Quick, flavorful Asian Ground Turkey and Green Bean Stir Fry—ready in under 20 minutes and cooked all in one pan. Lean ground turkey and crisp green beans are tossed with garlic, onion, and a savory homemade stir-fry sauce for a meal that tastes better than takeout.
This ground turkey and green bean stir fry is a perfect option for busy weeknights: high in protein, packed with vegetables, and ready in minutes. The sauce balances savory, sweet, and a touch of heat without relying on refined sugar. Serve it over brown rice, quinoa, noodles, or cauliflower rice for a lighter option. Leftovers reheat well, making this dish ideal for meal prep.
Why You’ll Love this Recipe
- Fast and simple: The entire dish comes together in under 20 minutes—ideal for busy evenings.
- One-pan convenience: Everything cooks in a single skillet for easy prep and minimal cleanup.
- Delicious homemade sauce: A tangy, slightly sweet sauce that elevates the whole dish without refined sugars.
- Flexible: Swap proteins or add extra vegetables to suit your tastes or pantry items.
- Great for meal prep: Keeps well in the refrigerator and often tastes even better the next day.
Ingredients You’ll Need
For the Stir Fry:
- 1 lb ground turkey — 93% lean works well; you can use ground chicken, beef, pork, or a firm tofu for a vegetarian option.
- 1 lb fresh green beans — trimmed and chopped. Avoid canned beans for best texture.
- 2 tbsp olive oil, divided — for sautéing. Use a quality cold-pressed oil if possible.
- 1/2 cup onion, chopped — white or yellow onion adds depth of flavor.
- 3 cloves garlic, minced — fresh is best; jarred minced garlic also works.
For the Stir Fry Sauce:
- 1/4 cup low-sodium soy sauce — tamari or coconut aminos can be used for gluten-free or paleo versions.
- 2 tbsp honey — adds natural sweetness and helps the sauce glaze the ingredients. Maple syrup or brown sugar can be substituted.
- 2 tsp chili garlic sauce — for a mild kick. Swap for sriracha, chili paste, or sweet chili sauce if preferred.
- 1 tsp sesame oil — a little goes a long way for toasty, nutty flavor.
- 1 tsp fresh ginger, grated — fresh is recommended; ground ginger may be used sparingly.
- Salt, black pepper, and 1/4 tsp red pepper flakes — to taste.
How to Make Ground Turkey and Green Bean Stir Fry
- Sauté the green beans. In a large skillet, heat 1 tablespoon olive oil over medium-high heat. When the pan is hot, add the green beans, season lightly with salt and pepper, and sauté about 6 minutes until they begin to char and are tender-crisp. Transfer to a bowl and set aside.
- Cook the aromatics and brown the turkey. Add the remaining tablespoon of olive oil to the skillet. Sauté the chopped onion 2–3 minutes until translucent, then add the garlic and cook 30 seconds more. Add the ground turkey and brown, breaking it up with a spoon, until fully cooked through.
- Mix the sauce. While the turkey cooks, whisk together soy sauce, honey, chili garlic sauce, sesame oil, grated ginger, black pepper, and red pepper flakes in a small bowl.
- Combine and simmer. Return the cooked green beans to the skillet and pour in the sauce. Stir to coat the turkey and beans evenly. Simmer on medium-low for 2–3 minutes until the sauce thickens slightly and becomes glossy.
- Serve. Spoon the stir fry over hot rice, quinoa, noodles, or cauliflower rice. Garnish with sliced green onions and sesame seeds if desired, and serve immediately.
Prep and Storage
Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 4–5 days. This stir fry reheats well in a skillet or microwave and is excellent for weekly meal prep.
How to Serve
- With rice: Steamed jasmine, white, or brown rice for a classic pairing.
- With noodles: Toss with lo mein or rice noodles for a noodle-based stir fry.
- Low-carb: Serve over cauliflower rice or in lettuce wraps for a lighter option.
Recipe Variations and Tips
- Increase the heat: Add extra chili garlic sauce, sriracha, or more red pepper flakes.
- Change the protein: Ground chicken, beef, pork, shredded chicken, or firm tofu all work well.
- Add more vegetables: Bell peppers, snap peas, mushrooms, or shredded carrots make excellent additions for color and texture.
- Make it gluten-free: Substitute tamari or coconut aminos for soy sauce.
Recipe Details
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Total Time: 25 minutes
- Servings: 4
Ingredients (Concise List)
- 2 tbsp olive oil, divided
- 1 lb green beans, trimmed and chopped
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- 1 lb ground turkey
- 1/2 cup onion, chopped
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- For the sauce: 1/4 cup low-sodium soy sauce, 2 tbsp honey, 2 tsp chili garlic sauce, 1 tsp sesame oil, 1 tsp fresh ginger (grated), 1/4 tsp black pepper, 1/4 tsp red pepper flakes
Instructions (Concise)
- Heat 1 tbsp olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add green beans, season, and sauté ~6 minutes until tender-crisp. Remove and set aside.
- Add remaining olive oil, sauté onion 2–3 minutes until translucent, add garlic for 30 seconds.
- Add ground turkey and brown until cooked through.
- Whisk the sauce ingredients together, pour into skillet, add green beans back, and simmer 2–3 minutes until sauce thickens.
- Serve hot over your choice of grain or rice and enjoy.
Nutrition (Per Serving, Approximate)
Calories: 298 kcal | Carbohydrates: 21 g | Protein: 25.7 g | Fat: 13.5 g | Saturated Fat: 3 g | Sodium: 794 mg | Fiber: 3.6 g | Sugar: 13.5 g
If you make this Asian Ground Turkey and Green Bean Stir Fry, feel free to leave a comment and share how you adjusted the recipe—I enjoy seeing your variations and meal-prep ideas.