Stir-fry ground turkey with broccoli and peas in teriyaki sauce is quick and easy to make. Dinner is ready in less than 20 minutes. Only 8 ingredients are needed for this affordable meal. Save this “dump and cook” recipe for those nights when you’re hungry and want something to be fuss-free.
As a busy mom I’m always looking for quick healthy weeknight meals to feed my family. One recipe that has become a regular rotation is ground turkey stir fry with broccoli. It comes together in just 30 minutes with simple ingredients I typically have on hand.
The magic of this stir fry lies in the flavorful homemade sauce. It adds a tasty punch that takes ordinary ground turkey from bland to brand new. I’ll share my easy sauce recipe, along with tips for making irresistible turkey and broccoli stir fry that I’ve learned over the years.
Why Ground Turkey and Broccoli Make an Ideal Stir Fry Combo
There are a few key reasons why ground turkey and broccoli pair so well together in stir fry:
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Quick cooking time: Both turkey and broccoli cook fast, so dinner is ready in under 30 minutes.
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Lean protein: Ground turkey provides a lean, low-fat protein option. Go for 93% lean or 99% fat-free.
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Nutritious veggie: Broccoli packs vitamins, minerals and fiber. It stays crisp-tender in a stir fry.
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Kid-friendly ingredients: Most kids will gobble up this combo! It appeals to picky eaters.
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Budget-friendly meal: Ground turkey and frozen broccoli won’t break the bank.
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Easy to customize: Add other quick-cooking veggies like carrots, peppers or snap peas.
With ground turkey and broccoli, you’ve got an easy, nutritious stir fry base. Now let’s talk sauce!
How to Make Simple yet Delicious Stir Fry Sauce
The sauce brings this turkey and broccoli stir fry to life. You likely have all the ingredients on hand:
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Water for the sauce base. Chicken or vegetable broth also works.
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Soy sauce for salty flavor. I use low-sodium.
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Brown sugar adds a subtle sweetness.
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Ground ginger gives it a little kick. Fresh grated ginger is even better.
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Cornstarch thickens the sauce so it nicely coats the ingredients.
Just combine the sauce ingredients and stir thoroughly until the cornstarch dissolves. Pour the sauce into the pan with the cooked turkey and broccoli, and simmer until thickened.
Tip: For spicy stir fry, add a pinch of red pepper flakes. Oyster sauce or sesame oil lend an Asian flair.
Step-By-Step Instructions for Making Ground Turkey Stir Fry
Here is a simple step-by-step method for making flavorful ground turkey and broccoli stir fry:
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Cook ground turkey in a skillet over medium-high heat. Break up the meat as it cooks until no longer pink. Drain excess fat.
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Cook broccoli and onions in the same pan with oil for 3-5 minutes until crisp-tender.
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Make the stir fry sauce by combining the ingredients while the veggies cook.
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Add cooked turkey back to the pan and pour in the sauce. Cook for 1-2 minutes until thickened.
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Serve the stir fry over rice to soak up the tasty sauce!
It comes together quickly once your prep is done. Be sure to stir frequently to prevent burning.
Handy Tips for Ground Turkey and Broccoli Stir Fry Success
Through many rounds of making this stir fry, I’ve picked up helpful tips for making it perfect every time:
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Use fresh broccoli florets for best texture. Thaw frozen broccoli first if using.
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Cut broccoli and other veggies into small, uniform pieces so they cook evenly.
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Heat the pan well before adding oil to prevent sticking. Use a nonstick pan if you have one.
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Break up ground turkey thoroughly as it cooks. Try a masher for smaller crumbles.
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Make the sauce while veggies cook to maximize efficiency.
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Add corn starch slowly to prevent sauce clumps. Stir constantly.
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Simmer sauce for 1-2 minutes until thickened before adding turkey.
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Cook over high heat for crisp-tender veggies and fully cooked turkey.
Follow these tips and you’ll have restaurant-worthy ground turkey and broccoli stir fry in no time!
