Bang Bang Ground Turkey Bowls (Printable)

Flavorful turkey in spicy-sweet chili mayo over rice with crisp vegetables

# 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 - 1 cup uncooked long-grain white rice or 2 cups cooked rice
14 - 1 small carrot, julienned or shredded
15 - 1/2 cucumber, thinly sliced into half-moons
16 - 1/2 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 assembly.
02 - Whisk together rice vinegar, mayonnaise, sweet chili sauce, Sriracha, honey, minced garlic, and grated ginger in a small bowl. Adjust Sriracha and honey to preferred heat and sweetness levels. 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 1 to 2 minutes to allow flavors to meld. 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 turkey in each bowl.
07 - Drizzle generous amount of bang bang sauce over turkey and vegetables in each bowl.
08 - Sprinkle scallions and sesame seeds over each bowl. Add cilantro leaves as garnish and serve with lime wedges.
09 - Squeeze fresh lime over bowls and mix ingredients together if desired. Serve immediately.

# Expert Suggestions:

01 -
  • The bang bang sauce is ridiculously easy to make and transforms plain ground turkey into something you'll want to lick off the spoon.
  • Everything cooks in under 30 minutes, so you can have a colorful, satisfying dinner on the table faster than ordering takeout.
  • The crisp vegetables and soft rice balance the rich, tangy sauce in a way that feels indulgent but still light enough to eat on a weeknight.
  • You can prep the vegetables and sauce ahead of time, then just cook the turkey and rice when you're ready to eat.
02 -
  • Don't overcook the ground turkey or it will turn dry and crumbly, so pull it off the heat as soon as it's no longer pink and let the residual heat finish the job.
  • Make the bang bang sauce at least 10 minutes before you need it so the garlic and ginger have time to bloom and mellow out in the mayo.
  • If you're meal prepping, store the sauce separately from the bowls because it can make the vegetables soggy if it sits too long.
  • Always squeeze the lime right before eating, not when you assemble the bowls, because the acid will dull the bright green color of the cilantro and cucumber.
03 -
  • Use a box grater to shred the ginger instead of mincing it, because it breaks down into tiny pieces that disappear into the sauce and give you all the flavor without any stringy bits.
  • If your bang bang sauce tastes too tangy, add another half tablespoon of honey or a pinch of sugar to balance it out.
  • Toast your sesame seeds in a dry skillet for about 2 minutes until they smell nutty and turn golden, because it makes them taste so much better than the raw ones.
  • Let the cooked turkey rest in the pan for a minute off the heat before assembling the bowls, because it gives the sesame oil time to really soak in and coat every piece.
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