Fresh, spicy, and comforting — Bang Bang Ground Turkey Rice Bowls hit the spot on busy nights. This Bang Bang Ground Turkey Rice Bowls recipe brings warm rice, a creamy sweet-heat sauce, and tender turkey together for a cozy, home-cooked meal. It works when you want something quick, tasty, and a little special for family dinner. For another take on these bowls, you can peek at this easy version.
Why Make This Recipe
- Quick & Easy: Ready in about 20–30 minutes.
- Family Favorite: Mild heat and creamy sauce please kids and grown-ups.
- Budget-Friendly: Uses ground turkey and pantry staples.
- Healthy-ish Comfort: Lean protein with fresh veggies over rice.
This recipe stands out because the sauce is creamy, tangy, and slightly sweet — it clings to rice and turkey for every bite. It smells garlicky and warm while cooking, and the creamy sauce with a little crunch gives a cozy, satisfying feel that makes weeknights feel special.
Ingredients
For the base
- 3 cups cooked white or jasmine rice (hot)
- 1 lb (450 g) ground turkey (lean)
For the veggies
- 1 small onion, finely chopped
- 1 bell pepper, diced (any color)
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tsp fresh ginger, grated (optional)
For the bang bang sauce
- 1/2 cup mayonnaise (use light if you like)
- 2–3 tbsp sriracha or hot sauce (start with less if sensitive)
- 2 tbsp honey or sugar
- 1 tbsp rice vinegar or lime juice
- 1 tbsp soy sauce (or tamari)
For seasoning & finishing
- 1 tbsp vegetable oil or olive oil
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 2 green onions, sliced
- 1 tsp sesame seeds (optional)
- Lime wedges to serve (optional)
Helpful notes: Use cooked rice kept warm while you cook the turkey. If you want a thicker sauce, add 1 tsp cornstarch mixed with 1 tbsp water to the sauce and heat briefly.
How to Make Bang Bang Ground Turkey Rice Bowls
- Prep first: cook rice and keep it warm. Chop your onion, bell pepper, garlic, and slice green onions. Prepping saves time and keeps cooking smooth.
- Mix the sauce: in a small bowl, whisk mayo, sriracha, honey, rice vinegar, and soy sauce until smooth. Taste and adjust heat or sweetness. This makes the sauce balanced and ready to coat the turkey.
- Heat the pan: warm 1 tbsp oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat until it shimmers. A hot pan gives the turkey a nice browning.
- Cook aromatics: add onion and bell pepper, cook 3–4 minutes until soft and fragrant, then stir in garlic and ginger for 30 seconds until you smell them. This builds flavor base.
- Brown the turkey: push veggies to the side, add ground turkey, break it up with a spoon, and cook until no pink remains and edges pick up color, about 6–8 minutes. Browning adds savory depth.
- Season and combine: season with salt and pepper, then pour in half the sauce. Stir and let it heat 1–2 minutes so the turkey soaks the flavors. Add more sauce if you like it creamier.
- Serve: spoon warm rice into bowls, top with the saucy turkey mixture, then sprinkle sliced green onions and sesame seeds. Squeeze lime over top if you like a bright touch.
How to Serve Bang Bang Ground Turkey Rice Bowls
- Serve in warm bowls with the turkey over a bed of rice, garnish with green onions and sesame seeds for a pretty finish.
- Add a side of steamed broccoli or quick pickled cucumbers for freshness and crunch.
- Pair with a simple green salad or miso soup for a fuller meal.
How to Store Bang Bang Ground Turkey Rice Bowls
- Fridge: Cool to room temperature, place in an airtight container, and store up to 3–4 days.
- Freezer: Freeze the cooked turkey (without rice) in a freezer-safe container up to 2 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge before reheating.
- Reheat: Warm gently in a skillet over medium-low heat with a splash of water or broth to loosen the sauce, or microwave in short bursts until hot. Add a little fresh sauce if it dries out.
