Bang Bang Ground Turkey Bowls (Printable)

Spicy turkey bowls with tangy chili mayo sauce over rice and crisp vegetables

# What You 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

→ 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

→ Bowls

13 - 3 cups cooked long-grain white rice
14 - 1 small carrot, julienned
15 - 1 medium 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 for preferred heat and sweetness level, then set aside.
03 - Heat vegetable oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add ground turkey and cook, breaking it up with a spatula, until no longer pink, approximately 5 to 7 minutes.
04 - Season the cooked turkey with soy sauce, sesame oil, salt, and pepper. Stir well and cook for an additional 1 to 2 minutes to allow flavors to meld, then remove from heat.
05 - Divide warm rice evenly among four serving bowls, creating a level base for toppings.
06 - Top each rice-filled bowl with an equal portion of the seasoned ground turkey.
07 - Arrange julienned carrot, sliced cucumber, and shredded red cabbage around or over the turkey in each bowl.
08 - Drizzle a generous amount of bang bang sauce over the turkey and vegetables in each bowl.
09 - Sprinkle sliced scallions and sesame seeds over each bowl. Add cilantro leaves for garnish and serve with lime wedges on the side.
10 - Squeeze lime juice over the bowls and mix ingredients together if desired. Serve immediately for optimal texture and temperature.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • It delivers big flavor without a long ingredient list or fancy techniques, just a skillet and a whisk.
  • The bang bang sauce is dangerously good, tangy and creamy with a kick you can dial up or down.
  • Everything comes together in under an hour, and clean up is minimal because it all happens in one pan plus a pot for rice.
  • The crunch from the vegetables and sesame seeds makes every bite feel alive and satisfying.
02 -
  • Don't skimp on the lime wedges, squeezing fresh lime over the bowl right before eating makes the flavors pop and balances the richness of the sauce.
  • Taste the bang bang sauce before you drizzle it, everyone's heat tolerance is different and you can always add more Sriracha but you can't take it back.
  • Use a hot skillet for the turkey so it browns instead of steams, moisture is the enemy of that savory caramelized flavor.
  • Prep all your vegetables before you start cooking so you can assemble the bowls quickly while the turkey is still hot.
03 -
  • Make a double batch of bang bang sauce and keep it in the fridge, it's incredible on grilled chicken, shrimp, roasted vegetables, and even as a dipping sauce for fries.
  • Toast your sesame seeds in a dry skillet for a minute before sprinkling them on the bowls, it brings out a nutty aroma that makes everything taste more complex.
  • If you're meal prepping, store the sauce separately and only add it right before eating so the vegetables stay crisp and the flavors stay bright.
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