Bang Bang Ground Turkey Bowls (Printable Version)

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

# What You'll 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
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

# How to Prepare:

01 - Cook rice according to package instructions and keep warm until ready to assemble bowls.
02 - Combine rice vinegar, mayonnaise, sweet chili sauce, Sriracha, honey, minced garlic, and grated ginger in a small bowl. Whisk until smooth and taste for preferred heat and sweetness balance.
03 - Heat vegetable oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add ground turkey and cook while breaking it apart with a spatula until fully cooked and no longer pink, approximately 5 to 7 minutes.
04 - Add soy sauce, sesame oil, salt, and pepper to the cooked turkey. Stir thoroughly and cook for 1 to 2 additional minutes to allow flavors to meld, then remove from heat.
05 - Divide warm rice evenly among four serving bowls and distribute seasoned ground turkey over each portion.
06 - Arrange shredded carrot, sliced cucumber, and red cabbage around or over the turkey in each bowl.
07 - Drizzle generous portions of bang bang sauce over turkey and vegetables. Sprinkle scallions and sesame seeds over each bowl, then top with fresh cilantro leaves.
08 - Serve immediately with lime wedges. Guests can squeeze lime over their bowls and mix ingredients as desired.

# Expert Suggestions:

01 -
  • It brings restaurant-level flavor without the wait or the price tag, all from your own kitchen in under an hour.
  • The bang bang sauce is dangerously good, sweet with heat and tang, and you will want to put it on everything.
  • Clean-up is minimal because everything comes together in one skillet and a few bowls.
  • You can customize the heat, the veggies, and even the base to fit your mood or your dietary goals.
02 -
  • Do not skip tasting the sauce before you serve it, the balance of heat and sweetness can vary depending on your brands of chili sauce and Sriracha.
  • If your turkey releases a lot of liquid, drain some of it before adding the soy sauce and sesame oil, otherwise the flavors will be diluted.
  • Prep all your veggies before you start cooking the turkey, once the skillet heats up, things move fast and you do not want to be slicing cucumbers while your turkey burns.
03 -
  • Double the bang bang sauce and keep the extra in a jar in the fridge, it is incredible on grilled chicken, roasted vegetables, or even as a dipping sauce for fries.
  • Toast your sesame seeds in a dry skillet for 30 seconds before sprinkling them on, it brings out a deeper, nuttier flavor that makes a noticeable difference.
  • If you like extra crunch, toss in some chopped peanuts or cashews right before serving.
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