If you need a quick and easy dinner during the week, these Ground Turkey Rice Bowls will become your new favorite. I love how these bowls taste Asian and are made with simple things you may already have at home. This meal is not only simple but it makes for a balanced meal during the week. Plus, even better for leftovers too!.
When I’m looking for meals to make during the week, I don’t want it to be complicated. Finding meals that not only taste good but also make me feel full is important to me. When doin that, it’s key to look at whether your meal has protein, fat and carbs in it. Making it a well balanced meal that will keep you fuller longer. This Turkey Rice Bowl is just that! The ground turkey is a great source of protein, the brown rice is a good source of carbs, and the coconut aminos in the sauce are a good source of fat.
I love the Asian inspired flavors in these Ground Turkey Rice Bowls. It tastes so good with ground turkey because of the coconut aminos, sriracha, and rice vinegar that are mixed together. If you don’t like turkey, you can use chicken or beef instead.
Meal prepping can transform your weeknight dinners and make healthy eating so much easier. The key is having simple nutritious ingredients on hand that are versatile and budget-friendly. Ground turkey and rice check all those boxes, which is why they make the perfect meal prep pairing.
In this comprehensive guide, I’ll explain the benefits of meal prepping with ground turkey and rice. I’ll also share my 10 favorite prep-ahead recipes, helpful tips for cooking and storing the meals, and a sample weekly meal plan to get you started. Let’s get prepping!
Why Choose Ground Turkey and Rice for Meal Prep?
There are several key reasons why ground turkey and rice work so well for meal prepping.
Nutrition
Together they provide a balanced mix of lean protein from the turkey and complex carbohydrates from the rice. This combo will keep you feeling full and energized.
Budget-Friendly
Ground turkey is an affordable and lean protein option. Rice is also very inexpensive, especially when purchased in bulk. Choosing these staple ingredients helps cut meal costs.
Versatility
Ground turkey takes on any flavor beautifully. It can be used in bowls, stuffed peppers, lettuce wraps, casseroles and more. Rice provides the perfect neutral base.
Customization
You can easily swap brown rice for white or use riced cauliflower for a low-carb version. Chicken or lean ground beef work too.
Reheating
Unlike some foods, ground turkey and rice maintain their taste and texture after being reheated. This makes them perfect for prep-ahead meals.
10 Best Ground Turkey and Rice Meal Prep Recipes
To give you some inspiration, here are my top 10 favorite ground turkey and rice meal prep recipes:
1. Turkey Taco Bowls
These are like burrito bowls without the wrap. The spiced turkey filling stores nicely. Then just add toppings when ready to eat.
2. Thai Turkey Lettuce Wraps
Whip up a flavorful peanut sauce, then assemble wraps with ground turkey and fresh veggies.
3. Turkey Teriyaki Bowls
Toss ground turkey in a homemade teriyaki sauce. Serve over rice with steamed broccoli and carrots.
4. Chipotle Turkey Skillet with Cauliflower Rice
Cook spiced turkey with veggies, then stir in riced cauliflower. Warm it up for grain-free meals.
5. Turkey Meatballs with Zucchini Noodles
Bake Italian-seasoned turkey meatballs ahead of time. Reheat with zoodles and sauce.
6. Greek Turkey Bowls
Make lemony herb turkey patties and lemon cauliflower “rice” for fresh, Mediterranean-inspired bowls.
7. Turkey Stuffed Peppers
Fill bell peppers with taco turkey filling and cheese for hand-held meals.
8. Turkey Burrito Skillet
Think burrito fillings cooked into a skillet meal. Customize portions with toppings when reheating.
9. Chili Lime Turkey Lettuce Wraps
Spice up ground turkey and serve in cool lettuce cups with avocado and rice on the side.
10. BBQ Turkey Shepherd’s Pie
Top BBQ turkey and veggies with creamy mashed potatoes. Perfect for cozy meals.
Tips for Prepping Ground Turkey and Rice
Follow these tips for smooth meal prepping with ground turkey and rice:
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Cook rice in advance and portion into containers, storing 4-5 days.
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Season ground turkey. Cook in batches. Portion and refrigerate 5 days or freeze 3 months.
