Have a super delicious dinner on the table in 15 minutes with this Asian ground turkey and rice bowls recipe!
In this recipe, ground turkey is cooked with Asian ingredients (like soy sauce, ginger, and rice wine vinegar) and then instant white rice is used (the 5 minute kind), and everything is cooked and ready to go in 15 minutes!
These days, especially with the kids, I’m all about quick and easy dinner recipes that I can get on the table, fast!
The story behind how this recipe came to be goes something like this: I had had a long day and so had my husband Nick. We were both exhausted and the last thing on our minds was dinner. I got a power hour of work in while he watched the kids, and then when I looked up with a grumbling tummy (of course having lost track of time), I knew I need to make something for dinner that was quick.
We were thinking of maybe getting delivery, but I really didn’t want to wait that long, so I opened the fridge and saw I had some quick pickled Asian vegetables and some ground turkey (as I said when I shared these turkey burgers, I rarely buy ground beef, but instead I love ground turkey!) and thought about how fast ground turkey cooks, so I married the flavors together by cooking the turkey with Asian ingredients that I love having in the house: like rice wine vinegar and gochujang (these items can be found in the Asian or international foods aisle at most grocery stores, or ordered on Amazon.)
What ingredients do you need to make these Asian turkey and rice bowls?
- Sesame oil
- Garlic cloves
- Ground turkey
- Salt
- Fresh ginger
- Brown sugar
- Soy sauce
- Rice wine vinegar
- Chili pasta
To serve:
- White rice
- Asian pickled vegetables
- Cilantro
If you want to add a great sauce (optional):
- Soy sauce
- Brown sugar
- Chili paste
I whipped up this incredible Asian ground turkey and rice bowls recipe, and start to finish, they took only 15 minutes!!!
I had the quick Asian pickled vegetables in the fridge. You could use un-pickled, regular raw vegetables, or you could whip up a batch of quick Asian pickled vegetables to have on hand. The longer the vegetables marinate, the more heat they develop. I had ones that I had in the fridge for 2 weeks, and they had this great heat to them!
These Asian ground turkey and rice bowls are so flavorful, and make the perfect quick and easy weeknight dinner! I’d love to know -what is your favorite meal or dish to make when you’re short on time?
Other recipes you might enjoy:
- Sheet Pan Meal Ground Turkey Balsamic Meatloaf
- The Best Ground Turkey Tacos
- Sweet and Spicy Turkey Sloppy Joes
Asian Ground Turkey and Rice Bowls Recipe
Ingredients
- 1 teaspoon sesame oil
- 2 cloves garlic pressed
- 1.25 lbs lean ground turkey
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon fresh ginger grated
- 2 tablespoons brown sugar dark or light ok
- 1/4 cup soy sauce or Tamari if gluten free
- 1 tablespoon rice wine vinegar
- 1 tablespoon chili paste (gochujang)
For serving
- 2 cups cooked white rice (I use 5 minute instant white rice)
- Asian pickled vegetables or you could use finely chopped, raw vegetables: carrots, cucumbers, jalapenos)
- Cilantro about a handful, chopped for topping
Optional: sauce to serve over the finished dish:
- 1/4 cup Soy Sauce or Tamari if gluten free
- 1 tbs brown sugar
- 1 tsp chili paste
Instructions
- In a large nonstick pan over high heat cook sesame oil and garlic cloves for 30 seconds, then add in the ground turkey and sprinkle with salt. Break up the turkey as it cooks for 5 minutes, then when there's only a little bit of pink showing still, add in the fresh ginger, brown sugar, soy sauce, rice vinegar, and chili paste and continue cooking, stirring and breaking up the turkey as it cooks, for another 4-5 minutes. Then turn off the heat.
- Cook rice according to package instructions and set aside.
- Chop cilantro and get your vegetables ready (drain the liquid from the pickled vegetables or chop the raw vegetables.)
- If making the sauce to go over the finished dish, stir the ingredients together and set aside.
- To assemble: divide rice between 4 bowls, top each bowl with 1/4 of the turkey, add pickled veggies and top with a pinch of cilantro and enjoy
Anna says
This is very good!
I used 2lbs of Turkey- and almost the same proportions as in the ingredients list and it came out delicious – modified some according to taste…
I only substituted the rice vinegar with apple cider vinegar and chili paste with hot sauce
I saved this recipe
And I definitely will try to make it vegetarian with lentils or chickpeas 🙂
Sweetphi says
Thank you so much for your feedback, so happy to hear you enjoyed this recipe!!
