A quick weeknight dinner ready in under 30 minutes, this Ground Turkey Teriyaki Stir Fry balances sweet and savory with big flavor. The homemade teriyaki sauce is simple to make and brightened with a touch of orange zest for a family-friendly meal everyone will enjoy.
This Ground Turkey Teriyaki is an easy, dependable dinner that comes together quickly and tastes like more effort than it requires. It’s great for busy nights and makes excellent leftovers.
Why We Love This Ground Turkey Stir Fry
Fast prep: The only fresh produce that usually needs chopping is the onion; I often use frozen broccoli and precooked or minute rice to speed things along.
Veggie packed: This stir fry is an easy way to add vegetables—broccoli and shredded carrots work perfectly, and you can swap or add snap peas, bell peppers, or pea pods.
Homemade teriyaki sauce: The sauce takes minutes to make with everyday pantry ingredients. A bit of orange zest lifts the flavor and makes the sauce more vibrant.
Freezer friendly: Make a double batch for meal prep and freeze single servings with rice for quick homemade meals later.
Kid and adult approved: Mild and familiar for kids, but easy to spice up for adults with sriracha or red pepper flakes.
Ingredient Notes
- Ground turkey: Choose 85–93% lean for best flavor and texture. Ground chicken or pork also work well.
- Sesame oil: Adds classic stir-fry flavor. Substitute olive or other cooking oil if needed.
- Broccoli: Frozen florets are convenient and require no prep; fresh works too.
- Carrots: Pre-shredded carrots from the produce section save time.
- Orange zest: Optional but recommended; orange juice can substitute in a pinch.
- Ginger: Fresh ginger offers the best flavor, but ground ginger is an acceptable shortcut.
- Soy sauce: Use low-sodium soy sauce, tamari for gluten-free, or coconut aminos as an alternative.
- Cornstarch: Thickens the sauce; arrowroot can be used instead.
Step-By-Step Instructions
You can prepare the teriyaki sauce while cooking the stir fry or make it ahead and refrigerate until needed.
- Combine 3/4 cup water, 1/4 cup soy sauce, 2 tablespoons honey, 3 tablespoons brown sugar, minced garlic, and ginger in a small saucepan over medium heat. Stir and bring to a gentle boil.
- Whisk 2 tablespoons cornstarch with 1/4 cup water until smooth. When the sauce bubbles, slowly stir in the cornstarch slurry and cook until thickened. Remove from heat, stir in 1 tablespoon orange zest, and set aside.
- Heat 2 teaspoons sesame oil in a wok or large skillet over medium-high heat. Sauté the diced onion until softened, then add 1 pound ground turkey and cook until no longer pink, breaking it up as it cooks.
- Stir in 3 cups broccoli florets and 1 cup shredded carrots. Cook until the vegetables are heated through and tender (frozen will warm through; fresh may brown slightly).
- Reduce heat to low and pour in the teriyaki sauce. Stir to coat the turkey and vegetables and simmer a few minutes. Taste and adjust salt and pepper as needed. Sprinkle additional orange zest if desired.
Spoon the stir fry over rice or your preferred base, and finish with toasted sesame seeds and sliced green onions.
Recipe Tips
- Swap proteins: Ground chicken, pork or beef are great alternatives. If using beef, drain excess fat after browning.
- Add heat: Stir in cayenne, red pepper flakes, or a drizzle of sriracha for spice.
- Mix the veggies: Try snap peas, bell peppers, baby corn, or snow peas for variety.
- Want it saucier? Double the teriyaki sauce recipe and add more as needed; save extra for another use.
- If the sauce is too thick: Thin with water, additional soy sauce, or a splash of orange juice.
Serving Suggestions
Serve this teriyaki stir fry in many ways beyond a rice bowl:
- In lettuce wraps
- Over white or brown rice
- On cauliflower rice
- Over a bed of salad greens
- With rice noodles or egg noodles
- Garnish with sesame seeds, sliced green onions, avocado, or fresh cilantro
Storage
Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 3–4 days. To freeze, cool completely, then pack in freezer-safe containers or bags for up to 3 months. Reheat gently in a skillet or microwave, adding a splash of water if needed to loosen the sauce.
Try these other simple dinner recipes
- Spinach Feta Turkey Burger
- Simple Turkey Pepper Skillet
- Orange Chicken Sheet Pan Dinner
- Honey Garlic Chicken
- Simple Turkey Chili
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Ground Turkey Teriyaki Stir Fry
Ingredients
For the Teriyaki Sauce
- 1/4 cup soy sauce
- 3 tablespoons brown sugar
- 1 cup water, divided
- 2 tablespoons honey
- 3 garlic cloves, minced
- 1 teaspoon fresh ginger, grated (or 1/4 tsp ground ginger)
- 2 tablespoons cornstarch
- 1 tablespoon orange zest
For the Stir Fry
- 1 lb ground turkey
- 2 teaspoons sesame oil
- 3 cups broccoli florets (fresh or frozen)
- 1 small onion, diced
- 1 cup shredded carrots
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
For the Teriyaki Sauce
- Combine 3/4 cup water, soy sauce, garlic, ginger, honey, and brown sugar in a small saucepan over medium heat. Stir and bring to a low boil.
- Whisk 1/4 cup water and cornstarch until smooth. Slowly stir the slurry into the bubbling sauce and cook until thickened. Remove from heat, stir in orange zest, and set aside.
For the Stir Fry
- Heat sesame oil in a wok or skillet over medium-high heat. Sauté the onion until softened, then add the ground turkey and cook until no longer pink (about 7–10 minutes).
- Add broccoli and carrots and cook until tender. Reduce heat to low and stir in the teriyaki sauce. Simmer a few minutes to marry flavors.
- Serve over rice or your preferred base, and garnish with sesame seeds and sliced green onions.
Notes
- You can swap proteins—ground chicken, pork, or beef work well.
- Add cayenne, red pepper flakes, or sriracha for heat.
- Try different vegetables like bell peppers, snap peas, or baby corn.
- Serve over rice, noodles, cauliflower rice, or in lettuce wraps.
- If the sauce becomes too thick, thin with water, soy sauce, or orange juice.
Nutrition
Nutrition information is an approximation.