Ground Turkey Teriyaki Stir Fry Recipe
Make Ground Turkey Teriyaki Stir Fry Recipe for a quick, glossy weeknight dinner with bold sweet-savory flavor.
Ingredients
- 1/4 c soy sauce
- 3 T brown sugar
- 1 c water, divided
- 2 T honey
- 3 garlic cloves, minced
- 1 tsp fresh ginger, grated or minced
- 2 T corn starch
- 1 T orange zest
- 1 lb Turkey
- 2 tsp sesame oil
- 3 c broccoli florets, fresh or frozen
- 1 small onion, small diced
- 1 cup shredded carrots
- salt and pepper to taste, as desired
Instructions
Step 1: Make the teriyaki base
Combine 3/4 cup water, soy sauce, minced garlic, grated ginger, honey and brown sugar in a small saucepan and gently stir to marry the flavors. Heat gently until the mixture is uniformly warm and the sugars have dissolved, letting the aromatics bloom and the liquid turn a deeper, glossy brown — this is the foundational sweet-savory bath that will glaze the stir-fry.
Step 2: Thicken and finish the sauce
Bring the sauce to a low boil, then whisk a slurry made from the remaining 1/4 cup water and the cornstarch until completely smooth. Slowly stir the slurry into the bubbling sauce, simmer just until it thickens to a shiny, syrupy consistency, then remove from heat and immediately stir in the bright orange zest. Set the finished teriyaki aside so it stays glossy and ready to coat the stir-fry.
Step 3: Cook the aromatics and ground turkey
Heat the sesame oil in a hot skillet, add the small-diced onion and cook until softened and translucent. Add the ground turkey and break it up as it browns, cooking until no pink remains and the meat is fully cooked through (target 165°F). Season lightly with salt and pepper as it finishes so the turkey is savory and tender, with small crumbled texture.
Step 4: Add the vegetables and marry with the sauce
Toss in the broccoli florets and shredded carrots, cooking until crisp-tender and vibrantly colored. Lower the heat and pour the reserved teriyaki sauce into the cooked turkey and vegetables, stirring gently so every piece becomes coated in a glossy, slightly thickened glaze; simmer together briefly so the sauce clings and the flavors meld.
Step 5: Plate and serve
Spoon a bed of fluffy white rice into a shallow serving bowl and nestle the glossy turkey teriyaki stir-fry on top or to the side as you prefer; finish with a final scattering of orange zest and a gentle crack of black pepper, then serve immediately.
Notes
- For juicier turkey, choose 85/15 or add a teaspoon of oil while cooking.
- Taste the sauce before adding to control sweetness and saltiness.
- If the sauce gets too thick after cooling, whisk in warm water to loosen it.
- Make extra sauce and refrigerate up to 3 days for an easy reheat.
- Serve over steamed rice or cauliflower rice for a lighter option.