Korean-Style Ground Turkey (Printable Version)

Flavorful Korean-inspired ground turkey with spicy-sweet sauce, garlic, ginger, and sesame seeds.

# Ingredient List:

→ Sauce

01 - 1/4 cup soy sauce, low sodium preferred
02 - 2 teaspoons cornstarch
03 - 1/2 tablespoon brown sugar, packed
04 - 1/2 teaspoon red chili flakes

→ Main

05 - 2 tablespoons sesame oil
06 - 2 cloves garlic, minced
07 - 1 tablespoon fresh ginger, grated
08 - 15 ounces ground turkey

→ Garnish

09 - 6 tablespoons fresh chives, chopped
10 - 2 tablespoons sesame seeds, toasted

# Directions:

01 - In a small bowl, whisk together soy sauce, cornstarch, brown sugar, and red chili flakes until cornstarch is fully dissolved. Set aside.
02 - Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add sesame oil. Once hot, add minced garlic and grated ginger; stir-fry for about 30 seconds until fragrant.
03 - Add ground turkey to the skillet. Cook, breaking it up with a spatula, until no longer pink and cooked through, approximately 5 to 7 minutes.
04 - Pour prepared soy sauce mixture into the skillet. Stir well to coat the turkey. Cook for 2 to 3 minutes on high heat, allowing the sauce to thicken and turn glossy. If sauce becomes too thick, add 1 tablespoon of water.
05 - Stir in chopped chives, reserving some for garnish. Remove from heat.
06 - Sprinkle with toasted sesame seeds and remaining chives. Serve hot over rice with steamed or sautéed vegetables.

# Expert Tips:

01 -
  • It comes together faster than delivery and tastes like you planned it all week.
  • The sweet, spicy, nutty sauce clings to every bite and makes plain rice feel like a treat.
  • You probably have most of these ingredients already, and the ones you dont are worth keeping around.
  • Leftovers reheat beautifully and somehow taste even better the next day.
02 -
  • If the sauce gets too thick and starts to stick, add a tablespoon of water and stir, it loosens right back up.
  • Don't walk away during the garlic and ginger step, they burn fast and turn bitter if you're not watching.
  • Taste before serving and adjust the heat or salt, every brand of soy sauce is a little different.
03 -
  • Use a hot skillet and don't crowd the pan, that's how you get a good sear instead of steamed, gray meat.
  • Toast your sesame seeds in a dry pan for a minute or two before adding them, it wakes up their flavor completely.
  • If you're doubling the recipe, work in batches so the turkey browns properly instead of simmering in its own liquid.
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