When the takeout cravings hit, this Ground Turkey Teriyaki Rice Bowl is my go-to quick stir-fry recipe. Juicy ground turkey, fresh veggies, and a sticky sweet and savory homemade teriyaki sauce all cook up in one skillet and in under 30 minutes!

A ground turkey teriyaki rice bowl is served with chopsticks.
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I often find myself completely zapped of energy on busy weeknights, which is why I love having quick and easy recipes like this Ground Turkey Teriyaki Rice Bowl in my back pocket. It’s packed with lean protein, crisp-tender veggies, and the best homemade teriyaki sauce—all made in one skillet and ready in under 30 minutes! (Yes, my friend, that’s even faster than ordering takeout!)

Plus, you can easily customize it to your preference. Have different veggies? Throw ’em in! Want to swap the turkey for ground chicken or beef? Go for it!

With so much flexibility, this meal is a total weeknight winner, especially for picky eaters. You can adjust the spice level, mix and match the veggies, and serve it over rice for a delicious dinner everyone at the table will love!

The Secret to the Best Teriyaki Sauce

The key to a bold, flavor-packed homemade teriyaki sauce? Letting it thicken up properly before serving!

Cornstarch helps give it that rich, silky texture, but the ingredient that takes it to the next level? Fish sauce. It adds just the right amount of umami depth, making this taste like an authentic takeout favorite.

  • Pro tip: Once you pour in the sauce, stir constantly for 1-2 minutes until it thickens up. If it still looks a little thin, let it simmer a bit longer—I promise, it’ll get there!

Ingredients You’ll Need

For the exact measurements and detailed instructions, please see the recipe card below.

Ground turkey, bell pepper, broccoli, carrots, and the ingredients for a homemade teriyaki sauce are on the table for a Ground Turkey Teriyaki Rice Bowl recipe.
  • Ground Turkey – A lean, protein-packed option that soaks up all that delicious teriyaki flavor. Ground chicken or beef can also work!
  • Veggies: A mix of broccoli, red bell pepper, carrots, and onion adds color, crunch, and nutrition. Feel free to swap in what you have!
  • Soy Sauce & Fish Sauce: The base of the teriyaki sauce, giving it that perfect balance of salty, savory, and umami-rich flavor. I prefer tamari sauce for the most flavor. (Yes, you can substitute more soy sauce for the fish sauce, if needed.)
  • Brown Sugar & Rice Vinegar: A little sweetness and tang help round out the sauce.
  • Cornstarch: This is key to help thicken up the sauce.
  • Garlic & Ginger: Fresh is best here.
  • Sesame Oil: Adds a rich, nutty depth that takes the sauce to the next level.
  • Chili Garlic Sauce or Sriracha: Optional, but perfect if you like a little heat!
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How to Make a Ground Turkey Teriyaki Rice Bowl

Please see the recipe card below for the full instructions, ingredient amounts, and a printable recipe.

Ground turkey is cooked in a skillet for a ground turkey stir-fry recipe.

Step 1: Cook the Turkey.
Heat 1 tablespoon of avocado oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the ground turkey and cook, breaking it apart, for 7-8 minutes until browned and fully cooked. Transfer to a plate.

Bell peppers, broccoli, and carrots are cooked in a skillet for a ground turkey teriyaki rice bowl recipe.

Step 2: Sauté the Veggies.
In the same skillet, add the remaining oil. Toss in the shredded carrots, bell pepper, broccoli florets, and onion. Sprinkle with salt and black pepper. Cook for 5-7 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the veggies are crisp-tender.

A homemade teriyaki sauce is whisked together in a bowl for a stir-fry recipe.

Step 3: Make the Teriyaki Sauce.
In a bowl, whisk together the soy sauce, water, brown sugar, rice vinegar, cornstarch, fish sauce, sesame oil, chili garlic sauce (if using), garlic, and ginger.

Teriyaki sauce is added to ground turkey and veggies in a skillet for a stir-fry recipe.

Step 4: Thicken the Sauce.
Pour the sauce into the skillet with the veggies, stirring constantly for 1-2 minutes until it thickens and coats the back of a spoon. If it’s still thin, let it simmer a bit longer.

Ground turkey, veggies, and a sticky sweet teriyaki sauce are cooked together in a stir-fry recipe.

Step 5: Combine & Serve.
Return the cooked turkey to the skillet and toss everything together. Let it heat through for 1-2 minutes. Serve over rice and garnish with green onions and sesame seeds, if desired.

Storage & Reheating

Storage:
Store any leftover teriyaki turkey and veggies in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. Keep the rice separate if possible to prevent it from getting soggy.

