Bang Bang Ground Turkey (Printable)

Tender turkey sizzles in tangy-sweet chili mayo sauce over fluffy rice with crunchy vegetables and sesame-scallion topping.

# 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 Assembly

13 - 2 cups cooked long-grain white rice
14 - 1 small carrot, julienned
15 - 1/2 cucumber, thinly sliced
16 - 1/2 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 Steps:

01 - Prepare rice according to package instructions and keep warm until assembly.
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 desired heat and sweetness level. Set aside.
03 - Heat vegetable oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add ground turkey, breaking it apart with a spatula while cooking until no pink remains, approximately 5 to 7 minutes.
04 - Add soy sauce, sesame oil, salt, and pepper to the cooked turkey. Stir thoroughly and cook for 1 to 2 additional minutes to allow flavors to integrate. Remove from heat.
05 - Distribute warm rice evenly among four serving bowls.
06 - Top each bowl with an equal portion of seasoned ground turkey.
07 - Position julienned carrot, sliced cucumber, and red cabbage around or atop the turkey in each bowl.
08 - Drizzle generous amount of bang bang sauce over turkey and vegetables in each bowl.
09 - Sprinkle scallions and sesame seeds over each bowl. Top with fresh cilantro leaves and serve with lime wedges on the side.
10 - Squeeze lime juice over bowls to taste. Mix ingredients together if desired and serve immediately while rice is warm.

# Expert Tips:

01 -
  • It comes together in less time than it takes to order takeout, and tastes just as vibrant.
  • The bang bang sauce is tangy, creamy, and just spicy enough to wake up your taste buds without overwhelming them.
  • You can prep the vegetables and sauce ahead, then cook the turkey and rice when hunger strikes.
  • Every bowl is customizable, so picky eaters and adventurous ones can both be happy at the same table.
02 -
  • Taste the bang bang sauce before you drizzle it, everyone has a different heat tolerance and you can always add more Sriracha but you cannot take it away.
  • Do not skip the lime wedges, that bright citrus squeeze at the end pulls all the flavors together and makes the whole bowl sing.
  • If your turkey is sticking to the pan, give it a moment to develop a golden crust before you start breaking it up with the spatula.
  • Prep your vegetables while the rice cooks to save time and keep the momentum going in the kitchen.
03 -
  • If you want a deeper flavor, toast your sesame seeds in a dry skillet for a minute or two before sprinkling them on top.
  • For a spicier kick, add a pinch of red pepper flakes to the turkey while it cooks, it will infuse the meat with heat from the inside out.
  • Always taste your sauce before serving, a tiny adjustment in honey or Sriracha can make the difference between good and unforgettable.
  • Let the turkey rest for a minute after cooking so the juices redistribute, it will be more tender and flavorful in the final bowl.
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