This Ground Turkey Teriyaki Stir Fry is a quick, flavorful meal packed with tender turkey, crisp vegetables, and a sweet-savory homemade teriyaki sauce. It comes together in one skillet and makes an easy weeknight dinner the whole family can enjoy.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Big flavor: Homemade teriyaki sauce combines soy sauce, honey, brown sugar, garlic, ginger, and fresh orange zest.
- Quick and simple: This easy turkey dinner comes together in about 30 minutes.
- Family-friendly: Mild, sweet-savory flavors and colorful vegetables make it appealing to both kids and adults.
- Flexible: Use fresh or frozen broccoli and serve the stir fry over rice, noodles, or your favorite grain.
- Balanced: Lean ground turkey and plenty of vegetables make this a satisfying meal without complicated preparation.
Ingredients
For the Teriyaki Sauce
- 1/4 cup soy sauce
- 3 tablespoons brown sugar
- 1 cup water, divided
- 2 tablespoons honey
- 3 garlic cloves, minced
- 1 teaspoon fresh ginger, grated or minced
- 2 tablespoons cornstarch
- 1 tablespoon orange zest
For the Stir Fry
- 1 pound ground turkey
- 2 teaspoons sesame oil
- 3 cups broccoli florets, fresh or frozen
- 1 small onion, finely diced
- 1 cup shredded carrots
- Salt and black pepper, to taste
Instructions
Make the Teriyaki Sauce
- Add 3/4 cup water, soy sauce, minced garlic, ginger, honey, and brown sugar to a small saucepan over medium heat.
- Stir well and bring the mixture to a gentle boil.
- In a small bowl, whisk the remaining 1/4 cup water with the cornstarch until completely smooth.
- Slowly whisk the cornstarch slurry into the simmering sauce.
- Continue stirring until the sauce thickens, then remove it from the heat immediately.
- Stir in the orange zest and set the sauce aside.
Make the Stir Fry
- Heat the sesame oil in a large skillet or wok over medium-high heat.
- Add the diced onion and cook for several minutes until softened.
- Add the ground turkey and cook, breaking it apart with a spatula, until fully cooked and no longer pink. The turkey should reach an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C).
- Add the broccoli and shredded carrots. Cook until the vegetables are tender-crisp and heated through.
- Reduce the heat to low and pour in the prepared teriyaki sauce.
- Stir everything together and simmer for a few minutes until the sauce coats the turkey and vegetables.
- Serve the Ground Turkey Teriyaki Stir Fry over cooked rice, noodles, or your preferred grain.
Tips & Tricks
- Avoid watery sauce: Whisk the cornstarch completely into cold or room-temperature water before adding it to the hot sauce.
- Don’t overcook the vegetables: Cook broccoli and carrots just until tender-crisp for better texture.
- Use fresh ginger: Fresh ginger gives the teriyaki sauce a brighter, more aromatic flavor.
- Adjust the sweetness: Reduce the brown sugar slightly if you prefer a less sweet sauce.
- Add more vegetables: Bell peppers, snap peas, mushrooms, or zucchini work well in this healthy stir fry.
- Make it spicy: Add a pinch of crushed red pepper flakes or a little chili sauce if desired.
- Use frozen broccoli: There is no need to thaw it first; simply allow a little extra cooking time.
- Cook the turkey thoroughly: Ground turkey should reach 165°F (74°C) for food safety.
Details
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Stovetop, stir fry
- Cuisine: Asian-inspired
- Difficulty: Easy
- Dietary Notes: Halal-friendly; alcohol-free
Notes
Serve this turkey teriyaki over steamed white rice, brown rice, jasmine rice, or noodles. For a lower-carb option, serve it with cauliflower rice or additional steamed vegetables.
For extra flavor and texture, garnish individual servings with sesame seeds or sliced green onions.
If using low-sodium soy sauce, taste the finished sauce before adding additional salt.
