Teriyaki Turkey Stir Fry Recipe
If you’re craving a dish that bursts with vibrant flavors and satisfies your taste buds with every bite, this Teriyaki Turkey Stir Fry Recipe is the answer. It’s a perfect harmony of savory, sweet, and tangy notes, combined with tender ground turkey and crisp vegetables, all glazed in a luscious homemade teriyaki sauce. Ready in just 30 minutes, this recipe effortlessly fits into busy weeknights while still delivering a restaurant-quality meal at home. I can’t wait to share this cozy, colorful dish with you—it’s become a favorite in my kitchen, and I’m sure you’ll love it just as much.
Ingredients You’ll Need
Getting the ingredients right is the first step to nailing this dish. Each component is straightforward but essential, adding layers of flavor, texture, and color that make the Teriyaki Turkey Stir Fry Recipe so darn irresistible.
- Soy sauce: The salty, umami base of your teriyaki sauce that brings everything together with depth.
- Brown sugar: Adds a rich sweetness that balances the savory elements perfectly.
- Water: Used in two parts, it helps dissolve the cornstarch and create a glossy sauce.
- Honey: A natural sweetener that adds a floral warmth to the sauce’s flavor profile.
- Garlic cloves, minced: For a punch of aromatic zest that wakes up the palate.
- Fresh ginger, grated or minced: Delivers a bright, slightly spicy note that’s essential in any good stir fry.
- Cornstarch: The magic thickener that turns your sauce into a luscious glaze that clings to the turkey and veggies.
- Orange zest: A lovely citrus twist that adds freshness and a hint of zing.
- Ground turkey: Lean, tender protein that absorbs the flavors beautifully.
- Sesame oil: Adds a toasty richness that elevates the stir fry’s overall flavor.
- Broccoli florets: Fresh or frozen, they provide crunch and vibrant green color.
- Small onion, diced: Offers sweetness and a slight bite when sautéed.
- Shredded carrots: Add color vibrancy and a subtle earthiness.
- Salt and pepper: To taste, enhancing all the other flavors without overpowering them.
How to Make Teriyaki Turkey Stir Fry Recipe
Step 1: Make the Teriyaki Sauce
Begin by combining 3/4 cup of water with soy sauce, garlic, fresh ginger, honey, and brown sugar in a small saucepan over medium heat. Let this mixture come to a gentle boil as the aromas start to fill your kitchen. Next, whisk together the remaining 1/4 cup of water with the cornstarch until smooth – this slurry will thicken your sauce nicely. Slowly pour this in, stirring constantly, and watch as your sauce transforms into a glossy, thick glaze. Finish it off by stirring in the zesty orange peel, adding a fresh citrus aroma that brightens the whole dish. Set your sauce aside as it cools slightly.
Step 2: Prepare the Stir Fry Base
Heat the toasted sesame oil in a large wok or skillet over medium-high heat. Start by sautéing the diced onion until it softens and becomes translucent, releasing a subtle sweetness. Then, add the ground turkey, breaking it apart with your spatula, and cook until it’s no longer pink and starts to brown just a bit for that extra flavor punch.
Step 3: Add the Vegetables
Throw in the broccoli florets and shredded carrots, stirring everything together for about 5 minutes until the vegetables are tender but still have a lovely crunch. This mix of textures is what makes the Teriyaki Turkey Stir Fry Recipe so exciting to eat – a perfect balance of softness and snap.
Step 4: Combine and Simmer
Turn the heat to low and gently stir in your homemade teriyaki sauce, coating every morsel of turkey and veggie goodness. Let it simmer for a couple more minutes so all those flavors meld beautifully, giving you that irresistible glaze that sticks to every bite.
How to Serve Teriyaki Turkey Stir Fry Recipe
Garnishes
A sprinkle of toasted sesame seeds or thinly sliced green onions adds not only a pop of color but also a delightful crunch and fresh flavor that lifts the dish. Fresh cilantro or chopped peanuts can also add a lovely twist, depending on what you like.
Side Dishes
Serving your Teriyaki Turkey Stir Fry Recipe over a fluffy bed of steamed jasmine rice or brown rice makes a comforting and filling meal. If you prefer something lighter, a simple side of quinoa or even cauliflower rice works beautifully to soak up that luscious sauce without overwhelming your palate.
