Patrick Simon January 15, 2026

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Teriyaki Ground Turkey Bowl

Name: Teriyaki Ground Turkey Bowl
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 15 min
Total time: 25 min
Cuisine: Asian
Ingredients: 1 lb ground turkey; 1/2 cup teriyaki sauce; 2 cups broccoli florets; 1 cup sliced carrots; 2 tablespoons sesame oil; 4 cups cooked rice; 2 green onions, sliced

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The kitchen smells warm and inviting, a mix of toasted sesame and sweet teriyaki that makes you slow down and take a deep breath. This Teriyaki Ground Turkey Bowl is one of those weeknight heroes that fills the house with comfort, coming together quickly and leaving your table with bright colors and satisfying textures. Serve it any night you want something nourishing but easy, or pack it for lunches that feel like a treat.

If you enjoy similar quick skillet meals, check out a closely related recipe for a ground turkey teriyaki stir fry that uses many of the same flavors and techniques.

Why This Teriyaki Ground Turkey Bowl Works

This bowl balances sweet, savory, and fresh in a single scoop. Ground turkey carries the teriyaki sauce really well, soaking up the glossy, caramelized coating so each bite is juicy without feeling heavy. Crisp broccoli and tender carrots add color and crunch, while warm rice grounds the dish and makes it truly comforting.

What makes this Teriyaki Ground Turkey Bowl such a go-to is how quickly the flavors develop. The sesame oil gives a toasted backbone from the first sizzle, and the teriyaki melts into the meat and vegetables as they cook, creating a sticky, shiny sauce that clings to everything. It is great for dinners, meal-prep bowls, and a quick dinner when friends drop by unexpectedly.

Reasons you will appreciate this bowl
• Full flavored without long cook times
• Flexible for additions and swaps
• Great for batch cooking and reheating

Ingredients and Key Notes

Think of this ingredient list as a harmony of textures and tastes, where each component has a clear role. The ground turkey brings lean protein and a texture that takes sauce well, teriyaki adds the sweet and salty gloss, sesame oil layers in toasty aroma, and the vegetables keep it fresh and satisfying. Swap in turkey bacon for any smoky element you want to add, if you prefer a little crisped-up garnish.

1 lb ground turkey
1/2 cup teriyaki sauce
2 cups broccoli florets
1 cup sliced carrots
2 tablespoons sesame oil
4 cups cooked rice
2 green onions, sliced

Notes: Use short-grain rice for a stickier bowl, or long-grain for fluffier grains. Low-sodium teriyaki helps control salt, and you can add a splash of water if the sauce thickens too quickly while cooking.

How to Cook Teriyaki Ground Turkey Bowl

In a skillet, heat sesame oil over medium heat. You will smell the oil warm and shimmer, and this step builds the toasty base that carries the teriyaki flavor.
Add ground turkey and cook until browned. Break the meat apart with a spatula, stirring occasionally so it browns evenly and releases savory juices, the texture becoming crumbly and golden.
Stir in teriyaki sauce, broccoli, and carrots. The sauce will sizzle when it hits the hot pan, coating the meat, while the vegetables start to steam and brighten in color.
Cook for an additional 5 to 7 minutes, until vegetables are tender. Watch for the sauce to thicken and become glossy, and test the broccoli and carrots for a tender-crisp bite that still has a little snap.
Serve the turkey mixture over cooked rice and top with sliced green onions. Scoop the warm, sticky turkey and veg over rice, scatter the green onions for freshness, and notice the contrast between soft rice and saucy turkey.

Prep ~ 10 minutes, Cook ~ 15 minutes, Total ~ 25 minutes, Servings ~ 4, Kcal ~ 550 per serving

Make-Ahead and Prep Tips

You can streamline dinner time by doing several things ahead. Brown the ground turkey and store it covered in the refrigerator for up to three days, then finish by stirring in fresh teriyaki and vegetables when you are ready to eat. Cook a big batch of rice and refrigerate it in a sealed container so each serving only needs reheating. Slice the green onions and store them wrapped in a paper towel in a small container to keep them crisp.

If you want to prep for freezing, leave the rice separate and freeze the turkey mixture in meal-sized portions. Thaw in the refrigerator overnight before reheating. For a really fast assembly on a busy night, par-cook the vegetables until they are just tender and keep them refrigerated, then toss everything together in the skillet to marry flavors in five minutes.

Storing and Reheating

Refrigerate cooked Teriyaki Ground Turkey Bowl components in airtight containers, separate if possible. The turkey mixture will stay good for 3 to 4 days in the refrigerator, and rice for about the same time if cooled quickly and stored properly. For longer storage, freeze the turkey and vegetables in shallow, meal-sized containers for up to 2 months, leaving a little headroom for expansion.

To reheat from the fridge, warm the turkey mixture gently in a skillet over medium-low heat with a splash of water to loosen the sauce, stirring until heated through and steamy. Microwave reheating is fine, cover loosely and stir halfway through to distribute heat, then let it sit for a minute. From frozen, thaw overnight in the refrigerator then reheat as above. Freshness cue, check for a bright aroma and lively color in the vegetables, if either become dull or smell off, discard.

