Ground Turkey Teriyaki Stir-Fry Recipe for Busy Nights

My kitchen adventures recently discovered a ground turkey teriyaki stir fry that revolutionizes weeknight dinners.

Asian-inspired flavors dance across your plate with minimal effort and maximum satisfaction.

Home cooks can quickly master this simple yet vibrant dish in under thirty minutes.

Rich teriyaki sauce coats tender ground turkey, creating layers of umami-packed goodness.

Fresh vegetables add crisp textures that complement the savory meat perfectly.

Each bite promises a delightful balance between sweet, salty, and slightly tangy notes.

Quick, nutritious, and incredibly delicious – you won’t believe how easy this recipe comes together.

Grab your skillet and let’s make magic happen!

Why Ground Turkey Teriyaki Stir Fry Is a Must

• Perfect for busy families needing a fast, nutritious dinner ready in under 30 minutes with minimal kitchen cleanup.
• Ground turkey delivers lean protein, supporting muscle health and providing satisfying energy without excessive calories.
• Affordable ingredients combine to create restaurant-quality taste, making this recipe an economical alternative to takeout with maximum deliciousness.
• Easily swap or add different vegetables based on seasonal availability, dietary preferences, or what's already in your refrigerator, ensuring endless meal variety.

Tips to Keep Your Veggies Crisp and Turkey Tender

• Boost Protein Perfection: Choose lean ground turkey with 93% or higher lean meat content for a healthier, less greasy stir fry that maintains great flavor.
• Master Sauce Consistency: Whisk cornstarch thoroughly to prevent lumps and ensure a smooth, glossy teriyaki sauce that clings perfectly to meat and vegetables.
• Veggie Variety Matters: Mix different colored vegetables like bell peppers, broccoli, and carrots to create a nutritious, visually appealing dish with varied textures and nutrients.
• Quick Cooking Technique: Ensure high heat and constant stirring to prevent vegetables from becoming soggy, maintaining their crisp texture and vibrant colors.
• Low-Carb Adaptation: Replace honey with sugar-free sweetener and serve over cauliflower rice for a keto-friendly version that keeps all the original delicious flavors.

How to Reheat Stir Fry Without Losing That Sauce

• Store leftover stir fry in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. Cool the dish completely before sealing to prevent moisture buildup.
• Warm the stir fry in a skillet over medium heat, adding a splash of water or extra teriyaki sauce to prevent drying. Stir occasionally until heated through, about 3-4 minutes.
• Place portions in a microwave-safe dish, cover with a damp paper towel, and heat in 30-second intervals, stirring between each to ensure even warming.
• This dish is best enjoyed fresh, as freezing may change the texture of vegetables and ground turkey, making them soggy when thawed.

What Goes Well With Ground Turkey Stir Fry

• Select a light, slightly sweet Riesling or Gewürztraminer that complements the teriyaki sauce's sweetness and cuts through the savory turkey.
• Serve the stir fry over fluffy jasmine rice to soak up the delicious teriyaki sauce and provide a soft, aromatic base for the dish.
• Create a side of tangy Asian-style coleslaw with rice vinegar, sesame oil, and fresh herbs to provide a refreshing, crisp contrast to the warm stir fry.
• Brew a light green tea to cleanse the palate and balance the rich teriyaki flavors, offering a clean, subtle accompaniment to the meal.

Ways to Switch Up Your Stir Fry Routine

• Low-Carb Cauliflower Rice Version: Replace traditional rice with riced cauliflower for a lighter, lower-carbohydrate option that maintains the dish's core flavors and protein content.
• Vegetarian Protein Swap: Substitute ground turkey with firm tofu, tempeh, or plant-based ground meat alternative to create a vegetarian-friendly teriyaki stir fry that matches the original recipe's texture and taste.
• Gluten-Free Adaptation: Use tamari sauce instead of traditional soy sauce and ensure cornstarch is certified gluten-free to make this recipe safe for individuals with gluten sensitivities or celiac disease.
• Spicy Kick Variation: Add red pepper flakes or sriracha sauce during sauce preparation to introduce heat and complexity for those who enjoy a more intense flavor profile.

Everything You’ll Need for a Teriyaki Stir Fry

• Ground Turkey: Lean protein that adds hearty substance to the stir fry, choose fresh ground turkey with low fat content.

• Garlic, Ginger: Classic Asian flavor base that provides depth and warmth, use fresh for best results.
• Mixed Vegetables: Adds nutrition and texture, select a variety like bell peppers, carrots, and broccoli.

• Soy Sauce: Provides salty umami flavor, opt for low-sodium version if preferred.
• Rice Vinegar: Adds tangy brightness to balance the sauce.
• Honey: Gives sweetness and helps sauce caramelize, use pure honey for best flavor.
• Water: Helps create smooth sauce consistency.
• Cornstarch: Thickens sauce and creates glossy finish, ensure it's fully dissolved.