Tips to Make Bang Bang Ground Turkey Rice Bowls
- Patience for browning: Don’t overcrowd the pan so the turkey can brown and develop flavor.
- Taste the sauce: Adjust sriracha and honey to match your family’s heat and sweetness preference.
- Keep rice warm: Place cooked rice in a covered bowl while you finish the turkey so bowls stay cozy.
- Add texture: Stir in chopped peanuts or crispy fried onions for crunch.
Variation
- Vegetarian: Swap ground turkey for crumbled firm tofu or cooked lentils; increase soy sauce and add a splash of sesame oil.
- Lower fat: Use light mayo or Greek yogurt in the sauce and extra lime juice for tang without extra fat.
FAQs
Can I use ground chicken or beef instead of turkey?
Yes. Ground chicken and lean ground beef both work well. Cook the same way; beef will give a richer flavor while chicken stays mild.
Is there a gluten-free option for the sauce?
Yes. Use tamari or a gluten-free soy sauce, and check that your sriracha brand is gluten-free. Everything else is naturally gluten-free.
How spicy is this recipe and can I make it milder?
The heat depends on how much sriracha you add. Start with 1 tbsp, taste, and add more for heat. You can also use a milder chili paste or swap half the sriracha for ketchup to soften the spice.
Conclusion
These Bang Bang Ground Turkey Rice Bowls are simple comfort food that still feels a little special. The sauce is creamy and tangy, the turkey stays tender, and the warm rice soaks up every bit of flavor. If you want another quick take or inspiration, check this quick version for ideas: 20 Minute Ground Turkey Bang Bang Rice Bowls | Lemons & Zest. Leave a comment and a star rating to tell us how yours turned out, and share this recipe on Pinterest or Facebook so friends can try it too. What twist did you try? Let us know below!
Print
Bang Bang Ground Turkey Rice Bowls
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Diet: Gluten-Free
Description
Fresh, spicy, and comforting, these Bang Bang Ground Turkey Rice Bowls are quick and easy, perfect for a family dinner with a creamy sweet-heat sauce.
Ingredients
- 3 cups cooked white or jasmine rice (hot)
- 1 lb (450 g) ground turkey (lean)
- 1 small onion, finely chopped
- 1 bell pepper, diced (any color)
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tsp fresh ginger, grated (optional)
- 1/2 cup mayonnaise (use light if you like)
- 2–3 tbsp sriracha or hot sauce (start with less if sensitive)
- 2 tbsp honey or sugar
- 1 tbsp rice vinegar or lime juice
- 1 tbsp soy sauce (or tamari)
- 1 tbsp vegetable oil or olive oil
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 2 green onions, sliced
- 1 tsp sesame seeds (optional)
- Lime wedges to serve (optional)
Instructions
- Prep first: cook rice and keep it warm. Chop your onion, bell pepper, garlic, and slice green onions.
- Mix the sauce: whisk mayo, sriracha, honey, rice vinegar, and soy sauce until smooth. Adjust heat or sweetness as desired.
- Heat the pan: warm oil in a skillet over medium-high heat until it shimmers.
- Cook aromatics: add onion and bell pepper, cook for 3–4 minutes until soft, then stir in garlic and ginger for 30 seconds.
- Brown the turkey: add ground turkey, cooking until no pink remains, about 6–8 minutes.
- Season and combine: add salt and pepper, pour in half the sauce, stir and heat for 1–2 minutes.
- Serve: spoon rice into bowls, top with turkey mixture, sprinkle with green onions and sesame seeds, and squeeze lime over top if desired.
Notes
Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3–4 days. For thicker sauce, mix cornstarch with water and heat briefly.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Asian Fusion
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bowl
- Calories: 450
- Sugar: 6g
- Sodium: 600mg
- Fat: 20g
- Saturated Fat: 3g
- Unsaturated Fat: 12g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 40g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 28g
- Cholesterol: 85mg