Bang Bang Ground Turkey Bowls (Printable)

Savory turkey in spicy-sweet sauce over rice with crisp vegetables and sesame crunch.

# What You Need:

→ 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 Components

13 - 2 cups cooked long-grain white rice
14 - 1 small carrot, julienned
15 - ½ cucumber, thinly sliced into half-moons
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

# Step-by-Step Guide:

01 - Cook rice according to package instructions and keep warm until ready to serve.
02 - In a small bowl, whisk together rice vinegar, mayonnaise, sweet chili sauce, Sriracha, honey, minced garlic, and grated ginger. Taste and adjust Sriracha or honey for desired heat and sweetness balance. Reserve sauce.
03 - Heat vegetable oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add ground turkey and cook, breaking it apart with a spatula, until no longer pink, approximately 5 to 7 minutes.
04 - Season cooked turkey with soy sauce, sesame oil, salt, and pepper. 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. Top each bowl with an equal portion of seasoned ground turkey.
06 - Arrange julienned carrot, sliced cucumber, and sliced red cabbage around or atop the turkey in each bowl.
07 - Drizzle a generous amount of bang bang sauce over the turkey and vegetables in each bowl.
08 - Sprinkle sliced scallions and sesame seeds over each bowl. Garnish with fresh cilantro leaves. Serve with lime wedges on the side. Squeeze lime juice over bowls before eating and mix ingredients together if desired.

# Expert Suggestions:

01 -
  • Everything cooks in under 30 minutes, making it perfect for weeknights when you're starving and impatient.
  • The bang bang sauce is dangerously good and you'll want to put it on everything from grilled chicken to roasted vegetables.
  • You can prep the veggies and sauce ahead, then just cook the turkey and rice when you're ready to eat.
  • It's endlessly adaptable, so you can use whatever crunchy vegetables or greens you have on hand.
02 -
  • Don't skip browning the turkey properly; let it sit undisturbed for a minute at a time so it develops golden, flavorful bits.
  • Taste the bang bang sauce before you drizzle it; everyone's spice tolerance is different, and you can always add more Sriracha or honey.
  • If your rice is too sticky, fluff it with a fork and let it sit uncovered for a minute to release some steam.
03 -
  • Grate the ginger with a microplane so it melts into the sauce instead of leaving fibrous bits.
  • If your turkey releases a lot of liquid, drain some off before adding the soy sauce so the meat stays flavorful and not watery.
  • Toast the sesame seeds in a dry skillet for a minute before sprinkling them on; it deepens their flavor and makes them extra fragrant.
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