Honey garlic ground turkey is a fast skillet dinner that tastes far more interesting than its short ingredient list suggests. Lean turkey is browned with garlic, then tossed in a sticky sauce of honey, soy sauce, rice vinegar, and a little sesame oil, and finished with green onions. The whole thing takes about 25 minutes.
It is the kind of recipe that works on a busy weeknight, since you can serve it over rice, quinoa, or greens, or spoon it into lettuce cups. The sauce is sweet, salty, and garlicky, and a pinch of red pepper flakes adds a little heat. Here is everything you need to make it come out glossy and flavorful.
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Why This Honey Garlic Ground Turkey Recipe Works
This honey garlic ground turkey recipe works because lean turkey needs a bold sauce, and this one delivers. Honey provides the sticky glaze, soy sauce brings savory depth, rice vinegar adds a bright note, and sesame oil rounds it out with a toasty finish.
A small cornstarch slurry also helps the sauce cling to the meat instead of pooling in the pan. Because the turkey is browned first and the sauce simmers briefly, the flavor is concentrated, and the meat stays tender instead of dry.
Ingredients for Honey Garlic Ground Turkey
- 1 lb ground turkey (93% lean)
- 3 to 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 1/4 cup honey
- 1/4 cup low sodium soy sauce
- 1 tbsp rice vinegar
- 1 tsp sesame oil
- 2 tsp cornstarch mixed with 2 tbsp water
- Red pepper flakes, to taste
- 2 stalks green onions, chopped
- 1 tbsp neutral oil (canola or avocado)
Ground turkey: 93% lean browns well without drying out. Extra lean turkey works too, but it needs the full tablespoon of oil to stay moist. Ground chicken or beef are fine swaps.
Honey: creates the sticky glaze. Maple syrup is a good swap.
Soy sauce: low sodium keeps the dish from tasting too salty. Use tamari for gluten free.
Rice vinegar: adds brightness. Apple cider vinegar works as a substitute.
Sesame oil: gives a nutty depth, so a little goes a long way. You can leave it out for a lighter taste.
How to Make Honey Garlic Ground Turkey
1. Prep. Mince the garlic and chop the green onions. Set them aside.
2. Brown the turkey. Heat the oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the turkey and cook for 5 to 7 minutes, breaking it into crumbles, until no pink remains.
3. Add the garlic. Stir in the garlic and cook for about 1 minute until fragrant. Adding it after the meat keeps it from burning.
4. Whisk the sauce. In a small bowl, whisk the honey, soy sauce, rice vinegar, sesame oil, and the cornstarch slurry.
5. Simmer. Pour the sauce over the turkey, stir well, and simmer for about 5 minutes until glossy and slightly thickened.
6. Finish. Add red pepper flakes to taste, stir in the green onions, and take the pan off the heat. The turkey should reach 165 degrees F.
How to Serve Honey Garlic Ground Turkey
Spoon the honey garlic ground turkey over steamed rice, quinoa, or mixed greens, or use it as a filling for lettuce wraps or baked potatoes. For extra crunch and color, add diced bell peppers or broccoli to the pan.
For more ways to use turkey, try the ground turkey teriyaki stir fry, the ground turkey green bean stir fry, the hoisin ground turkey stir fry, or a side of cilantro lime rice.
How to Store and Reheat Honey Garlic Ground Turkey
Cool the leftovers within 2 hours of cooking and store them in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 3 to 4 days. Reheat in a skillet over medium heat with a splash of water until steaming hot, or microwave covered in 30 second pops, stirring between each, until it reaches 165 degrees F.
You can portion the cooked meat into containers for meal prep. Add the green onions fresh when serving, so they stay crisp and bright.
Tips and Variations for Honey Garlic Ground Turkey
Do not crowd the pan. Use a large skillet so the turkey browns rather than steams.
Add garlic late. It burns quickly and turns bitter.
Mix the slurry first. Cornstarch clumps if added to a hot sauce directly.
Add vegetables. Bell pepper, broccoli, or snap peas make it a complete meal.
Adjust the heat. Add more red pepper flakes or a spoonful of chili paste.
Make it gluten free. Use tamari in place of soy sauce.
Cook it safely. The FDA recommends cooking poultry to 165 degrees F, so use a thermometer if you are unsure.
Frequently Asked Questions About Honey Garlic Ground Turkey
Can I use ground chicken instead of ground turkey?
Yes. Ground chicken cooks the same way and works with the same sauce.
How do I make honey garlic ground turkey less sweet?
Reduce the honey to 3 tbsp and add a bit more rice vinegar for balance.
What do I serve with honey garlic ground turkey?
Rice, quinoa, noodles, lettuce wraps, or steamed vegetables all work well.
Can I freeze it?
Yes. Cool it fully and freeze it in a freezer safe container, then thaw in the refrigerator and reheat.
Why is my sauce thin?
Simmer it a little longer, or add another small cornstarch slurry and stir until thickened.
Honey Garlic Ground Turkey
Equipment
- Large skillet
- Small bowl
Ingredients
Main Ingredients
- 1 lb ground turkey 93% lean
- 3-4 cloves garlic minced
- ¼ cup honey
- ¼ cup low sodium soy sauce
- 1 tbsp rice vinegar
- 1 tsp sesame oil
- 2 tsp cornstarch mixed with 2 tbsp water
- 1 pinch red pepper flakes to taste
- 2 stalks green onions chopped
- 1 tbsp neutral oil canola or avocado
Instructions
Cooking
- Brown the turkey. Heat the oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the turkey and cook 5 to 7 minutes, breaking it up, until no pink remains.
- Add the garlic. Stir in the garlic and cook about 1 minute until fragrant.
- Whisk the sauce. In a small bowl, whisk the honey, soy sauce, rice vinegar, sesame oil, and cornstarch slurry.
- Simmer. Pour the sauce over the turkey and simmer about 5 minutes until glossy and thick enough to coat the meat.
- Finish. Stir in the red pepper flakes and green onions. Check that the turkey reaches 165 degrees F, then serve.
