Korean-Style Ground Turkey Stir-Fry Recipe
Introduction
This Korean-style ground turkey recipe is a quick and flavorful dish perfect for weeknight dinners. Packed with savory, sweet, and spicy notes, it brings a delicious twist to lean ground turkey. Serve it over rice and vegetables for a complete meal.

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
Instructions
- Step 1: In a small bowl, combine soy sauce, cornstarch, brown sugar, and red chili flakes. Mix well until the cornstarch is fully dissolved and set the mixture aside.
- Step 2: Heat sesame oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add minced garlic and grated ginger, stirring until fragrant, about 1 minute.
- Step 3: Add the ground turkey to the skillet. Break it apart with a spoon and cook until it loses its raw pink color, stirring frequently.
- Step 4: Pour the soy sauce mixture over the cooked turkey. Increase the heat to high and cook for 2 more minutes, stirring constantly until the sauce thickens and becomes golden brown. If the sauce gets too thick, add 1 tablespoon of water to loosen it.
- Step 5: Stir in most of the chopped chives, reserving some for garnish. Turn off the heat.
- Step 6: Sprinkle the dish with sesame seeds and remaining chives before serving. Enjoy with steamed rice and your favorite vegetables.
Tips & Variations
- For extra heat, increase the amount of red chili flakes or add a dash of gochujang (Korean chili paste).
- Swap chives with green onions for a milder onion flavor.
- Try adding finely diced carrots or bell peppers for added texture and color.
- If you prefer a gluten-free version, use tamari instead of soy sauce.
Storage
Store leftover ground turkey in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat gently in a skillet over medium heat or microwave until warmed through. To prevent drying out, add a splash of water or broth when reheating.
How to Serve

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.
FAQs
Can I use ground chicken instead of ground turkey?
Yes, ground chicken can be used as a substitute. It has a similar texture and will absorb the flavors well. Cook it the same way as the turkey.
Is this recipe spicy?
The recipe has a mild to moderate spice level depending on how much chili flakes you add. You can adjust the heat to your preference or omit the chili flakes altogether for a milder dish.
Print
Korean-Style Ground Turkey Stir-Fry Recipe
- Total Time: 22 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
Description
This Korean-Style Ground Turkey recipe is a quick and flavorful dish featuring tender ground turkey cooked with aromatic garlic, ginger, and a savory soy sauce-based glaze with a hint of sweetness and spice. Garnished with toasted sesame seeds and fresh chives, it makes a perfect high-protein meal served over rice and vegetables.
Ingredients
Sauce Mixture
- 1/4 cup soy sauce
- 2 tsp cornstarch
- 1/2 tbsp brown sugar (packed)
- 1/2 tsp red chili flakes (or to taste)
Main Ingredients
- 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
Instructions
- Prepare the Sauce: In a small bowl, combine the soy sauce, cornstarch, brown sugar, and red chili flakes. Stir well until the cornstarch is fully dissolved and set the mixture aside for later use.
- Sauté Aromatics and Cook Turkey: Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat and drizzle in the sesame oil. Add the minced garlic and grated ginger to the skillet and sauté until fragrant, about 30 seconds to 1 minute. Add the ground turkey to the skillet, breaking it into small chunks with a spatula, and cook until it loses its raw pink color, approximately 5-6 minutes.
- Add Sauce and Chives: Pour the prepared soy sauce mixture over the cooked turkey, stirring continuously to coat the meat evenly. Maintain high heat and cook for 2 more minutes until the sauce thickens, turns golden brown, and becomes aromatic. If the sauce thickens too much, add 1 tablespoon of water to loosen it. Stir in most of the chopped chives, reserving some for garnish, then turn off the heat.
- Garnish and Serve: Sprinkle toasted sesame seeds over the turkey and garnish with the remaining chopped chives. Serve hot alongside steamed rice and fresh vegetables for a complete meal.
Notes
- You can adjust the amount of red chili flakes to match your preferred spice level.
- For a gluten-free version, substitute soy sauce with tamari or coconut aminos.
- Ensure to break the ground turkey into small pieces while cooking for even browning and texture.
- Adding a splash of water helps to manage sauce thickness to your preference.
- To toast sesame seeds, simply heat them in a dry pan over medium heat until lightly golden and fragrant.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 12 minutes
- Category: Main Dish
- Method: Frying
- Cuisine: Korean
Keywords: Korean ground turkey recipe, spicy turkey, sesame turkey, quick turkey recipe, Korean-style ground meat

