Korean Ground Turkey That Hits Every Flavor Note (Sweet, Spicy, Umami)
A Korean-inspired ground turkey recipe that’s quick, flavorful, and perfect for weeknight dinners. It features a sweet, spicy, and savory sauce that clings to crumbled turkey, ideal over rice or in wraps.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings
- Category: Dinner, Main Dish
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American, Korean
- Diet: Low Fat
Ingredients
- 1/4 cup soy sauce
- 2 tsp cornstarch
- 1/2 tbsp brown sugar, packed
- 1/2 tsp red chili flakes (or to taste)
- 2 tbsp sesame oil
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tbsp fresh ginger, grated
- 15 oz (450g) ground turkey
- 6 tbsp chives, chopped
- 2 tbsp sesame seeds
- 1 tbsp water (optional, for thinning sauce)
Instructions
- In a small bowl, combine soy sauce, cornstarch, brown sugar, and chili flakes. Whisk until the cornstarch is dissolved and set aside.
- Heat sesame oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add garlic and ginger, cooking until fragrant, about 1 minute.
- Add the ground turkey to the skillet. Break it into small chunks and cook for 7–10 minutes, or until the meat is no longer pink.
- Pour in the soy sauce mixture and cook over high heat for 2 more minutes, stirring to coat the turkey. Add 1 tbsp water if the sauce is too thick.
- Stir in most of the chopped chives, reserving some for garnish, and turn off the heat.
- Sprinkle with sesame seeds and garnish with the remaining chives. Serve hot with rice and vegetables.
Notes
- Use tamari for a gluten-free version.
- Ground chicken or pork can be substituted for turkey.
- Serve with steamed vegetables like broccoli, spinach, or carrots.
- Store leftovers in the fridge for up to 4 days or freeze for up to 3 months.