• Sesame Seeds, Green Onions: Adds visual appeal and fresh flavor, sprinkle just before serving.

• Olive Oil: Provides cooking medium and subtle flavor, use extra virgin for best taste.

How to Make Ground Turkey Stir Fry with Bold Flavor

Step 1: Sizzle The Ground Turkey

Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add ground turkey and break it apart with a wooden spoon. Cook until the meat turns golden brown and is fully cooked, approximately 5-7 minutes. Transfer turkey to a separate plate.

Step 2: Awaken The Aromatics

In the same skillet, add additional olive oil if needed. Sauté garlic and ginger until their fragrance fills the kitchen, about 1 minute. Toss in mixed vegetables and cook until they reach a tender-crisp texture, around 3-5 minutes.

Step 3: Whip Up Teriyaki Magic

• Soy sauce
• Rice vinegar
• Honey
• Water
• Cornstarch

Whisk ingredients in a small bowl until cornstarch completely dissolves.

Step 4: Marry The Flavors

Return cooked ground turkey to the skillet with vegetables. Pour teriyaki sauce over the mixture. Stir everything together and cook for 2-3 minutes until sauce thickens and coats ingredients evenly.

Step 5: Garnish And Serve

Transfer stir fry to serving plates. Sprinkle with sesame seeds and sliced green onions for extra crunch and flavor. Enjoy hot and fresh.

Ground Turkey Teriyaki Stir Fry Recipe

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4.9 from 12 reviews

• Total Time: 25 minutes
• Yield: 4 1x

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Description

Savor sizzling ground turkey teriyaki stir fry, a quick Asian-inspired dish packed with bold flavors and colorful vegetables. Hungry cooks will discover an easy weeknight meal that delivers restaurant-quality taste straight from their kitchen skillet.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Protein:

• 1 lb (454 grams) ground turkey

Vegetables:

• 1 small onion, diced
• 1 bell pepper, chopped
• 1 cup broccoli florets
• 1 medium zucchini, sliced
• ½ cup carrots, julienned or thinly sliced
• 3 green onions, sliced (optional for garnish)

Sauce and Seasonings:

• ¼ cup soy sauce (use low-sodium if preferred)
• 2 tablespoons honey (or brown sugar)
• 1 tablespoon rice vinegar (or apple cider vinegar)
• 1 tablespoon cornstarch
• ¼ cup water
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 tablespoon fresh ginger, grated
• 1 tablespoon olive oil (or sesame oil)
• ½ teaspoon sesame oil (optional for extra flavor)

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Instructions

1. Ignite a large skillet or wok over medium-high heat, drizzling olive oil to create a slick cooking surface. Introduce ground turkey, fragmenting the meat with a wooden utensil until it transforms into a rich, caramelized brown hue, approximately 5-7 minutes.
2. Transfer the cooked turkey to a temporary holding plate, reserving its savory essence for later incorporation.
3. Within the same skillet, reinvigorate the cooking surface with an additional splash of olive oil if necessary. Dispatch minced garlic and grated ginger, allowing their aromatic profiles to permeate the pan for roughly one minute.
4. Cascade mixed vegetables into the fragrant environment, sautéing until they reach a tender yet crisp consistency, typically spanning 3-5 minutes.
5. Simultaneously, craft the teriyaki elixir by whisking soy sauce, rice vinegar, honey, water, and cornstarch in a separate vessel. Ensure complete cornstarch dissolution, creating a smooth, glossy liquid.
6. Reintroduce the previously cooked ground turkey into the vegetable landscape, merging the components with purposeful stirring.
7. Lavish the teriyaki sauce over the mixture, stirring continuously to encourage even coating and sauce thickening, which occurs within 2-3 minutes.
8. Plate the vibrant stir fry, adorning with a sprinkle of sesame seeds and delicately sliced green onions to elevate visual and gustatory dimensions.

Notes

• Swap ground turkey with lean ground chicken or tofu for different protein options that perfectly match the teriyaki flavor profile.
• Control sodium levels by using low-sodium soy sauce and reducing added salt during cooking to make the dish heart-friendly.
• Boost vegetable variety by adding colorful bell peppers, broccoli florets, or snap peas for increased nutrition and visual appeal.
• Meal prep friendly: Store in airtight containers for up to 3-4 days, ensuring sauce doesn’t make vegetables soggy by keeping sauce separate until serving.

• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 15 minutes
• Category: Lunch, Dinner
• Method: Sautéing
• Cuisine: Asian

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 4
• Calories: 360
• Sugar: 10 g
• Sodium: 700 mg
• Fat: 14 g
• Saturated Fat: 2 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 11 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 32 g
• Fiber: 4 g
• Protein: 28 g
• Cholesterol: 85 mg