Ground Turkey Teriyaki Stir Fry comes together in under 30 minutes with lean turkey, crisp vegetables, and homemade teriyaki sauce featuring orange zest for bright flavor. This simple recipe balances sweet and savory notes that the whole family loves, using everyday ingredients for easy weeknight success.
Why Ground Turkey Teriyaki Stir Fry Delivers
Fast Flavor with Homemade Sauce
Ground Turkey Teriyaki Stir Fry uses a simple from-scratch teriyaki sauce made with soy sauce, brown sugar, honey, garlic, ginger, and orange zest. This quick sauce thickens perfectly with cornstarch slurry, coating everything in glossy sweet-savory goodness without store-bought bottles.
Lean Protein Meets Vibrant Veggies
Lean ground turkey provides protein while broccoli, carrots, and onion add crunch and nutrients to Ground Turkey Teriyaki Stir Fry. The one-pan method keeps cleanup minimal for busy evenings when you want healthy meals fast.
Making the Homemade Teriyaki Sauce for Ground Turkey Teriyaki Stir Fry
Combining Sweet and Savory Ingredients
Combine soy sauce, brown sugar, honey, garlic, ginger, and 3/4 cup water in a saucepan over medium heat for your Ground Turkey Teriyaki Stir Fry sauce. Stir until everything dissolves and reaches a low boil for concentrated flavor.
Thickening with Cornstarch Slurry
Whisk cornstarch into the remaining 1/4 cup water to create a smooth slurry, then slowly stir into the boiling sauce. Remove from heat immediately after thickening and add orange zest for bright citrus notes that elevate Ground Turkey Teriyaki Stir Fry.
Ground Turkey Teriyaki Stir Fry
Ingredients
- For the Teriyaki Sauce
- ▢¼ c soy sauce
- ▢3 T brown sugar
- ▢1 c water divided
- ▢2 T honey
- ▢3 garlic cloves minced
- ▢1 tsp fresh ginger grated or minced
- ▢2 T corn starch
- ▢1 T orange zest
- For the Stir Fry
- ▢1 lb Turkey
- ▢2 tsp sesame oil
- ▢3 c broccoli florets fresh or frozen
- ▢1 small onion small diced
- ▢1 cup shredded carrots
- ▢salt and pepper to taste as desired
Instructions
- For the Teriyaki Sauce
- Combine 3/4 cup water, soy sauce, garlic, ginger, honey, and brown sugar in a small sauce pan over medium heat. Stir to combine.
- Bring to a low boil. Whisk 1/4 c water and corn starch together well until corn starch is completely dissolved. Slowly stir in the corn starch mixture (slurry) and allow to thicken. Remove from heat immediately and stir in the orange zest and set aside until ready to add to stir fry.
- For the Stir Fry
- Add the sesame oil to a wok or skillet over medium high heat. Add the leeks or onion to skillet and heat for several minutes to soften. Add in the turkey and heat until fully cooked (165°F should be internal temperature.), about 7-10 minutes.
- Add in the broccoli and carrots and cook until heated through and tender. Change the heat to low and stir in the Teriyaki sauce. Simmer for several minutes until ready to serve.
- Serve over rice or as desired!
Notes
Add some spice or heat if desired. Add in some cayenne or red pepper flakes to your ground turkey teriyaki. A touch of siracha is great as well!
You can add a variety of veggies to this recipe as desired. You don’t have to stick just with the broccoli. Shredded carrots, snow peas, bell peppers, baby corn and more are great additions!
You can serve this ground turkey teriyaki a variety of ways: Over rice is a classic option, but cauliflower rice or noodles will work great as well. This also makes great lettuce wraps as well!
If you teriyaki is too thick, add in some water until desired thickness Nutrition
Calories: 277kcal, Carbohydrates: 33g, Protein: 23g, Fat: 7g, Saturated Fat: 2g, Polyunsaturated Fat: 2g, Monounsaturated Fat: 2g, Trans Fat: 1g, Cholesterol: 58mg, Sodium: 946mg, Potassium: 638mg, Fiber: 4g, Sugar: 20g, Vitamin A: 1123IU, Vitamin C: 105mg, Calcium: 91mg, Iron: 3mg
Making the Homemade Teriyaki Sauce for Ground Turkey Teriyaki Stir Fry
Combining Sweet and Savory Ingredients
Combine soy sauce, brown sugar, honey, garlic, ginger, and 3/4 cup water in a saucepan over medium heat for your Ground Turkey Teriyaki Stir Fry sauce. Stir until everything dissolves and reaches a low boil for concentrated flavor.
Thickening with Cornstarch Slurry
Whisk cornstarch into the remaining 1/4 cup water to create a smooth slurry, then slowly stir into the boiling sauce. Remove from heat immediately after thickening and add orange zest for bright citrus notes that elevate Ground Turkey Teriyaki Stir Fry.
Cooking Ground Turkey Teriyaki Stir Fry
Browning Turkey with Onions
Heat sesame oil in a wok or skillet over medium-high heat, then add diced onion (or leeks) to soften for several minutes. Add 1 lb ground turkey and cook until it reaches 165°F internal temperature, about 7-10 minutes, seasoning with salt and pepper as desired.
Adding Veggies and Sauce
Stir in broccoli florets and shredded carrots, cooking until tender and heated through. Lower heat, pour in the homemade teriyaki sauce, and simmer several minutes until everything glazes beautifully in the sweet-savory coating.
Serving and Customizing Ground Turkey Teriyaki Stir Fry
Versatile Serving Options
Serve Ground Turkey Teriyaki Stir Fry over rice for classic presentation, cauliflower rice for low-carb, or noodles for heartier meals. It also shines in lettuce wraps for fresh, handheld bites that highlight the glossy sauce and crisp vegetables.
Easy Variations for Different Tastes
Swap turkey for ground chicken, pork, or beef in Ground Turkey Teriyaki Stir Fry, draining excess fat from beef. Add cayenne, red pepper flakes, or sriracha for heat, or mix in snow peas, bell peppers, or baby corn for vegetable variety.
Frequently Asked Questions About Ground Turkey Teriyaki Stir Fry
Can I Substitute Ground Chicken or Beef?
Yes, ground chicken, pork, or beef works great in Ground Turkey Teriyaki Stir Fry. Drain excess grease from beef after browning to maintain the clean flavors of the homemade sauce.
How Do I Make the Sauce Thinner If Needed?
Add water gradually to the thickened teriyaki sauce until you reach your preferred consistency for Ground Turkey Teriyaki Stir Fry. This keeps the sweet-savory balance perfect.
What Vegetables Can I Add Besides Broccoli?
Snow peas, bell peppers, baby corn, or snap peas pair beautifully with Ground Turkey Teriyaki Stir Fry. Add them with the broccoli and carrots for color and crunch variety.
Is This Recipe Freezer-Friendly?
Freeze Ground Turkey Teriyaki Stir Fry portions for up to 2 months. Thaw overnight and reheat in a skillet with a splash of water to refresh the sauce.
Conclusion
Ground Turkey Teriyaki Stir Fry delivers sweet-savory perfection in under 30 minutes with lean protein, crisp vegetables, and homemade sauce featuring orange zest. This one-pan weeknight winner accommodates family preferences through versatile serving options and easy customizations. Simple ingredients create restaurant-quality flavor, making healthy dinners effortlessly delicious.
