Ground Turkey Bowl (Printable)

Seasoned turkey with roasted vegetables and whole grains in a balanced, flavorful bowl.

# What You Need:

→ Protein

01 - 1 lb ground turkey
02 - 1 tablespoon olive oil
03 - 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
04 - 1 teaspoon ground cumin
05 - 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
06 - 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
07 - 1/4 teaspoon chili flakes
08 - Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste

→ Vegetables

09 - 1 medium red bell pepper, diced
10 - 1 medium zucchini, diced
11 - 1 medium red onion, diced
12 - 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
13 - 2 cups broccoli florets
14 - 1 tablespoon olive oil
15 - Salt and pepper to taste

→ Grains

16 - 1 cup brown rice or quinoa, uncooked
17 - 2 cups water or low-sodium chicken broth
18 - Pinch of salt

→ Garnish

19 - 1/4 cup fresh cilantro or parsley, chopped
20 - 1/2 avocado, sliced
21 - Lime wedges

# How-To:

01 - Preheat oven to 425°F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper. In a large bowl, toss diced bell pepper, zucchini, red onion, cherry tomatoes, and broccoli florets with 1 tablespoon olive oil, salt, and pepper. Spread mixture evenly on prepared baking sheet.
02 - Place baking sheet in preheated oven and roast for 20 to 25 minutes, stirring halfway through cooking, until vegetables are tender and slightly caramelized.
03 - Rinse brown rice or quinoa under cold water. In a saucepan, combine grains, water or broth, and a pinch of salt. Bring to a boil, reduce heat to low, cover with lid, and simmer for 15 to 20 minutes for rice or 12 to 15 minutes for quinoa, until liquid is absorbed. Fluff with a fork.
04 - Heat 1 tablespoon olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add ground turkey and break it into small pieces using a spatula. Sprinkle in smoked paprika, cumin, garlic powder, onion powder, chili flakes, salt, and pepper. Stir well and cook for 6 to 8 minutes until turkey is browned and cooked through.
05 - Divide cooked grains evenly among four bowls. Top each portion with seasoned ground turkey and roasted vegetables.
06 - Top each bowl with fresh cilantro or parsley, avocado slices, and a lime wedge if desired. Serve immediately.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • It comes together in under an hour, and most of that time is hands-off roasting while you sip your drink.
  • You get a complete meal in one bowl, so cleanup feels like a victory instead of a chore.
  • The seasoned turkey stays flavorful without being heavy, and the roasted vegetables develop this addictive caramelized sweetness.
02 -
  • Don't skip the step of breaking up the turkey into small pieces as it cooks, otherwise you'll end up with chewy chunks instead of that ideal crumbly texture.
  • The vegetables need to roast at high heat and get stirred halfway through, because that's when the magic happens and they develop caramelization instead of just getting soft.
03 -
  • Don't crowd the vegetables on the baking sheet, spread them in a single layer so they roast instead of steam, which is the difference between caramelized and mushy.
  • If you're cooking for people with different preferences, cook everything separately and let them assemble their own bowl, tahini and hot sauce options on the side for those who want to customize.
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