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High Protein Spicy Ground Turkey Bowls - A Fast, Flavor-Packed Meal Prep Favorite

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Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Total Time 30 minutes
Servings: 4 servings
Ingredients Method

Ingredients
  

  • 1 lb (450 g) lean ground turkey (93% or 99% lean)
  • 1 tbsp olive oil (or avocado oil)
  • 1 small yellow onion, finely diced
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 red bell pepper, diced
  • 1 cup shredded carrots (or matchstick carrots)
  • 1 cup broccoli florets, small bite-size pieces
  • 2–3 scallions, thinly sliced (greens and whites separated)
  • 2 cups cooked brown rice or quinoa (for serving; about 1 cup uncooked)
  • Fresh cilantro, chopped (optional)
  • 1 lime, cut into wedges
  • 3 tbsp low-sodium soy sauce (or tamari for gluten-free)
  • 1 tbsp rice vinegar
  • 1–2 tbsp sriracha or chili-garlic sauce (adjust to heat level)
  • 1 tbsp honey or maple syrup
  • 1 tsp toasted sesame oil
  • 1 tsp cornstarch (optional, helps thicken)
  • 1/4 tsp black pepper

Method
 

  1. Cook your base. Make brown rice or quinoa according to package directions. Fluff and set aside. This can be done ahead for faster weeknights.
  2. Whisk the sauce. In a small bowl, combine soy sauce, rice vinegar, sriracha, honey, sesame oil, cornstarch, and black pepper. Stir until smooth. Taste and adjust heat or sweetness.
  3. Sweat the aromatics. Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high. Add onion and the white parts of the scallions. Cook 2–3 minutes until softened and fragrant. Add minced garlic and cook 30 seconds.
  4. Brown the turkey. Add ground turkey. Break it up with a spatula and cook 5–7 minutes until no longer pink and lightly browned. Season with a pinch of salt if desired.
  5. Add veggies. Stir in bell pepper, shredded carrots, and broccoli. Cook 3–5 minutes until crisp-tender. You want some bite for texture.
  6. Sauce it up. Pour the sauce into the pan. Stir well to coat the turkey and vegetables. Simmer 1–2 minutes until the sauce slightly thickens and clings.
  7. Finish with freshness. Remove from heat. Stir in the green parts of the scallions and a squeeze of lime. Taste and adjust salt, heat, or acidity.
  8. Assemble bowls. Add rice or quinoa to bowls. Top with the spicy turkey mixture. Garnish with cilantro, sesame seeds, cucumber slices, or a fried egg if you like.