Freezing:
You can freeze the cooked turkey and veggie mixture in a freezer-safe container for up to 2 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge before reheating.

Reheating:
For the best texture, reheat in a skillet over medium heat with a splash of water or soy sauce. You can also microwave it in 30-second intervals, stirring between each, until warmed through.

FAQs

Can I use a different protein?

Absolutely! Swap the ground turkey for ground chicken, beef, or even crumbled tofu for a vegetarian option.

How do I make this less spicy?

Skip the chili garlic sauce or sriracha. Adding a drizzle of honey can also help mellow out the heat.

What if I don’t have fish sauce?

Fish sauce adds umami depth, but you can substitute with extra soy sauce or a splash of Worcestershire sauce.

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Ground Turkey Teriyaki Rice Bowl

When the takeout cravings hit, this Ground Turkey Teriyaki Rice Bowl is my go-to quick stir-fry recipe. Juicy ground turkey, fresh veggies, and a sticky sweet and savory homemade teriyaki sauce all cook up in one skillet and in under 30 minutes!
A ground turkey teriyaki rice bowl is served with chopsticks.
Yield 4 servings
Prep 10 minutes
Cook 20 minutes
Total 30 minutes
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Ingredients 

  • 1 pound ground turkey
  • 4 tablespoons avocado oil divided
  • 1 cup shredded carrots
  • 1 red bell pepper seeded and thinly sliced
  • 1 small head broccoli cut into florets
  • ½ teaspoon salt
  • ½ teaspoon black pepper
  • ½ yellow onion thinly sliced
  • cup soy sauce or tamari
  • ¾ cup water
  • 3 tablespoons brown sugar
  • 2 tablespoons rice vinegar
  • 2 tablespoons cornstarch
  • 1 tablespoon fish sauce*
  • 2 teaspoons sesame oil
  • 1-2 teaspoons chili garlic sauce or sriracha optional
  • 2 garlic cloves finely minced
  • 1 teaspoon finely minced ginger

For Serving (optional):

  • Cooked white rice
  • Green onions white and green parts, thinly sliced
  • Toasted sesame seeds

Instructions 

  • Heat 1 tablespoon of the avocado oil in a large skillet or wok over medium-high heat. Add the ground turkey and cook, breaking apart, for 7-8 minutes, or until no longer pink. Transfer to a clean plate.
    1 pound ground turkey
  • In the same skillet, add the remaining 3 tablespoons avocado oil. Once hot, add the shredded carrots, red bell pepper, broccoli florets, and onion. Sprinkle the vegetables with salt and black pepper, and cook for 5-7 minutes, or until they are bright and crisp-tender.
    1 cup shredded carrots, 1 red bell pepper, 1 small head broccoli, ½ teaspoon salt, ½ yellow onion, ½ teaspoon black pepper
  • In a large bowl, whisk together the soy sauce, water, brown sugar, rice vinegar, cornstarch, fish sauce, sesame oil, chili garlic sauce (if using), garlic, and ginger.
    ⅓ cup soy sauce or tamari, ¾ cup water, 2 tablespoons rice vinegar, 3 tablespoons brown sugar, 1 tablespoon fish sauce*, 2 teaspoons sesame oil, 1-2 teaspoons chili garlic sauce or sriracha, 2 garlic cloves, 1 teaspoon finely minced ginger, 2 tablespoons cornstarch
  • Pour the sauce into the skillet with the cooked vegetables. Stir constantly for 1-2 minutes, or until the sauce thickens and coats the back of a wooden spoon. Return the cooked turkey to the skillet and toss everything together until well combined and heated through.
  • Serve the stir-fry over cooked rice with green onions and toasted sesame seeds, if desired.
    Cooked white rice, Green onions, Toasted sesame seeds
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Notes

  • Fish Sauce: If you’re not a fan or don’t have any on hand, Worcestershire sauce is an excellent substitute. You can also use additional soy sauce or tamari in place of fish sauce.
  • Vegetable Options: Feel free to substitute or add other vegetables like snap peas or zucchini.
  • Spice Level: Adjust the amount of chili garlic sauce or sriracha based on your spice preference.
  • Storage: Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.

Nutrition

Calories: 416kcal, Carbohydrates: 31g, Protein: 34g, Fat: 19g, Saturated Fat: 3g, Polyunsaturated Fat: 4g, Monounsaturated Fat: 11g, Trans Fat: 0.02g, Cholesterol: 62mg, Sodium: 1923mg, Potassium: 1076mg, Fiber: 6g, Sugar: 15g, Vitamin A: 7255IU, Vitamin C: 177mg, Calcium: 110mg, Iron: 3mg

Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.

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