Meet my go-to weeknight dinner: juicy ground turkey glazed in a sweet-savory honey garlic sauce that clings to every bite. It’s pantry-friendly, fast, and downright cozy served over rice with a shower of green onions.
Why You’ll Love This Honey Garlic Ground Turkey Recipe
- Big flavor with simple pantry staples like honey, soy, and garlic
- Ready in about 30 minutes, perfect for busy nights
- Balanced sweet, salty, and garlicky sauce that caramelizes beautifully
- Versatile for bowls, lettuce wraps, noodles, or meal prep
- Easy to make gluten-free and kid-friendly
Honey Garlic Ground Turkey Recipe Ingredients & Substitutions
- 1.25 lb ground turkey, 93 percent lean recommended (swap: ground chicken or lean beef)
- 1 tbsp neutral oil (avocado, canola, or light olive oil)
- 4 cloves garlic, minced (or 1.5 tsp garlic powder in a pinch)
- 1 tsp fresh grated ginger, optional but lovely warmth (or 1/2 tsp ground ginger)
- 1/4 tsp crushed red pepper flakes, to taste
- 1/4 cup low-sodium soy sauce (swap: tamari for gluten-free or coconut aminos)
- 1/4 cup honey (swap: maple syrup for a different sweetness)
- 1 tbsp rice vinegar (swap: apple cider vinegar or 1 tbsp lime juice)
- 1 tsp toasted sesame oil for depth
- 1/3 cup water or low-sodium chicken broth
- 2 tsp cornstarch mixed with 2 tsp water to make a slurry (swap: arrowroot)
- 3 green onions, thinly sliced, divided
- 1 tsp sesame seeds for serving, optional
- Kosher salt and black pepper, to taste
Note: If using coconut aminos, reduce honey slightly since aminos are sweeter.
Step-by-Step Instructions to Make Honey Garlic Ground Turkey Recipe
1. Whisk the Honey Garlic Sauce
In a small bowl, whisk soy sauce, honey, rice vinegar, sesame oil, water, and red pepper flakes. Keep the cornstarch slurry separate for now.
2. Brown the Turkey
Heat oil in a large skillet over medium-high. Add ground turkey with a pinch of salt and pepper. Cook 5 to 7 minutes, breaking into crumbles, until no longer pink and lightly browned. Aim to get some caramelized bits for extra flavor.
3. Add Aromatics
Reduce heat to medium. Stir in minced garlic and ginger. Cook 30 to 60 seconds until fragrant, stirring to prevent burning.
4. Glaze the Meat
Pour in the honey garlic sauce. Stir to coat the turkey and simmer 2 minutes so flavors meld.
5. Thicken Silky-Smooth
Stir the cornstarch slurry, then add to the pan. Simmer 1 to 2 minutes, stirring, until glossy and thick enough to coat a spoon. If too thick, splash in water; if too thin, simmer another minute.
6. Finish and Serve
Stir in half the green onions. Taste and adjust salt, pepper, or heat. Ground turkey should be cooked to 165°F. Garnish with remaining green onions and sesame seeds. Serve hot.
Tips for Success
- Use a wide skillet so the turkey browns instead of steams.
- Let the meat sit undisturbed for a minute at a time to develop browned edges.
- Control sweetness by holding back 1 tbsp honey, then add to taste at the end.
- For extra gloss, simmer the sauce just until it coats the back of a spoon.
- Keep garlic golden, not dark. If the pan runs dry, add a splash of water.
Variations of Honey Garlic Ground Turkey Recipe
- Spicy Gochujang: Whisk in 1 to 2 tsp gochujang for a gentle kick.
- Orange Honey Garlic: Swap water for orange juice and add zest.
- Veggie-Packed: Add diced bell peppers, snap peas, or shredded carrots.
- Lettuce Wraps: Spoon into crisp butter lettuce with cucumber and herbs.
- Noodle Night: Toss with cooked rice noodles or soba.
Serving Suggestions: What to Pair with Honey Garlic Ground Turkey Recipe
- Steamed jasmine or brown rice, or cauliflower rice
- Garlic sautéed green beans or broccoli
- Quick cucumber salad with rice vinegar and sesame
- Sesame noodles or stir-fried cabbage
- Kimchi or pickled carrots for brightness
Storage & Reheating Instructions
- Fridge: Cool completely, then store up to 4 days in an airtight container.
- Freeze: Up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge.
- Reheat: Stovetop over medium with a splash of water until hot, or microwave covered in short bursts, stirring between. Heat to steaming throughout.
Memories Made Around the Table
This was my Tuesday night savior when my kids had back-to-back activities. I’d whisk the sauce during homework, brown the turkey after pickup, and dinner was on by the time shoes were off. Simple, reliable, and always scraped clean.
FAQs
Can I make this gluten-free? Yes. Use tamari or coconut aminos and confirm all ingredients are certified gluten-free.
What fat percentage of turkey works best? I like 93 percent lean for tenderness and browning. If using 99 percent, add 1 tsp extra oil and avoid overcooking.
How can I reduce the sweetness? Start with 3 tbsp honey, then add more to taste. Balance with an extra splash of vinegar or a squeeze of lime.
Can I double the recipe? Absolutely. Brown the turkey in batches so it sears nicely, then combine and sauce.
What veggies work well in the pan? Bell peppers, mushrooms, shredded carrots, zucchini, or baby spinach stirred in at the end.
Final Thoughts
Keep a pound of turkey and a jar of honey on hand and you’re never far from a cozy, glossy, flavor-packed dinner. I hope it earns a permanent spot in your weeknight rotation.
Honey Garlic Ground Turkey Recipe (30-Minute Dinner)
Equipment
- 1 Large Skillet
- 1 Small bowl
- 1 Whisk (optional)
- 1 Spatula or wooden spoon
Ingredients
Honey Garlic Sauce
- 0.25 cup low-sodium soy sauce
- 0.25 cup honey
- 1 tbsp rice vinegar
- 1 tsp toasted sesame oil
- 0.33 cup water or low-sodium chicken broth
- 0.25 tsp crushed red pepper flakes to taste
Turkey
- 1.25 lb ground turkey 93% lean recommended
- 1 tbsp neutral oil avocado, canola, or light olive oil
- 4 clove garlic minced
- 1 tsp fresh ginger grated, optional
- 2 tsp cornstarch for slurry
- 2 tsp water for slurry
- 3 green onions thinly sliced, divided
- 1 tsp sesame seeds for serving, optional
- Kosher salt and black pepper to taste
Instructions
Whisk the Honey Garlic Sauce
- In a small bowl, whisk together the soy sauce, honey, rice vinegar, sesame oil, water (or broth), and red pepper flakes. Set aside. Stir together the cornstarch and 2 tsp water in a separate bowl to make a slurry; keep it ready.
Cook the Turkey
- Heat the oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the ground turkey, season with a pinch of salt and pepper, and cook 5 to 7 minutes, breaking it into crumbles, until no longer pink and lightly browned with some caramelized bits.
- Reduce heat to medium. Stir in the minced garlic and ginger; cook 30 to 60 seconds, stirring, until fragrant.
- Pour in the honey garlic sauce and stir to coat the turkey. Simmer for about 2 minutes to meld flavors.
- Stir the cornstarch slurry, then add it to the pan. Simmer, stirring, 1 to 2 minutes until the sauce is glossy and thick enough to coat a spoon. If too thick, add a splash of water; if too thin, simmer another minute.
- Stir in half of the green onions. Taste and adjust salt, pepper, or heat. Cook ground turkey to 165°F. Garnish with remaining green onions and sesame seeds. Serve hot over rice or as desired.