If you’re craving a delightful and nourishing dinner that comes together in a flash, this Ground Turkey Stir Fry with Vegetables and Jasmine Rice Recipe is your new best friend. It brings together lean ground turkey, crisp garden-fresh veggies, and fragrant jasmine rice all coated in a savory-sweet sauce that’s perfectly balanced with ginger and a hint of sriracha heat. Whether you’re feeding the family or looking for a vibrant meal prep idea, this dish is full of color, flavor, and comforting textures – a true weeknight winner that’s as healthy as it is irresistible.
Ingredients You’ll Need
The beauty of this recipe lies in its straightforward, wholesome ingredients. Each one plays a key role, from the umami-packed soy sauce to the crunchy freshness of the vegetables, delivering a satisfying blend of flavors and textures that make this stir fry stand out.
- Low-sodium soy sauce: Provides the essential salty and savory base without overpowering the dish.
- Water: Lightens the sauce and helps balance the flavors perfectly.
- Brown sugar: Adds a subtle sweetness that complements the ginger and sriracha’s heat.
- Rice vinegar: Brings a mild tang that brightens the overall taste.
- Sesame oil: Infuses the dish with a nutty aroma for that authentic stir-fry note.
- Grated fresh ginger (or ground ginger): Adds a zesty warmth that wakes up the palate.
- Sriracha: Brings a gentle kick of spicy heat, adjustable to preference.
- Neutral cooking oil (canola, avocado, or olive oil), divided: Ideal for sautéing without interfering with the core flavors.
- Ground turkey: The lean, tender protein that forms the heart of this stir fry.
- Garlic powder: A quick and easy way to layer savory depth into the meat.
- Zucchini: Adds a crisp and juicy texture that brightens the dish visually and taste-wise.
- Carrot: Provides a subtle sweetness and crunch, grated for quick cook time.
- Red bell pepper: Offers vibrant color and juicy freshness.
- Green onions (white and light green parts): Deliver a mild onion flavor that enhances the vegetables.
- Cornstarch slurry (cornstarch whisked with water): Thickens the sauce to a luscious coating consistency.
- Jasmine rice: The fragrant and fluffy base that ties all the components together.
- Sliced green onions (tops reserved): Perfect for garnishing and adding a pop of fresh crunch.
- Extra hot sauce (optional): For those who like an extra layer of heat on the side.
How to Make Ground Turkey Stir Fry with Vegetables and Jasmine Rice Recipe
Step 1: Make the Sauce
Start by combining your soy sauce, water, brown sugar, rice vinegar, sesame oil, grated fresh ginger, and sriracha in a medium bowl. Whisk everything together thoroughly until the sugar dissolves and the flavors marry beautifully. Set this aside to let those wonderful layers mingle while you prep the other ingredients.
Step 2: Cook the Turkey
Heat 2 teaspoons of your neutral oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the ground turkey and sprinkle on the garlic powder for immediate flavor infusion. Cook the turkey, breaking it apart with your spatula, until it’s fully cooked through with no pink remaining—this usually takes about 5 to 7 minutes. Once done, transfer the cooked turkey to a clean plate to make room for your veggies.
Step 3: Stir Fry the Veggies
Return the skillet to the stove, heating the remaining teaspoon of oil. Add the zucchini, grated carrot, diced red bell pepper, and the white and light green parts of the green onions. Stir-fry these colorful veggies for about 3 to 5 minutes until they are tender-crisp, preserving their wonderful crunch and freshness. While this cooks, whisk together your cornstarch slurry to be ready for thickening the sauce.
Step 4: Combine and Thicken the Stir Fry
Lower your heat to medium and return the cooked ground turkey to the skillet with the veggies. Pour the prepared sauce over the mixture and stir well to coat every delicious morsel. Slowly add the cornstarch slurry while stirring continuously — you’ll see the sauce begin to thicken and cling perfectly to the turkey and vegetables in just a minute or two. This step is key to that glossy, restaurant-quality finish.
Step 5: Serve and Enjoy
Spoon this vibrant ground turkey stir fry generously over warm jasmine rice. Garnish with the reserved green onion tops for a burst of fresh crunch and color. If you enjoy a bit more spice, add an extra drizzle of hot sauce on the side to dial up the heat. This meal not only looks fantastic but tastes like you spent hours in the kitchen, even though it’s ready in no time.
How to Serve Ground Turkey Stir Fry with Vegetables and Jasmine Rice Recipe
Garnishes
Bringing a dish to life is often about the little touches. Aside from the fresh green onion tops, a sprinkle of toasted sesame seeds or a few sprigs of fresh cilantro add vibrant aroma and texture. A wedge of lime can add a pop of acidity that brightens each bite even further, elevating this simple meal to something truly special.
Side Dishes
While the stir fry and jasmine rice are filling on their own, pairing them with light sides like steamed edamame, crisp cucumber salad, or a simple miso soup balances the meal beautifully. These lighter options complement the rich, saucy stir fry without overpowering its fresh flavors.
Creative Ways to Present
You can jazz up your serving style by presenting the stir fry in a colorful bowl layered over a bed of rice for an Insta-worthy look. Or try individual lettuce cups for a fun, hands-on experience. Another idea is to serve the stir fry on a warmed flatbread or tortilla for a fusion twist that’s perfect for casual gatherings.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Leftover Ground Turkey Stir Fry with Vegetables and Jasmine Rice Recipe stays delicious in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. Store the stir fry and rice separately if possible to keep textures fresh and prevent sogginess, making your reheated meals feel freshly cooked.
