For Thai food lovers, this Thai-Inspired Ground Turkey Stir Fry is a must-try. You will love the recipe! This tasty stir fry dish with ground turkey, peppers, onions, and fresh basil is also very low in carbs.
Being a food blogger means that you have to keep adding new photos to older recipes, which is kind of a blessing in disguise. And today I’m happy to have new photos for this ultra-popular Thai-Inspired Ground Turkey Stir Fry.
If you like Thai flavors, peppers, and Thai basil or sweet basil, you have to try this recipe! It was based on one of my favorite Thai dishes from a restaurant in Salt Lake, and Thai food is much lower in sugar when you make it at home!
Ground turkey and Thai basil are an amazing flavor combination that results in meals that are full of taste and nutrition. As a busy home cook I’m always looking for quick and easy dinner ideas that don’t sacrifice flavor. That’s why ground turkey Thai basil stir fries have become one of my go-to weeknight meals.
In this article I’ll explain what makes ground turkey and Thai basil such a perfect pair. I’ll share a couple of my favorite ground turkey Thai basil recipes that you can easily make at home. And I’ll give you some tips for cooking with ground turkey and fresh Thai basil.
Why Ground Turkey and Thai Basil Go So Well Together
Ground turkey has a mild flavor that takes well to assertive seasonings like the Thai basil, fish sauce, lime juice and chili garlic sauce often used in Thai cooking. The turkey soaks up the intense flavors of the stir fry sauce, resulting in a dish that tastes complex and exciting.
Thai basil has a slightly spicy, anise-like flavor that pairs beautifully with the ground turkey. Its distinct flavor gives a true Thai identity to dishes. The basil also adds freshness that balances the rich, umami flavors.
In addition to amazing taste, ground turkey Thai basil meals are healthy and protein packed. Ground turkey is leaner than ground beef. Using turkey instead of higher fat meats lightens up traditionally heavy Thai takeout food.
Thai basil can be hard to find at regular grocery stores. Look for it at Asian specialty markets or use regular basil. The flavor won’t be exactly the same, but you’ll still end up with a tasty Thai-inspired turkey dish.
Ground Turkey Thai Basil Stir Fry Recipe
This flavorful stir fry is one of my favorite ways to use ground turkey and Thai basil. It comes together quickly, making it a perfect weeknight dinner.
Ingredients:
- 1 lb ground turkey
- 1 red bell pepper, sliced
- 1 small onion, sliced
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 cup Thai basil leaves
- 2 tbsp fish sauce
- 2 tbsp lime juice
- 1 tbsp chili garlic sauce
- 1 tbsp brown sugar
Instructions:
-
In a small bowl, combine the fish sauce, lime juice, chili garlic sauce and brown sugar. Whisk to blend into a sauce.
-
Heat 1 tbsp oil in a large skillet or wok over medium-high heat. Add the garlic and stir fry for 1 minute.
-
Add the onion and bell pepper. Stir fry for 2-3 minutes until starting to soften. Remove to a plate.
-
Add the ground turkey to the skillet. Break up the meat with a wooden spoon as it cooks. Stir fry for about 5 minutes until browned.
-
Return the vegetables to the skillet and add the Thai basil. Stir fry for 1 minute more.
-
Stir in the sauce and cook for 2-3 minutes until absorbed.
-
Serve the ground turkey Thai basil stir fry over rice. Enjoy!
Spicy Thai Basil Ground Turkey
Here’s another amazing ground turkey and Thai basil recipe that’s full of flavor. It uses similar ingredients as the stir fry, with a few small changes.
Ingredients:
- 1 lb ground turkey
- 1 small onion, diced
- 1 red bell pepper, sliced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 cup Thai basil leaves
- 2 tbsp fish sauce
- Juice of 1 lime
- 1-2 tsp chili garlic sauce
- 1 tbsp brown sugar
Instructions:
-
In a small bowl, whisk together the fish sauce, lime juice, chili garlic sauce and brown sugar.
-
Heat 1 tbsp oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the onion and pepper and cook for 2-3 minutes until starting to soften.
-
Add the garlic and cook for 1 minute more until fragrant.
