Why is my ground turkey teriyaki stir fry watery?

This usually means the turkey was broken up too early or the vegetables released moisture without enough heat to cook it off. Make sure the pan is hot and let the turkey brown before stirring, then uncover the pan and let excess liquid bubble away before adding the sauce.

Can I make ground turkey teriyaki stir fry ahead of time?

Yes, this recipe holds up well for meal prep. Store it separately from the rice if possible, then reheat gently so the sauce loosens without drying out the turkey.

What can I use if I don’t have mirin or sake?

If you’re missing one of them, the dish will still work but the flavor will be less rounded. A small splash of water can replace sake for thinning, and a pinch of brown sugar helps compensate for missing mirin, but avoid adding extra soy sauce or the dish will taste too salty.

Is it normal for the sauce to thicken very quickly?

Yes, that’s expected. Because the cornstarch is mixed into the sauce ahead of time, it activates almost immediately once it hits heat. As soon as the sauce looks glossy and coats the turkey, it’s ready to serve.

Can I use fresh vegetables instead of frozen?

You can, but they need to be sliced thin and cooked uncovered a bit longer so moisture can evaporate. Thicker or starchy vegetables won’t soften fast enough and can throw off the texture of the stir fry.

The Ultimate Ground Turkey Teriyaki Stir Fry (Easy)

Description

A fast, savory ground turkey teriyaki stir fry with a glossy homemade sauce, frozen vegetables, and jasmine rice. Built for busy weeknights and reliable results.

Ingredients

Scale

1 pound ground turkey
1/3 cup soy sauce
1/4 cup mirin
1/4 cup sake
2 tablespoons brown sugar
1 teaspoon cornstarch
3 cloves garlic, minced
1 teaspoon fresh ginger, grated
2 teaspoons cooking oil
1 small onion, diced
2 cups frozen stir fry vegetables
2 1/2 cups cooked jasmine rice
1 teaspoon toasted sesame seeds
1/4 cup sliced green onions

Cook Mode Keep your screen awake while you cook

Instructions

Heat a skillet over medium-high heat and add the oil. When the oil shimmers, add the ground turkey and let it brown undisturbed until lightly golden on the bottom.
Break the turkey into chunks and add the diced onion. Cook until the onion softens and the turkey is mostly cooked through.
Add the frozen stir fry vegetables, cover the pan briefly, and let the vegetables steam until tender.
Uncover the pan and pour in the prepared teriyaki sauce. Stir gently as the sauce bubbles and thickens, coating the turkey and vegetables.
Remove from heat once the sauce is glossy and clings to the ingredients. Serve immediately over cooked jasmine rice and finish with sesame seeds and green onions.

Notes

Let the turkey brown before breaking it up to build flavor.
If the sauce thickens too fast, remove the pan from heat and stir.
Udon noodles can be substituted for rice by stirring them directly into the sauce just until heated.

Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 10 minutes
Category: Dinner
Method: Stir-Fry
Cuisine: Asian-inspired

Nutrition

Serving Size: 1 bowl
Calories: 445
Sugar: 10
Sodium: 980
Fat: 23
Saturated Fat: 5
Unsaturated Fat: 15
Trans Fat: 0
Carbohydrates: 29
Fiber: 4
Protein: 28
Cholesterol: 95