Kristie B says
Loved this dish!! Added water chestnuts and small broccoli florets at the end and let them steam in the covered pan for about 6-mins. Also used garlic chili sauce instead of the paste since that’s all I had. I also ran out of rice vinegar so I added a little apple cider vinegar instead. Served up with brown rice, yum!!
Sweetphi says
I love hearing all the modifications you made based on what you had on hand, makes me so happy you loved this dish!
Kristie B says
Such a great dish, making it again tomorrow. :)))
Nicole V. says
Hi from Chicago!
Made this last night for my husband and me. This was really just a perfect dish – I only used one pound of Ground Turkey, and ended up using raw vegetables for my toppings, (carrots, jalapeños and sliced water chestnuts). The added sauce at the end really tops off the flavors of this dish. Will definitely be making this again in the near future! Thank you posting!
Sweetphi says
I’m so happy to hear this!! I love that you added water chestnuts, that’s one I hadn’t thought to put on it and cannot wait to try!
Rhonda O. says
I was searching for something different to make with ground turkey. This recipe was very flavorful. My 16 year old daughter stated the sauce could also be used for a marinade or a dipping sauce. She LOVED it. I used ginger paste. Fresh ginger wasn’t necessary, which cut down on prep time. The combination of garlic, soy sauce, brown sugar, rice wine vinegar, ginger, sweet chili and soy sauce is a winner. Well done!!
Vicki V says
Excellent and quick! I made it Keto with swerve brown for the brown sugar and served it over cabbage slaw instead of rice. So tasty!
Hyperbooks21 says
This was SUCH a hit! My children loved it. I’m just starting to experiment with cooking more and this turned out amazing! And talk about quick. My son literally said this is the best I’ve ever made. It took no time! I’ve never left a review for a recipe before but this was a must. Thank you!!
Sweetphi says
This comment made my day, so happy to hear you enjoyed this meal, and I’m so happy to hear you’re experimenting with cooking!!
Megan Maxwell says
Delicious! This will go in to our regular rotation ?
Sweetphi says
Yay! So happy to hear you love this as much as we do, thank you for commenting!
Ashley says
I’m always looking for new turkey recipes and this one was a hit with my family!
Clint says
I needed a new simple quick recipe to add to my list. I made this recipe tonight and it turned out so well. I used green been for veg and some of my homemade pickled carrots. It all went very well together. Thanks for posting this!
Sweetphi says
You’re so welcome, thank you so much for coming and leaving feedback!!
Jean says
The recipe was delicious and easy. Family loved it and it was quick, I added some veggies and it was all good.
Sweetphi says
I’m so glad to hear you liked this, it’s one of our faves!!
Gaetahaus says
Thank you for this. It is delicious and so easy to make! My kids and hubby loved it and I will definitely add to my repertoire of meals. We ate as lettuce wraps and rice on the side.
Sweetphi says
I’m so happy to hear that, thank you so much for commenting! I love how you made it into lettuce wraps and had rice on the side!
Jenn says
Just made this and it turned out great! Didn’t have the picked veggies but used some fresh carrot, coriander, green onion and kimchi. Basically, whatever we had in the fridge. No need for the sauce as the turkey is already tasty enough. Thanks for the great recipe!
Sweetphi says
So happy to hear you liked this Jenn, thank you so much for coming back and commenting, really appreciate it! This is one meal I make all the time because it is so versatile. Love that you added green onion and kimchi!
Lisa says
Recipe is quick and easy, we had a extra turkey from tg that needed to be thawed and cooked so my husband smoked the dark me at and I got creative w the breast and found your great recipe. Next time I’ll double the sauce. I added sesame seeds. I’m looking forward to cooking w more ground turkey, it’s much healthier
Sweetphi says
Thank you so much for your feedback, so glad you loved this recipe, I love ground turkey too 🙂
Beverley Stark says
I made this last night and it was fabulous! So quick and easy. I did use red pepper flakes instead of chili paste because I didn’t have any. My kids will eat it next time and I will just add the heat after i’ve dished their plates.
Sweetphi says
That’s so awesome to hear, so glad you liked it, and that sounds awesome for the kiddos!
Erik says
Most of our meals are planned… but, when we are short on time we’ll pan fry some frozen pre-cooked meatballs with onions and garlic, then make up an alfredo of sorts with butter, cream and whatever cheese we have on hand, let it simmer to fully thaw the meatballs and infuse some of the flavor, and then add in noodles.
