Quick Thai Ground Turkey Basil Stir Fry
A quick and easy Thai-inspired stir fry featuring lean ground turkey, fresh Thai basil, and a savory-spicy sauce, ready in under 20 minutes. Perfect for flavorful weeknight dinners.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Total Time: 20 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Cuisine: Thai
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 lb (450 g) lean ground turkey
- 1 cup loosely packed fresh Thai basil leaves
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 small red chili, finely chopped
- 2 tbsp vegetable oil (canola or sunflower)
- 2 tbsp light soy sauce (low-sodium preferred)
- 1 tbsp oyster sauce
- 1 tsp fish sauce
- 1 tsp brown sugar
- 2 green onions, sliced
- Optional: Jasmine rice or cauliflower rice to serve
Instructions
- Prep your ingredients: mince garlic, finely chop red chili, slice green onions, and roughly chop Thai basil leaves, discarding thick stems.
- Heat wok or large skillet over medium-high heat and add 2 tablespoons vegetable oil. Heat until oil shimmers.
- Sauté garlic and chili for about 30 seconds until fragrant and golden.
- Add ground turkey, breaking it apart with a spatula. Cook for 5-7 minutes until turkey is opaque and lightly golden, allowing some caramelization.
- Mix light soy sauce, oyster sauce, fish sauce, and brown sugar in a small bowl. Pour over turkey and stir well. Cook for another 1-2 minutes until sauce thickens slightly.
- Add chopped Thai basil and sliced green onions. Stir just until basil wilts and releases aroma, about 1 minute.
- Serve immediately over steamed jasmine rice or cauliflower rice. Garnish with extra basil or sliced chilies if desired.
Notes
If pan gets too dry during cooking, add a splash of water or broth to loosen the sauce. Avoid overcrowding the pan to prevent steaming instead of browning. For vegetarian or vegan versions, substitute ground turkey with tofu or plant-based meat and replace fish and oyster sauces with vegan alternatives.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving (approxima
- Calories: 280
- Fat: 12
- Carbohydrates: 6
- Fiber: 1.5
- Protein: 28
Keywords: Thai, ground turkey, basil, stir fry, quick dinner, easy recipe, weeknight meal, healthy, low carb