Bang Bang Ground Turkey Bowls (Printable View)

Tangy-sweet chili mayo turkey over fluffy rice with fresh vegetables and crunchy sesame topping.

# What You'll 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

# How To Make It:

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 levels. Set aside.
03 - Heat vegetable oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add ground turkey and cook, breaking it apart with a spatula, until fully cooked with no pink remaining, approximately 5 to 7 minutes.
04 - Add soy sauce, sesame oil, salt, and pepper to the cooked turkey. Stir thoroughly and cook for 1 to 2 additional minutes to allow flavors to incorporate. Remove from heat.
05 - Divide warm rice evenly among four serving bowls, creating a foundation for each bowl.
06 - Top each rice base with an equal portion of seasoned ground turkey.
07 - Distribute julienned carrot, cucumber slices, and red cabbage around or on top of the turkey in each bowl for visual appeal and texture contrast.
08 - Drizzle a generous amount of bang bang sauce over the turkey and fresh vegetables.
09 - Sprinkle scallions and sesame seeds over each bowl. Top with fresh cilantro leaves and serve with lime wedges on the side.
10 - Squeeze lime juice over each bowl, mix ingredients together if desired, and serve immediately while components remain warm and vegetables stay crisp.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • It tastes like takeout but comes together in your own kitchen with ingredients you probably already have.
  • The bang bang sauce is dangerously good and works on just about anything you drizzle it on.
  • You can prep the veggies and sauce ahead, then just cook the turkey and rice when you're ready to eat.
  • It's endlessly customizable, so picky eaters and adventurous ones can both be happy at the same table.
02 -
  • Don't skip tasting the sauce before you drizzle it, Sriracha brands vary wildly in heat and you want to get it just right.
  • Let the turkey get a little browned and crispy in spots instead of stirring it constantly, that caramelization adds so much flavor.
  • Prep your veggies while the rice cooks so everything comes together fast and you're not scrambling at the end.
  • If you make the sauce ahead, store it in the fridge and give it a good stir before using since the ingredients can settle.
03 -
  • Toast your sesame seeds in a dry skillet for 30 seconds before sprinkling them on, it brings out a deeper, nuttier flavor.
  • Double the bang bang sauce and keep extra in a jar, it's amazing on grilled chicken, roasted veggies, or even as a dip for fries.
  • If you like things spicy, add a pinch of red pepper flakes to the turkey while it cooks for an extra kick.
  • Let the rice cool for a minute before building your bowls so the veggies stay crisp and don't wilt from the steam.
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