Ground turkey teriyaki stir fry is a quick one-pan dinner with browned turkey, broccoli, carrots, and onion in a glossy homemade teriyaki sauce made from soy sauce, honey, brown sugar, garlic, and ginger. A little orange zest brightens the sauce. It is ready in about 30 minutes and tastes great over rice or noodles.
Making the sauce at home takes only a few minutes and means you control the sweetness and the salt. If you like other takes on the same flavors, try the ground turkey green bean stir fry or the sheet pan teriyaki chicken and pineapple.
Table of Contents
Why This Ground Turkey Teriyaki Stir Fry Works
Ground turkey is lean and mild, so it takes on the sauce well, and this recipe is built to keep it moist.
- The cornstarch is whisked into the cold sauce first, so it thickens smoothly without lumps.
- Honey and brown sugar together give the sauce a balanced sweetness and a glossy finish.
- Fresh ginger, garlic, and orange zest give the sauce brightness that bottled teriyaki often lacks.
- Adding the sauce at the end means it coats the turkey and vegetables without making them soggy.
Ingredients for Ground Turkey Teriyaki Stir Fry
For the teriyaki sauce:
- 1/4 cup soy sauce
- 3 tablespoons brown sugar
- 1/2 cup water
- 2 tablespoons honey
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon fresh ginger, grated or minced
- 2 tablespoons cornstarch
- 1 tablespoon orange zest (optional)
For the stir fry:
- 2 teaspoons sesame oil
- 1 small yellow onion, diced
- 1 pound ground turkey
- 3 cups broccoli florets, fresh or frozen
- 1 cup shredded carrots
- Salt and black pepper, to taste
- Cooked rice or noodles, sesame seeds, and sliced green onions, for serving
How to Make Ground Turkey Teriyaki Stir Fry
1. Mix the sauce. In a small bowl, whisk together the soy sauce, brown sugar, water, honey, garlic, ginger, cornstarch, and orange zest until the cornstarch dissolves. Set it aside and give it a quick stir right before you use it, since the cornstarch settles.
2. Cook the onion. Heat the sesame oil in a large skillet or wok over medium heat. Add the onion and cook for 3 to 4 minutes, until soft and translucent.
3. Brown the turkey. Add the ground turkey, breaking it into small crumbles with a spoon. Cook for 6 to 8 minutes, until browned and cooked through. Ground turkey is done when it reaches 165°F.
4. Add the vegetables. Add the broccoli and shredded carrots and cook for 4 to 5 minutes, stirring often, until the broccoli is bright green and tender but still a little crisp.
5. Add the sauce. Stir the sauce once more and pour it into the skillet. Cook for 2 to 3 minutes, stirring, until the sauce thickens and coats everything.
6. Season and serve. Taste and add salt and pepper if needed. Serve hot over rice or noodles, topped with sesame seeds and sliced green onions.
How to Serve Ground Turkey Teriyaki Stir Fry
Spoon the stir fry over steamed white rice, brown rice, or cilantro lime rice for a fresh twist. It also works in lettuce cups or over cooked noodles. If you want another teriyaki-style dinner, the Hawaiian teriyaki chicken breasts are a good option for a different protein.
How to Store and Reheat Ground Turkey Teriyaki Stir Fry
Cool the stir fry and store it in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 3 to 4 days. The sauce thickens as it sits, so add a splash of water when you reheat it. Warm it in a skillet over medium heat or in the microwave, stirring halfway through.
Ground poultry should reach 165°F, and leftovers should be reheated to 165°F, as listed in the Fight BAC! safe temperature guide from Texas A&M AgriLife Extension. The stir fry also freezes for a few weeks, though the broccoli will soften.
Tips and Variations
- Skip the marinade. Ground turkey does not need to marinate. The sauce goes on at the end and flavors the meat quickly.
- Use other vegetables. Bell peppers, snap peas, mushrooms, or baby corn all work well.
- Change the meat. Ground chicken, pork, or beef can replace the turkey with the same method.
- Make it spicier. Add red pepper flakes or a spoonful of chili garlic sauce to the sauce.
- Cut the sugar. Use 2 tablespoons of brown sugar instead of 3 for a less sweet sauce.
- Use gluten-free soy. Swap in tamari or a gluten-free soy sauce if you need a gluten-free meal.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need to marinate the ground turkey?
No. Ground meat absorbs the sauce quickly as it simmers, so a marinade is not necessary and the cornstarch in the sauce would not work well as a marinade.
How do I keep ground turkey from drying out?
Do not overcook it. Cook until it is just no longer pink and reaches 165°F, then add the vegetables and sauce right away so the sauce keeps the meat moist.
How do I thicken teriyaki sauce?
This sauce thickens as it simmers because of the cornstarch. If it is too thin, simmer it a minute longer, or whisk a teaspoon of cornstarch with a spoonful of cold water and stir it in.
Can I use frozen broccoli?
Yes. Add frozen florets straight from the freezer and cook a minute or two longer, until they are hot and tender.
What should I serve with teriyaki turkey?
Rice is the classic choice. Noodles, quinoa, cauliflower rice, or lettuce cups also work well.
Ground Turkey Teriyaki Stir Fry
Ingredients
Main Ingredients
- ¼ cup soy sauce
- 3 tbsp brown sugar
- ½ cup water
- 2 tbsp honey
- 3 cloves garlic minced
- 1 tsp fresh ginger grated or minced
- 2 tbsp cornstarch
- 1 tbsp orange zest optional
- 2 tsp sesame oil
- 1 small yellow onion diced
- 1 lb ground turkey
- 3 cups broccoli florets fresh or frozen
- 1 cup shredded carrots
- salt and black pepper to taste
- cooked rice or noodles, sesame seeds, and green onions for serving
Instructions
Cooking
- Whisk the soy sauce, brown sugar, water, honey, garlic, ginger, cornstarch, and orange zest in a small bowl until the cornstarch dissolves. Stir again right before using.
- Heat the sesame oil in a large skillet or wok over medium heat. Cook the onion for 3 to 4 minutes, until soft.
- Add the ground turkey and cook for 6 to 8 minutes, breaking it into crumbles, until browned and cooked through to 165°F.
- Add the broccoli and carrots and cook for 4 to 5 minutes, until tender but still a little crisp.
- Stir the sauce, pour it into the skillet, and cook for 2 to 3 minutes, stirring, until thickened and glossy.
- Season with salt and pepper. Serve over rice or noodles with sesame seeds and green onions.
