Introduction

This Ground Turkey Rice Bowl with Bang Bang Sauce is a flavorful and satisfying meal that comes together quickly. Packed with savory, spicy, and tangy notes, it’s perfect for a weeknight dinner that feels special without the fuss.

A white plate holds a colorful dish arranged in layers; the bottom left features fluffy white rice sprinkled with black sesame seeds, next to a layer of green edamame beans and bright orange shredded carrots at the upper left side, and in the foreground, there is a generous portion of browned ground meat covered in a creamy light orange sauce, topped with sliced green onions and black sesame seeds scattered over it. The plate sits on a white marbled surface. photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Ingredients

1 lb ground turkey
1 Tbsp sesame oil (or favorite cooking oil)
2-3 garlic cloves, minced
2 tsp grated ginger
½ tsp smoked paprika
½ tsp onion powder
3 Tbsp soy sauce (low sodium)
1-2 Tbsp sriracha
2-3 Tbsp chicken broth
2 tsp honey
½ tsp black pepper
½ tsp sea salt (more or less to taste)
2 tsp corn starch
½ cup mayonnaise
3 Tbsp sweet chili sauce
½-1 Tbsp sriracha (for bang bang sauce, more to increase spice)
1 tsp rice vinegar
2 tsp honey (for bang bang sauce)
Cooked rice
Shredded carrots
Sliced cucumbers
Shelled edamame
Pickled onions
Avocado
Shredded cabbage
Sliced green onion
Sesame seeds

Instructions

Step 1: Prepare the bang bang sauce by combining mayonnaise, sweet chili sauce, sriracha, rice vinegar, and honey in a small bowl. Whisk until smooth and adjust the spice or sweetness to taste. Chill until ready to serve.
Step 2: Heat sesame oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add ground turkey and break it apart. Cook until browned and the internal temperature reaches 165°F.
Step 3: Lower heat to medium-low. Add minced garlic, grated ginger, smoked paprika, onion powder, soy sauce, sriracha, chicken broth, honey, black pepper, and sea salt to the turkey. Stir well and simmer for 2-3 minutes.
Step 4: Sprinkle the corn starch over the turkey mixture and stir to thicken. Optionally, stir in 2 tablespoons of bang bang sauce into the meat for extra flavor before serving.
Step 5: Assemble the rice bowls by layering cooked rice and your choice of shredded carrots, cucumbers, edamame, pickled onions, avocado, cabbage, and any other desired veggies.
Step 6: Spoon the turkey mixture over the rice and vegetables. Drizzle generously with additional bang bang sauce and garnish with sliced green onions and sesame seeds.

Tips & Variations

For a gluten-free option, use tamari instead of soy sauce.
Add a squeeze of fresh lime juice to the bang bang sauce for a zesty twist.
Swap ground turkey for ground chicken or beef if preferred.
Use extra fresh veggies or add pickled jalapeños for added heat.
To reduce calories, substitute mayonnaise with Greek yogurt in the bang bang sauce.

Storage

Store any leftover turkey mixture and bang bang sauce separately in airtight containers in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat the turkey mixture gently on the stove or microwave until warmed through. Add fresh veggies and sauce after reheating for the best texture and flavor.

How to Serve

A white plate holds a colorful dish with five visible layers arranged side by side: on the left, white rice sprinkled with black sesame seeds; next to it, a pile of bright green edamame beans topped with sliced green onions; then, cooked ground meat covered with a creamy orange sauce and garnished with more sliced green onions and black sesame seeds; behind the meat, fresh green cucumber slices; and, in the back corner, shredded bright orange carrots along with thinly sliced radishes showing white centers and red edges. The plate is set on a white marbled surface, and the photo is taken from a close angle. photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I make the bang bang sauce ahead of time?

Yes, the bang bang sauce can be made up to 3 days in advance and kept refrigerated. Just give it a good stir before serving.

What can I use if I don’t have cornstarch?

You can substitute cornstarch with arrowroot powder or all-purpose flour to thicken the turkey mixture, but use half the amount if using flour.