Ground Turkey Bulgogi-Inspired Bowl

Ground Turkey Bulgogi Inspired Bowl is a savory weeknight dinner delight. Seasoned ground turkey cooked with a flavorful blend of Whole30-approved Korean Style BBQ sauce, ginger, garlic, and sesame oil, served over a bed of cauliflower rice and topped with fresh veggies like shredded carrots, cucumbers, and a sprinkle of sesame seeds for that perfect balance of flavors and textures.

This meat is perfect for making other Korean-inspired ground turkey bowls too! Other options that use similar ingredients to this recipe are Asian-inspired lettuce wraps, meatballs, and salmon lettuce wraps. Plan one of these later in the week to keep your food waste low!

Why You'll Love This Recipe

Easy weeknight meal: Ground Turkey Bulgogi-Inspired Bowls come together in about 20 minutes, which makes it perfect for a night when you are short on time and need something healthy on the table.

Whole30 Friendly: All of these ingredients are Whole30 friendly and make for a delicious meal if you are doing a Whole30. If you aren't, you can make a few easy subs that work for your body!

Meal Prep: If you are into meal prepping, this meal is one that is a must to add to your rotation! You can prep all the ingredients separately and assemble them as needed throughout the week.

Ingredients You Will Need

Ground Turkey: A lean protein that is low in saturated fat, cholesterol, and calories. At the same time, it is high in protein, B vitamins, phosphorus, and other nutrients that are essential to the body. I always look for organic ground turkey when I am shopping.

Primal Kitchen Korean Style BBQ Sauce: This sauce is very allergen-friendly and is made with the best ingredients. It is sweet and tangy, and a little goes a long way! It brings this whole dish together with a delicious flavor.

Garlic Powder: is known for its anti-inflammatory and antibacterial properties. It helps fight many diseases like the common cold, heart disease, and others.

Ginger Powder: This is a spice that is known for being anti-inflammatory and good for our guts. It can help ease numerous gut issues such as nausea, and diarrhea, and also helps decrease inflammation all throughout the body. The warm spice is a favorite of mine to use in Asian-inspired dishes.

Snow Peas: Snow peas are a powerhouse of nutrients, packed with vitamins A, C, and K, supporting immunity and bone health. Their high fiber content aids digestion and helps maintain a healthy weight by promoting a feeling of fullness.

Carrots: Another way to add some sweetness and crunch to this salad. Carrots are full of vitamin A, biotin, and beta-carotene. They aid in eye health, lowering cholesterol, and weight loss.

Cauliflower Rice: A nutrient-rich vegetable that is low in calories and high in fiber, making it an excellent choice for digestive health. It is also a good source of vitamins, especially vitamin C and vitamin K, which support immune function and bone health.

Green Onion: These onions are very small, but are packed full of nutrients! They are an excellent source of Vitamin K which is essential for blood clotting, heart health, and longevity.

Salt and Pepper

Instructions

Cook the ground turkey: Heat a pan to medium heat and add avocado oil and ground turkey. Season with garlic powder, ginger powder, salt, and pepper. Cook the turkey for about 8 minutes or until browned.

Add the sauce: Add Primal Kitchen Korean-style BBQ sauce to the turkey and simmer until it is warm.

Cook cauliflower rice: Remove the turkey and add the cauliflower rice to the pan. Saute for 10 minutes or until it is golden and slightly crispy.

Cook carrots and snow peas: Remove the cauliflower rice and add carrots and snow peas. Saute these for about 2 minutes then remove from the pan.

Build the bowl: with turkey, cauliflower rice, carrots, and snow peas. Top with green onions. Drizzle with extra sauce.

Recipe Tips and Tricks

Cauliflower rice: I really like to get my cauliflower rice nice and crispy so it has a texture more similar to rice. I do this by adding it to the pan, uncovered, and not touching it for about 5 minutes. I mix the cauliflower and then let it sit for another 5 minutes until it starts to get brown.

Recipe Variations

Cauliflower rice: White rice or brown rice is a great substitute for cauliflower rice if you are not doing a Whole30. Another option would be to serve this over a bed of lettuce for a grain-free Korean-inspired turkey bowl.

Meats: This recipe calls for ground turkey, but you can use any ground meat you have on hand.

Veggies: Carrots and snap peas might not be for you. Feel free to add or subtract any veggie you like from this recipe. Red bell peppers would be a great addition!

Storage Tips

Refrigerator: Store all ingredients in air-tight containers (separate by ingredient for meal prep) for up to 5 days.

Freezer: The ground turkey can freeze after being cooked for up to 4 months. You can use it to make another Korean-inspired bowl later for an easy weeknight meal.

FAQs About Ground Turkey Bulgogi

Can I use turkey instead of ground beef?

In most recipes, you can substitute ground turkey for ground beef. Turkey is a much leaner protein that is a great alternative to ground beef. You can also substitute ground beef for ground turkey, too!

Is turkey healthier for you than beef?

It depends on your health goals, however, turkey is generally considered healthier for you than ground beef. While this is true most of the time, ground beef definitely has its health benefits too! Ground turkey is leaner (less fat) and has fewer calories while having about the same amount of protein.

What is the healthiest ground meat?

Again, it will depend on how you are defining health. Ground turkey is the leanest and most heart-healthy. Ground beef has slightly more protein, while ground chicken is also a great source of protein.