Bang Bang Ground Turkey Rice Bowls (Printable)

Tangy-sweet chili turkey over fluffy rice with fresh vegetables

# Ingredient List:

→ 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 Steps:

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 or honey to achieve preferred heat and sweetness balance. Set aside.
03 - Heat vegetable oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add ground turkey and cook while breaking it up 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 well and cook for an additional 1 to 2 minutes to allow flavors to meld. Remove from heat.
05 - Divide warm rice evenly among four serving bowls.
06 - Top each bowl with an equal portion of seasoned ground turkey.
07 - Arrange julienned carrot, sliced cucumber, and sliced red cabbage around or atop the turkey in each bowl.
08 - Generously drizzle bang bang sauce over the turkey and vegetables in each bowl.
09 - Sprinkle sliced scallions and sesame seeds over each bowl. Top with fresh cilantro leaves and serve with lime wedges on the side.
10 - Squeeze lime juice over bowls, mix ingredients together if desired, and serve immediately.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • Everything cooks in under 30 minutes, so dinner is ready before you realize youre hungry.
  • The bang bang sauce tastes like a secret weapon you can drizzle on almost anything.
  • You get crunch, spice, sweetness, and protein all in one bowl without complicated techniques.
  • Leftovers hold up beautifully, making lunch the next day something to look forward to.
02 -
  • Dont skip tasting the sauce before you drizzle it, everyones heat tolerance is different and you want it just right.
  • Let the turkey brown a little before stirring too much, that caramelization adds flavor you cant get from constant stirring.
  • Prep all your vegetables before you start cooking so you can assemble the bowls quickly while the turkey is still hot.
  • If you make the sauce ahead, store it in the fridge and give it a good stir before using since the oil may separate.
03 -
  • Toast your sesame seeds in a dry skillet for 30 seconds before sprinkling them on, it makes them nutty and fragrant.
  • Use a microplane to grate the ginger and garlic so they disappear into the sauce instead of sitting in chunky bits.
  • If you love extra sauce, make a double batch and keep it in a squeeze bottle in the fridge for quick drizzling all week long.
  • Let the turkey rest for a minute after cooking so the juices redistribute and it stays moist when you scoop it into the bowls.
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