These Teriyaki Turkey Rice Bowls are made with healthy ground turkey and veggies in a sweet teriyaki sauce served over white or brown rice.
We love quick and easy Asian inspired recipes, and have quite a few here on the site! Our favorites are included in our monthly dinner rotation, like Egg Fried Rice and Crockpot Orange Chicken and these delicious rice bowls.
Teriyaki turkey is one of my family’s favorites! The sweet and savory richness of the sauce really compliments the mild flavor of the ground turkey. Plus it’s loaded with veggies, which means my kids are eating them! You can pair this with steamed rice chow mein noodles, or wrapped in a tortilla or Lettuce Wrap.
Ground turkey is a lean and versatile protein that can be used to make healthy, delicious meals quickly Ground turkey bowls are a great option for an easy weeknight dinner or meal prep lunch. I’m going to walk you through everything you need to know to make flavorful and nutritious ground turkey bowls at home in under 20 minutes
Why Choose Ground Turkey?
Ground turkey is lower in fat than ground beef but still has plenty of protein to keep you full and satisfied. Ground turkey breast is the leanest option, while ground turkey thigh has a bit more fat for added moisture and flavor. Both make an excellent base for bowls.
Turkey is also budget-friendly and easy to cook. It has a mild flavor that takes on spices and sauces well. Ground turkey bowls are kid-friendly too. It’s an affordable high protein option the whole family will enjoy.
Benefits of Turkey Bowls
There are so many benefits to building your own turkey bowl at home
- Packed with lean protein to keep you full and energized
- Endlessly customizable with your favorite toppings and flavors
- Quick, easy weeknight meal that’s on the table in 20 minutes
- Perfect for meal prepping healthy lunches for the week
- More affordable than takeout or restaurant bowls
- Allows you to control sodium and fat content
Turkey bowls are also a great way to get creative in the kitchen and use up veggie odds and ends Almost any veggie combo works well tossed with ground turkey
How to Make Simple Ground Turkey Bowls
The basic formula for turkey bowls includes:
- Grains like rice, quinoa or pasta
- Ground turkey cooked with aromatics and spices
- Veggies of your choice
- Toppings like cheese, avocado, nuts or dressing
That’s it! Follow this simple process:
Cook the ground turkey: Heat oil in a skillet over medium high heat. Add ground turkey and cook until browned, breaking it up as it cooks. Add minced garlic, grated ginger or other aromatics. Cook until fragrant.
Flavor it: Add spices like cumin, chili powder or curry powder. Stir in sauce ingredients like soy sauce, hoisin or teriyaki. Cook 1-2 minutes until heated through.
Toss in veggies: Add chopped veggies like cabbage, broccoli slaw or spinach. Stir occasionally until veggies reach desired tenderness.
Prepare grains: While turkey cooks, prepare rice, quinoa or whole grain like farro.
Assemble bowls: Divide grains between bowls, top with ground turkey veggie mixture. Add toppings.
That’s all it takes to make fast and healthy turkey bowls anytime. The flavor possibilities are endless.
Ground Turkey Bowl Recipe Inspiration
Here are some flavor combo ideas to get you inspired:
Mexican Ground Turkey Bowls: Turkey taco seasoning, black beans, salsa, cabbage slaw, avocado, cheese, cilantro
Asian Ground Turkey Bowls: Ginger, soy sauce, sesame oil, broccoli slaw, green onions, toasted sesame seeds
Mediterranean Ground Turkey Bowls: Lemon, oregano, spinach, feta, olives, tomato, hummus, tzatziki
Southwest Ground Turkey Bowls: Cumin, cayenne, corn, black beans, salsa, avocado, cheese, lime
Buffalo Ground Turkey Bowls: Buffalo wing sauce, diced celery, shredded carrots, blue cheese crumbles
Italian Ground Turkey Bowls: Basil, oregano, marinara sauce, zucchini, parmesan, mozzarella
Thai Peanut Ground Turkey Bowls: Peanut sauce, snap peas, red bell pepper, green onion, peanuts, cilantro
Mix and match flavors to create your own signature turkey bowl. The options are endless!
