Discover the perfect weeknight dinner with ground turkey and rice!
This delicious and versatile dish combines lean protein with wholesome grains, making it a nutritious and flavorful meal that's easy to prepare.
Jump to:
Ground turkey and rice is a delightful and nutritious dish that fits seamlessly into any meal plan.
Combining lean ground turkey with fluffy rice creates a balanced meal packed with protein, carbohydrates, and essential nutrients.
This dish is not only satisfying but also incredibly versatile, making it a favorite among home cooks.
One of the standout features of ground turkey and rice is its simplicity. With just a few basic ingredients, you can whip up a delicious meal in no time.
Ground turkey, known for being a healthier alternative to ground beef, is low in fat but high in protein, making it an excellent choice for those looking to maintain a healthy diet.
Paired with rice, a staple grain that provides energy-boosting carbohydrates, this dish is a perfect combination for a balanced diet.
The beauty of ground turkey and rice lies in its adaptability.
You can easily customize it to suit your taste preferences and dietary needs. Whether you prefer a simple and straightforward preparation or want to experiment with different flavors and ingredients, this dish offers endless possibilities.
Add your favorite vegetables, such as bell peppers, spinach, or zucchini, to boost the nutritional content and add vibrant colors.
Spice it up with herbs and seasonings like garlic, basil, or cumin to infuse your meal with exciting flavors.
Ground turkey and rice is also a great option for meal prep. It stores well in the refrigerator, making it easy to prepare in advance and enjoy throughout the week.
Simply reheat and serve for a quick and satisfying lunch or dinner.
Plus, it's a budget-friendly meal that can be made in large batches, perfect for feeding a family or saving leftovers.
Incorporating ground turkey and rice into your meal rotation not only simplifies your cooking routine but also ensures you’re serving a nutritious and delicious meal.
Whether you're a seasoned cook or a kitchen novice, this dish is sure to become a staple in your culinary repertoire.
Enjoy the versatility, flavor, and convenience of ground turkey and rice as you explore new recipes and create delightful meals for you and your loved ones.
Why You'll Love This Recipe
- This recipe for ground turkey and rice is perfect for meal prep. Make it in advance and enjoy it for lunch or dinner!
- Pairs well with various vegetables.
- This rice and ground turkey recipe is easy to make.
- Customize this ground turkey and rice recipe to your liking.
- Enjoy this ground turkey and rice all year round – whether it be for a weeknight dinner, those lazy weekends, meal prep, or even special occasions like Thanksgiving.
Cost To Make
Estimated cost = $5.65 or $1.41 a serve
Ingredients
Please note that below is a guide for some of the ingredients we used in the recipe. The printable recipe further down the page has the complete list of ingredients, including quantities and step-by-step instructions.
- Basmati Rice
- Water
- Neutral Flavored Oil: Such as vegetable oil.
- Red Bell Pepper: Diced.
- Carrot: Diced.
- Minced Garlic
- Ground Turkey
- Salt and Pepper
- Light Soy Sauce
- Green Onions (Spring Onions): Finely chopped.
- Worcestershire Sauce
- Sesame Seeds: Lightly toasted, to garnish.
Instructions
This recipe for rice and ground turkey serves 4. The ingredient quantities can easily be adjusted to suit how many serves you need to make.
For the Rice
Step One: Rinse your rice under room temperature water about 2 – 3 times, or until the water runs clear. Drain any excess water.
Step Two: Place rinse rice in a medium sized saucepan, then add the 1 ½ cups water. Place over medium to high heat and bring liquid to a boil. Once at a boil, reduce the heat to low to bring the liquid to a simmer. Stir the rice, making sure no rice is stuck at the bottom of your pan.
Step Three: Once at a simmer, cover with a lid and cook for 25 minutes.
Step Four: Turn off heat and allow rice to rest for at least 10 minutes, covered.
For the Turkey
Step One: Heat oil in a medium sized frying pan over medium to high heat. Once hot, add the red bell pepper and carrot. Fry for 4 to 5 minutes or until the vegetables have softened slightly.
