Rule #86: Stir Frys are made for weeknights.
This is one of those recipes that I’ve had for YEARS and tweaked just about a million times. I am finally happy with the end result, thank the Stir Fry Gods! This Sweet and Spicy Turkey and Green Bean Stir Fry is what weeknights are all about: fast, easy, and delicious.
The key to any stir fry is to prep in advance; get all of your chopping done ahead of time and have your ingredients ready to go. This meal comes together in just minutes and makes 3 good-sized servings, each coming under 400 calories!
To make this amazingly scrumptious stir fry, heat some sesame oil in a large wok or nonstick skillet over medium-high heat. Add in 1 bunch of chopped green onions, and sauté for 30 seconds. Add in some minced garlic, and sauté another 30 seconds.
Then, add in 1 lb. ground turkey. Cook until browned.
Meanwhile, make the real show stopper in this dish: the SAUCE.
This illustrious sauce for our stir fry is made up of very flavorful ingredients: rice vinegar, chili paste (our favorite is Sambal Oelek), soy sauce, Hoisin sauce, and fresh, grated ginger. (The garlic goes in with the green onions at the beginning of this stir fry dance).
Here’s an easy semi-pro tip for you fine folks: store your fresh, peeled ginger in a Ziploc bag in the freezer. Then, when you’re ready, just pull it out and use a microplane grater to get as much as you need. This will keep your fresh ginger ready-to-use for about 3 months!
Whisk all the ingredients for your sensational stir fry sauce together.
Next, add in a bunch of green beans (I buy the 12 oz. bag) that have been cut into 1″ (ish – no one’s measuring here) pieces. Sauté for 2 minutes, stirring occasionally.
Add the illustrious sauce to the cooked turkey and green beans, stir, and let simmer for another minute.
While the sauce is getting introduced to the turkey and green beans, make a slurry to thicken the dish. Add 1 tbs. cornstarch to 3/4 cup chicken stock in a large measuring cup. Whisk to combine.
Add the slurry to the stir fry, lower the heat to medium, and let simmer for about 10 minutes. Make sure to occasionally stir and move things around so nothing sticks.
We serve ours either on its own, with Cauliflower Rice (low carb option), or over steamed white rice.
Garnish with more chopped green onions if you’re feelin’ fancy and DIG IN! This easy dinner will quickly become a favorite of yours. Nothing beats fast, easy, and delicious!
Sweet and Spicy Turkey and Green Bean Stir-Fry
1 tbs. sesame oil
1 bunch green onions, chopped
3 garlic cloves, minced
1 lb. ground turkey
2 tbs. Sambal Oelek (chili garlic sauce)
1/3 cup hoisin sauce
3 tbs. low-sodium soy sauce
3 tbs. rice vinegar
1 tbs. grated, peeled ginger*
12 oz. green beans, washed and cut into 1” pieces
1 tbs. cornstarch
¾ cup chicken stock
Heat a wok or large skillet over medium-high heat. Add sesame oil and heat to a shimmer. Sauté green onions for 30 seconds, until the begin to soften. Add in the garlic and sauté for about 30 seconds, stirring constantly. Stir in ground turkey and cook another 5 minutes, stirring often. Crumble the meat as much as possible.
Meanwhile, mix the sauce together in a medium bowl. Add the Sambal Oelek, hoisin sauce, soy sauce, rice vinegar, and ginger. Whisk to combine.
Once turkey is cooked, add in the green beans and cook for 2 more minutes. Stir in the sauce mixture and cook an additional minute.
Meanwhile, in a small measuring cup or bowl, stir together the cornstarch and chicken stock until no lumps remain. Add the slurry to the turkey mixture. Lower the heat to medium, and continue cooking for another 10 minutes, stirring frequently, until beans are slightly tender.
Serve over rice and garnish with green onion.
*To easily store fresh ginger for months, peel the ginger and place in a Ziploc bag in the freezer. Simply use a microplane grater to grate the ginger into your dish.