Ingredients
For the Stir-Fry:
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 pound ground turkey
- 1 large onion, sliced
- 2 bell peppers (any color), sliced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon ginger, minced
- 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
- 1 cup sliced mushrooms (optional)
For the Sauce:
- 1/4 cup soy sauce (low sodium preferred)
- 2 tablespoons honey or maple syrup
- 1 tablespoon rice vinegar
- 1 tablespoon cornstarch
- 2 tablespoons water
- 1 teaspoon sesame oil
Optional Garnishes:
- Sesame seeds
- Chopped green onions
- Cooked rice or quinoa, for serving
Why You’ll Love This Ground Turkey Stir-Fry
This isn’t just another stir-fry recipe; it’s a powerhouse of flavor and nutrition, making it one of my go-to healthy turkey recipes. Ground turkey is a fantastic lean protein source, and the bell peppers are loaded with vitamins. What makes this stir-fry special is the perfectly balanced sauce that’s both sweet and savory, creating a delightful experience with every bite. Plus, it’s incredibly versatile! You can easily swap out veggies or add your favorites to customize it to your liking.Ingredient Substitutions and Variations
Don’t have all the ingredients on hand? No problem! Here are some easy substitutions you can make:- Ground Turkey: Feel free to use ground chicken or even crumbled tofu if you prefer a vegetarian option.
- Bell Peppers: Any color works great, or try using other vegetables like broccoli florets, snap peas, or zucchini.
- Soy Sauce: Coconut aminos are a great gluten-free alternative to soy sauce.
- Honey/Maple Syrup: Brown sugar or agave nectar can be used as a substitute for sweetness.
- Rice Vinegar: Apple cider vinegar or white wine vinegar can be used in a pinch.
Step-by-Step Instructions
Get Started:
- In a small bowl, whisk together the soy sauce, honey (or maple syrup), rice vinegar, cornstarch, water, and sesame oil. Set aside. This ensures the sauce is ready to go when you need it!
Cook the Ground Turkey:
- Heat the olive oil in a large skillet or wok over medium-high heat. Add the ground turkey and cook, breaking it up with a spoon, until it’s browned and cooked through. This usually takes about 5-7 minutes. Drain any excess grease.
Sauté the Vegetables:
- Add the sliced onion and bell peppers to the skillet with the cooked turkey. Cook, stirring occasionally, until the vegetables are tender-crisp, about 5-7 minutes.
Add Garlic and Ginger:
- Stir in the minced garlic, ginger, and red pepper flakes (if using). Cook for another minute until fragrant. Be careful not to burn the garlic!
Combine and Simmer:
- Pour the prepared sauce over the turkey and vegetables. Bring to a simmer, stirring constantly, until the sauce thickens, about 1-2 minutes.
Serve and Enjoy:
- Remove from heat and garnish with sesame seeds and chopped green onions, if desired. Serve hot over rice or quinoa.
Tips for the Perfect Stir-Fry
- Don’t overcrowd the pan: Overcrowding can lower the temperature of the pan and result in steamed, rather than stir-fried, vegetables. Cook in batches if necessary.
- Prepare ingredients ahead of time: Stir-fries cook quickly, so it’s important to have all your ingredients prepped and ready to go before you start cooking.
- Use high heat: High heat helps to sear the ingredients and create that signature stir-fry flavor.
- Stir constantly: Stirring ensures that the ingredients cook evenly and prevent burning.
- Adjust the sauce to your liking: Taste the sauce before adding it to the stir-fry and adjust the sweetness, saltiness, or spiciness to your preference.
Making It a Health Dinner
One of the best things about this Ground Turkey And Peppers Stir-Fry is that it’s a fantastic option for a healthy dinner. It’s packed with lean protein from the ground turkey and plenty of vitamins and antioxidants from the bell peppers. To make it even healthier, consider using brown rice or quinoa as a base instead of white rice. You can also add extra vegetables like broccoli, carrots, or spinach to boost the nutritional content even further. I often incorporate this into my meal prep routine for a quick and satisfying weeknight meal. You can also explore Ground Turkey And Zucchini Skillet for another great option.Serving Suggestions
This Ground Turkey And Peppers Stir-Fry is delicious on its own, but here are a few serving suggestions to elevate your meal:- With Rice or Quinoa: Serve it over a bed of fluffy rice or nutritious quinoa for a complete meal.
- In Lettuce Wraps: For a low-carb option, serve the stir-fry in crisp lettuce cups.
- With Noodles: Toss it with your favorite noodles, such as egg noodles or rice noodles.
- As a Topping: Use it as a topping for baked potatoes or sweet potatoes.
