Sesame Turkey Lettuce Wrap Bowls (Printable Version)

Korean-inspired turkey bowls with aromatic sesame flavors, crisp vegetables, and fresh lettuce cups for a satisfying healthy meal.

# Ingredient List:

→ Sesame Turkey

01 - 1 pound ground turkey
02 - 2 tablespoons sesame oil
03 - 3 cloves garlic, minced
04 - 1 tablespoon fresh ginger, grated
05 - 2 tablespoons soy sauce
06 - 1 tablespoon gochujang
07 - 1 tablespoon honey
08 - 1 tablespoon rice vinegar
09 - 2 green onions, thinly sliced
10 - 1 tablespoon toasted sesame seeds
11 - Salt and black pepper to taste

→ Bowl Assembly

12 - 2 cups cooked jasmine or short-grain rice
13 - 1 large head romaine or butter lettuce, leaves separated
14 - 1 large cucumber, cut into ribbons
15 - 1 large carrot, cut into matchsticks
16 - 1/4 cup fresh cilantro leaves
17 - 1/4 cup pickled radishes

→ Serving

18 - Additional toasted sesame seeds for garnish
19 - Lime wedges

# Directions:

01 - Cook jasmine or short-grain rice according to package instructions and keep warm.
02 - Heat sesame oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add minced garlic and grated ginger, cooking for 1 minute until fragrant.
03 - Add ground turkey to the skillet, breaking it apart with a spoon as it cooks until browned and cooked through, approximately 5-7 minutes.
04 - Stir in soy sauce, gochujang, honey, and rice vinegar. Cook for 2-3 minutes until the turkey is well coated and slightly caramelized.
05 - Add green onions and sesame seeds to the turkey mixture. Season with salt and pepper to taste, then remove from heat.
06 - Distribute cooked rice among four serving bowls. Top each with prepared sesame turkey.
07 - Arrange lettuce leaves, cucumber ribbons, carrot matchsticks, cilantro, and pickled radishes around the turkey in each bowl.
08 - Top each bowl with additional sesame seeds and serve immediately with lime wedges on the side.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • You can prep everything in advance and assemble bowls while the turkey finishes cooking, making dinner feel effortless even on busy nights.
  • The combination of warm and cool textures, plus that addictive sesame-ginger flavor, makes you feel like you're eating something special without any fuss.
  • It's naturally dairy-free and endlessly customizable, so everyone at your table gets exactly what they want.
02 -
  • Don't skip the step of letting garlic and ginger bloom in hot oil—that's what turns them from raw and sharp into sweet and fragrant, which is the foundation of the whole dish.
  • If your gochujang is especially spicy, you can tone it down by adding a touch more honey or using only half the amount and letting people adjust their own spice level at the table.
03 -
  • Toast your own sesame seeds if you have time—do it in a dry pan over medium heat for just a couple of minutes until they smell nutty and incredible, and the effort will be worth it.
  • A squeeze of fresh lime over everything at the end brightens flavors you didn't know needed brightening, so don't skip it even if you think limes are optional.
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