Bang Bang Ground Turkey Bowls (Print Version)

Ground turkey in tangy chili mayo over rice with crunchy vegetables, sesame, and lime. Ready in 40 minutes.

# 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 - 2 cups cooked long-grain white rice
14 - 1 small carrot, julienned
15 - ½ cucumber, thinly sliced into half-moons
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 Make It:

01 - Prepare rice according to package instructions and keep warm.
02 - Whisk together rice vinegar, mayonnaise, sweet chili sauce, Sriracha, honey, minced garlic, and grated ginger in a small bowl. Taste and adjust Sriracha or honey for preferred heat and sweetness level. Set aside.
03 - Heat vegetable oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add ground turkey and cook while breaking it apart 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 rice bowl with an equal portion of seasoned ground turkey.
07 - Arrange julienned carrot, sliced cucumber, and red cabbage around or on top of the turkey in each bowl.
08 - Generously drizzle bang bang sauce over the turkey and vegetables.
09 - Sprinkle scallions and sesame seeds over each bowl. Top with fresh cilantro leaves.
10 - Squeeze lime over the bowls, mix ingredients together if desired, and serve immediately with lime wedges on the side.

# Additional Tips::

01 -
  • It tastes like takeout but comes together in your own kitchen with ingredients you probably already have.
  • The bang bang sauce is so good you'll want to put it on everything from grilled chicken to roasted vegetables.
  • You can prep the vegetables and sauce ahead, then just cook the turkey and rice when you're ready to eat.
  • It's endlessly customizable—swap the protein, change the veggies, adjust the heat, and it still works beautifully.
02 -
  • Don't skip breaking up the turkey well while it cooks; big clumps won't absorb the seasonings or sauce as evenly.
  • Taste the bang bang sauce before drizzling it on; some sweet chili sauces are sweeter than others, and you might need an extra splash of vinegar to balance it.
  • If you're meal prepping, store the sauce separately and add it just before eating so the vegetables stay crisp.
03 -
  • Toast the sesame seeds in a dry skillet for a minute before sprinkling them on; it brings out a nutty aroma that makes a surprising difference.
  • If your turkey releases a lot of liquid while cooking, drain some of it off before adding the soy sauce so the meat stays flavorful and not watery.
  • Make a big batch of the bang bang sauce and store it in a jar in the fridge; it lasts for a week and transforms boring leftovers into something exciting.
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