Why You’ll Love Ground Turkey Stir Fry Recipe

It’s super fast — prep time is around 10 minutes, cook time about 15 minutes.
Ground turkey cooks quickly and requires no chopping of raw meat pieces, making this easier than many stir-fries.
You can use whatever vegetables you have on hand and adjust the heat/spice level to your taste.
It’s flexible: serve it over rice, noodles, or skip the grain for a lower-carb option.
Ideal for meal-prep: cook once and portion it out for several days.

Ingredients

(Tip: You’ll find the full list of ingredients and measurements in the recipe card below.)

Stir Fry Sauce:

Soy sauce
Toasted sesame oil
Brown sugar
Pinch of red pepper flakes (optional)
Water

Stir Fry:

Bell peppers
Green onions
Spinach (about 2 oz or two large handfuls)
Cooking oil
Garlic (2 cloves, minced)
Ground turkey (about 19 oz)

For Serving:

Chopped peanuts
Cooked brown rice (about 2.5 cups cooked)

Directions

Combine the soy sauce, toasted sesame oil, brown sugar, red pepper flakes (if using), and water in a bowl. Stir until the sugar is dissolved; set this sauce aside.
Dice the bell peppers and slice the green onions.
Heat the cooking oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the ground turkey and minced garlic. Stir and cook until the turkey is cooked through and any excess moisture in the skillet has evaporated (about 8‑10 minutes).
Add the diced bell peppers and sliced green onions to the skillet with the turkey. Stir and cook for about 2 minutes until they begin to soften. Then add the spinach and cook just until it is about half wilted (1‑2 minutes).
Pour in the prepared stir-fry sauce. Stir to coat everything and continue cooking until the spinach is fully wilted and the sauce is well distributed (about 1‑2 minutes).
Serve about 1 cup of the stir-fry mixture with about ½ cup of cooked rice, and sprinkle with chopped peanuts before eating.

Servings and timing

Makes 5 servings (each serving is about 1 cup stir-fry + ½ cup rice)
Prep time: ~10 minutes
Cook time: ~15 minutes
Total time: ~25 minutes

Variations

Swap the ground turkey for ground chicken, ground pork, ground beef, crumbled tofu or tempeh.
Use different vegetables: mushrooms, broccoli, carrots, bean sprouts, snap peas, green beans, zucchini, bok choy.
Make it spicy by adding sriracha or chili-garlic sauce to the stir-fry sauce.
Use cashews or sesame seeds instead of peanuts for garnish.
To reduce carbs, skip the rice and serve over shredded cabbage or cauliflower rice.
Add fresh grated ginger or a splash of rice vinegar to the sauce for extra flavour.

Storage/Reheating

This dish is great for meal prep. Store it in the refrigerator in airtight containers for up to 4 days.
When reheating, microwave or warm in a skillet until hot throughout. Because vegetables can soften further if frozen, it is recommended to not freeze the prepared dish for best texture.

FAQs

What can I substitute if I don’t have toasted sesame oil?

If you don’t have toasted sesame oil, you can use regular sesame oil (though the flavour is milder) or olive oil plus a small drizzle of sesame seeds for the nutty taste.

Can I use a different type of meat?

Yes. You can swap the ground turkey for ground chicken, pork, beef, or even crumbled tofu or tempeh if you prefer a vegetarian version.

How can I make this recipe gluten-free?

Use a gluten-free soy sauce (or tamari) and ensure any other sauces or seasonings you use are labelled gluten-free.

Can I make this ahead for lunches?

Absolutely. This recipe stores well in the fridge for up to 4 days. Portion into containers for easy grab-and-go lunches.

What can I serve it with besides rice?

You can serve it over noodles (e.g., rice noodles, soba), cauliflower rice for a lower-carb option, or even shredded cabbage for a crunchy base.

How can I add more vegetables?

You can double or triple the vegetables (e.g., add broccoli, snap peas, carrots) to bulk up the dish and reduce the relative amount of meat for a more veggie-forward meal.

Can I make it spicier?

Yes. Add sriracha, chili-garlic sauce, or more red pepper flakes to the sauce. You could also stir in fresh chopped chili or hot sauce after cooking.

How do I prevent the stir-fry from getting watery?

Be sure to cook the ground turkey until the moisture has evaporated before adding the vegetables. This ensures you don’t end up with a soggy result.

Is this dish suitable for meal-prep?

Yes. It works very well for meal-prep — cook once and portion out for several days. Just store it in airtight containers in the fridge and reheat when needed.

How can I adjust the flavour if it seems bland?

You can boost flavour by adding minced ginger, extra garlic, a splash of rice vinegar or lime juice at the end, or stir in a small amount of chili sauce or sesame seeds for texture and taste.

Conclusion

This ground turkey stir-fry is a quick, flexible and budget-friendly dish that works beautifully for weeknight dinners or meal-prep. With just one skillet and minimal chopping, you’ll have a satisfying, veggie-loaded meal on the table in under half an hour. Adjust the veggies, protein or starched base to your liking, and you’ll have a go-to recipe you’ll turn to again and again.