separately and add them in at the end.
What can I serve this with?
I love it with jasmine rice, brown rice, or even wrapped in lettuce cups for a lighter option.
Conclusion
Ground turkey teriyaki stir fry is a flavorful, healthy, and super satisfying meal I can throw together any night of the week. It’s flexible, fast, and filled with colorful veggies and sweet-savory flavor. Whether I’m meal prepping or making dinner on the fly, this one-skillet wonder always earns a spot on my menu.
Ground Turkey Teriyaki Stir Fry
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15–20 minutes
- Total Time: 25–30 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stir Fry, Skillet
- Cuisine: Asian-Inspired
Description
This ground turkey teriyaki stir fry is a fast, flavorful one-pan dinner that’s perfect for busy weeknights. Loaded with lean protein, fresh veggies, and a sweet-savory homemade teriyaki sauce, it comes together in under 30 minutes and tastes even better than takeout.
Ingredients
- For the Stir Fry:
- 1 lb ground turkey
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tbsp fresh ginger, grated (or ½ tsp ground ginger)
- 1 small onion, diced
- 1 bell pepper, sliced
- 2 cups broccoli florets
- 1 cup shredded or thinly sliced carrots
- 2 green onions, sliced (for garnish)
- 1 tbsp sesame seeds (optional)
- For the Teriyaki Sauce:
- ¼ cup low-sodium soy sauce
- 2 tbsp brown sugar or honey
- 1 tbsp rice vinegar
- 1 tsp sesame oil (optional)
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tsp fresh grated ginger
- 1 tbsp cornstarch + 2 tablespoon water (for thickening)
- Optional: pinch of red pepper flakes or drizzle of sriracha
Instructions
- In a large skillet, cook ground turkey over medium heat, breaking it up as it cooks.
- Add garlic, ginger, and onion. Sauté until turkey is browned and onions are soft.
- Stir in bell pepper, broccoli, and carrots. Cook for 5–7 minutes until just tender.
- In a small bowl, whisk together soy sauce, brown sugar, vinegar, sesame oil, garlic, and ginger.
- Pour sauce over turkey and veggies. Simmer 2–3 minutes.
- Stir in cornstarch slurry and cook until sauce thickens.
- Garnish with green onions and sesame seeds. Serve over rice, noodles, or in lettuce wraps.
Notes
- Substitute ground chicken or beef if desired.
- Add mushrooms, zucchini, or snap peas for variety.
- For gluten-free, use tamari or coconut aminos in place of soy sauce.
- Great with jasmine rice, ramen noodles, or cauliflower rice.
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