-
Add the ground turkey, breaking it apart as it cooks. Cook for about 5 minutes until browned.
-
Stir in the Thai basil and sauce mixture. Cook for 2-3 minutes until the sauce coats the turkey.
-
Serve the spicy Thai basil ground turkey over rice. Garnish with extra basil. Enjoy this flavorful meal!
Tips for Cooking with Ground Turkey and Thai Basil
-
Lean ground turkey can dry out easily. Add a drizzle of oil to the pan before cooking to keep it moist.
-
Cut the Thai basil leaves right before adding them to a hot pan. Heat brings out their flavor and aroma.
-
Sprinkle freshly squeezed lime juice over the finished dish. Bright citrus flavor balances the rich turkey.
-
For spicy ground turkey, add chili garlic sauce or Sriracha to taste. Start with a small amount and add more as desired.
-
Fry the ground turkey over high heat, breaking it up frequently. Browning adds lots of flavor.
-
Look for 91% lean ground turkey for the best texture and flavor. Avoid 99% lean meat, which can be dry.
-
Store fresh Thai basil like a bouquet of flowers in water. Trim the stems and place in a glass of water on the counter.
-
Ground turkey Thai basil meals pair perfectly with jasmine rice. The rice soaks up the flavorful stir fry sauce.
A Quick, Healthy and Delicious Dinner
As you can see, ground turkey and Thai basil are a match made in heaven. This tasty combo results in easy dinners packed with Thai flavor.
Is this ground turkey stir fry an authentic Thai recipe?
Based on a dish my nephew Jake and I both loved at a Thai restaurant, we made this recipe. I’m not saying it’s a real Thai recipe, though. But the recipe does have the sour-sweet-spicy-salty-bitter flavor notes that make Thai cooking so distinctive.
What gives this ground turkey stir fry the Thai flavors?
This dish has garlic in the oil, and the cooked turkey is tossed in a stir-fry sauce made of lime juice, Red Boat Fish Sauce, Sriracha Sauce, Soy Sauce, and a little Golden Monkfruit Sweetener (or any other sweetener you like). ) And the recipe also uses basil, or Thai basil if you can find it.
Quick And Easy Thai Basil Turkey Stir Fry!
How long does it take to make Thai basil ground turkey?
Thai takeout lovers need to make this easy Thai Basil Ground Turkey dish made with just a few simple ingredients. Ready in fifteen minutes, this dish is perfect for busy nights. Next time you want to order Asian takeout, save yourself some money and make this Spicy Thai Basil Ground Turkey bowl instead!
How do I take basil?
Basil leaves come from the mint leaf family, with the botanical name Ocimum Basilium. This serrated leaf has long been used as medicine in China as it contains vitamins C, A, and K. Basil can be used fresh to be mixed in salad, as a garnish, or mixed in cooked foods. They can be boiled and served like a tea drink. In fact, there is evidence that people have consumed basil tea for thousands of years, which was done in the Asian region of India or Bangladesh.
Does Thai basil ground turkey have chili?
Asian garlic chili paste: This ingredient helps give this Thai basil ground turkey that kick of spiciness it is known to have. you can always add less or completely omit it if you are not a fan of spicy food or want to make it a bit more kid-friendly.
How do you spice up a Thai basil Turkey Bowl?
If you still need a bit more spice, add a drizzle of sriracha over the top of your Thai basil turkey bowl. Add a squeeze of fresh lime juice over the top of the bowl before serving to give them a citrusy pop of flavor.
What gives this ground turkey stir fry the Thai flavors?
In this dish the oil is seasoned with garlic, and the cooked turkey is flavored with a stir-fry sauce that has lime juice, Red Boat Fish Sauce, Sriracha Sauce, Soy Sauce and just a touch of Golden Monkfruit Sweetener (or sweetener of your choice.)
How do you make Thai-inspired ground turkey stir fry?
Thai-Inspired Ground Turkey Stir Fry with basil and peppers is great for a quick stir-fry meal! Whisk together the lime juice, fish sauce, Sriracha Sauce, soy sauce, and Agave nectar (or preferred sweetener) to make the stir-fry sauce. Cut the onion into thin slivers. Cut the red bell pepper into strips. Peel and slice the garlic.