Save Experience a delightful culinary fusion with these Korean Turkey Stuffed Naan Pockets. This recipe takes juicy ground turkey seasoned with bold Korean-inspired flavors and tucks it into warm, pillowy naan bread. Topped with crisp cucumbers and a drizzle of creamy gochujang mayo, it is a street-food inspired meal that is both satisfying and incredibly easy to prepare.
Save The combination of savory soy sauce, spicy gochujang, and sweet honey creates a sticky, flavorful glaze for the turkey that pairs beautifully with the fresh, cooling crunch of English cucumbers. Whether you are looking for a quick lunch or a fun dinner, these pockets deliver big on taste with minimal effort.
Ingredients
- Turkey Filling: 500 g (1 lb) ground turkey, 1 tablespoon sesame oil, 3 garlic cloves (minced), 1 tablespoon fresh ginger (grated), 1 small onion (finely diced), 2 tablespoons soy sauce, 1 tablespoon gochujang (Korean chili paste), 1 tablespoon honey, 1 teaspoon rice vinegar, 1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper, 2 scallions (finely sliced).
- Gochujang Mayo: 4 tablespoons mayonnaise (regular or vegan), 1 tablespoon gochujang, 1 teaspoon lime juice, 1/2 teaspoon toasted sesame oil.
- Assembly: 4 naan breads (warmed), 1/2 English cucumber (thinly sliced), Fresh cilantro leaves (optional), Toasted sesame seeds (optional).
Instructions
- Step 1
- Heat the sesame oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add onion, garlic, and ginger; sauté for 2 minutes until fragrant and softened.
- Step 2
- Add ground turkey to the skillet. Cook, breaking up with a spatula, until browned and cooked through, about 5–7 minutes.
- Step 3
- Stir in soy sauce, gochujang, honey, rice vinegar, and black pepper. Cook for an additional 2–3 minutes until the mixture is well combined and slightly sticky. Remove from heat and stir in sliced scallions.
- Step 4
- In a small bowl, whisk together mayonnaise, gochujang, lime juice, and sesame oil until smooth.
- Step 5
- Warm naan breads according to package instructions or in a dry skillet.
- Step 6
- To assemble, spread a generous spoonful of gochujang mayo inside each naan. Fill with the turkey mixture, top with cucumber slices, cilantro, and a sprinkle of sesame seeds if desired.
- Step 7
- Fold or wrap naan around the filling and serve immediately.
Zusatztipps für die Zubereitung
When cooking the turkey, ensure you break it into small crumbles to allow the sauce to coat every piece evenly. For the naan, warming it until it is soft and pliable makes it much easier to fold and stuff without tearing.
Varianten und Anpassungen
If you prefer a different protein, you can easily substitute the ground turkey with ground chicken or a plant-based mince. To keep the recipe dairy-free, simply use a vegan-friendly mayonnaise for the gochujang sauce.
Serviervorschläge
Serve these naan pockets immediately while the turkey is hot and the bread is warm. For an extra layer of traditional Korean flavor, serve them with a side of spicy kimchi.
Save These Korean Turkey Stuffed Naan Pockets are a fantastic way to bring bold, international flavors into your home cooking routine. Enjoy the balance of savory heat and cool freshness in every bite!
Kitchen Q&A
- → What makes the Korean turkey filling spicy?
The heat comes from gochujang, a Korean fermented chili paste that adds a complex sweet-spicy flavor profile to the ground turkey mixture.
- → Can I make these pockets ahead of time?
Prepare the turkey filling and gochujang mayo up to 2 days in advance. Warm naan bread and assemble just before serving for best texture.
- → What's a good substitute for naan bread?
Try pita bread, flatbread, or even large flour tortillas as alternatives. Soft pliable breads work best for folding around the filling.
- → How do I adjust the spice level?
Increase or decrease gochujang in both the turkey filling and mayo. For extra heat, add sliced Korean chili peppers or sriracha to the mix.
- → What sides pair well with these pockets?
Serve with kimchi, pickled vegetables, or a simple cucumber salad. Steamed rice or roasted vegetables also complement the flavors nicely.