Freezing
This stir fry freezes well if you want to prep meals ahead of time. Package the cooked turkey-vegetable mixture and rice in separate freezer-safe containers or bags. Consume within 2 to 3 months for the best flavor and texture. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating gently.
Reheating
To reheat, warm the stir fry in a skillet over medium heat or microwave it briefly until heated through, stirring occasionally to keep the sauce evenly distributed. Reheat the jasmine rice separately with a splash of water to restore its fluffy texture. This quick reheating keeps your leftovers tasting bright and satisfying.
FAQs
Can I substitute ground turkey with another protein?
Absolutely! Ground chicken, pork, or lean beef all work well in this stir fry. Adjust cooking times slightly depending on the protein’s texture and fat content.
Is there a vegetarian version of this stir fry?
Yes! Replace ground turkey with firm tofu or tempeh crumbles, and you can keep the vibrant veggie mix and the flavorful sauce exactly the same for a tasty vegetarian twist.
Can I use other vegetables in this recipe?
Definitely. Feel free to swap in broccoli florets, snap peas, mushrooms, or baby corn depending on what’s fresh or what you have on hand. The key is to stir-fry them just until tender-crisp.
How spicy is the dish with sriracha?
The sriracha adds a moderate kick that’s adjustable by amount. Start with 2 teaspoons as suggested and add more if you prefer a spicier flavor. You can always serve extra hot sauce on the side too.
What is the best way to cook jasmine rice?
Rinse jasmine rice under cold water until clear to remove excess starch, then cook it with a 1:1.5 ratio of rice to water, simmering gently until water is absorbed and rice is fluffy. Using a rice cooker is also a foolproof option.
Final Thoughts
This Ground Turkey Stir Fry with Vegetables and Jasmine Rice Recipe is truly a gem in any home cook’s repertoire. It’s quick, healthy, and bursting with balanced flavors that make every bite deliciously memorable. Don’t hesitate to try it out tonight and enjoy a colorful, comforting meal that you’ll want to come back to again and again.
Print
Ground Turkey Stir Fry with Vegetables and Jasmine Rice Recipe
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Asian
- Diet: Low Fat
Description
This Ground Turkey Stir Fry is a quick and flavorful meal perfect for busy weeknights. It features lean ground turkey sautéed with fresh vegetables and a savory, slightly spicy sauce made from soy sauce, brown sugar, ginger, and sriracha. Served over fragrant jasmine rice, it offers a balanced mix of protein and veggies with a delightful Asian-inspired taste.
Ingredients
Sauce
- ¼ cup low-sodium soy sauce
- ¼ cup water
- 2 tablespoons brown sugar
- 1 tablespoon rice vinegar
- 1 tablespoon sesame oil
- 2 teaspoons grated fresh ginger or ½ teaspoon ground ginger (substitute)
- 2 teaspoons sriracha
Main Ingredients
- 3 teaspoons neutral cooking oil (canola, avocado, or olive oil), divided
- 1 lb ground turkey
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 zucchini, quartered and sliced
- 1 large carrot, peeled and grated
- 1 red bell pepper, diced
- 3 stalks green onion, white and light green parts sliced (reserve dark green tops for garnish)
- 2 teaspoons cornstarch whisked with 2 teaspoons water (cornstarch slurry)
- Jasmine rice, cooked, for serving
- Sliced green onions, for garnish
- Extra hot sauce (optional)
Instructions
- Make the sauce: In a medium bowl or measuring cup, whisk together soy sauce, water, brown sugar, rice vinegar, sesame oil, grated ginger, and sriracha until well combined. Set aside so the flavors can meld.
- Cook the turkey: Heat 2 teaspoons of neutral cooking oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the ground turkey and sprinkle with garlic powder. Sauté, breaking up the meat with a spatula, until fully cooked and no longer pink, about 5-7 minutes. Transfer the turkey to a clean plate and set aside.
- Stir fry the veggies: Return the skillet to medium-high heat and add the remaining 1 teaspoon of oil. Add sliced zucchini, grated carrot, diced red bell pepper, and the white and light green parts of the green onions. Stir-fry the vegetables for 3-5 minutes or until they are tender-crisp. While cooking, whisk together the cornstarch and water in a small bowl to make the slurry.
- Combine and thicken the stir fry: Lower heat to medium. Add the cooked ground turkey back into the skillet with the vegetables. Pour the prepared sauce over the mixture and stir well to coat everything evenly. Slowly pour in the cornstarch slurry while continually stirring until the sauce thickens and evenly coats the turkey and vegetables, about 1-2 minutes.
- Serve: Spoon the ground turkey stir fry over warm jasmine rice. Garnish with the reserved dark green tops of the green onions. Add extra hot sauce if desired. Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator and consume within 4 days.
Notes
- Use lean ground turkey for a healthier option.
- If fresh ginger is unavailable, ground ginger works as a good substitute.
- The cornstarch slurry helps thicken the sauce to perfect consistency—don’t skip this step.
- Adjust the amount of sriracha to suit your heat preference.
- Vegetables can be swapped or added based on availability, such as snap peas or broccoli.
- For a gluten-free version, use gluten-free soy sauce or tamari.
- Serve immediately for best texture, but leftovers reheat well in a skillet or microwave.
