Made with ground turkey and vegetables, this easy fried rice recipe is perfect for a quick and easy dinner. Made with lots of fresh veggies, it's a great healthier alternative to takeout, and it's ready to serve in less than 30 minutes.
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If you've got some leftover rice, then a Chinese fried rice recipe is one delicious way to use it up! Quick, easy and lip-smacking good, it's a great go to after a long day.
This ground turkey fried rice recipe is a great meal in one. It's a dish that the whole family can enjoy and it's perfectly hearty and filling.
With flavors of soy, ginger and garlic, this fried rice dish is packed full of lean ground turkey and veggies, for a tasty and well balanced dinner.
Be sure to try my Air Fryer Chicken Fried Rice and Garlic Chili Fried Rice too!
Why you will love this recipe!
- Healthier: Way healthier than a takeout, a serving of this is less than 450 calories, yet is nice and filling. Because we use ground turkey, it's low in fat and high in protein, plus there's a load of veggies in there!
- One pan: All cooked in one skillet on the stovetop, even the clean up is a breeze!
- Gluten-free: For those with gluten intolerances, this fried rice is naturally gluten-free as we use tamari sauce in place of the usual soy sauce.
- Quick and easy: There's really nothing to this recipe, no wonder it's a student favorite! You'll be serving up a tasty dinner with very little effort.
Ingredients
- Oil: Use an oil with a high smoking point and neutral flavor. Peanut, avocado and vegetable oil all work great.
- Turkey: Ground turkey is high in protein and low in fat making it a great healthier option.
- Vegetables: Red bell pepper, onion, garlic and mixed frozen veggies.
- Eggs: Eggs are quickly scrambled in the skillet before being mixed with the other ingredients.
- Rice: Use cold cooked rice to make the best fried rice recipe. Ideally it should be cooked the day before and stored in the fridge overnight.
- Tamari Sauce: I like to use tamari as it is gluten-free, but soy sauce works great too. They are very very similar in flavor.
- Rice wine vinegar: This mild vinegar helps to balance out the saltiness of tamari and helps lift the dish. You could use apple cider vinegar or white wine vinegar in a pinch.
- Seasonings: Chili flakes, black pepper and ground ginger.
- Brown sugar: For a touch of sweetness to help round out the finished dish.
How to make turkey fried rice
Be sure to scroll down for the full recipe!
- Brown the ground turkey and set aside (photo 1).
- Saute the fresh vegetables til soft (photo 2).
- Push the veggies to one side and scramble the eggs (photo 3).
- Add the cooked turkey, frozen veg, cooked rice and seasonings to the skillet (photo 4).
- Cook and stir to combine to serve (photo 5).
Recipe Variations
This ground turkey fried rice is pretty tasty just as it is! You can easily add in different veggies like mushrooms or broccoli if you like. The ground turkey can be substituted for pork, chicken or beef, or use leftover Thanksgiving turkey, just shred it and add it to the skillet with the rice.
I added a few chili flakes to this recipe which give a little bit of heat, you can increase these for a spicier dish or omit completely if you are very sensitive to spicy foods.
Frequently Asked Questions
This turkey fried rice recipe is a great full meal as it is, with a good mix of carbs, protein and veggies. If you like you can serve up smaller portions as a side and serve alongside favorite Chinese mains like:
Vegetable Chickpea Teriyaki
Breaded Crispy Tofu Recipe
Stir Fry Eggplant
Beef Vegetable Stir Fry
Use medium to long grain white rice for the best results. I love to use Jasmine and basmati works nicely too.
Your rice needs to be cold when added to the skillet. Ideally it should be cooked the day before and then chilled overnight, as this allows the rice to absorb moisture so you get those nice grains. In a pinch, a couple of hours chilling time will get good results.
Once made, this fried rice will keep well in the fridge for around 3 days. Let it cool before storing in an airtight container. Reheat it in a skillet til piping hot to serve.
Top Tips to Make the Best Fried Rice
Making fried rice isn't hard when you know how! Use these top tips whenever you a cooking up a batch for perfect results every time.
- Use cold rice. This is key for your fried rice not to turn out mushy and clumped together.
- Don't use short grain rice like sushi or other glutinous rice varieties. Short grain rice will be softer and the grains will stick together.
- Get your skillet or wok super hot before adding the cold rice.
- Use the biggest pan you have and don't overcrowd the ingredients if you can help it. If there are too many ingredients, they won't get hot enough and can steam, causing the rice to clump together.
- Don't overdo the sauces as this can make your rice too wet. Taste before serving and adjust with salt if needed.
Tips to make this recipe
- If you have frozen ground turkey, thaw it in the fridge overnight before using.
- Dice your veggies fairly small so that they mix well with the other ingredients.
- The fresh garlic and be substituted with garlic powder. Add in half a tablespoon when you add the other seasonings.
- This recipe is easily halved to serve two as a main meal.
This ground turkey fried rice recipe is a perfect go to for a quick, easy and tasty weeknight dinner. It all comes together so easily, and as a bonus, it's hearty and healthy.
More Turkey Recipes
- Ground Turkey Tostadas
- Creamy Turkey Leek Soup
- Air Fryer Bacon Wrapped Turkey Breast
- Air Fryer Italian Turkey Meatballs
I love hearing from you!! If you have tried this ground turkey fried rice recipe, be sure to scroll down, give it a star rating and let me know what you thought!
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Ground Turkey Fried Rice
Equipment
Ingredients
- 1 taablespoon oil
- 16 ounces ground turkey (450g)
- 1 red bell pepper (diced)
- 1 yellow onion (diced)
- 4 garlic cloves (minced)
- 4 large eggs
- 1 cup mixed frozen vegetables (150g)
- 3 cups cooked cold rice (600g)
- ¼ cup tamari sauce (or soy sauce) (4 tablespoons)
- ¼ teaspoon chili flakes
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
- 1 tablespoon rice wine vinegar
- 1 tablespoon brown sugar
- 1 teaspoon ground ginger
Instructions
- Heat the oil in a large skillet on a medium high heat.
- Once hot add the ground turkey in with some salt and pepper for seasoning. Cook til browned and cooked through. Remove from the skillet, leaving any fat in the pan and set to one side.
- Add the diced red pepper and onion to the skillet. Cook til softened. Stir in the garlic and cook for a couple of minutes more.
- Move the cooked veggies to the side of the skillet and crack the eggs in. Use a fork to break and scramble them til solid.
- Turn the heat up to high.
- Add in the cooked turkey mince, frozen vegetables, cold rice and the seasonings; tamari, chili flakes, black pepper, rice wine vinegar, sugar and ginger.
- Combine everything together.
- Cook for five minutes, stirring occasionally til heated through.
- Season to taste and serve.
Notes
- Use cold rice. This is key for your fried rice not to turn out mushy and clumped together.
- Don't use short grain rice like sushi or other glutinous rice varieties. Short garin rice will be softer and the grains will stick together.
- Get your skillet or wok super hot before adding the cold rice.
- Use the biggest pan you have and don't overcrowd the ingredients if you can help it. If there are too many ingredients, they won't get hot enough and can steam, causing the rice to clump together.
- Don't overdo the sauces as this can make your rice too wet. Taste before serving and adjust with salt if needed.
- If you have frozen ground turkey, thaw it in the fridge overnight before using.
- Dice your veggies fairly small so that they mix well with the other ingredients.
- The fresh garlic and be substituted with garlic powder. Add in half a tablespoon when you add the other seasonings.
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