Fast, flavorful, and family-friendly, this Korean Ground Turkey recipe is on the table in 15 minutes.
Ground turkey has a reputation for being bland, dry, and gamey. You need flavorful recipes to bring this protein to life, and this Korean ground turkey does just that. Even better, this dish comes together in only 15 minutes. So, get that pot of rice cooking quickly, because before you know it, you’ll have a sweet and savory dinner ready to be served.
Chances are, your pantry has most of these kitchen staples. The ingredient list includes garlic cloves, soy sauce, cornstarch, and brown sugar. See what I mean? Standard items that come together to produce a delectable meal. There are a couple of less traditional items, such as sesame oil and ginger, but I’m sure your grocery store carries them!
Everyone loves a good rice bowl for dinner, but you don’t have to limit yourself to serving this over rice. Noodles, quinoa, brown rice, zoodles, cauliflower rice, and spaghetti squash are some of the other options for enjoying this dish. I love this saucy ground turkey over stir-fried vegetables, using whatever I have on hand. You’re sure to love the versatility of this recipe.
Simple tips for big flavor
To keep this dish mess-free and straightforward, I like to use a nonstick skillet. That way, I use less oil (usually about a teaspoon). However, if you’re working with a regular pan, like a cast iron, add a tablespoon or two of olive or avocado oil before browning the meat.
The sauce is so good, you might want to double it, especially if you’re serving the turkey with veggies that need a little extra flavor. Sautéed, steamed, or stir-fried vegetables like carrots, green beans, broccoli, cauliflower, mushrooms, or bell peppers work great here. Even a handful of microwaved spinach stirred in can take the dish up a notch.
How do I store leftovers?
Allow the cooked ground turkey mixture to cool, then refrigerate it in an airtight container for up to 4 days. You can also freeze it in a freezer-safe zipper bag or container for up to 3 months. Defrost it overnight in the refrigerator before reheating.
Serving suggestions
Korean ground turkey is delicious over Slow-Cooker Rice (use oil, not butter), Sesame Noodles, or this delicious Cabbage Stir-Fry for a change of pace. Serve some Korean Pickled Cucumbers, Steamed Broccoli, and Shiitake Mushrooms on the side. The dish also makes great lettuce wraps, and for that, I recommend using Bibb or Boston lettuce leaves. Substitute the ground turkey mixture for the beef mixture in this recipe for Korean Lettuce Wraps and enjoy.
Ingredients
- 1-2 tbsp oil for cooking vegetable, olive, or avocado oil
- 1 pound lean ground turkey
- 4 garlic cloves minced
- 4 tablespoons low-sodium soy sauce
- 1 teaspoon cornstarch
- 2 tablespoons packed brown sugar
- 2 1/4 teaspoons sesame oil
- 1 teaspoon fresh ginger grated
- 1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
- 1/8 teaspoon ground black pepper
- Sliced green onions for garnish, optional
- Sesame seeds for garnish, optional
Instructions
- Oil your skillet over medium-high heat. Add the ground turkey and minced garlic. Break the turkey apart and cook until browned and no longer pink, about 5-6 minutes.
- In a small bowl, whisk together soy sauce, cornstarch, brown sugar, sesame oil, ginger, crushed red pepper flakes, and black pepper. Pour the sauce over the browned turkey.
- Let simmer for 2-3 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the sauce thickens slightly. Taste and adjust seasonings or brown sugar as needed.
- Remove the skillet from heat. Serve the turkey hot over cooked rice if desired. Garnish with sliced green onions and sesame seeds.
Nutrition Info:
Nutrition information are estimates only and may vary based on the specific brands, ingredients, and portion sizes you use. This data is provided for informational purposes only.
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