Fun Ways to Customize Your Turkey Broccoli Stir Fry
Once you master the basics, try these fun ways to change up your ground turkey and broccoli stir fry:
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Swap in ground chicken, pork, beef or plant-based meat.
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Use ginger paste or fresh grated ginger for extra zing.
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Add sliced water chestnuts or baby corn for crunch.
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Use peanut or sesame oil for nutty flavor.
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Mix in sliced mushrooms, bell peppers or snap peas.
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Top with chopped peanuts, sesame seeds or green onions.
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Serve over rice noodles or pasta instead of rice.
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Flavor your rice with coconut milk and cilantro.
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Stuff the stir fry into lettuce wrap cups.
With endless variations, you’ll never get bored with ground turkey and broccoli stir fry!
Freezer-Friendly Instructions for Leftover Stir Fry
Like any stir fry, these turkey and broccoli leftovers freeze exceptionally well. Here’s how to do it:
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Let the stir fry cool completely before freezing.
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Portion into reusable containers or freezer bags. Leave 1-inch headspace.
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Label with contents and freeze date.
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Freeze for up to 3 months.
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Thaw in the refrigerator before reheating.
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Reheat gently over medium-low heat until heated through.
Freezing is great for ready-made meals when you don’t feel like cooking. Just be sure to consume any leftover fresh broccoli within 3-5 days.
A Healthy, Easy Dinner That Satisfies!
When I’m crunched for time but need a healthy dinner on the table fast, this ground turkey and broccoli stir fry is my go-to. With its lean protein, nutritious veggies and easy homemade sauce, it checks all the boxes. The ingredients are simple and affordable, and the method is quick. Even picky kids gobble it up! I hope you enjoy this flavorful 30-minute meal as much as my family does.
How To Store Leftovers
- In a container that keeps air out, leftovers can be kept in the fridge for up to three to four days.
- You can also put this recipe in a freezer bag and freeze it for up to three months. To serve, thaw the recipe in the fridge overnight and then heat it up in the oven or microwave.
Making teriyaki sauce at home is easy. All you need is 1 cup of water, 1/4 cup of soy sauce (or coconut aminos), 2 tablespoons of brown sugar, 1/2 teaspoon of garlic powder, 1 tablespoon of ground ginger, 2 tablespoons of corn starch, and 1/4 cup of cold water.
Mix soy sauce, 1 cup water, brown sugar, ginger and garlic powder in a small bowl. Heat in a small saucepan until sugar dissolves stirring often (so sugar doesn’t burn). Add 1/4 cup cold water and cornstarch to a bowl and mix together. Pour into the pan and stir often until the sauce thickens. Remove from heat and add to the ground turkey teriyaki stir fry.
Teriyaki Ground Turkey Recipe Overview
This recipe is a delicious combination of sweet and savory, all thanks to the teriyaki sauce. I love this meal because it’s budget-friendly and convenient. When you need to feed a hungry family, pre-made sauces are a great way to save time and keep things simple.
First, the ground turkey is cooked in a skillet with diced onion and garlic. Then the broccoli, shredded carrots and peas are all added and cooked until tender. Mixed with a sweet teriyaki sauce from the store and put on a bed of rice for a full meal. It’s an easy one-bowl dinner idea that the whole family will love.
Turkey ground is leaner and better for you than beef ground. It’s great in stir-fry recipes like my favorite healthy turkey sweet potato skillet.
- 1 Tbsp olive oil
- 3 garlic cloves – minced
- 1 ½ cups chopped white onion
- 1 lb lean ground turkey
- 1 cup shredded carrots
- 2 cups broccoli florets – chopped small
- 1 cup frozen peas
- 1 ½ cups teriyaki sauce
- 4 cups cooked rice – to serve with (optional)
HEALTHY GROUND TURKEY And BROCCOLI Stir-Fry || KendraCookingTyme
FAQ
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