Introduction

This Ground Turkey Rice Bowl with Bang Bang Sauce is a flavorful and quick meal that’s perfect for busy weeknights. Packed with savory turkey, fresh veggies, and a creamy, spicy sauce, it’s a versatile dish that everyone will love.

A close-up image of a white plate filled with a layered dish placed on a white marbled surface. The bottom layer on the left side is white rice topped with black sesame seeds. Next to the rice, on the right, is cooked ground meat covered in a creamy, orange sauce with finely chopped green onions sprinkled on top. Behind the meat, there are bright green edamame beans and sliced cucumbers in round shapes, while in the back left corner of the plate, there are small, thin orange strips of shredded carrot. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Ingredients

1 lb ground turkey
1 Tbsp sesame oil (or favorite cooking oil)
2-3 garlic cloves, minced
2 tsp grated ginger
½ tsp smoked paprika
½ tsp onion powder
3 Tbsp low sodium soy sauce
1-2 Tbsp sriracha
2-3 Tbsp chicken broth
2 tsp honey
½ tsp black pepper
½ tsp sea salt (more or less to taste)
2 tsp corn starch
½ cup mayonnaise
3 Tbsp sweet chili sauce
½-1 Tbsp sriracha (more to kick up the spice)
1 tsp rice vinegar
2 tsp honey
Rice, shredded carrots, sliced cucumbers, shelled edamame, pickled onions, avocado, shredded cabbage, sliced green onion, sesame seeds, and other favorite toppings

Instructions

Step 1: Prep the Bang Bang Sauce by combining mayonnaise, sweet chili sauce, sriracha, rice vinegar, and honey in a small bowl. Whisk well until smooth. Adjust the spiciness or sweetness by adding more sriracha or honey as desired. Chill the sauce until ready to serve.
Step 2: Heat sesame oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the ground turkey and break it up with a spoon. Cook until browned and no longer pink, about 5-7 minutes, reaching an internal temperature of 165°F.
Step 3: Lower heat to medium-low and stir in garlic, ginger, smoked paprika, onion powder, soy sauce, sriracha, chicken broth, honey, black pepper, and salt. Simmer for 2-3 minutes, stirring occasionally.
Step 4: Sprinkle corn starch over the turkey mixture and stir well to thicken the sauce. Optionally, stir in about 2 tablespoons of the Bang Bang Sauce to infuse additional flavor.
Step 5: Assemble bowls by layering cooked rice and assorted veggies. Spoon the turkey mixture over the rice, then drizzle with the remaining Bang Bang Sauce. Garnish with sliced green onions and sesame seeds before serving.

Tips & Variations

Use ground chicken or pork as a substitute for turkey if preferred.
For a vegetarian option, swap turkey with sautéed tofu or tempeh.
Add fresh cilantro or chopped peanuts on top for extra texture and flavor.
If you like it spicier, increase the sriracha in either the sauce or the turkey mixture.
Serve with cauliflower rice for a low-carb version.

Storage

Store leftover turkey mixture and sauce separately in airtight containers in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat the turkey gently in a skillet or microwave until warmed through. Add fresh toppings when ready to serve for best texture.

How to Serve

A white plate holds a fresh dish with four visible layers arranged side by side: the first layer is white rice sprinkled with black sesame seeds, the second layer features cooked ground meat covered in creamy orange sauce, topped with green chopped scallions and more black sesame seeds, to the left are bright green edamame beans, and the last layer includes thinly sliced fresh cucumbers and shredded orange carrots in the background, all presented on a white marbled surface. photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I make the Bang Bang Sauce ahead of time?

Yes, the sauce can be prepared up to 3 days in advance and kept refrigerated. This actually helps the flavors meld and improves the taste.

Is this recipe freezer-friendly?

While you can freeze the cooked turkey mixture, the texture of the Bang Bang Sauce may change after freezing. It’s best to freeze the turkey separately and prepare the sauce fresh when ready to eat.