Ground Turkey Rice Bowls with Bang Bang Sauce

Why Make This Recipe

Ground Turkey Rice Bowls with Bang Bang Sauce are a fantastic meal choice for anyone looking to enjoy a healthy and flavorful dish. This meal is easy to prepare, tasty, and satisfying. Using ground turkey ensures that you get a lean protein source, making it a smart choice for health-conscious individuals. The addition of lots of colorful vegetables not only adds nutrition but also makes the dish visually appealing.

Bang Bang sauce is the star of this recipe, giving it a delightful kick. It’s creamy, slightly sweet, and has a touch of heat. You can adjust the level of spice to fit your preference, making this dish versatile for different palates. Furthermore, Rice Bowls are customizable. You can add whatever vegetables or toppings you love, so everyone can create their version of this dish.

This meal is perfect for busy weeknights, meal prep, or even casual gatherings with friends. It brings a burst of flavors that everyone will appreciate. Plus, it takes less than 30 minutes to prepare, so you can spend more time enjoying your meal and less time in the kitchen!

How to Make Ground Turkey Rice Bowls with Bang Bang Sauce

Making Ground Turkey Rice Bowls with Bang Bang Sauce is simple and straightforward. Here’s a detailed guide on how to do it, including the necessary ingredients and directions to follow.

Ingredients

Here’s what you’ll need to create this hearty and delicious meal:

• 1 lb ground turkey
• 1 Tbsp sesame oil (or your 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 (additional for extra spice)
• 1 tsp rice vinegar
• 2 tsp honey
• Cooked rice (as a base for the bowls)
• Shredded carrots
• Sliced cucumbers
• Shelled edamame
• Pickled onions
• Avocado
• Shredded cabbage
• Sliced green onion
• Sesame seeds (for garnish)
• Additional toppings (optional)

Directions

Prep Bang Bang Sauce

1. Start by preparing the Bang Bang sauce. In a small bowl, combine the mayonnaise, sweet chili sauce, rice vinegar, and honey.
2. Add sriracha to the mixture. Depending on how spicy you want the sauce, you can adjust the amount of sriracha used.
3. Whisk all the ingredients until they are well combined. Taste the sauce and adjust if necessary. You can add more honey for sweetness or more sriracha for heat.
4. Once mixed, place the Bang Bang sauce in the fridge to chill while you prepare the turkey and rice bowl.

Prepare the Ground Turkey Mixture

1. Grab a large skillet and heat it over medium-high heat. Add the sesame oil and let it warm up until it glistens.
2. Add the ground turkey to the hot skillet and break it into smaller pieces using a spatula or wooden spoon.
3. Cook the turkey until it’s browned and reaches an internal temperature of 165°F. This should take about 7-10 minutes.
4. Once the turkey is cooked, reduce the heat to medium-low. Add in the minced garlic, grated ginger, smoked paprika, onion powder, soy sauce, sriracha, chicken broth, honey, black pepper, and sea salt. Stir the mixture well.
5. Let the mixture simmer for 2-3 minutes, stirring occasionally.
6. To thicken the turkey mixture, sprinkle the corn starch over the top. Stir it well to ensure everything is combined.
7. Right before serving, you can mix in about 2 tablespoons of the chilled Bang Bang sauce with the turkey mixture, but this step is optional.

Assemble Rice Bowls

1. Now it’s time to assemble your rice bowls! Start with a base of cooked rice in each bowl.
2. Add a generous scoop of the ground turkey mixture on top of the rice.
3. Next, add any other favorite vegetables you want—shredded carrots, sliced cucumbers, shelled edamame, pickled onions, avocado, shredded cabbage, and more!
4. Finally, drizzle the Bang Bang sauce over your bowl and garnish with sliced green onion and sesame seeds to add flavor and visual appeal.
5. Your delicious Ground Turkey Rice Bowls with Bang Bang Sauce are now ready to be enjoyed!

How to Serve Ground Turkey Rice Bowls with Bang Bang Sauce

These rice bowls can be served immediately after preparing them. They are perfect for lunch or dinner. You can place the rice bowl in front of your guests with all the toppings on the table, allowing everyone to customize their own meal. This interactive element encourages guests to build their bowls just how they like it.

To elevate the dining experience, serve the bowls with extra slices of lime or lemon. A squeeze of citrus adds brightness to the dish. Pairing them with a refreshing drink, such as iced tea or sparkling water, can also complement the flavors of the meal.

If you have leftover bowls, pack them into individual containers for easy meals throughout the week.

How to Store Ground Turkey Rice Bowls with Bang Bang Sauce

Storing any leftovers requires a few simple steps to keep them fresh. Make sure everything is completely cooled before placing it in an airtight container. The ground turkey mixture can be stored in a separate container from the rice and the vegetables to prevent them from getting soggy.

In the fridge, your leftovers can stay fresh for up to 3-4 days. If you want to store them longer, consider freezing them. When freezing, place the ground turkey in one container and the rice in another. Most of the fresh vegetables, like shredded carrots or sliced cucumbers, do not freeze well, so it’s best to add these fresh when you reheat the meal.

