Korean-Style Ground Turkey (Printable)

Quick and flavorful Korean-style ground turkey featuring a spicy-sweet sauce, aromatic garlic, ginger, and nutty sesame.

# What You'll Need:

→ Sauce

01 - 1/4 cup soy sauce (use low sodium if preferred)
02 - 2 teaspoons cornstarch
03 - 1/2 tablespoon brown sugar, packed
04 - 1/2 teaspoon red chili flakes (adjust to taste)

→ Turkey

05 - 2 tablespoons sesame oil
06 - 2 cloves garlic, minced
07 - 1 tablespoon fresh ginger, grated
08 - 15 ounces ground turkey

→ Finishes & Garnish

09 - 6 tablespoons chives, chopped (reserve some for garnish)
10 - 2 tablespoons sesame seeds, toasted

# Method:

01 - In a small bowl, whisk together the soy sauce, cornstarch, brown sugar, and red chili flakes until the cornstarch is fully dissolved. Set aside.
02 - Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add sesame oil. Once hot, add the minced garlic and grated ginger; stir-fry for about 30 seconds until fragrant.
03 - Add the ground turkey to the skillet. Cook, breaking it up with a spatula, until it is no longer pink and cooked through, about 5–7 minutes.
04 - Pour the prepared soy sauce mixture into the skillet. Stir well to coat the turkey. Cook for 2–3 minutes on high heat, allowing the sauce to thicken and turn glossy. If the sauce becomes too thick, add 1 tablespoon of water.
05 - Stir in the chopped chives, reserving some for garnish. Remove from heat. Sprinkle with toasted sesame seeds and the remaining chives. Serve hot over rice with your choice of vegetables.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • The sauce comes together with pantry staples but tastes like you spent hours simmering it
  • Ground turkey stays incredibly juicy while absorbing all that glossy, savory goodness
  • You can adjust the heat level to suit everyone at the table
02 -
  • If the sauce thickens too much while cooking, add water one tablespoon at a time until you get the right consistency
  • Ground turkey can release a lot of liquid, so do not be tempted to add extra oil the turkey will cook in its own juices
  • Resist the urge to skip the toasted sesame seeds, they add a crucial textural element and nutty flavor
03 -
  • Use a box grater for your fresh ginger instead of mincing it, you get more flavor and better distribution
  • Toast your sesame seeds in a dry pan over medium heat, shaking constantly until they turn golden brown and smell fragrant
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