Honey Garlic Ground Turkey is a weeknight dinner dream, offering a quick, flavorful, and wholesome meal that’s incredibly versatile and perfect for busy schedules. This recipe delivers a satisfying balance of sweet and savory, making it a go-to for families and individuals alike.
Key Ingredients for Honey Garlic Ground Turkey
- 1 pound ground turkey (preferably 85% lean or 93% lean)
- 1 tablespoon olive oil or your preferred cooking oil
- 1 medium yellow onion, finely chopped
- 2-3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1/2 cup low-sodium soy sauce or tamari (for gluten-free)
- 1/4 cup honey
- 2 tablespoons rice vinegar (or apple cider vinegar)
- 1 teaspoon grated fresh ginger (optional, but highly recommended)
- 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional, for a touch of heat)
- 2 tablespoons cornstarch mixed with 2 tablespoons cold water (for thickening the sauce)
- Cooked rice, for serving
- Toasted sesame seeds, for garnish (optional)
- Chopped fresh green onions, for garnish (optional)
How to Make Honey Garlic Ground Turkey
This Honey Garlic Ground Turkey recipe is a testament to how simple ingredients can create an explosion of flavor. In just under 30 minutes, you can whip up a dish that’s both delicious and deeply satisfying, featuring a wonderfully savory glaze that clings perfectly to tender ground turkey. Its ease of preparation makes it an ideal choice for any night of the week when you’re craving something flavorful without the fuss.
Step-by-Step Instructions
- Step 1: Prepare the Sauce Base. In a small bowl, whisk together the soy sauce (or tamari), honey, rice vinegar, grated ginger (if using), and red pepper flakes (if using). Set aside. This combination will create the signature sweet and savory glaze.
- Step 2: Sauté the Aromatics. Heat the olive oil in a large skillet or pan over medium-high heat. Add the finely chopped yellow onion and cook, stirring occasionally, until softened and translucent, about 4-5 minutes. Then, add the minced garlic and cook for another minute until fragrant, being careful not to burn it.
- Step 3: Cook the Ground Turkey. Add the ground turkey to the skillet with the onions and garlic. Break up the turkey with a spoon and cook, stirring, until it’s browned and cooked through. Drain off any excess grease if necessary, especially if you’re using a leaner variety of turkey.
- Step 4: Add the Sauce. Pour the prepared honey garlic sauce mixture over the cooked ground turkey. Stir well to coat the turkey evenly. Let the mixture simmer for about 2-3 minutes, allowing the flavors to meld together.
- Step 5: Thicken the Sauce. In a separate small bowl, whisk together the cornstarch and cold water until smooth, creating a slurry. Slowly pour this cornstarch slurry into the simmering turkey mixture while stirring constantly. Continue to cook and stir for another 1-2 minutes, or until the sauce has thickened to your desired consistency. It should be glossy and coat the back of a spoon.
- Step 6: Serve. Remove the skillet from the heat. Serve the Honey Garlic Ground Turkey immediately over steaming hot cooked rice. Garnish with toasted sesame seeds and chopped fresh green onions, if desired, for added flavor and visual appeal.
Why You’ll Love This Honey Garlic Ground Turkey
You’ll adore this Honey Garlic Ground Turkey for its beautifully balanced sweet and savory glaze that coats every tender morsel of lean protein, offering a truly addictive flavor profile. This dish is significantly more budget-friendly than ordering takeout, proving that delicious, homemade meals don’t have to break the bank, and what truly sets it apart are the aromatic ginger and a touch of chili for a hint of warmth, elevating it beyond a simple weeknight stir-fry. It’s a far more satisfying and healthy alternative to less wholesome options like fried chicken, offering a lighter yet equally flavorful experience that will have you coming back for seconds.
Give this delightful Honey Garlic Ground Turkey a try; it’s a fantastic way to introduce more flavor and goodness into your weekly meal rotation without sacrificing precious time. Your taste buds (and your wallet) will thank you for this quick, easy, and incredibly delicious homemade creation!
Storing and Reheating Tips
Properly storing your delicious Honey Garlic Ground Turkey is key to enjoying its flavors for days to come. Once cooled to room temperature, transfer any leftovers to an airtight container and refrigerate. It will stay fresh in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. To reheat, you can gently warm it in a skillet over medium-low heat, stirring occasionally, until heated through. Alternatively, you can microwave individual portions in a microwave-safe dish for 1-2 minutes, or until hot. For longer storage, you can freeze the Honey Garlic Ground Turkey in freezer-safe bags or containers for up to 2-3 months. Thaw it in the refrigerator overnight before reheating.
Final Thoughts
This Honey Garlic Ground Turkey is a testament to simple ingredients creating extraordinary flavor, perfect for saving time and money on busy nights. We wholeheartedly encourage you to whip up this easy and incredibly satisfying dish at home – it’s a true weeknight winner!
try also :
- Lentil and Sweet Potato Salad
- Cranberry Brie Bites
- Crispy Sweet Potato Bites
- Matcha Cake Recipe
- find more in Pinterest

Honey Garlic Ground Turkey
Ingredients
Equipment
Method
- In a small bowl, whisk together the soy sauce (or tamari), honey, rice vinegar, grated ginger (if using), and red pepper flakes (if using). Set aside. This combination will create the signature sweet and savory glaze.1/2 cup low-sodium soy sauce or tamari (for gluten-free), 1/4 cup honey, 2 tablespoons rice vinegar (or apple cider vinegar), 1 teaspoon grated fresh ginger, 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes
- Heat the olive oil in a large skillet or pan over medium-high heat. Add the finely chopped yellow onion and cook, stirring occasionally, until softened and translucent, about 4-5 minutes. Then, add the minced garlic and cook for another minute until fragrant, being careful not to burn it.1 tablespoon olive oil or your preferred cooking oil, 1 medium yellow onion, 2-3 cloves garlic
- Add the ground turkey to the skillet with the onions and garlic. Break up the turkey with a spoon and cook, stirring, until it’s browned and cooked through. Drain off any excess grease if necessary, especially if you’re using a leaner variety of turkey.ground turkey, 1 medium yellow onion, 2-3 cloves garlic
- Pour the prepared honey garlic sauce mixture over the cooked ground turkey. Stir well to coat the turkey evenly. Let the mixture simmer for about 2-3 minutes, allowing the flavors to meld together.ground turkey
- In a separate small bowl, whisk together the cornstarch and cold water until smooth, creating a slurry. Slowly pour this cornstarch slurry into the simmering turkey mixture while stirring constantly. Continue to cook and stir for another 1-2 minutes, or until the sauce has thickened to your desired consistency. It should be glossy and coat the back of a spoon.2 tablespoons cornstarch, 2 tablespoons cold water, ground turkey
- Remove the skillet from the heat. Serve the Honey Garlic Ground Turkey immediately over steaming hot cooked rice. Garnish with toasted sesame seeds and chopped fresh green onions, if desired, for added flavor and visual appeal.Cooked rice, Toasted sesame seeds, Chopped fresh green onions