Creative Ways to Present
For a fun dinner presentation, try serving the stir fry in crisp lettuce cups for a hand-held treat that’s both fresh and satisfying. You can also use the mixture as a filling for warm tortillas or flatbreads, turning it into a fusion-inspired wrap that’s perfect for lunches or on-the-go meals.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Your Teriyaki Turkey Stir Fry Recipe leftovers will keep well in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to three days. This is perfect for easy lunches or quick dinners without any loss of flavor or texture.
Freezing
If you want to keep it longer, freeze the stir fry in a freezer-safe container for up to two months. Just be sure to thaw it overnight in the fridge before reheating to maintain the best taste and texture.
Reheating
Reheat gently in a skillet over medium heat, adding a splash of water if the sauce has thickened too much. Stir occasionally until warmed through, preserving that perfect weight of sauce and tender veggies that make the dish so delightful.
FAQs
Can I use a different meat instead of ground turkey?
Absolutely! Ground chicken, pork, or even beef work well with this recipe. Just adjust cooking times as needed to ensure your meat is fully cooked but still tender.
Is it possible to make this recipe gluten-free?
Yes, simply swap out regular soy sauce for a gluten-free tamari or coconut aminos, and you’re good to go without compromising flavor.
Can I use fresh vegetables other than broccoli and carrots?
Definitely. Bell peppers, snap peas, mushrooms, or zucchini are all excellent alternatives that add different textures and flavors while keeping the dish vibrant.
How spicy is this Teriyaki Turkey Stir Fry Recipe?
This recipe leans toward sweet and savory rather than spicy, but you can always add a pinch of red pepper flakes or a dash of sriracha if you like a little heat.
What can I do if I don’t have cornstarch?
Arrowroot powder or potato starch are great one-to-one substitutes for thickening your sauce if you don’t have cornstarch on hand.
Final Thoughts
This Teriyaki Turkey Stir Fry Recipe is such a wonderful, quick, and delicious way to bring a bit of Asian-inspired magic to your dinner table. With its harmonious blend of flavors and textures, it’s sure to become a regular in your rotation. I encourage you to give it a try and watch how this humble, satisfying meal can brighten even the busiest of evenings.
Print
Teriyaki Turkey Stir Fry Recipe
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Diet: Low Fat
Description
This Teriyaki Turkey Stir Fry is a quick and flavorful weeknight dinner that combines lean ground turkey with fresh vegetables in a homemade tangy-sweet teriyaki sauce. Ready in just 30 minutes, this dish offers a balanced meal perfect for busy families seeking a healthy and delicious option.
Ingredients
Teriyaki Sauce
- 1/4 cup soy sauce
- 3 tablespoons brown sugar
- 3/4 cup water (divided)
- 2 tablespoons honey
- 3 garlic cloves, minced
- 1 teaspoon fresh ginger, grated or minced
- 2 tablespoons cornstarch
- 1 tablespoon orange zest
Main Stir Fry
- 1 pound ground turkey
- 2 teaspoons sesame oil
- 3 cups broccoli florets, fresh or frozen
- 1 small onion, small diced
- 1 cup shredded carrots
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Make the Teriyaki Sauce: In a small saucepan over medium heat, combine 3/4 cup water, soy sauce, minced garlic, grated ginger, honey, and brown sugar. Bring the mixture to a low boil while stirring occasionally.
- Thicken the Sauce: In a separate small bowl, whisk together 1/4 cup water and cornstarch until fully dissolved. Slowly pour this cornstarch mixture into the boiling sauce, whisking continuously until it thickens. Remove from heat and stir in the orange zest. Set the sauce aside.
- Cook the Vegetables: Heat the sesame oil in a wok or large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the diced onion and cook until it softens, about 2-3 minutes.
- Cook the Turkey: Add the ground turkey to the skillet with the onions and cook thoroughly, breaking it apart with a spatula until no longer pink.
- Add Vegetables: Stir in the broccoli florets and shredded carrots. Cook until the vegetables are tender-crisp, approximately 4-5 minutes.
- Combine with Sauce: Reduce the heat to medium-low, pour the prepared teriyaki sauce over the stir fry, and simmer for a few minutes until everything is well coated and heated through. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
- Serve: Serve the teriyaki turkey stir fry hot over steamed rice or your favorite side and enjoy!
Notes
- You can substitute ground turkey with ground chicken or lean pork if desired.
- For a gluten-free version, use tamari or gluten-free soy sauce.
- Adding bell peppers or snap peas can increase the vegetable variety.
- If fresh ginger is unavailable, 1/4 teaspoon ground ginger can be used instead.
- Leftovers store well in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Asian
