Sweet and Sour Turkey Skillet (Print Version)

Vibrant one-pan meal with Korean-spiced turkey, pineapple, and bell peppers over fluffy rice.

# Ingredient List:

→ Protein

01 - 1 lb 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 pineapple chunks, fresh or canned and drained
07 - 2 green onions, sliced

→ Rice and Pantry

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

→ Garnish

16 - 1 teaspoon toasted sesame seeds, optional

# Steps:

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

# Helpful Hints:

01 -
  • It comes together in one skillet, which means fewer dishes glaring at you from the sink later.
  • The sweet and spicy balance feels sophisticated enough for company but honest enough for a Tuesday night.
  • Ground turkey keeps it light, while the pineapple and gochujang make it anything but boring.
02 -
  • Day-old rice is non-negotiable; fresh rice will turn mushy and stick to itself instead of staying fluffy and individual.
  • The sauce should smell pungent and layered before you pour it in, and if it smells flat, you've probably skipped the sesame oil or used too little vinegar.
03 -
  • Keep your ingredients prepped and within arm's reach before you start cooking, because once the turkey hits the oil, everything moves fast and there's no time to go hunting for garlic.
  • If your sauce tastes too salty, a pinch of brown sugar brings balance; if it's too sweet, rice vinegar is your friend and fixes it instantly.
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