Ground Turkey Bowl Topping Ideas
Toppings add lots of flavor, texture and nutrition to basic ground turkey bowls. Some of my favorites include:
- Shredded cheese – cheddar, pepper jack, feta
- Avocado
- Chopped nuts – peanuts, almonds, pepitas
- Yogurt or sour cream
- Fresh herbs – cilantro, parsley, basil
- Diced onions or scallions
- Salsa, pico de gallo or guacamole
- Hot sauce or chili crisp oil
Again, get creative with toppings! Use what you have on hand.
Make-Ahead Ground Turkey Bowls
Part of the appeal of ground turkey bowls is how quickly they come together. But you can also prep components in advance for even faster assembly.
Here are some make-ahead tips:
- Cook ground turkey mixture up to 3 days ahead. Store in an airtight container.
- Cook grains 1-2 days in advance. Portion into meal prep containers.
- Wash and chop fresh veggies and toppings. Store in containers or bags.
- Make versatile sauces and dressings to top bowls all week.
With some simple prep, you can put flavorful ground turkey bowls together in just a few minutes. It makes healthy weekday lunches a breeze.
Pantry Essentials for Ground Turkey Bowls
Having a well-stocked pantry helps you throw together turkey bowls anytime. Here are some key ingredients to keep on hand:
Grains: brown rice, quinoa, farro, instant rice packets
Canned beans: black beans, chickpeas, kidney beans
Sauces/condiments: soy sauce, sesame oil, rice vinegar, teriyaki, hoisin, salsa
Spices: chili powder, cumin, garlic powder, onion powder
Veggies: broccoli slaw, cabbage, frozen spinach, frozen peas
Toppings: avocados, shredded cheese, nuts, olive oil, hot sauce
With those staple items, you’re never far from a quick and easy ground turkey bowl!
FAQs
Here are answers to some common questions about making ground turkey bowls:
Is ground turkey healthy?
Yes! Ground turkey is lower in saturated fat than ground beef and is a good source of protein, B vitamins, zinc and iron. Go for a leaner ground turkey like breast.
What’s the best ground turkey to buy?
I recommend buying ground turkey breast or thigh meat with 93% lean or higher. Avoid preseasoned ground turkey.
Do you have to cook ground turkey before adding to bowls?
Yes, always cook ground turkey thoroughly until browned and no longer pink before assembling bowls.
How long does cooked ground turkey last?
Cooked ground turkey will keep 3-4 days in the fridge in an airtight container. You can freeze cooked turkey for 2-3 months.
Can I use leftovers in ground turkey bowls?
Absolutely! Leftover cooked turkey works great. Chop or crumble it up before adding to bowls.
Ground Turkey Bowls for Healthy, Quick Meals
Ground turkey bowls are my go-to for an easy, nutritious dinner solution. In just 20 minutes, you can whip up flavorful bowls packed with protein, fiber and all your favorite flavors.
With a well-stocked pantry, some easy prep and creative topping ideas, you’ll have delicious and good-for-you meals anytime. Ground turkey bowls are perfect for weekday lunches, too.
How to Store Leftovers
- Refrigerating leftovers: This dish will keep for 3-4 days in the fridge if properly stored in an airtight container. Reheat in the microwave or on the stove.
- To freeze, allow to cool completely, then pour into a freezer bag or airtight container. Freeze for up to 6 months. Thaw in the fridge and reheat as described above. Freeze rice or noodles separately from the meat.
- Ground turkey recipes are the tastiest when the meat is seasoned properly.
- Add some heat to this dish with some Sriracha or red pepper flakes.
- Not fans of rice? Use noodles instead. You can even use spaghetti noodles to mimic a lo mein and toss in some cabbage to saute it with.
- Feel free to cut the amount of sugar in this recipe. It won’t affect the flavor too much but it will swing more towards the savory side.
Why We Love This Recipe
- It’s a quick and easy, a healthy alternative to ground beef, and an easy substitution in tons of recipes like chili and spaghetti sauce.
- We include lots of veggies and dice them up small so it’s very kid friendly and a great way to get kids to actually enjoy eating their vegetables.
- You can easily customize this recipe to include your favorite veggies or add a different base like rice or noodles.