Step Two: Next, fry the minced garlic for about 1 minute. Then add the ground turkey, breaking it into smaller pieces. Season your turkey with salt and pepper. Cook your turkey until it has become lightly browned and is cooked.
Step Three: Mix through the soy sauce, green onions, and Worcestershire sauce. Taste for seasoning and adjust as desired. Turn off heat.
Step Four: Serve turkey mixture over rice. Garnish with lightly toasted sesame seeds if desired.
Substitutions / Variations
Here are some variations for this ground turkey and rice recipe:
- Mix in peas and carrots.
- Incorporate zucchini and squash.
Serving Suggestions
Here are some ways you might like to serve this recipe for rice and ground turkey:
- Serve with roasted vegetables.
- Top with avocado slices.
- Stuff into pita bread with tzatziki sauce.
- Serve in lettuce wraps.
- Pair with a cucumber and tomato salad.
Storage
Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
Reheat in a skillet or microwave, stirring occasionally, until hot.
FAQ
Ground turkey pairs well with various ingredients, including garlic, onions, bell peppers, tomatoes, spinach, zucchini, carrots, and mushrooms.
It also complements herbs and spices like basil, oregano, thyme, cumin, paprika, and soy sauce. Grains like rice, quinoa, and pasta work great too.
What rice is used for what?
Ever wondered which might be the best rice to use for a dish you’re about to make.
Or maybe you’re just curious and want to know more about rice in general.
Why not check out our pages on what is basmati rice and what is jasmine rice.
Helpful Rice Cooking Tips
Want to know how to cook rice or just need a little refresher?
Check out how to easily cook basmati rice, sushi rice, and jasmine rice on the stovetop.
Or, why not check out our recipes on how to make basmati rice, jasmine rice, and sushi rice in the Instant Pot.
Made this recipe? Let us know how it went in the comments below! We'd love to hear how it turned out.
Recipe
Ground Turkey and Rice
Ingredients
For the rice
- 1 cup (215 grams, 7.58 ounces) basmati rice
- 1 ½ cups (375 ml/grams, 13.22 ounces) water
For the Turkey
- 2 tablespoons neutral flavored oil such as vegetable oil
- ½ cup (60 grams, 2.20 ounces) red bell pepper, diced
- ½ cup (60 grams, 2.20 ounces) carrot, diced
- 1 teaspoon minced garlic
- 400 grams (14.11 ounces) ground turkey
- Salt and pepper
- 2 teaspoons light soy sauce
- ½ cup (40 grams, 1.41 ounces) green (spring) onions finely chopped
- 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce or to taste
- Sesame seeds lightly toasted, to garnish, optional
Instructions
For the Rice
- Rinse your rice under room temperature water about 2 – 3 times, or until the water runs clear. Drain any excess water.
- Place rinse rice in a medium sized saucepan, then add the 1 ½ cups water. Place over medium to high heat and bring liquid to a boil. Once at a boil, reduce the heat to low to bring the liquid to a simmer. Stir the rice, making sure no rice is stuck at the bottom of your pan.
- Once at a simmer, cover with a lid and cook for 25 minutes.
- Turn off heat and allow rice to rest for at least 10 minutes, covered.
For the Turkey
- Heat oil in a medium sized frying pan over medium to high heat. Once hot, add the red bell pepper and carrot. Fry for 4 to 5 minutes or until the vegetables have softened slightly.
- Next, fry the minced garlic for about 1 minute. Then add the ground turkey, breaking it into smaller pieces. Season your turkey with salt and pepper. Cook your turkey until it has become lightly browned and is cooked.
- Mix through the soy sauce, green onions, and Worcestershire sauce. Taste for seasoning and adjust as desired. Turn off heat.
- Serve turkey mixture over rice. Garnish with lightly toasted sesame seeds if desired.
Janelle says
Made this last night, was really good. I had some leftovers so I brought them to lunch at work. My coworkers were jealous.