Introduction

Ground Turkey Rice Bowls with Bang Bang Sauce are a flavorful and easy weeknight meal that combines savory spiced turkey with a creamy, spicy sauce. This dish is versatile and perfect for customizing with your favorite fresh vegetables and toppings.

A white bowl holds a layered dish starting with a base of white rice sprinkled with black sesame seeds on the left side. Next to the rice is a layer of cooked ground meat covered with a creamy, orange sauce, topped with chopped green onions and more black sesame seeds. On the upper side of the bowl, there are bright green edamame beans and sliced cucumbers, with shredded orange carrots and some greens partially visible in the background. The dish is set on a white marbled surface. 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 soy sauce (low sodium)
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 more for serving

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 spice and sweetness to your preference by adding more sriracha or honey. Chill until ready to serve.
Step 2: Heat sesame oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the ground turkey and cook, breaking it into smaller pieces, until browned and cooked through (165°F internal temperature).
Step 3: Reduce heat to medium-low. Stir in minced garlic, grated ginger, smoked paprika, onion powder, soy sauce, sriracha, chicken broth, honey, black pepper, and sea salt. Simmer for 2-3 minutes, stirring occasionally.
Step 4: Sprinkle corn starch over the turkey mixture and stir well to thicken the sauce. For extra flavor, optionally mix in about 2 tablespoons of the prepared bang bang sauce just before serving.
Step 5: Assemble your rice bowls by layering cooked rice with your favorite veggies such as shredded carrots, sliced cucumbers, edamame, pickled onions, avocado, and shredded cabbage. Spoon the turkey mixture over the rice and drizzle with additional bang bang sauce. Garnish with sliced green onion and sesame seeds.

Tips & Variations

Swap ground turkey with ground chicken or beef if preferred.
For extra crunch, add toasted peanuts or cashews on top.
Use coconut aminos instead of soy sauce for a gluten-free option.
Adjust the level of spice by controlling the amount of sriracha in both the meat and sauce.
Serve over cauliflower rice for a low-carb twist.

Storage

Store leftover turkey mixture and bang bang sauce separately in airtight containers in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat the turkey mixture in a skillet over medium heat until warmed through. The sauce can be served cold or at room temperature. Assemble fresh bowls after reheating for best texture.

How to Serve

A white plate with a base layer of white rice sprinkled with black sesame seeds sits on a white marbled surface. On top of the rice, there is a generous layer of cooked ground meat covered with a light orange creamy sauce, garnished with green chopped scallions. To the side, there are bright green edamame beans and thinly sliced green cucumber pieces with some sauce drizzled on them. The top left corner shows some shredded orange carrots. 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 bang bang sauce can be prepared a day or two in advance and stored in the refrigerator. This actually allows the flavors to meld better.

What veggies work best in these rice bowls?

Fresh, crunchy vegetables like shredded carrots, sliced cucumbers, edamame, and shredded cabbage complement the savory turkey well. Pickled onions and avocado add nice contrast and creaminess.