Perfect Pairings

• A crisp cucumber salad with rice vinegar and sesame seeds
• Quick pickled radishes for a bright, tangy contrast
• Steamed edamame sprinkled with coarse salt
• A simple miso soup or clear chicken broth for a warm starter
• Sliced avocado or a soft boiled egg to add creaminess

Make It Your Own

Add some heat, crunch, or new vegetables to customize this Teriyaki Ground Turkey Bowl to your taste. Try these modifications to make it yours.

• Swap in turkey bacon for a smoky garnish, crisped and chopped, for extra savory crunch.
• Use cauliflower rice instead of cooked rice for a lower carb bowl, and finish with a drizzle of sesame oil.
• Stir in shiitake or cremini mushrooms when you add the teriyaki, for an earthy depth and meaty texture.
• Make it spicy by adding a teaspoon of gochujang or a pinch of red pepper flakes to the teriyaki, tasting as you go.
• Toss in frozen peas or snap peas in the last two minutes for a pop of green and sweetness.
• For nuttier flavor, sprinkle toasted sesame seeds or a few crushed peanuts on top before serving.
• To add more greens, fold in baby spinach at the end and stir until just wilted, preserving color and nutrients.
• For a different savory profile, swap the sesame oil for a neutral oil and finish with a splash of toasted sesame oil at the end to keep aroma bright.

If you like exploring related bowls, you may find inspiration from a bold, spiced ground beef option like the Korean ground beef bowl that reimagines flavors with chili and garlic.

Pro Tips for Best Results

• Use medium heat for browning, higher heat can dry the turkey out, and lower heat slows caramelization.
• Break the turkey into small pieces early, and leave it undisturbed a minute to let a golden crust form for more flavor.
• Add the sauce once the meat is mostly cooked, so it clings to the turkey rather than stewing it.
• Cook vegetables to tender-crisp, they should be bright and slightly snappy, not soft and mushy.
• Taste and adjust seasoning, a little soy or teriyaki can change with brands, so balance salt and sweetness at the end.
• Use an instant-read thermometer if uncertain, ground turkey should reach 165 F for safe eating.

Frequently Asked Questions

What if I only have ground chicken or beef, can I use those instead?
Yes, ground chicken or ground beef both work well. Ground chicken will be slightly more delicate and mild, ground beef will bring a richer flavor, so adjust the amount of teriyaki and salt to taste.

Can I make this gluten-free?
Yes, swap regular teriyaki for a gluten-free tamari or a certified gluten-free teriyaki sauce, and check labels on any add-ins. Rice is naturally gluten-free, so the swap is straightforward.

How do I keep the turkey from drying out?
Avoid high heat for the entire cook, and add the sauce while the meat is still slightly moist so the teriyaki can form a glaze. Cooking briefly and tasting for doneness helps keep the turkey juicy.

Is this dish suitable for meal prep lunches?
Absolutely, it stores well and reheats nicely. Pack the rice separate if possible to avoid the grains soaking up too much sauce, and reheat gently to keep textures pleasant.

Can I use frozen vegetables?
Yes, frozen broccoli and sliced carrots will work, but add them a bit earlier and allow a couple of extra minutes to come up to temperature and shed excess water. Drain any excess moisture for a glossy sauce.

How spicy is this recipe and can I tone it down or up?
This base recipe is mild, focused on savory and sweet. To increase heat add chili flakes, sriracha, or gochujang. To tone down, use less or a milder teriyaki, and balance with a squeeze of fresh lime.

Are there vegetarian options for a similar bowl?
You can replace ground turkey with firm tofu, tempeh, or a plant-based ground alternative. Press tofu to remove excess water and brown it to develop texture before adding sauce.

Final Thoughts

This Teriyaki Ground Turkey Bowl is a small, daily celebration of comfort and smart cooking, giving you bold flavor without fuss. It travels well from weeknight dinner to weekday lunch, and the simple framework makes it easy to adapt for different seasons and tastes. Give it a try tonight, and enjoy the warm aroma, the glossy sauce, and the satisfying mix of textures that make this bowl a new favorite.

Teriyaki Ground Turkey Bowl

Author: anastasia-rice
Total Time: 25 minutes
Yield: 4 servings 1x
Diet: Gluten-Free, High-Protein

Print Recipe

Description

A quick and nourishing bowl featuring ground turkey, teriyaki sauce, and fresh vegetables served over rice.

Ingredients

Scale

1 lb ground turkey
1/2 cup teriyaki sauce
2 cups broccoli florets
1 cup sliced carrots
2 tablespoons sesame oil
4 cups cooked rice
2 green onions, sliced

Instructions

In a skillet, heat sesame oil over medium heat.
Add ground turkey and cook until browned, breaking it apart with a spatula.
Stir in teriyaki sauce, broccoli, and carrots.
Cook for an additional 5 to 7 minutes until vegetables are tender and sauce is glossy.
Serve the turkey mixture over cooked rice and top with sliced green onions.