Ground Turkey Teriyaki Stir Fry

Sizzling, aromatic, and bursting with sweet-savory flavors, this Ground Turkey Teriyaki Stir Fry transforms ordinary ground turkey into an extraordinary weeknight dinner. The tender meat absorbs the rich teriyaki sauce while colorful vegetables add both nutrients and a satisfying crunch. Whether you’re looking for a quick 30-minute meal or trying to incorporate more lean protein into your diet, this Asian-inspired dish delivers restaurant-quality taste without the takeout price. You’ll learn how to perfectly balance flavors, cook turkey until just right, and create a thick, glossy teriyaki sauce that clings beautifully to every bite.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

This Ground Turkey Teriyaki Stir Fry is about to become your new weeknight hero. First, it’s incredibly quick—from start to finish, you’ll have dinner on the table in under 30 minutes. The lean ground turkey offers a healthier alternative to traditional beef stir fries while still providing satisfying protein that keeps you full.

The texture contrasts make every bite interesting: tender ground turkey, crisp-tender vegetables that maintain their bite, and the silky teriyaki sauce that brings everything together. The sauce itself is a perfect balance of sweet, savory, and umami notes that caramelize slightly when cooked, creating irresistible flavor dimensions.

Perhaps best of all, this recipe is endlessly customizable. You can adjust the vegetables based on what’s in your fridge, control the sweetness and spice levels, and serve it multiple ways—over rice, with noodles, or wrapped in lettuce cups for a low-carb option. It’s also meal-prep friendly, tasting even better the next day as the flavors continue to develop.

Ingredients

For this Ground Turkey Teriyaki Stir Fry, you’ll need:

• 1 lb (454g) ground turkey (93% lean recommended)
• 2 tablespoons (30ml) vegetable oil, divided
• 1 medium onion, diced (about 1 cup)
• 3 cloves garlic, minced (about 1 tablespoon)
• 1 tablespoon fresh ginger, grated
• 2 medium carrots, julienned (about 1 cup)
• 1 red bell pepper, thinly sliced
• 2 cups broccoli florets, cut small
• 4 green onions, sliced diagonally

For the teriyaki sauce:
• ⅓ cup (80ml) low-sodium soy sauce
• 3 tablespoons (45ml) water
• 2 tablespoons (30ml) rice vinegar
• 3 tablespoons (45g) brown sugar
• 1 tablespoon (15ml) honey
• 2 teaspoons sesame oil
• 1 tablespoon (8g) cornstarch
• 1 tablespoon water (for cornstarch slurry)
• 1 tablespoon sesame seeds (for garnish)

The ground turkey provides a lean protein base that absorbs flavors beautifully. Fresh ginger and garlic create an aromatic foundation, while the homemade teriyaki sauce delivers that signature sweet-savory balance without preservatives or excess sodium found in bottled versions.

Pro Tips

Prep Before You Cook: The key to any successful turkey teriyaki stir fry is having everything ready before you start cooking. Cut all vegetables, mix your sauce, and prepare your cornstarch slurry in advance. Once the cooking begins, the process moves quickly, and you won’t have time to measure or chop.

Cook the Turkey Properly: Ground turkey can easily dry out. Cook it just until it loses its pink color, then remove it from the pan while you cook the vegetables. This prevents overcooking and keeps the meat tender. Adding it back later allows it to absorb the teriyaki flavors without becoming tough or rubbery.

Layer Your Flavors: Create depth by building flavors in stages. Start by cooking aromatics (garlic and ginger) until fragrant, then add vegetables according to cooking time (harder vegetables first). Finally, reintroduce the turkey and sauce. This staging ensures each component is properly cooked while maximizing flavor development in your Ground Turkey Teriyaki Stir Fry. For the sauce, letting it simmer for at least 30-60 seconds after adding the cornstarch slurry will activate its thickening properties and create that signature glossy restaurant-quality finish.

Instructions

Step 1: Prepare the Teriyaki Sauce

In a medium bowl, whisk together soy sauce, water, rice vinegar, brown sugar, honey, and sesame oil until the sugar dissolves. In a separate small bowl, mix 1 tablespoon cornstarch with 1 tablespoon water until smooth to create a slurry. Set both mixtures aside.

Step 2: Brown the Ground Turkey

Heat 1 tablespoon vegetable oil in a large skillet or wok over medium-high heat. Add the ground turkey, breaking it apart with a wooden spoon. Cook for 4-5 minutes until no longer pink, seasoning lightly with salt and pepper. Transfer the cooked turkey to a clean plate and set aside.

