Bang Bang Ground Turkey Bowls (Printable)

Savory turkey in tangy chili mayo sauce over rice with crunchy veggies, sesame, and lime for a quick Asian-inspired meal.

# 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

# Step-by-Step Guide:

01 - Prepare rice according to package instructions and keep warm until serving.
02 - In a small bowl, whisk together rice vinegar, mayonnaise, sweet chili sauce, Sriracha, honey, minced garlic, and grated ginger. Taste and adjust Sriracha for heat and honey for sweetness as desired. Set aside.
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 the cooked turkey with soy sauce, sesame oil, salt, and pepper. Stir well and cook for an additional 1 to 2 minutes to allow flavors to fully combine. 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 red cabbage around or on top of the turkey in each bowl.
07 - Drizzle a generous amount of bang bang sauce over the turkey and vegetables in each bowl.
08 - Sprinkle scallions and sesame seeds over each bowl. Garnish with fresh cilantro leaves.
09 - Serve immediately with lime wedges on the side. Squeeze lime juice over the bowls and mix ingredients together if desired before eating.

# Expert Tips:

01 -
  • It satisfies that takeout craving without the wait, the grease, or the guilt.
  • The bang bang sauce is dangerously good and you will want to put it on everything.
  • You get protein, crunch, and color all in one bowl, so it feels complete without much effort.
  • It is endlessly customizable based on what vegetables you have lying around.
02 -
  • Do not skip tasting the sauce before you drizzle it, because different brands of chili sauce and Sriracha vary in heat and sweetness.
  • Let the turkey get a little golden in the pan instead of just cooking it through, that caramelization adds so much flavor.
  • Prep all your vegetables before you start cooking so you can assemble the bowls while the rice and turkey are still warm.
03 -
  • Double or even triple the bang bang sauce and keep it in a jar in the fridge, it is incredible on grilled chicken, roasted vegetables, or as a dip for spring rolls.
  • Use a box grater to shred the carrot and cabbage quickly if you do not feel like julienning, it saves time and still gives you the crunch.
  • If your turkey releases a lot of liquid while cooking, drain some of it off before adding the soy sauce so the meat stays flavorful and not watery.
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