Ground Turkey and Vegetable Stir Fry – A Healthy and Delicious Weeknight Meal

Ground turkey and vegetable stir fry is one of my go-to weeknight meals. It comes together quickly, is endlessly customizable, and is so satisfying. If you’re looking for easy, healthy dinners that don’t sacrifice flavor, this is the recipe for you!

Why I Love Ground Turkey Stir Fry

There are so many reasons why this recipe has become a staple in my meal planning rotation

• It’s fast – the entire dish comes together in about 30 minutes or less That’s perfect for busy weeknights when I don’t have a ton of time,

• It’s flexible – I can swap different veggies or proteins in and out depending on what I have in my fridge and pantry. It’s a great way to use up leftovers and prevent food waste.

• It’s healthy – loading up on veggies and lean ground turkey provides a well-balanced meal. I don’t have to feel guilty eating this!

• It’s delicious – the savory stir fry sauce packs a ton of flavor into each bite Even picky eaters in my family enjoy this meal

Ingredients for Ground Turkey Stir Fry

The ingredients for this recipe are simple. Here’s what you’ll need:

For the protein:

• 1 pound ground turkey (you can sub ground chicken, beef, or pork)

For the veggies:

• 1 onion, diced
• 2 bell peppers, sliced
• Mushrooms, broccoli, carrots, spinach, etc. – whatever you have!

For the sauce:

• Low sodium soy sauce
• Toasted sesame oil
• Garlic
• Ginger (optional)
• Chili-garlic sauce or sriracha (optional)

That’s it! The veggies and sauce ingredients are very flexible based on your tastes and what you have available.

How to Make Ground Turkey Stir Fry

Here is an overview of the simple steps for how to make this easy turkey and veggie stir fry:

1. Cook the ground turkey – Heat oil in a skillet over medium-high heat. Add the ground turkey and cook until browned and crumbled throughout.

2. Saute the veggies – Add any harder veggies like onions, carrots, bell peppers to the skillet first. Cook for 5 minutes until starting to soften. Then add softer veggies like mushrooms, spinach, etc.

3. Make the sauce – Whisk together the soy sauce, sesame oil, garlic, and any other sauce ingredients. Pour over the turkey and veggies.

4. Cook until warmed through – Let the sauce coat the turkey and veggies. Cook just until everything is warmed through.

That’s all it takes! For a more detailed step-by-step keep reading.

Step-by-Step Instructions

Follow these simple steps for how to make flavorful ground turkey and veggie stir fry.

Cook the Ground Turkey

1. Heat 1 Tbsp oil in a large skillet or wok over medium-high heat. Once hot, add 1 pound ground turkey.

2. Use a spatula or wooden spoon to break up the turkey into small crumbles as it cooks.

3. Cook until the turkey is browned throughout, about 5-7 minutes.

4. Transfer the cooked turkey to a bowl and set aside.

Cooking the ground turkey first helps render out some of the fat. Browning the meat also builds tons of flavor.

Saute the Veggies

1. If needed, add another tsp of oil to the same skillet.

2. Add any harder vegetables like onions, carrots, broccoli stems, bell peppers, etc. Stir fry for 3-5 minutes until starting to soften.

3. Next, add softer vegetables like mushrooms, spinach, snap peas, etc. Stir fry just until wilted, about 1-2 minutes.

Stir frying the veggies in stages helps ensure they all cook evenly without overcooking.

Make the Sauce

While the veggies are cooking, make the easy stir fry sauce.

1. In a small bowl, whisk together:

   • 1/4 cup soy sauce

   • 1 Tbsp toasted sesame oil

   • 1-2 cloves minced garlic

   • 1 Tbsp grated fresh ginger (optional)

   • 1-2 tsp chili-garlic sauce or sriracha (optional)

2. Stir or whisk vigorously to fully combine.

You can toss the sauce ingredients right into the skillet, but I like whisking it together first to ensure the flavors marry.

Finish the Stir Fry

1. Add the cooked ground turkey back to the skillet with the veggies.

2. Give the sauce one final stir to recombine, then pour it over the turkey and veggies.

3. Cook for 1-2 minutes, stirring frequently, until everything is heated through.

That’s it – your easy ground turkey veggie stir fry is ready to serve!

Serving Suggestions

Ground turkey stir fry tastes delicious on its own, but also pairs nicely with rice, noodles, or cauliflower rice. Some other serving ideas:

• Steamed jasmine rice
• Brown rice
• Rice noodles
• Ramen noodles
• Soba noodles
• Shirataki noodles
• Cauliflower rice
• Lettuce wraps

Top with sesame seeds, scallions, peanuts, or cashews for extra flavor and crunch. Sriracha also makes a nice topping if you want an extra kick.

Tips for Making the Best Ground Turkey Stir Fry

Here are some of my tips for making this quick and easy turkey veggie stir fry:

• Use a large skillet or wok – This allows you to stir fry the ingredients in batches without overcrowding. Overcrowding leads to steaming versus searing.

• Cook turkey thoroughly – Be sure to break up the meat so it cooks evenly. Cook until no pink remains to prevent foodborne illness.

• Cut veggies uniformly – Similar sized pieces will cook evenly. Slice tender veggies thinner.

• Stir fry in batches – Harder veggies first, then softer veggies. This prevents mushiness.

• Use very high heat – This helps the veggies sear and caramelize for the best flavor.

• Work quickly – Stir frying goes fast once ingredients are prepped. Have everything ready to go.

• Use any veggies – Almost all veggies work well. Play around and use what you have!

• Make it your own – Customize flavors with garlic, ginger, chili sauce, etc. to your tastes.

Ground Turkey Stir Fry Variations

One of my favorite things about this recipe is how customizable it is. You can swap different proteins and veggies each time to keep it feeling fresh and new. Here are some variations to try:

Proteins:

• Ground chicken
• Ground pork
• Ground beef
• Diced tofu
• Shrimp, scallops, or squid

Veggies:

• Broccoli
• Mushrooms
• Spinach or kale
• Bell peppers
• Snap peas
• Bean sprouts
• Bok choy
• Water chestnuts
• Snow peas
• Baby corn
• Shallots or leeks
• Zucchini or yellow squash

Sauce additions:

• Fresh ginger
• Sriracha or chili-garlic sauce
• Rice vinegar
• Toasted sesame seeds
• Tamari or coconut aminos

FAQs About Ground Turkey Stir Fry

Here are answers to some frequently asked questions about making this easy turkey and veggie stir fry:

What’s the best oil to use?

I like to use a neutral oil like vegetable, grapeseed, or avocado. Olive oil can also work. Sesame oil adds nice flavor but can burn easily.

Can I use frozen veggies?

Absolutely! Just thaw them first and squeeze out excess moisture. Add near the end of cooking.

Can I prep this dish ahead of time?

Yes, you can prep all the ingredients ahead. Store the turkey, veggies, and sauce separately until ready to cook.

How long does leftover stir fry last?

It will keep 3-4 days in the fridge. Reheat leftovers in a skillet adding a splash of water to refresh it.

Can this recipe be made gluten free?

Yes! Use tamari instead of soy sauce and serve over rice, cauliflower rice, or rice noodles.

Can kids enjoy this meal too?

Absolutely! My kids love turkey stir fry. Serve with rice or noodles for a kid-friendly version.

Next Level Ground Turkey Stir Fries

Once you master the basics, try one of these next level ground turkey stir fry recipes:

Sweet and Tangy Orange Turkey Stir Fry