This ground turkey and green bean stir-fry is a healthy, takeout-style dinner made in about 30 minutes. Lean turkey, crisp green beans, and browned mushrooms are tossed in a sweet, tangy sauce of hoisin, soy sauce, rice vinegar, and brown sugar, then served over brown rice. It is a filling weeknight meal that is lighter than restaurant stir-fries.
Table of Contents
Why This Ground Turkey Stir-Fry Works
Cooking the vegetables and the turkey separately keeps the green beans bright and crisp and the mushrooms nicely browned, instead of everything steaming together. The sauce is whisked in advance, so once the pan is hot dinner comes together fast. Hoisin and brown sugar give the sauce a glossy, sweet-savory finish that clings to the meat and vegetables.
- About 30 minutes from start to finish.
- Lean ground turkey and plenty of vegetables.
- Takeout flavor from pantry sauces.
- Good for meal prep, since it reheats well.
Ingredients
The full amounts are in the recipe card below.
- 1 pound ground turkey (93% lean works well)
- 16 ounces green beans, trimmed and cut into 2-inch pieces
- 8 ounces mushrooms, sliced
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1/2 teaspoon salt and 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- Sauce: 1/4 cup hoisin sauce, 3 tablespoons low-sodium soy sauce, 3 tablespoons rice vinegar, 3 tablespoons brown sugar, and 1 teaspoon cornstarch
- 3 cups cooked brown rice, for serving
How to Make Ground Turkey and Green Bean Stir-Fry
Mix the Sauce
Whisk the hoisin, soy sauce, rice vinegar, brown sugar, and cornstarch together in a small bowl until smooth. Set it aside.
Cook the Vegetables
Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the green beans and mushrooms and cook for 6 to 8 minutes, stirring now and then, until the mushrooms are browned and the beans are bright green and tender-crisp. Move them to a plate.
Brown the Turkey
In the same pan, add the turkey, garlic, salt, and pepper. Cook for 6 to 8 minutes, breaking it up, until no pink remains. Ground turkey is safe at 165°F per USDA guidance, so cook it all the way through.
Combine with the Sauce
Return the vegetables to the pan and pour in the sauce. Stir for 2 to 3 minutes until the sauce bubbles, thickens, and coats everything. Serve hot over brown rice.
How to Serve Ground Turkey Stir-Fry
Serve over brown rice or white rice, cauliflower rice, or noodles. Top with sesame seeds, sliced green onions, or a drizzle of sriracha. For another green bean side, see our easy sauteed green beans, or try the healthy chicken and green bean stir fry.
How to Store and Reheat
Store the stir-fry and rice in airtight containers in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. Reheat in a skillet or microwave with a splash of water until steaming hot. Freezing is possible for up to 2 months, though the green beans lose some crispness.
Tips and Variations
- Cook the vegetables first so they stay crisp and the mushrooms brown.
- Do not crowd the pan. Cook in two batches if your skillet is small.
- Use 93% lean turkey for more flavor, or 99% lean for a lighter dish.
- Swap the turkey for ground chicken or lean ground beef.
- Add fresh grated ginger and a pinch of red pepper flakes for extra kick.
- Replace the brown sugar with honey if you prefer.
- Looking for more ground turkey ideas? See our healthy ground turkey recipes.
- Serve it with our garlic butter rice for a different base.
FAQ
Can I use frozen green beans?
Yes. Add them straight from the freezer and cook a few minutes longer. They will be softer than fresh ones.
How do I keep ground turkey from drying out?
Do not overcook it, and choose 93% lean instead of 99% lean. Adding the sauce right at the end also helps keep it juicy.
Is this stir-fry gluten-free?
Not as written. Use tamari and a gluten-free hoisin sauce to make it gluten-free.
Can I make it ahead?
Yes. It keeps well for 4 days and is good for meal prep. Store the rice separately if you can.
What can I use instead of rice vinegar?
Apple cider vinegar or white wine vinegar works in a pinch, with a slightly different flavor.
Ground Turkey and Green Bean Stir-Fry with Hoisin
Ingredients
Main Ingredients
- 1 lb ground turkey 93% lean
- 16 oz green beans trimmed and cut into 2-inch pieces
- 8 oz mushrooms sliced
- 3 garlic cloves minced
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- ½ tsp salt
- ½ tsp black pepper
- ¼ cup hoisin sauce
- 3 tbsp low-sodium soy sauce
- 3 tbsp rice vinegar
- 3 tbsp brown sugar
- 1 tsp cornstarch
- 3 cups cooked brown rice for serving
Instructions
Cooking
- Whisk the hoisin, soy sauce, rice vinegar, brown sugar, and cornstarch in a small bowl.
- Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Cook the green beans and mushrooms 6 to 8 minutes until the mushrooms are browned and the beans are tender-crisp. Move to a plate.
- Add the turkey, garlic, salt, and pepper to the pan and cook 6 to 8 minutes, breaking it up, until no pink remains (165°F/74°C).
- Return the vegetables to the pan, pour in the sauce, and cook 2 to 3 minutes until thickened and glossy.
- Serve over brown rice.
