Teriyaki Turkey Rice Bowls Recipe | Quick Weeknight Dinner

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Some evenings call for something warm, simple, and full of flavor. These Teriyaki Turkey Rice Bowls bring the comfort of takeout home juicy ground turkey, crisp vegetables, and sticky-sweet sauce all piled over rice in just 30 minutes. It’s weeknight cooking at its best: fast, fresh, and satisfying enough to make everyone happy at the table.

Why You’ll Love This Teriyaki Turkey Rice Bowl

This recipe checks every box. It’s ready in half an hour, made with lean protein, and easy on the wallet. The flavor hits that perfect mix of savory, sweet, and tangy the kind that makes you want another bite before you’ve even finished the first. Plus, it’s made from simple pantry staples, so you don’t need anything fancy. It’s healthier than takeout and just as delicious.

Ingredients You’ll Need

You’ll need 1 lb of ground turkey, a tablespoon of olive oil, and a teaspoon each of minced garlic and ginger. These build the base flavor. The sauce comes together with ½ cup low sodium soy sauce, ¼ cup water, 2 tablespoons each of brown sugar, honey, and rice vinegar. Mix a tablespoon of cornstarch with a tablespoon of water to thicken it later. Add a cup of shredded carrots and a cup of broccoli florets for color and crunch. Serve everything over 2 cups of cooked rice. For a little flair, top with green onions or sesame seeds. For swaps, use tamari for gluten-free or maple syrup instead of honey for a softer sweetness.

How To Make Teriyaki Turkey Rice Bowls

Step 1 – Cook the Ground Turkey

Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the ground turkey and cook until it browns and no longer looks pink. Stir in the garlic and ginger, letting them sizzle for a minute until fragrant.

Step 2 – Make the Teriyaki Sauce

In a small bowl, whisk soy sauce, water, brown sugar, honey, and rice vinegar. Pour this over the turkey. Stir well so the meat soaks up that flavorful sauce.

Step 3 – Add the Veggies

Next, add shredded carrots and broccoli florets. Cook for a few minutes until the vegetables turn bright and tender-crisp. This keeps the texture lively and fresh.

Juicy teriyaki ground turkey with broccoli and carrots cooked to glossy perfection in one skillet.

Step 4 – Thicken the Sauce

Combine cornstarch with water to make a quick slurry. Stir it into the skillet and cook for a minute until the sauce thickens and clings beautifully to the turkey and vegetables.

Step 5 – Serve and Garnish

Spoon the teriyaki turkey mixture over a bed of warm rice. Sprinkle with green onions or sesame seeds if you’d like a pop of flavor and crunch.

Teriyaki turkey rice bowl with vegetables and sesame seeds in a white bowl
Savory teriyaki turkey rice bowl topped with sesame seeds and green onions the perfect 30-minute dinner.

Quick Tips for Best Results

Use pre-shredded carrots and pre-cut broccoli to save time. Stir the sauce continuously as it thickens to avoid lumps. Taste before serving you can add more soy sauce for saltiness or a drizzle of honey if you like it sweeter.

Flavor, Texture, and Serving Ideas

The flavor is rich and comforting, with that perfect blend of savory soy, gentle sweetness, and a hint of tang from vinegar. The ground turkey stays tender, while the vegetables add color and a pleasant crunch. Serve it over brown rice for more fiber, or try cauliflower rice if you want something lighter. A dash of sriracha adds a nice heat kick.

Recipe Variations and Substitutions

You can easily switch the protein ground chicken or beef work just as well. Swap the veggies with what’s in your fridge: bell peppers, snow peas, or even zucchini. For dietary needs, tamari keeps it gluten-free, and maple syrup or agave syrup can replace honey without losing sweetness.

Storage and Reheating

Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to three days. To reheat, warm it in the microwave or on the stove with a splash of water to bring the sauce back to life. It’s perfect for meal prep since it reheats beautifully.

Common Questions About Teriyaki Turkey Rice Bowls (Recipe FAQs)

Can I freeze this recipe?

Yes. Freeze in individual portions for up to 2 months. Thaw in the fridge overnight before reheating.

Can I use other ground meats?

Absolutely. Ground chicken, pork, or beef all work well with this teriyaki sauce.

How do I make it vegetarian?

Use crumbled tofu or tempeh instead of turkey, and replace the soy sauce with tamari if needed.

Can I make it ahead for meal prep?

Yes! It keeps perfectly for 3 days in the fridge. Pack it into containers with rice for quick grab-and-go lunches.

More Such Recipes

Teriyaki turkey rice bowl with vegetables and sesame seeds in gray bowl
A delicious teriyaki turkey rice bowl topped with sesame seeds and green onions perfect for quick, healthy dinners.

Final Thoughts

These Teriyaki Turkey Rice Bowls make dinner simple, quick, and full of flavor. They deliver the comfort of takeout with better ingredients and a homemade touch. It’s a recipe you’ll turn to again and again easy to adapt, easy to love, and always ready to bring warmth to your table. Find more family-friendly ideas on Pinterest or join our kitchen stories on Facebook.

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Teriyaki turkey rice bowls with sesame seeds and vegetables in bowls

Teriyaki Turkey Rice Bowls Recipe | Quick Weeknight Dinner


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  • Author: kai
  • Total Time: 30 minutes
  • Yield: 4 servings 1x

Description

Quick, flavorful Teriyaki Turkey Rice Bowls made with lean ground turkey, crisp veggies, and a homemade sweet-savory teriyaki sauce. Perfect for busy weeknights or meal prep!


Ingredients

Scale

1 lb ground turkey

1 tablespoon olive oil

1 teaspoon minced garlic

1 teaspoon minced ginger

1/2 cup low sodium soy sauce

1/4 cup water

2 tablespoons brown sugar

2 tablespoons honey

2 tablespoons rice vinegar

1 tablespoon cornstarch mixed with 1 tablespoon water

1 cup shredded carrots

1 cup broccoli florets

2 cups cooked white or brown rice

Optional toppings: green onions, sesame seeds


Instructions

1. Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium-high heat.

2. Add ground turkey and cook until browned and cooked through.

3. Stir in minced garlic and ginger, cooking briefly until fragrant.

4. In a bowl, whisk soy sauce, water, brown sugar, honey, and rice vinegar.

5. Pour sauce over turkey and stir to combine.

6. Add shredded carrots and broccoli; cook until tender-crisp.

7. Mix cornstarch with water and stir into the skillet.

8. Cook until the sauce thickens and coats everything evenly.

9. Serve over cooked rice and top with green onions or sesame seeds.

Notes

Use pre-shredded carrots and pre-cut broccoli to save prep time.

Stir constantly when thickening the sauce to avoid clumping.

Adjust sweetness or saltiness of the sauce by modifying honey or soy sauce.

  • Prep Time: 10 minutes
  • Cook Time: 20 minutes
  • Category: Dinner
  • Method: Stovetop
  • Cuisine: Asian

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 1 bowl
  • Calories: 469
  • Sugar: 17g
  • Sodium: 1137mg
  • Fat: 17g
  • Saturated Fat: 4g
  • Trans Fat: 0g
  • Carbohydrates: 45g
  • Fiber: 2g
  • Protein: 33g
  • Cholesterol: 84mg

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