When you’re ready to eat your stored meal, simply reheat the turkey and rice in the microwave or on the stovetop. If you’d like, you can refresh the flavor with a drizzle of fresh Bang Bang sauce or a squeeze of lemon.

Tips to Make Ground Turkey Rice Bowls with Bang Bang Sauce

1. Use Fresh Ingredients: Fresh vegetables not only taste better but also add more nutritional value. Use seasonal vegetables for the best flavor.

2. Adjust the Spice Level: If you or your guests prefer milder flavors, feel free to reduce the amount of sriracha in the Bang Bang sauce and turkey mixture. You can always serve extra sriracha on the side for those who love a good kick!

3. Make it a Meal Prep: This recipe is excellent for meal prep. You can double the recipe and store the components separately. It saves time throughout the week and provides healthy eating options.

4. Experiment with Toppings: Don’t stick to just one type of vegetable. Feel free to mix it up! Other great toppings include roasted sweet potatoes, bell peppers, or even corn.

5. Try Different Sauces: If you love the concept of rice bowls but want a different flavor, you can swap out the Bang Bang sauce for teriyaki or peanut sauce.

Variation

You can easily customize these rice bowls. Here are some ideas:

1. Protein Substitution: If you do not have ground turkey, you can use ground chicken, ground beef, or even tofu for a vegetarian option.

2. Grain Alternatives: Instead of rice, use quinoa, cauliflower rice, or brown rice as the base for your bowls.

3. Asian-Inspired Toppings: Try adding seaweed, kimchi, or sesame oil-roasted Brussels sprouts for an extra element of flavor.

FAQs

Can I use leftover turkey for this recipe?

Absolutely! If you have leftover cooked turkey from another meal, chop it up and follow the same steps to make the sauce and assemble the rice bowl. It will cut down on cooking time.

How spicy is the Bang Bang sauce?

The spiciness of the Bang Bang sauce primarily comes from the sriracha. You can control the heat level by adjusting the amount of sriracha you add. Start with a smaller amount if you’re sensitive to heat, and gradually increase it to your preferred spice level.

Can I make this recipe vegan or vegetarian?

Yes! You can replace the ground turkey with plant-based ground meat or tofu crumbles. Use vegan mayonnaise and double-check the other sauce ingredients to ensure they are plant-based. This way, you can create a delicious and satisfying vegan meal!

Enjoy creating these Ground Turkey Rice Bowls with Bang Bang Sauce! They are fun, tasty, and sure to be a hit with everyone who tries them.

Ground Turkey Rice Bowls with Bang Bang Sauce

A healthy and flavorful meal featuring ground turkey, colorful vegetables, and a delightful Bang Bang sauce that’s customizable to suit any palate.

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 15 minutes mins

Cook Time 15 minutes mins

Total Time 30 minutes mins

Servings: 4 servings

Course: Dinner, Main Course, Meal Prep

Cuisine: Asian, Fusion

Calories: 550

Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients

  

For the Ground Turkey

• 1 lb ground turkey Lean protein source
• 1 Tbsp sesame oil Or your 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 Adjust for spice preference
• 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 the Bang Bang Sauce

• ½ c mayonnaise
• 3 Tbsp sweet chili sauce
• ½-1 Tbsp sriracha Additional for extra spice
• 1 tsp rice vinegar
• 2 tsp honey

For Serving

• Cooked rice Base for the bowls
• Shredded carrots
• Sliced cucumbers
• Shelled edamame
• Pickled onions
• Avocado
• Shredded cabbage
• Sliced green onion
• Sesame seeds For garnish
• Additional toppings (optional) e.g. roasted sweet potatoes, bell peppers, corn

Method

 

Prepare Bang Bang Sauce

1. In a small bowl, combine the mayonnaise, sweet chili sauce, rice vinegar, and honey.
2. Add sriracha to the mixture, adjusting for spice preference.
3. Whisk until well combined and place it in the fridge to chill.

Prepare the Ground Turkey Mixture

1. Heat sesame oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat.
2. Add the ground turkey and cook until browned and fully cooked (internal temperature 165°F), approximately 7-10 minutes.
3. Reduce heat to medium-low and mix in garlic, ginger, smoked paprika, onion powder, soy sauce, sriracha, chicken broth, honey, black pepper, and sea salt.
4. Let the mixture simmer for 2-3 minutes.
5. Stir in corn starch and combine thoroughly.
6. Mix in about 2 tablespoons of chilled Bang Bang sauce with the turkey mixture, if desired.

Assemble Rice Bowls

1. Start with a base of cooked rice in each bowl.
2. Add ground turkey mixture on top of the rice.
3. Top with favorite vegetables such as shredded carrots, sliced cucumbers, shelled edamame, pickled onions, avocado, and shredded cabbage.
4. Drizzle with Bang Bang sauce and garnish with sliced green onion and sesame seeds.

Notes

For serving, encourage customization with various vegetables and toppings. Pair with lime or lemon for brightness. Store leftovers separately to maintain freshness.