Bang Bang Ground Turkey Rice Bowls (Printable)

Crisp vegetables and spicy turkey in tangy-sweet chili mayo over warm rice bowls

# What You 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 - 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

# Directions:

01 - Prepare rice according to package instructions and keep warm until assembly.
02 - In a small bowl, whisk together rice vinegar, mayonnaise, sweet chili sauce, Sriracha, honey, minced garlic, and grated ginger. Taste and adjust Sriracha or honey to achieve desired 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 fully cooked and 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 equally among four serving bowls. Top each bowl with an even portion of seasoned ground turkey.
06 - Arrange julienned carrot, sliced cucumber, and red cabbage around or over the turkey in each bowl.
07 - Drizzle generous amounts of bang bang sauce over the turkey and vegetables in each bowl.
08 - Sprinkle scallions and sesame seeds over each bowl. Garnish with fresh cilantro leaves and serve with lime wedges. Squeeze lime juice over bowls before eating and mix ingredients together if desired.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • It comes together in under 45 minutes, which means you can make it on a weeknight without feeling like you need a nap afterward.
  • The bang bang sauce is dangerously good, tangy and creamy with just enough kick to keep you coming back for another bite.
  • You get protein, carbs, and vegetables all in one bowl, so it feels like a complete meal without needing side dishes.
  • The toppings add crunch and brightness, turning simple turkey and rice into something that looks and tastes restaurant-worthy.
02 -
  • Don't overcook the turkey or it will turn dry and crumbly instead of tender and juicy.
  • Make the sauce first and let it sit while you cook the turkey so the garlic and ginger have time to mellow and blend.
  • Prep all your vegetables before you start cooking so you're not scrambling to slice cucumbers while the turkey is browning.
  • Taste the sauce before you add it to the bowls because everyone's tolerance for heat is different, and you can always add more Sriracha but you can't take it out.
03 -
  • Use a microplane to grate the ginger and garlic so they dissolve into the sauce instead of leaving chunky bits.
  • Toast the sesame seeds in a dry skillet for a minute or two before sprinkling them on top, it makes them taste so much better.
  • If you're meal prepping, make a double batch of the bang bang sauce and keep it in a jar in the fridge for up to a week.
  • Let the turkey rest for a minute after cooking so the juices redistribute and it stays moist when you scoop it into the bowls.
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