You’ll adore these Ground Turkey Rice Bowls tender, savory, and perfect for a cozy Christmas dinner. They come together quickly, making them an excellent choice for any busy holiday evening.
Table of Contents
Why Ground Turkey Rice Bowls are Perfect for Christmas Dinner
Quick and Flavorful Meal for the Holidays
During the festive season, you want meals that are both delicious and efficient. Ground Turkey Rice Bowls deliver just that! They offer a delightful combination of flavors and textures while being ready in about 20 minutes, allowing you to enjoy more precious moments with family.
Customizable to Suit Family Preferences
Another fantastic aspect of these bowls is their adaptability. You can easily tweak the ingredients based on your family’s tastes. From choosing different proteins to adding extra veggies, you can create a dish everyone will enjoy.
Essential Ingredients for Ground Turkey Rice Bowls
Lean Ground Turkey and Cooking Oil
At the heart of this recipe is 1 lb ground turkey, a lean protein that cooks quickly and absorbs flavors beautifully. Use 1 Tbsp sesame oil or your preferred cooking oil for sautéing.
Flavor Enhancers: Garlic, Ginger, and Spices
Add a punch of flavor with 2-3 minced garlic cloves and 2 tsp grated ginger. For seasoning, include ½ tsp smoked paprika, ½ tsp onion powder, ½ tsp black pepper, and ½ tsp sea salt to taste.
Sauce Ingredients for the Bang Bang Sauce
The star of the show is the bang bang sauce, made from a mix of 3 Tbsp low sodium soy sauce, 1-2 Tbsp sriracha, 2-3 Tbsp chicken broth, 2 tsp honey, ½ cup mayonnaise, 3 Tbsp sweet chili sauce, and 1 tsp rice vinegar. Adjust the spice with more or less sriracha as you prefer.
Toppings and Rice Options
Top your rice bowls with an array of colorful and crunchy options like shredded carrots, sliced cucumbers, shelled edamame, pickled onions, avocado, shredded cabbage, sliced green onion, and sesame seeds. Pair with fluffy rice for a comforting base.
Step-by-Step Instructions for Preparation
Making the Bang Bang Sauce
Start by preparing the bang bang sauce. In a small bowl, combine all sauce ingredients and whisk until smooth. Adjust the spice level to your liking, then refrigerate until you’re ready to use it.
Cooking the Ground Turkey Mixture
In a large skillet over medium-high heat, add the sesame oil. Once hot, add the ground turkey, breaking it into smaller pieces. Cook it until browned and it reaches an internal temperature of 165°F. Then, reduce the heat to medium-low and mix in the remaining ingredients, excluding cornstarch.
Assembling the Rice Bowls
Let the turkey mixture simmer for 2-3 minutes while stirring occasionally. To thicken, sprinkle cornstarch over the mixture and stir well. If desired, mix in about 2 tablespoons of the bang bang sauce just before serving. To assemble, place cooked rice in bowls, top with the turkey mixture, and drizzle with more bang bang sauce. Garnish with green onions and sesame seeds for a pop of flavor and color.
Recipe Variations to Try
Substituting Different Proteins
You can easily substitute ground turkey with ground beef, pork, or chicken for a different taste. Each offers its unique flavor profile, perfect for experimenting!
Adding Extra Vegetables
To boost nutrition, consider adding vegetables to the turkey mixture while cooking. Bell peppers, zucchini, or even spinach could work wonderfully.
Serving Options: Lettuce Wraps and Cauliflower Rice
If you’re looking for a low-carb option, serve the turkey mixture in lettuce wraps or over cauliflower rice for a fresh twist!
Helpful Tips for Success
Adjusting Moisture in the Turkey Mixture
If the turkey mixture appears dry, simply add more soy sauce or chicken broth to achieve the desired moisture level. This will keep the flavors vibrant and delightful.
Storing Leftovers Properly
Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 3-4 days. The bang bang sauce can stay fresh for up to a week. If you want to save the turkey mixture for later, it can be frozen for about 3 months.
FAQs
What goes with ground turkey and rice?
Ground turkey and rice pair well with a variety of toppings such as shredded carrots, sliced cucumbers, edamame, pickled onions, and avocado.
How to do a turkey bowl?
To make a turkey bowl, start with cooked rice, add seasoned ground turkey, and top with vegetables and sauces to your liking.
What do people put in rice bowls?
Rice bowls can be customized with proteins, vegetables, sauces, and garnishes like green onions and sesame seeds.
How do you make turkey mince rice bowls?
To make turkey mince rice bowls, cook ground turkey with spices and sauces, then serve over rice with your choice of toppings.
Conclusion
These Ground Turkey Rice Bowls are not just a meal; they’re a delightful way to celebrate the season with flavor and creativity. For more inspiration, check out Elly’s Recipes on Pinterest for festive ideas and cooking tips!
Ground Turkey Rice Bowls: Quick and Flavorful Delight
Equipment
- large skillet
- small bowl
- Whisk
Ingredients
- 1 lb ground turkey
- 1 Tbsp sesame oil or preferred cooking oil
- 2-3 cloves garlic, 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 (to taste)
- 2 tsp corn starch
- ½ cup mayonnaise
- 3 Tbsp sweet chili sauce
- ½-1 Tbsp sriracha (to taste)
- 1 tsp rice vinegar
- 2 tsp honey (for sauce)
- Rice and assorted toppings (e.g., shredded carrots, sliced cucumbers, shelled edamame, pickled onions, avocado, shredded cabbage, sliced green onion, sesame seeds)
Instructions
- Mix all bang bang sauce ingredients in a bowl and whisk until combined; refrigerate until needed.
- Heat sesame oil in a skillet, add ground turkey, and cook until browned and fully cooked.
- Stir in remaining ingredients, simmer for 2-3 minutes, then add cornstarch to thicken.
- Assemble rice bowls with cooked rice, turkey mixture, and drizzle with bang bang sauce; garnish as desired.