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Prep produce and store separately from turkey and rice.
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Add delicate toppings like avocado right before eating.
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Let cooked meals cool completely before sealing and storing.
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Label containers clearly with dates and contents.
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Reheat thoroughly until steaming hot. Add water if drying out.
Sample Weekly Meal Prep Schedule
To give you an idea of how these recipes can work into your routine, here is a sample prep schedule:
Sunday: Make taco turkey and cilantro lime rice. Prep toppings.
Monday: Enjoy turkey taco bowls for lunch.
Tuesday: Reheat Chipotle turkey skillet.
Wednesday: Grab Thai turkey lettuce wraps to go.
Thursday: Prep Greek turkey bowls.
Friday: Heat up turkey meatballs and zoodles.
Next Week: Enjoy freezer meals!
Tips for Freezing and Reheating
Freezing prepared meals is one of the biggest time-savers with meal prep. Here are some freezer tips:
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Let meals cool completely before freezing in airtight containers.
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Freeze up to 3 months for best quality.
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Thaw overnight in the refrigerator.
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Reheat thoroughly on the stove, in the microwave with water to prevent drying, or in a 350°F oven.
Make Meal Prep a Breeze with Ground Turkey & Rice
As you can see, ground turkey and rice are the perfect base for fuss-free meal prep. I hope these recipes and tips have inspired you to give this tasty combo a try. With a little planning, you’ll have healthy, budget-friendly meals ready to enjoy all week long. Meal prep can take the stress out of dinner and help you stick with healthy eating goals.
What you need for Asian Inspired Ground Turkey Rice Bowls:
- Ground Turkey
- Diced carrots
- Green onion
- Garlic cloves
- Red onion
- Sriracha
- Coconut aminos
- Rice Vinegar
- Sesame oil
- Fish sauce
- Lime
- Veggie broth
- Tapioca Flour
Don’t want to use ground turkey?
Try this recipe with ground chicken or ground beef depending on what you like!
MEAL PREPS FOR WEIGHT LOSS|| I LOST 17 lbs In 2 Weeks: Meal Prep Ideas
FAQ
How long does ground turkey last for meal prep?
Can I meal prep rice for a week?
Is turkey and rice good for you?
How long does meal prepped rice last in fridge?
What is ground turkey meal prep?
Ground turkey meal prep refers to preparing meals using ground turkey, chickpeas, vegetables, and white rice. This recipe leverages the lean protein of ground turkey, the fiber-rich goodness of chickpeas and vegetables, and the sustaining energy from white rice. Easy to prep and packed with delicious flavor, these meal prep bowls will not only nourish your body, but also simplify your weekly meal plan.
What are the health benefits of ground turkey?
Ground turkey has multiple benefits. It is a good source of minerals, and B vitamins, rich in proteins, low in fat and it is lower in calories than common turkey.
Can you eat ground turkey in a rice bowl?
This easy Asian Ground Turkey Rice Bowl Recipe is for all you takeout lovers. Ground turkey and diced bell peppers tossed in a simple yet finger-licking food Asian stir-fry sauce. Guys, this one is a winner! Truly, you can use any veggies you like or have laying around. That’s the beauty of this healthy meal prep recipe.
How long does it take to make a ground turkey rice bowl?
This Asian Ground Turkey Rice Bowl recipe is a quick, healthy, and convenient weeknight dinner that comes together in only 20 minutes! You can prep this on the weekend for healthy and delicious lunches throughout the week. Dreaming of take-out for lunch every day? Oh, trust me I’ve been there.
Can I serve Asian ground turkey over rice?
I like to serve my Asian Ground Turkey over a bed of rice but you can use cauliflower rice if you prefer a low-carb version. Top your rice bowl with the remaining scallions, sesame seeds, and chopped cilantro. If you like it spicy, go ahead and serve this Bowl with a generous drizzle of sriracha sauce.
How many calories are in a ground turkey meal Prep Bowl?
These ground turkey meal prep bowls have a delicious Korean-inspired sauce! Packed with flavor and under 400 calories per bowl, you can prep this recipe on the weekend for healthy and delicious lunches through the week. Check out this recipe