Why Make This Recipe
Ground Turkey Rice Bowls with Bang Bang Sauce are a delicious, quick, and healthy meal. They combine savory ground turkey with fresh veggies and a creamy, spicy sauce. This dish is perfect for busy weeknights or meal prep because you can customize it to fit your taste. Whether you’re looking for a balanced dinner or a fun lunch, these rice bowls are sure to please everyone at the table.
How to Make Ground Turkey Rice Bowls with Bang Bang Sauce
Ingredients:
- 1 lb ground turkey
- 1 Tbsp sesame oil (or favorite cooking oil)
- 2-3 garlic cloves (minced)
- 2 tsp grated ginger
- ½ tsp smoked paprika
- ½ tsp onion powder
- 3 Tbsp soy sauce (low sodium)
- 1-2 Tbsp sriracha
- 2-3 Tbsp chicken broth
- 2 tsp honey
- ½ tsp black pepper
- ½ tsp sea salt (more or less to taste)
- 2 tsp corn starch
- ½ c mayonnaise
- 3 Tbsp sweet chili sauce
- ½-1 Tbsp sriracha (more to kick up the spice)
- 1 tsp rice vinegar
- 2 tsp honey
- Rice
- Shredded carrots
- Sliced cucumbers
- Shelled edamame
- Pickled onions
- Avocado
- Shredded cabbage
- Sliced green onion
- Sesame seeds
- And more!
Directions:
Prep Bang Bang Sauce: Add all the bang bang sauce ingredients to a small bowl. Whisk well to combine. Adjust the flavor by adding more sriracha for heat or more honey or sweet chili sauce to cut the spice. Chill until ready to serve.
Prepare the Ground Turkey Mixture: Over medium-high heat, add a drizzle of sesame oil to a large skillet. When it’s glistening, add the ground turkey and break it into smaller pieces. When the turkey is browned and reaches an internal temperature of 165°F, shift the heat to medium-low. Add in the remaining ingredients, except the cornstarch, and simmer for 2-3 minutes, stirring occasionally. To thicken the mixture, sprinkle the cornstarch over the top and stir well. Just before serving, you can stir in about 2 tablespoons of the bang bang sauce into the meat (this is optional).
Assemble Rice Bowls: There are no rules here! Start with a base of rice, then add your favorite veggies and toppings. Spoon the ground turkey mixture over the top and drizzle with more bang bang sauce. Garnish with sliced green onion and sesame seeds.
How to Serve Ground Turkey Rice Bowls with Bang Bang Sauce
Serve these rice bowls warm. You can add extra veggies or adjust the amount of bang bang sauce to suit your taste. They make great leftovers, so don’t hesitate to make a big batch.
How to Store Ground Turkey Rice Bowls with Bang Bang Sauce
Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. To reheat, just warm them in the microwave or on the stove until heated through. If the rice is a little dry, add a splash of water to help moisten it.
Tips to Make Ground Turkey Rice Bowls with Bang Bang Sauce
- For extra flavor, marinate the ground turkey in soy sauce and ginger for 30 minutes before cooking.
- Feel free to mix and match veggies based on what you have on hand.
- If you like more spice, add extra sriracha to the ground turkey or bang bang sauce.
- You can use other proteins, like chicken or tofu, if you prefer.
Variation
You can turn these rice bowls into a salad by replacing rice with chopped lettuce. You can also use quinoa or cauliflower rice for a low-carb option.
FAQs
Q: Can I use chicken instead of ground turkey?
A: Yes, you can easily substitute ground chicken for turkey in this recipe.
Q: How can I make it gluten-free?
A: Use gluten-free soy sauce or tamari instead of regular soy sauce.
Q: Can I prepare the bang bang sauce in advance?
A: Absolutely! The bang bang sauce can be made a day ahead and stored in the fridge until you’re ready to use it.
Ground Turkey Rice Bowls with Bang Bang Sauce
Ingredients
For the Bang Bang Sauce
- ½ c mayonnaise
- 3 Tbsp sweet chili sauce
- ½-1 Tbsp sriracha more to kick up the spice
- 1 tsp rice vinegar
- 2 tsp honey
For the Ground Turkey Mixture
- 1 lb ground turkey
- 1 Tbsp sesame oil or favorite cooking oil
- 2-3 cloves garlic (minced)
- 2 tsp grated ginger
- ½ tsp smoked paprika
- ½ tsp onion powder
- 3 Tbsp soy sauce (low sodium)
- 1-2 Tbsp sriracha
- 2-3 Tbsp chicken broth
- 2 tsp honey
- ½ tsp black pepper
- ½ tsp sea salt more or less to taste
- 2 tsp corn starch for thickening
For Assembly
- Rice as a base
- Shredded carrots
- Sliced cucumbers
- Shelled edamame
- Pickled onions
- Avocado
- Shredded cabbage
- Sliced green onion
- Sesame seeds
Instructions
Preparation of Bang Bang Sauce
- Add all the bang bang sauce ingredients to a small bowl. Whisk well to combine. Adjust the flavor by adding more sriracha for heat or more honey or sweet chili sauce to cut the spice. Chill until ready to serve.
Prepare the Ground Turkey Mixture
- Over medium-high heat, add a drizzle of sesame oil to a large skillet. When it’s glistening, add the ground turkey and break it into smaller pieces.
- When the turkey is browned and reaches an internal temperature of 165°F, shift the heat to medium-low. Add in the remaining ingredients, except the cornstarch, and simmer for 2-3 minutes, stirring occasionally.
- To thicken the mixture, sprinkle the cornstarch over the top and stir well.
- Just before serving, stir in about 2 tablespoons of the bang bang sauce into the meat (optional).
Assemble Rice Bowls
- Start with a base of rice, then add your favorite veggies and toppings. Spoon the ground turkey mixture over the top and drizzle with more bang bang sauce.
- Garnish with sliced green onion and sesame seeds.