Nutrition
Approximate nutrition per serving, without rice:
- Calories: 390
- Protein: 29g
- Carbohydrates: 39g
- Fat: 13g
Nutrition will vary depending on the specific turkey, soy sauce, honey, and other ingredients used.
FAQ
Can I use frozen vegetables in this turkey stir fry?
Yes. Frozen broccoli works especially well. Add it directly to the skillet and cook until heated through and tender. Frozen mixed vegetables can also be used.
Can I make this Ground Turkey Teriyaki Stir Fry ahead of time?
Yes. Prepare the complete stir fry, allow it to cool, and store it in an airtight container. It reheats well for an easy meal the next day.
What can I serve with turkey teriyaki?
Steamed rice is a classic choice, but you can also serve turkey teriyaki with noodles, cauliflower rice, quinoa, or extra steamed vegetables.
Can I use chicken instead of ground turkey?
Yes. Ground chicken can be substituted for ground turkey using the same general cooking method. Make sure the chicken reaches 165°F (74°C).
How can I make the teriyaki sauce thicker?
The cornstarch slurry thickens the sauce as it heats. If you want a thicker consistency, mix a small additional amount of cornstarch with cold water and gradually stir it into the simmering sauce.
Is this a healthy stir fry?
It can be part of a balanced meal because it combines lean ground turkey with broccoli and carrots. Serving it with a reasonable portion of rice or another whole grain can make it a satisfying complete meal.
Storage
Refrigerator: Store cooled leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3–4 days.
Freezer: Transfer cooled stir fry to freezer-safe containers and freeze for up to 2–3 months. For best texture, freeze the stir fry separately from rice.
Reheating: Reheat refrigerated leftovers in a skillet over medium heat or in the microwave until steaming hot throughout. If reheating from frozen, thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating for more even results.
Similar Recipes
Ground Turkey Teriyaki Stir Fry
Ingredients
For the Teriyaki Sauce
- 1/4 cup soy sauce
- 3 tablespoons brown sugar
- 1 cup water divided
- 2 tablespoons honey
- 3 garlic cloves minced
- 1 teaspoon fresh ginger grated or minced
- 2 tablespoons cornstarch
- 1 tablespoon orange zest
For the Stir Fry
- 1 pound ground turkey
- 2 teaspoons sesame oil
- 3 cups broccoli florets fresh or frozen
- 1 small onion finely diced
- 1 cup shredded carrots
- Salt and black pepper to taste
Instructions
Make the Teriyaki Sauce
- Add 3/4 cup water, soy sauce, minced garlic, ginger, honey, and brown sugar to a small saucepan over medium heat.
- Stir well and bring the mixture to a gentle boil.
- In a small bowl, whisk the remaining 1/4 cup water with the cornstarch until completely smooth.
- Slowly whisk the cornstarch slurry into the simmering sauce.
- Continue stirring until the sauce thickens, then remove it from the heat immediately.
- Stir in the orange zest and set the sauce aside.
Make the Stir Fry
- Heat the sesame oil in a large skillet or wok over medium-high heat.
- Add the diced onion and cook for several minutes until softened.
- Add the ground turkey and cook, breaking it apart with a spatula, until fully cooked and no longer pink. The turkey should reach an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C).
- Add the broccoli and shredded carrots. Cook until the vegetables are tender-crisp and heated through.
- Reduce the heat to low and pour in the prepared teriyaki sauce.
- Stir everything together and simmer for a few minutes until the sauce coats the turkey and vegetables.
- Serve the Ground Turkey Teriyaki Stir Fry over cooked rice, noodles, or your preferred grain.
Notes
Conclusion
This Ground Turkey Teriyaki Stir Fry is proof that a homemade dinner doesn’t need to be complicated. The tender turkey, colorful vegetables, and glossy homemade teriyaki sauce create a flavorful meal that’s quick enough for busy weeknights. Serve it over rice and you have a comforting, family-friendly dinner ready to enjoy.