Ground Turkey Teriyaki Stir Fry
Last week, I was standing in my kitchen at 6:45 p.m., starving, with a pack of ground turkey in one hand and a toddler tugging on the other.
I didn’t have time for fancy. I needed fast. But I still wanted something homemade that tasted like real food, not drive-thru.
That’s when this Ground Turkey Teriyaki Stir Fry came to the rescue.
It’s one of those dinners I keep going back to because it’s easy, cozy, and makes you feel like you actually cooked — without the 2-hour commitment.
Let me walk you through it.
Why You’ll Love This
This stir fry is your new weeknight bestie.
It’s sweet and savory, thanks to a super simple teriyaki sauce you make yourself. (Don’t worry — it’s easy.)
It’s full of veggies, high in protein, and you can toss it over rice, noodles, or even wrap it in lettuce for a low-carb option.
Also — it’s family-approved. Even picky kids will eat it (been there, done that).
What You’ll Need
For the Sauce:
- ¼ cup soy sauce
- 3 tablespoons brown sugar
- 1 cup water, divided
- 2 tablespoons honey
- 3 garlic cloves, minced
- 1 teaspoon fresh ginger (or the paste works too)
- 2 tablespoons corn starch
- 1 tablespoon orange zest
For the Stir Fry:
- 1 pound ground turkey
- 2 teaspoons sesame oil
- 3 cups broccoli florets (fresh or frozen is fine)
- 1 small onion, chopped
- 1 cup shredded carrots
- Salt and pepper to taste
Step-by-Step: Let’s Cook This!
1. Make the Sauce First
In a small pan, mix together:
¾ cup water, soy sauce, garlic, ginger, honey, and brown sugar.
Turn the heat to medium. Stir everything up.
While that warms up, in a small bowl, whisk the rest of the water (¼ cup) with the cornstarch.
This makes a slurry — it thickens the sauce like magic.
Pour that into the pan slowly and stir.
You’ll see it start to thicken within seconds.
Once it’s nice and glossy, take it off the heat. Stir in that orange zest.
Set it aside for now — you’ll use it soon.
2. Cook the Turkey + Veggies
In a large skillet or wok, heat the sesame oil over medium-high.
Add your diced onion. Let it soften a bit — maybe 2 to 3 minutes.
Then, in goes the ground turkey.
Break it apart with your spoon or spatula. Cook it through — it’ll take about 7 to 10 minutes.
You want no pink left. If it’s super juicy, you can drain off a bit.
Now throw in your broccoli and carrots.
Let them cook for about 5 more minutes, or until tender. If using frozen broccoli, you may need a few more minutes.
3. Bring it All Together
Turn the heat down to low.
Pour in your homemade teriyaki sauce.
Stir it around so everything gets coated in that sweet, sticky glaze.
Let it simmer together for about 3 minutes.
That’s it — you’re done.
How to Serve
I love this over jasmine rice or basmati.
White rice, brown rice, cauliflower rice — all good.
You can also serve it over noodles or stuff it into lettuce leaves for a lighter dinner.
Leftovers? So good. Just pop it in the microwave and it tastes just as good the next day.
Tips + Switch-Ups
- No turkey? Use ground chicken, pork, or beef. If using beef, just drain the grease.
- Want some heat? Add a pinch of red pepper flakes or a drizzle of sriracha.
- Other veggies to try? Snow peas, bell peppers, baby corn — throw in what you love.
- Sauce too thick? Add a splash of water and stir until smooth again.
The Bottom Line
This Ground Turkey Teriyaki Stir Fry is the kind of recipe that saves your evening.
It tastes like takeout, but you made it.
You’ll feel proud, full, and maybe even have time to put your feet up before bed.
Make it tonight — you’re gonna love it.
