Honey Garlic Turkey Taco Rice (Print)

Tender turkey and vegetables with honey-garlic sauce over rice for a fast, flavorful dinner.

# Components:

→ Protein

01 - 1 pound lean ground turkey

→ Vegetables

02 - 1 medium red bell pepper, diced
03 - 1 small yellow onion, diced
04 - 2 cloves garlic, minced
05 - 1 cup frozen corn kernels, thawed

→ Sauce Components

06 - 3 tablespoons honey
07 - 2 tablespoons low-sodium soy sauce
08 - 3 tablespoons tomato paste
09 - 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar

→ Seasonings

10 - 1½ teaspoons chili powder
11 - 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
12 - 1 teaspoon ground cumin
13 - ½ teaspoon dried oregano
14 - ½ teaspoon salt
15 - ¼ teaspoon black pepper
16 - 1 pinch red pepper flakes (optional)

→ Grains

17 - 3 cups cooked white or brown rice

→ Garnishes (Optional)

18 - ¼ cup chopped fresh cilantro
19 - 1 lime, cut into wedges
20 - Sliced avocado

# Directions:

01 - Place ground turkey in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Cook for 2-3 minutes, breaking it apart with a spoon, until browned.
02 - Add diced onion and red bell pepper to the skillet. Sauté for 2-3 minutes until they begin to soften.
03 - Stir in minced garlic and cook for an additional 30 seconds until fragrant.
04 - Mix in corn kernels, chili powder, smoked paprika, cumin, oregano, salt, black pepper, and optional red pepper flakes. Cook for 1 minute to toast the spices.
05 - In a small bowl, whisk together honey, soy sauce, tomato paste, and apple cider vinegar. Pour this mixture over the turkey and vegetable blend, stirring to coat.
06 - Add the cooked rice to the skillet. Stir thoroughly to combine all ingredients and heat through, approximately 2 minutes.
07 - Taste the mixture and adjust seasonings as needed. Remove from heat.
08 - Serve immediately, optionally garnished with fresh cilantro, lime wedges, and sliced avocado.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • Ready in just 20 minutes from start to finish
  • Uses simple pantry staples you likely already have
  • Balanced meal with protein vegetables and carbs in one skillet
  • Kid-friendly but sophisticated enough for adults
  • Versatile recipe that works with whatever veggies you have on hand
02 -
  • Complete protein meal that satisfies for hours
  • Perfect for meal prep and stays delicious for days
  • Extremely versatile recipe that welcomes substitutions
  • Great way to use up leftover rice from other meals
03 -
  • For maximum flavor development let your skillet get properly hot before adding the turkey. This ensures you get some caramelization rather than just steaming the meat.
  • When cooking the spices watch carefully and stir constantly to prevent burning while still allowing them to bloom properly.
  • For the best texture contrast cook your rice slightly al dente before adding it to the skillet. This prevents it from becoming mushy when it absorbs the sauce.
  • Finally don't skip the fresh garnishes at the end. The bright cilantro and acidic lime juice cut through the richness and bring the entire dish into perfect balance.
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