The sizzle of a good stir fry always brings me back to those moments of hungry impatience, racing against the clock but refusing to settle for ordinary. This ground turkey stir fry is my go-to for busy days when I want something hearty but still light enough to keep me energized. Lean turkey, crisp veggies, and a punchy sauce all come together in one pan—fast, colorful, and satisfying.
What Makes This Stir Fry a Weeknight Winner
You know those evenings when takeout is tempting but you’d rather have something you made yourself? This recipe often saves the day in my kitchen—it’s quick, infinitely adaptable, and ticks all the right boxes for a filling, lower-calorie meal.
- Flavor with Flexibility: The sauce strikes a nice balance with soy, ginger, garlic, a hint of heat from sriracha, and that nutty backdrop of sesame oil. Each bite feels hearty, but not heavy.
- Kid-Approved: My family loves this—especially when I throw in extra carrots or serve it in a lettuce wrap for fun.
- Meal Prep Friendly: Double the batch and you’ve got ready-to-go lunches—honestly, it’s just as tasty cold from the fridge.
Ingredients: My Insights and Quick Swaps
After plenty of dinners tinkering with this, here are my thoughts on what to use and how to make it your own:
- Ground Turkey: Lean 93/7 is best. Skip the rolled-tube turkey; the version in trays just tastes fresher.
- Veggies: Shredded coleslaw mix or finely chopped green cabbage is my shortcut. Matchstick carrots and grated zucchini add crunch and keep things fast.
- Ginger & Garlic: I use ginger paste and pre-chopped garlic from the jar on rushed nights—no shame.
- Soy Sauce: Go for the regular stuff, not low-sodium. It really bumps up the flavor.
- Sesame Oil: Just a drizzle at the end wakes up the whole dish.
- Sriracha: Start small if you’re not sure how much spice you like—it’s easy to add more.
- Brown Sugar: I sometimes swap with honey or leave it out if I’m watching my sugar.
Kitchen Tips & Tricks
These little tricks come from plenty of stir fry evenings—let these make life easier for you too:
- Prep all your ingredients before you start cooking. Stir fries move quick and you’ll be glad you don’t have to grate carrots mid-way.
- Use the biggest skillet or wok you’ve got—overcrowding leads to steaming instead of that nice sauté.
- Brown the turkey well with the garlic and ginger—let it get a bit of color, it adds a ton of flavor.
- Add the zucchini last—otherwise, it gets mushy and watery.
- Taste the sauce before you pour it in. Adjust the heat or sweetness until it feels just right.
Serving Suggestions
The beauty is that this dish welcomes plenty of sidekicks or can stand proudly on its own:
- In Lettuce Wraps: Crisp butter lettuce leaves are perfect for scooping the savory filling.
- With Rice: Jasmine, brown, or even cauliflower rice for a lighter spin.
- Noodles: Slurp it up with soba or rice noodles for even more comfort.
- Fresh Salad: A quick cucumber salad on the side adds that cooling crunch that’s just right.
Dietary Variations You Can Try
- Whole30-Friendly: Use olive oil, choose compliant sauces, and serve over cauliflower rice.
- Keto: Use a sugar alternative or skip it, soy sauce swaps like coconut aminos or tamari, and pack in more leafy greens.
Storing and Reheating
- Cool to room temp, then pack into airtight containers.
- Keep in the fridge for up to 3–4 days.
- The veggies don’t freeze well, turning mushy after thawing, so I don’t recommend freezing.
Ground Turkey Coleslaw Stir Fry
Looking for a nourishing, protein-packed meal that comes together in just 30minutes? This vibrant ground turkey stir fry is brimming with crunchy vegetables and tossed in a deliciously savory sauce.
Ingredients
- 16 ounces lean ground turkey (93/7)
- 1 tablespoon vegetable or canola oil
- 1 teaspoon minced garlic
- 1 tablespoon ginger paste
- Salt & pepper, to taste
- 6 cups thinly sliced green cabbage or coleslaw mix
- 1 cup shredded carrots (about 2large carrots)
- 3/4 cup shredded zucchini (1small)
- 1 bunch green onions, divided (separate whites and greens)
- 4 tablespoons regular soy sauce
- 2 tablespoons toasted sesame oil
- 2 teaspoons Sriracha
- 1 tablespoon light brown sugar
Optional Sriracha Mayo:
- 1/3 cup mayonnaise
- 1 tablespoon Sriracha
- Juice of 1lime
- Pinch of salt & pepper
Instructions
- Prep the Veggies:Shred the carrots and zucchini using the large holes of a grater. Slice the cabbage thinly (or grab a bag of coleslaw mix) and chop your green onions, keeping the green and white parts separate.
- Brown the Turkey:In a large skillet or wok set over medium-high heat, warm the oil. Add ground turkey, garlic, ginger, and a sprinkle of salt and pepper. Sauté, breaking up the meat as it cooks, until fully browned (about 5–7minutes). If any moisture accumulates, drain it off.
- Mix the Sauce:In a bowl, whisk together soy sauce, sesame oil, Sriracha, and brown sugar. Set aside.
- Stir Fry the Veggies:Toss the cabbage and shredded carrots into the pan with the turkey. Stir and cook for a few minutes until the cabbage begins to wilt (2–4minutes). Stir in the zucchini and white parts of the green onions. Pour in the sauce and stir until everything’s evenly coated and heated through (about 1–2minutes). Remove from the heat.
- Garnish & Serve:Taste and adjust seasoning with salt or pepper as needed. Top with a scatter of green onion greens.
- Sriracha Mayo Twist (optional):In a small bowl, mix together the mayonnaise, Sriracha, lime juice, and a touch of salt and pepper. Adjust the heat with extra lime or a pinch of sugar if you like. Drizzle over each bowl just before serving for a creamy, spicy finish!
Notes
- Customization: Swap in your favorite veggies for extra color and crunch!
- Meal Prep: Cool leftovers and store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4days. Freezing isn’t recommended—fresh is best.
Nutrition Information
Yield
4Serving Size
1Amount Per Serving Calories 641Total Fat 42gSaturated Fat 7gTrans Fat 0gUnsaturated Fat 32gCholesterol 128mgSodium 1496mgCarbohydrates 34gFiber 7gSugar 22gProtein 36g
Dinnerfocus.com, occasionally offers nutritional information for recipes contained on this site. This information is provided as a courtesy and is an estimate only. This information comes from online calculators. Although allchickenrecipes.com attempts to provide accurate nutritional information, these figures are only estimates.
Answers to Common Stir Fry Questions
What’s the best way to save time on weeknights?
Use pre-shredded coleslaw mix and jarred garlic/ginger. Everything comes together in a flash.
Can I use different veggies?
Absolutely! Broccoli slaw, bell peppers, snap peas—all work beautifully. Use what’s in your fridge.
Is it spicy?
It’s as spicy as you want. Add sriracha to taste or let your family spoon it on at the table.
How do I make it even lighter?
Swap out the brown sugar for a dash of stevia or skip it altogether. Choose leanest ground turkey and double up on veggies.
Nothing beats tossing together a meal this quick that still manages to taste like something special. Whether you’re meal prepping or feeding a crowd, this ground turkey stir fry is the kind of dish that might just become a regular on your table too.
Try other Ground Turkey recipes:
