Honey Garlic Ground Turkey Recipe

Introduction

This Honey Garlic Ground Turkey recipe is a quick and flavorful weeknight dinner that combines savory and sweet elements. It’s perfect for a healthy, protein-packed meal that comes together in under 30 minutes. Serve it over rice, noodles, or wrapped in lettuce for a delicious family favorite.

A white bowl filled with two layers, the bottom layer is soft, fluffy white rice, and the top layer is a generous portion of saucy cooked minced meat with a shiny brown glaze. The dish is garnished with chopped green onions, fresh green cilantro leaves in the center, and thin slices of red chili peppers scattered over the meat. Some sesame seeds are sprinkled on top, adding texture. The bowl is set on a white marbled surface with a few green onion pieces around it. photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Ingredients

  • 1 lb ground turkey (lean or extra-lean)
  • 4 cloves garlic, minced
  • ¼ cup honey
  • ¼ cup low-sodium soy sauce
  • 1 tbsp rice vinegar
  • 1 tsp sesame oil
  • ½ tsp red pepper flakes (optional)
  • 2 green onions, sliced
  • 1 tbsp neutral oil (canola or avocado)

Instructions

  1. Step 1: Place a large skillet over medium-high heat and add the neutral oil.
  2. Step 2: Add the ground turkey to the skillet. Break it apart with a wooden spoon as it cooks, stirring until the meat is golden brown and no longer pink, about 6–7 minutes.
  3. Step 3: Reduce the heat to medium. Add the minced garlic and cook for about one minute, stirring constantly to avoid burning.
  4. Step 4: In a small bowl, whisk together the honey, soy sauce, rice vinegar, sesame oil, and red pepper flakes until well combined.
  5. Step 5: Pour the sauce mixture into the skillet with the turkey. Stir thoroughly to coat the meat evenly.
  6. Step 6: Simmer for 3–5 minutes, allowing the sauce to thicken slightly and cling to the turkey.
  7. Step 7: Stir in most of the sliced green onions, reserving a small amount for garnish. Remove the skillet from heat.
  8. Step 8: Serve the honey garlic ground turkey over rice, noodles, or in lettuce cups. Garnish with the remaining green onions and sesame seeds if desired.

Tips & Variations

  • For extra flavor, try adding a splash of fresh lime juice before serving.
  • Swap ground turkey with ground chicken or pork if preferred.
  • If you like it spicier, increase the red pepper flakes or add a dash of sriracha sauce.
  • Use brown rice or quinoa as a wholesome base for serving.

Storage

Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat gently in a skillet or microwave until warmed through. This dish does not freeze well due to the sauce consistency.

How to Serve

A round white bowl with three main sections: fluffy white rice on the top left, bright green steamed broccoli with a slight shine on the bottom left, and a thick layer of reddish-brown cooked minced meat sauce on the right. The meat sauce is topped with white sesame seeds and small green onion slices scattered across. The bowl sits on a white marbled surface with some sesame seeds scattered around. photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I use dark meat turkey instead of lean ground turkey?

Yes, dark meat turkey will work fine, though the flavor may be richer and the texture slightly fattier.

Is this recipe gluten-free?

To make it gluten-free, substitute the soy sauce with tamari or a gluten-free soy sauce alternative.

Print

Honey Garlic Ground Turkey Recipe

This Honey Garlic Ground Turkey recipe is a quick and flavorful dish, combining lean turkey with a savory-sweet sauce made from honey, garlic, soy sauce, and a touch of spice. Perfect for a healthy weeknight dinner, it’s easy to prepare in a skillet and pairs wonderfully with rice, noodles, or lettuce cups for a versatile meal.

  • Author: Ruby
  • Prep Time: 10 minutes
  • Cook Time: 15 minutes
  • Total Time: 25 minutes
  • Yield: 4 servings 1x
  • Category: Main Course
  • Method: Stovetop
  • Cuisine: Asian-inspired
  • Diet: Low Fat

Ingredients

Scale

Protein

  • 1 lb ground turkey (lean or extra-lean)

Sauce

  • 4 cloves garlic, minced
  • ¼ cup honey
  • ¼ cup low-sodium soy sauce
  • 1 tbsp rice vinegar
  • 1 tsp sesame oil
  • ½ tsp red pepper flakes (optional)

Garnish and Cooking

  • 2 green onions, sliced
  • 1 tbsp neutral oil (canola or avocado)
  • Sesame seeds (optional, for garnish)

Instructions

  1. Heat the Skillet: Place a large skillet over medium-high heat and add the neutral oil (canola or avocado) to start heating it up for cooking the turkey.
  2. Cook the Ground Turkey: Add the ground turkey to the skillet. Break it apart with a wooden spoon while stirring constantly until the meat is golden brown and no longer pink, which should take about 6 to 7 minutes.
  3. Sauté Garlic: Reduce the heat to medium and add the minced garlic to the skillet. Stir constantly and cook for about one minute, making sure the garlic does not burn.
  4. Prepare the Sauce: In a small bowl, whisk together the honey, low-sodium soy sauce, rice vinegar, sesame oil, and red pepper flakes until all ingredients are well combined.
  5. Add Sauce to Turkey: Pour the sauce mixture into the skillet with the cooked ground turkey. Stir thoroughly to coat the meat evenly with the sauce.
  6. Simmer the Mixture: Let the sauce and turkey mixture simmer for 3 to 5 minutes. This allows the sauce to thicken slightly and cling to the turkey, enhancing flavor.
  7. Incorporate Green Onions: Stir in most of the sliced green onions, leaving a small portion aside for garnish, then remove the skillet from heat.
  8. Serve and Garnish: Serve the honey garlic ground turkey hot over rice, noodles, or wrapped in lettuce cups. Garnish with the reserved green onions and optional sesame seeds for added flavor and presentation.

Notes

  • You can adjust the amount of red pepper flakes to control the heat level or omit them for a milder flavor.
  • Use lean or extra-lean ground turkey to keep this dish healthy and lower in fat.
  • This dish pairs well with steamed rice, quinoa, noodles, or fresh lettuce cups for a low-carb option.
  • For more depth of flavor, consider adding a splash of fresh lime juice before serving.
  • Leftovers can be refrigerated in an airtight container for up to 3 days and reheated gently on the stovetop.

Keywords: honey garlic ground turkey, quick turkey recipe, healthy turkey skillet, easy weeknight dinner, Asian turkey dish

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