Sweet and Sour Turkey Rice Skillet (Printer-friendly)

Korean-spiced ground turkey with pineapple and peppers over rice

# What You'll Need:

→ Protein

01 - 1 pound ground turkey

→ Vegetables and Fruit

02 - 1 medium yellow onion, diced
03 - 1 red bell pepper, chopped
04 - 1 green bell pepper, chopped
05 - 3 garlic cloves, minced
06 - 1 cup fresh or canned pineapple chunks, drained
07 - 2 green onions, sliced for garnish

→ Rice and Pantry

08 - 2 cups cooked jasmine or long-grain rice, preferably day-old
09 - 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
10 - 2 tablespoons low-sodium soy sauce
11 - 1 tablespoon gochujang Korean chili paste
12 - 2 tablespoons rice vinegar
13 - 2 tablespoons brown sugar
14 - 1 tablespoon tomato ketchup
15 - 1 teaspoon sesame oil

→ Optional Garnish

16 - 1 teaspoon toasted sesame seeds

# How To Make It:

01 - Heat vegetable oil in a large skillet or wok over medium-high heat. Add ground turkey, breaking it into small pieces, and cook until browned and cooked through, approximately 5 to 6 minutes.
02 - Add diced onion, red bell pepper, green bell pepper, and minced garlic to the skillet. Sauté for 4 to 5 minutes until vegetables become tender.
03 - Stir in pineapple chunks and cook for 1 to 2 minutes to warm through.
04 - In a small bowl, whisk together soy sauce, gochujang, rice vinegar, brown sugar, ketchup, and sesame oil until smooth and well combined.
05 - Pour the prepared sauce into the skillet and mix thoroughly to evenly coat all ingredients.
06 - Fold in the cooked rice, breaking up any clumps, and stir-fry for 2 to 3 minutes until all ingredients are well combined and the rice is heated through.
07 - Taste the skillet and adjust seasoning as needed with additional soy sauce or gochujang.
08 - Remove from heat, garnish with sliced green onions and sesame seeds if desired, and serve immediately while hot.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • One-Pan Simplicity: Cleanup is a breeze since everything from the protein to the rice is cooked in a single skillet.
  • Unique Fusion Flavors: The addition of gochujang adds a complex, fermented chili kick that elevates standard sweet-and-sour flavors.
  • Quick Dinner: Ready in just 45 minutes, it is an ideal solution for busy weeknights without sacrificing nutrition.
02 -
  • Allergen Check: This dish contains soy. Gochujang and soy sauce may also contain wheat, so verify labels if you require a gluten-free version.
  • Prep Ahead: Have your vegetables chopped and sauce whisked before you start, as the stir-fry process moves quickly once the heat is on.
  • Rice Prep: If you must use fresh rice, spread it on a tray to cool and dry for 30 minutes before adding it to the pan.
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