Storing and Reheating Leftovers
Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. To reheat, simply microwave until heated through, or reheat in a skillet over medium heat. You may need to add a splash of water or broth to prevent it from drying out.Other Ground Turkey Recipes Healthy to Try
If you love this Ground Turkey And Peppers Stir-Fry, you’ll definitely want to try some of my other favorite ground turkey recipes healthy. Ground turkey is so versatile and can be used in countless dishes. Here are a few suggestions:- Ground Turkey Tacos: Season ground turkey with taco seasoning and use it to make delicious and healthy tacos. Load them up with your favorite toppings like salsa, guacamole, and sour cream.
- Ground Turkey Meatloaf: Make a healthier version of meatloaf using ground turkey instead of ground beef. Add plenty of vegetables and herbs for flavor.
- Ground Turkey Chili: A hearty and comforting chili made with ground turkey, beans, and plenty of spices.
- You might also enjoy Tex Mex Chicken And Zucchini Skillet, Sausage And Cabbage Stir Fry, or even Southwest Skillet for more skillet inspiration. Don’t forget to also explore Chicken Zucchini Stir Fry and Savory Garlic Butter Chicken With Zucchini & Corn for similar tasty meals.
Nutritional Information (Approximate)
(Per serving, based on 4 servings)- Calories: 350-400
- Protein: 30-35g
- Fat: 15-20g
- Carbohydrates: 20-25g
Final Thoughts
This Ground Turkey And Peppers Stir-Fry is truly a weeknight winner. It’s quick, easy, and packed with flavor and nutrients. I hope you give this recipe a try and make it your own by adding your favorite vegetables and spices. Whether you’re looking for healthy turkey recipes or just a delicious and satisfying meal, this stir-fry is sure to become a new favorite! Enjoy!What are some ingredient substitutions I can make if I don’t have everything on hand?
If you don’t have ground turkey, you can use ground chicken or crumbled tofu. For bell peppers, try broccoli florets, snap peas, or zucchini. Coconut aminos are a gluten-free alternative to soy sauce. Brown sugar or agave can replace honey/maple syrup, and apple cider vinegar or white wine vinegar can substitute for rice vinegar.
How should I store and reheat leftovers of the Ground Turkey and Peppers Stir-Fry?
Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. Reheat in the microwave or in a skillet over medium heat, adding a splash of water or broth if it seems dry.
What are some serving suggestions for the Ground Turkey and Peppers Stir-Fry?
You can serve the stir-fry with rice or quinoa, in lettuce wraps for a low-carb option, with noodles, or as a topping for baked potatoes or sweet potatoes.
What makes this ground turkey stir-fry a healthy meal choice?
This stir-fry is a healthy option because it’s packed with lean protein from the ground turkey and vitamins and antioxidants from the bell peppers. You can make it even healthier by using brown rice or quinoa.
Ground Turkey and Bell Pepper Stir-Fry
This Ground Turkey and Bell Pepper Stir-Fry is a quick, healthy, and flavorful meal perfect for weeknights. It features savory ground turkey and vibrant bell peppers coated in a delicious sweet and savory sauce, served over rice or noodles for a complete and satisfying dinner.
Equipment
- Large Skillet or Wok
- Spoon
- Small bowl
- Whisk
- Measuring spoons
- Measuring cups
- Cutting board
- Knife
Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 pound ground turkey
- 1 large onion, sliced
- 2 bell peppers any color
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon ginger, minced
- ½ teaspoon red pepper flakes optional
- 1 cup sliced mushrooms optional
- ¼ cup soy sauce low sodium preferred
- 2 tablespoons honey or maple syrup
- 1 tablespoon rice vinegar
- 1 tablespoon cornstarch
- 2 tablespoons water
- 1 teaspoon sesame oil
- Sesame seeds, for garnish optional
- Chopped green onions, for garnish optional
- Cooked rice or quinoa, for serving optional
Instructions
- In a small bowl, whisk together the soy sauce, honey (or maple syrup), rice vinegar, cornstarch, water, and sesame oil. Set aside.
- Heat the olive oil in a large skillet or wok over medium-high heat.
- Add the ground turkey and cook, breaking it up with a spoon, until it’s browned and cooked through, about 5-7 minutes. Drain any excess grease.
- Add the sliced onion and bell peppers to the skillet with the cooked turkey.
- Cook, stirring occasionally, until the vegetables are tender-crisp, about 5-7 minutes.
- Stir in the minced garlic, ginger, and red pepper flakes (if using).
- Cook for another minute until fragrant.
- Pour the prepared sauce over the turkey and vegetables.
- Bring to a simmer, stirring constantly, until the sauce thickens, about 1-2 minutes.
- Remove from heat and garnish with sesame seeds and chopped green onions, if desired.
- Serve hot over rice or quinoa.
Notes
Don’t overcrowd the pan; cook in batches if necessary. Prepare ingredients ahead of time. Use high heat for best results. Stir constantly to cook ingredients evenly. Adjust the sauce to your liking. Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. Reheat in the microwave or skillet with a splash of water or broth.
