Bang Bang Ground Turkey (Print View)

Savory turkey in spicy-sweet sauce over rice with fresh vegetables and crunchy toppings.

# Ingredient List:

→ Bang Bang Sauce

01 - 2 tablespoons rice vinegar
02 - 2 tablespoons mayonnaise
03 - 2 tablespoons sweet chili sauce
04 - 1 to 2 tablespoons Sriracha
05 - 1 tablespoon honey
06 - 1 clove garlic, minced
07 - 1 teaspoon fresh ginger, grated

→ Ground Turkey

08 - 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
09 - 1 pound ground turkey
10 - 1 tablespoon soy sauce
11 - 1 teaspoon sesame oil
12 - Salt and pepper to taste

→ Bowl Assembly

13 - 2 cups cooked long-grain white rice
14 - 1 small carrot, julienned
15 - ½ cucumber, thinly sliced
16 - ½ cup red cabbage, thinly sliced
17 - 2 scallions, thinly sliced
18 - 1 tablespoon sesame seeds
19 - Fresh cilantro leaves for garnish
20 - Lime wedges for serving

# Directions:

01 - Prepare rice according to package directions and keep warm until ready to assemble bowls.
02 - Whisk together rice vinegar, mayonnaise, sweet chili sauce, Sriracha, honey, minced garlic, and grated ginger in a small bowl. Taste and adjust Sriracha or honey for desired heat and sweetness level.
03 - Heat vegetable oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add ground turkey and cook while breaking it apart with a spatula until no pink remains, approximately 5 to 7 minutes.
04 - Add soy sauce, sesame oil, salt, and pepper to the cooked turkey. Stir thoroughly and cook for 1 to 2 minutes to allow flavors to meld. Remove from heat.
05 - Divide warm rice evenly among four serving bowls.
06 - Top each bowl with an equal portion of seasoned ground turkey.
07 - Arrange julienned carrot, sliced cucumber, and red cabbage around or atop the turkey in each bowl.
08 - Drizzle a generous amount of bang bang sauce over the turkey and vegetables in each bowl.
09 - Sprinkle scallions and sesame seeds over each bowl. Top with fresh cilantro leaves.
10 - Serve immediately with lime wedges on the side. Squeeze lime juice over bowls and mix ingredients together if desired before eating.

# Expert Tips:

01 -
  • It comes together in under 40 minutes, even if youre moving slow and chopping vegetables while the rice cooks.
  • The bang bang sauce is ridiculously versatile and tastes like something youd pay extra for at a takeout counter.
  • You get protein, crunch, and brightness all in one bowl, so it feels balanced without being fussy.
  • Leftovers taste even better the next day when the flavors soak into the rice.
02 -
  • Do not skip the fresh garlic and ginger in the sauce, the jarred stuff does not have the same bright punch and the sauce tastes flat.
  • If the turkey looks dry after cooking, stir in a tablespoon of water or a splash of the bang bang sauce before building the bowls.
  • Let the rice cool for just a minute before topping it, scalding hot rice can make the vegetables wilt too fast.
03 -
  • Toast the sesame seeds in a dry skillet for 30 seconds before sprinkling them on, it wakes up their nutty flavor and makes them taste more expensive.
  • If you like extra heat, add a pinch of red pepper flakes to the turkey while it cooks, it gives a different kind of warmth than Sriracha alone.
  • Use kitchen shears to slice the scallions directly over the bowls, it is faster than a knife and you get perfect thin rings every time.
Go Back