Bang Bang Ground Turkey Rice Bowls (View Print Version)

Ground turkey coated in a zesty, sweet chili mayo sauce, served with rice and crisp vegetables, topped with sesame and lime.

# 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

→ Seasoned 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 - 1 cup long-grain white rice, uncooked
14 - 1 small carrot, julienned or shredded
15 - ½ cucumber, thinly sliced into half-moons
16 - ½ 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

# Method:

01 - Cook rice according to package directions until tender and fluffy. Keep warm until ready to assemble bowls.
02 - Combine rice vinegar, mayonnaise, sweet chili sauce, Sriracha, honey, minced garlic, and grated ginger in a small bowl. Whisk until smooth and fully incorporated. Adjust heat level with additional Sriracha or sweetness with honey as desired.
03 - Heat vegetable oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add ground turkey and break apart with a spatula while cooking. Sauté until browned and no longer pink, approximately 5-7 minutes.
04 - Pour soy sauce and sesame oil over the cooked turkey. Sprinkle with salt and pepper. Stir thoroughly to distribute seasonings evenly. Continue cooking 1-2 minutes for flavors to meld. Remove from heat.
05 - Portion warm rice evenly into four serving bowls, creating a foundation for each bowl.
06 - Divide seasoned ground turkey among the four bowls, mounding it over the rice.
07 - Place julienned carrots, cucumber slices, and shredded red cabbage around the turkey in each bowl, creating visual appeal and providing crunch.
08 - Generously spoon bang bang sauce over the turkey and vegetables, ensuring even distribution across each bowl.
09 - Scatter sliced scallions and sesame seeds over each bowl. Garnish with fresh cilantro leaves. Serve immediately with lime wedges on the side for squeezing over the bowl before eating.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • The creamy tangy sauce clings to every cranny of ground turkey creating bites that are impossibly flavorful despite using humble ingredients
  • Come home exhausted and still have dinner ready in under 30 minutes because sometimes you need restaurant quality food without the restaurant effort
02 -
  • The sauce can be made up to three days ahead and stored in the fridge, but bring it to room temperature before serving because cold sauce instantly cools down your entire bowl
  • Ground turkey releases more moisture than beef, so do not be tempted to add extra oil and let those browned bits develop
03 -
  • Use a box grater to julienne your carrot in seconds instead of fussing with knife skills
  • Warm your bowls in the oven for 5 minutes before serving because hot food on cold plates loses temperature way too fast
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