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Hot Honey Ground Turkey Rice Bowls - Spicy-Sweet Comfort You Can Make Any Night

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Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Total Time 35 minutes
Servings: 4 servings
Ingredients Method

Ingredients
  

  • For the bowls:
  • 1 pound lean ground turkey (93% or 85% lean both work)
  • 2 cups cooked rice (jasmine, basmati, or brown)
  • 1 small yellow onion, finely diced
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1-inch piece fresh ginger, grated (about 1 tablespoon)
  • 1 tablespoon neutral oil (avocado or canola)
  • 1 red bell pepper, thinly sliced (optional)
  • 1 cup shredded carrots or matchsticks (optional)
  • 2 scallions, thinly sliced, for garnish
  • Sesame seeds, for garnish (optional)
  • Fresh cilantro or mint, chopped (optional)
  • For the hot honey sauce:
  • 1/3 cup honey
  • 1–2 tablespoons hot sauce or chili crisp (adjust to taste)
  • 2 tablespoons low-sodium soy sauce or tamari
  • 1 tablespoon rice vinegar
  • 1 tablespoon lime juice (plus extra wedges for serving)
  • 1 teaspoon toasted sesame oil
  • 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional, for extra heat)
  • To season the turkey:
  • 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt, plus more to taste
  • 1/4 teaspoon black pepper

Method
 

  1. Cook the rice: Make your rice according to package directions. Fluff with a fork and keep warm. Leftover or microwaveable rice works in a pinch.
  2. Mix the hot honey sauce: In a small bowl, whisk honey, hot sauce or chili crisp, soy sauce, rice vinegar, lime juice, sesame oil, and red pepper flakes if using. Taste and adjust heat or sweetness.
  3. Sauté aromatics: Heat oil in a large skillet over medium-high. Add onion and cook 3–4 minutes until softened. Stir in garlic and ginger for 30 seconds until fragrant.
  4. Brown the turkey: Add ground turkey, salt, and pepper. Break it up with a spoon and cook 5–7 minutes until no longer pink and lightly browned. If using bell pepper or carrots, add them halfway through so they soften but stay crisp-tender.
  5. Glaze with sauce: Reduce heat to medium. Pour in the hot honey sauce and stir well. Simmer 2–3 minutes until the sauce thickens slightly and coats the meat. Taste and adjust salt, lime, or heat.
  6. Assemble the bowls: Add a scoop of rice to each bowl. Top with hot honey turkey and veggies. Finish with scallions, sesame seeds, and herbs. Serve with lime wedges.