Sweetphi says
That sounds so delicious!!! I just made meatballs and spaghetti last night, it’s just such a great classic delicious meal!
Memory Dalton says
I always keep frozen salmon and veggies on hand. On nights when i want a quick but healthy meal, I thaw the salmon, put some jasmine rice in the rice cooker, and then sear the salmon with a little olive oil, salt and pepper. While those are cooking I’ll microwave the veggies with salt, pepper and butter (often frozen broccoli) or maybe some teriyaki sauce if I have an asian mix on hand. Voila! Seared salmon (maybe a little teriyaki or chili sauce on top) with fragrant rice and seasoned veggies. Healthy, satisfying, and ready in ~30 minutes.
Sweetphi says
This sounds absolutely fabulous, perfect for a quick meal in under 30 minutes!
Patricia Caradonna says
When I am short on time, I make Swiss cheese chicken, cream of celery soup with veggies. It is fast and taste delicous!
Sweetphi says
That sounds super good, I’ll have to try that!
Cassie says
Pre cooked chicken sausage and veggies is my quick dinner go to!
Sweetphi says
Amen to that, such a great quick meal!
Lee Ann Carter says
This sounds super easy & so yummy. Can’t wait to make up a batch of Asian pickled veggies to keep on hand. As far as a go-to fast meal I take a box of stuffing mix add a little butter and enough hot water to get the stuffing moist. Spread it in a 13×9 baking dish then take a couple boneless chicken breasts and place along side the stuffing. Sprinkle with paprika. Mix a can cream of celery soup, can cream of mushroom soup and a 1/4 cup milk together and pour over the chicken and stuffing. Sprinkle with parsley. Cover and bake 15 minutes at 350. Uncover and cook for another 15 minutes or until the chicken is done. Heat some green beans or peas and you have a complete meal in about 35-40 minutes.
Sweetphi says
Your stuffing chicken dish sounds super delicious! My husband loves stuffing and chicken casserole type dishes, so I’m definitely going to have to try this!
Susan P. says
When I am short on time, I make a mixed green salad with cooked cold quinoa (I make extra to have some cold) and add veggies – whatever is on hand. Very little clean up, too!
Sweetphi says
That sounds genius for having a little extra quinoa on hand, I’m going to have to do that! Thank you for your commenting.
Mary W says
When I am short on time, I will often make Naan bread pizzas with lots of different topping combinations depending on what is in the fridge. If I have the ingredients I will make a variation of a salad to go with the pizza.
Sweetphi says
That’s an awesome idea for a quick meal! I love making different topping combinations too 🙂
Jordan McEntaffer says
I’m not sure I really have a favorite recipe to make when I am short on time. I am still in college and when I do have time, I meal prep so I can be prepared for the times I am busy. Usually the quick meal for me though is grilled chicken with cajun seasoning and brown rice, with any type of veggie I can steam with it. Super plain, but budget and time don’t afford me lots of ideas as it is. I am always looking to find new ones though, and your five ingredient series really helps students like me out, so thank you!
Sweetphi says
I can definitely relate Jordan, that’s exactly what I made when I was a student! Thank you so much for your kind words about my five ingredient series, truly appreciate it 🙂
Little Cooking Tips says
Fantastic recipe! We are definitely making this, only replacing the chili with some paprika for reasons you know;) Thanx so much for sharing this sweetie, it’s perfect for the busy days that are ahead!
xoxoxo
Shawnna Griffin says
hey girl- this looks so delish!
Sweetphi says
Thank you so much! I love how quick and easy this recipe is 🙂
Laura Haze says
This is a great dish, but it was a bit too salty for my taste buds. I think next time I’ll put less soy sauce.
Sweetphi says
Glad you liked it, sorry to hear it was a little salty for your taste. Do you typically like dishes less salty? I would recommend low sodium soy sauce in that case 🙂
Sonia Woldow says
I just made the dish and concur with the saltiness. I added a bag of veggies and cauliflower rice to hopefully make the dish less salty. Next time leave out the salting the ground turkey. I used a low sodium soy sauce. I would cut back to maybe 2 tbsp of soy sauce next. Really fast and flavorful nonetheless.
Sweetphi says
Thank you for the feedback, I am so surprised by the saltiness comment though, when I tried making it yesterday without the salt to test it again, both my husband and I said it lacked the flavor from salt and ended up adding salt at the end! I guess it is just taste preferences.