This Ground Turkey Stir Fry is made with lean turkey, fresh veggies, and a flavorful stir-fry sauce—high-protein and so delicious!
Ground Turkey Stir Fry
This recipe is all about enjoying a filling meal without lots of calories. Some foods, like veggies, let you eat more while staying within your goals. For example, 3 cucumbers, 2 heads of lettuce, or 3 carrots have the same calories as 1 tablespoon of peanut butter!
This stir fry is perfect if you’re watching calories or macros but still want a hearty, flavorful meal. It’s quick, great for meal prep, and perfect for busy nights—and my kids are obsessed with it too!
Quick Tip
I love using ground turkey as a ground beef replacement; some favorite recipes: Turkey Chili, Turkey Sloppy Joes, or this Ground Turkey Sweet Potato Skillet.
Ingredients
Here’s what you’ll need to make this Ground Turkey Stir Fry:
- Cabbage: Use green cabbage or save time with pre-shredded coleslaw mix.
- Zucchini: Grate on the large holes of a box grater for quick prep.
- Green Onions: Use whites for cooking and greens as a garnish.
- Ginger and Garlic: Ginger paste and pre-minced garlic save time.
- Carrots: Pre-shredded matchstick carrots save time.
- Oil: Canola or vegetable oil keeps the dish light and neutral.
- Ground Turkey: Choose lean 93/7 turkey for good flavor and less fat.
- Soy Sauce: Use regular (not lite) soy sauce for more flavor.
- Sesame Oil: Toasted sesame oil adds depth and richness.
- Sriracha: Adjust to taste for the right amount of heat.
- Brown Sugar: Light brown sugar balances everything out nicely.
Quick Tip
For a thicker, velvety sauce, whisk 2 teaspoons of cornstarch with the soy sauce before adding the other sauce ingredients.
How To Make Ground Turkey Stir Fry
- Prep Veggies: Slice cabbage, grate zucchini, slice green onions, and prepare ginger and garlic.
- Cook Turkey: Heat oil, cook turkey with garlic, ginger, salt, and pepper. Drain extra liquid if needed.
- Make Sauce: Mix soy sauce, sesame oil, Sriracha, and brown sugar.
- Cook Veggies: Add cabbage and carrots; cook until softened. Add zucchini, green onions, and sauce; stir to combine.
- Serve: Remove from heat, garnish with green onions, and enjoy!
Ground Turkey Stir Fry Tips
- Use a large skillet or wok: This recipe has a lot of volume, so a 12-inch or larger pan works best for easy mixing.
- Prep before cooking: The cooking process is fast, so have all veggies ready to go beforehand.
- Choose good ground turkey: Go for 93/7 ground turkey sold in cartons for better flavor. Avoid the plastic tube (chub) style.
Serving Suggestions
- In a lettuce wrap: Roll the filling in butter lettuce leaves for a fresh, low-carb option.
- With Sriracha mayo: Add a creamy element with a scoop of Sriracha mayo!
Sides to Serve
- Rice: Pair with steamed white rice, brown rice, or jasmine rice.
- Noodles: Serve over cooked ramen, soba noodles, or rice noodles.
- Salad: A simple cucumber salad or Asian-inspired slaw adds freshness.
Dietary Optionals
Ground Turkey Stir Fry Whole30
- Use olive oil instead of vegetable oil.
- Make sure Sriracha and mayo are Whole30-compliant.
- Replace soy sauce with coconut aminos and skip the brown sugar.
- Check if sesame oil is allowed (opinions vary).
- Choose ground turkey with no added sugar or another compliant meat.
- Serve with cauliflower rice instead of white rice.
Keto-Friendly:
- Use Sriracha if compliant, or swap for Frank’s Red Hot®.
- Replace soy sauce with Lite Tamari or Bragg’s Aminos®.
- Skip the brown sugar.
Note: I’m not a Whole30 or Keto expert—double-check to ensure this recipe fits your needs.
Storage
Cool the ground turkey stir fry to room temperature, then transfer it to an airtight container. Refrigerate for up to 3-4 days. Freezing is not recommended, as the veggies become soggy when thawed.
More Easy Dinner Recipes
- Chicken Stir Fry with veggies
- Asian Ground Turkey with an incredible stir-fry sauce!
- Turkey Bolognese with loads of hidden veggies
- Spaghetti Squash with Turkey Meatballs and marinara sauce
- Turkey Meatloaf with a tangy saucy topping
Ground Turkey Stir Fry
Equipment
- Large skillet or Wok (12-inch or wider)
Ingredients
- 6 cups (1/2 large head) thinly sliced green cabbage or shredded coleslaw mix
- 3/4 cup shredded zucchini 1 small zucchini
- 1 cup shredded carrots 2 large carrots
- 1 bunch of green onions divided
- 1 tablespoon ginger paste
- 1 teaspoon minced garlic
- 1 tablespoon vegetable oil or canola
- 16 ounces lean (93/7) ground turkey
- 4 tablespoons soy sauce don't use lite
- 2 tablespoons toasted sesame oil
- 2 teaspoons Sriracha
- 1 tablespoon light brown sugar
- Salt and Pepper to taste
Sriracha Mayo (Optional)
- 1/3 cup mayo
- 1 tablespoon Sriracha
- 1 tablespoon lime juice
Instructions
- Thinly slice cabbage to make 6 cups, or use pre-shredded coleslaw mix. Grate zucchini using the large holes of a box grater for 3/4 cup. Grate carrots the same way for 1 cup. Thinly slice green onions, separating into 1/2 cup whites (lower parts) and 1/4 cup greens.
- Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add oil, turkey, garlic, ginger, and a 1/4 teaspoon each of salt and pepper. Cook, breaking up the turkey, for 5-7 minutes or until fully cooked. Drain excess liquid if needed.
- While the turkey cooks, whisk together soy sauce, sesame oil, Sriracha, and brown sugar in a small bowl. Set aside.
- Add cabbage and carrots to the skillet; stir and cook for 2-4 minutes until the cabbage wilts. Add zucchini, green onion whites, and the sauce; stir for 1-2 minutes. Remove from heat, adjust seasoning if needed, and garnish with green onion greens.
- Optional: Whisk mayo, Sriracha, lime juice, and a small pinch of salt and pepper until smooth. Adjust Sriracha to taste; see note 1.
Video
Recipe Notes
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
So good! I didn’t have zucchini so I took thick spaghetti and broke it in half before placing it in boiling water. When I was almost done with this recipe I just drained it and threw it in at the end with the sliced green onionand cooked for 1-2 mins more. It was a great filler and did not take away from all the awesome flavor at all! Thank you!
Delish! Love this idea! So glad you enjoyed!
Thank you so much for this recipe! Soooo good! The only thing I didn’t add was the brown sugar. The siracha mayo is definitely a must. It’s the perfect compliment to this dish.
I am so thrilled to hear this! Thanks Cindy! 🙂