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Honey Garlic Ground Turkey

Honey garlic ground turkey is a glossy, sticky skillet dish where crumbled lean turkey is caramelized and coated in a honey-garlic soy sauce. Serve it over rice with sesame seeds and green onions for an easy weeknight dinner that tastes restaurant-style.
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Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 15 minutes
Total Time 25 minutes
Servings: 4 servings
Course: Main Dish
Cuisine: Asian-American
Calories: 640
Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients
  

Honey Garlic Ground Turkey
  • 1.5 lb lean ground turkey Use lean (90% or higher) for a lighter, less greasy sauce.
  • 5 garlic cloves Minced for quick aromatics.
  • 1 tbsp fresh ginger Grated so it disperses through the turkey.
  • 2 tbsp olive oil For browning and caramelizing the turkey.
  • 0.25 cup honey For the sticky honey-garlic glaze.
  • 3 tbsp soy sauce Adds savory depth to the sauce.
  • 1 tbsp rice vinegar Brightens the glaze.
  • 1 tsp sesame oil Use toasted sesame oil for the best aroma.
  • 0.5 tsp red pepper flakes Optional heat; reduce if you prefer mild.
  • 1 tbsp cornstarch Thickens the sauce for coating.
  • 2 tbsp water For the cornstarch slurry.
  • 0.5 cup sesame seeds For topping and crunch.
  • 2 green onions Sliced for a fresh finish.
  • 3 cup cooked rice For serving; warm is best.

Equipment

  • 1 cast iron skillet

Method
 

Cook the turkey
  1. Heat 2 tablespoons olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add 1.5 pounds lean ground turkey and cook until no longer pink, breaking into crumbles, about 8-10 minutes.
  2. Add minced garlic cloves and grated fresh ginger to the skillet. Cook for 1 minute until fragrant, stirring to coat the turkey.
Make the honey garlic sauce
  1. Whisk honey, soy sauce, rice vinegar, sesame oil, and red pepper flakes in a bowl, then pour over the turkey. Stir to combine so the turkey is coated.
  2. Stir cornstarch mixed with water (cornstarch slurry) into the skillet. Cook for 2–3 minutes until the sauce thickens and coats the turkey with a glossy finish.
Serve
  1. Divide cooked rice into bowls and spoon the honey garlic turkey over the top. Garnish with sesame seeds and sliced green onions.

Notes

Pro tip: fully cook off the turkey browning first before adding aromatics, then thicken the sauce at the end so it stays glossy and clings to the crumbles. Store leftovers in the refrigerator up to 3 days in an airtight container; reheat in a skillet with a splash of water. Freezing is not recommended because the sauce texture can thin after thawing. For a gluten-free option, use tamari in place of soy sauce.