Step 3: Sauté the Aromatics and Vegetables

Return the pan to heat and add the remaining tablespoon of oil. Add the diced onion and cook for 2 minutes until translucent. Add the garlic and ginger, stirring constantly for 30 seconds until fragrant—be careful not to burn them! Toss in the carrots and cook for 2 minutes, then add the bell pepper and broccoli. Stir-fry for another 3-4 minutes until vegetables are bright and crisp-tender.

Step 4: Combine and Finish with Sauce

Return the cooked turkey to the pan with the vegetables and mix together. Give your teriyaki sauce a quick stir, then pour it over the turkey-vegetable mixture. Stir everything together and bring to a simmer. Now add the cornstarch slurry, stirring constantly as the sauce thickens, about 1-2 minutes.

Step 5: Garnish and Serve

Once the sauce has thickened to a glossy consistency that coats the back of a spoon, remove your Ground Turkey Teriyaki Stir Fry from heat. Sprinkle with sliced green onions and sesame seeds. Serve immediately over steamed rice or your preferred base for a complete meal that’s sure to impress.

Variations

Spicy Turkey Teriyaki: If you enjoy heat, transform your Ground Turkey Teriyaki Stir Fry by adding 1-2 teaspoons of sriracha or chili garlic sauce to the teriyaki mixture. You can also include thinly sliced fresh jalapeños or a teaspoon of red pepper flakes when sautéing the vegetables. The spice complements the sweet-savory balance of teriyaki beautifully.

Vegetable Variations: This recipe is incredibly flexible with vegetables. Try snow peas, mushrooms, zucchini, or water chestnuts for different textures and flavors. In a pinch, a 16-ounce bag of frozen stir-fry vegetables works wonderfully—just add them directly to the pan frozen and cook until heated through.

Meal Prep Lettuce Cups: For a low-carb option, prepare the turkey teriyaki stir fry as directed but drain any excess sauce. Cool completely and store in an airtight container alongside washed butter lettuce leaves. At mealtime, simply reheat the filling and serve in lettuce cups for a refreshing lunch option that travels well.

Storage and Serving

Your Ground Turkey Teriyaki Stir Fry will keep beautifully in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. The flavors actually continue to develop overnight, making it an excellent meal prep option. To reheat, microwave individual portions for 1-2 minutes or gently warm in a skillet with a splash of water to restore moisture.

For freezing, cool the stir fry completely before transferring to freezer-safe containers. It will maintain quality for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating.

When serving, consider these complementary sides:
• Traditional steamed jasmine or brown rice
• Cauliflower rice for a lower-carb alternative
• Chow mein or soba noodles tossed with a bit of sesame oil
• A simple cucumber salad with rice vinegar dressing to provide a cool, crisp contrast to the warm stir fry

FAQs

Can I use ground chicken instead of turkey?
Absolutely! Ground chicken works perfectly as a 1:1 substitute in this Ground Turkey Teriyaki Stir Fry recipe. You could also use ground beef or pork if you prefer, though they will change the flavor profile slightly.

How can I make this recipe gluten-free?
Simply substitute the soy sauce with tamari or coconut aminos. Double-check that your rice vinegar is gluten-free, as some varieties may contain trace amounts.

My sauce is too thin. What went wrong?
Make sure your cornstarch slurry is fully incorporated into the sauce and that you allow it to simmer for at least 1-2 minutes. If it’s still too thin, you can make additional slurry (1 teaspoon cornstarch mixed with 1 teaspoon water) and add gradually until desired thickness is reached.

Can I make this ahead for a party?
Yes! Prepare it up to a day ahead and reheat gently before serving. The flavors will actually improve overnight. For best texture, slightly undercook the vegetables initially so they don’t become mushy upon reheating.

What’s the best way to serve leftovers?
Leftover Ground Turkey Teriyaki Stir Fry makes excellent grain bowls, wraps, or even fried rice. Try mixing it with scrambled eggs for a protein-packed breakfast option.

Conclusion

This Ground Turkey Teriyaki Stir Fry is weeknight cooking at its finest — quick, nutritious, and bursting with bold flavors that transform humble ground turkey into something truly crave-worthy. It’s the kind of dish that proves healthy eating doesn’t have to be boring or time-consuming. Whether you’re meal prepping for a busy week ahead or need a quick dinner solution that the whole family will love, this versatile recipe delivers restaurant-quality results from your own kitchen. Make it once, and it will surely become a regular in your dinner rotation.

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