Ingredients

1 lb ground turkey

1 Tbsp sesame oil (or favorite cooking oil)

2-3 garlic cloves (minced)

2 tsp grated ginger

½ tsp smoked paprika

½ tsp onion powder

3 Tbsp soy sauce (low sodium)

1-2 Tbsp sriracha

2-3 Tbsp chicken broth

2 tsp honey

½ tsp black pepper

½ tsp sea salt (more or less to taste)

2 tsp corn starch

½ cup mayonnaise

3 Tbsp sweet chili sauce

½-1 Tbsp sriracha (for bang bang sauce, adjust to taste)

1 tsp rice vinegar

2 tsp honey (for bang bang sauce)

Rice, shredded carrots, sliced cucumbers, shelled edamame, pickled onions, avocado, shredded cabbage, sliced green onion, sesame seeds, and more for serving

Instructions

Step 1: Prep the Bang Bang Sauce by combining mayonnaise, sweet chili sauce, sriracha, rice vinegar, and honey in a small bowl. Whisk well until smooth. Adjust the spice and sweetness by adding more sriracha or honey as desired. Chill the sauce until ready to serve.

Step 2: Heat sesame oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the ground turkey and break it into smaller pieces with a spatula. Cook until browned and no longer pink, about 5-7 minutes, reaching an internal temperature of 165°F.

Step 3: Reduce the heat to medium-low. Stir in minced garlic, grated ginger, smoked paprika, onion powder, soy sauce, sriracha, chicken broth, honey, black pepper, and sea salt. Simmer the mixture for 2-3 minutes, stirring occasionally.

Step 4: Sprinkle the corn starch over the turkey mixture and stir well to thicken the sauce. Just before serving, you can stir in about 2 tablespoons of the bang bang sauce into the meat for extra flavor, if you like.

Step 5: Assemble the rice bowls by layering cooked rice and your choice of fresh veggies such as shredded carrots, cucumbers, edamame, pickled onions, avocado, shredded cabbage, and green onions. Spoon the warm turkey mixture over the rice, drizzle with more bang bang sauce, and garnish with sesame seeds.

Tips & Variations

Use ground chicken or pork instead of turkey for a different flavor.

Feel free to swap soy sauce with tamari or coconut aminos for a gluten-free option.

For more heat, add extra sriracha to both the meat mixture and the bang bang sauce.

Add fresh lime juice or chopped cilantro to the bowls for a bright, fresh touch.

Make the sauce ahead of time to let the flavors meld and save prep time later.

FAQs

Can I make this recipe gluten-free?

Yes, use gluten-free soy sauce alternatives like tamari or coconut aminos to keep the dish gluten-free.

Can I prepare this dish in advance?

Absolutely! Cook the turkey mixture and prepare the bang bang sauce ahead of time. Store them separately and assemble the bowls just before serving to keep the vegetables fresh.