Sesame Turkey Lettuce Wrap (Print)

Vibrant bowls with sesame turkey, rice, crisp lettuce, cucumber ribbons, and fresh herbs for a satisfying meal.

# Components:

→ 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 Components

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 or ribbons
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 - Prepare rice according to package instructions and keep warm until assembly.
02 - Heat sesame oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Sauté minced garlic and grated ginger for 1 minute until fragrant.
03 - Add ground turkey to the skillet. Cook while breaking apart with a spoon until browned and cooked through, approximately 5 to 7 minutes.
04 - Stir in soy sauce, gochujang, honey, and rice vinegar. Continue cooking for 2 to 3 minutes until turkey is well coated and slightly caramelized.
05 - Stir in green onions and sesame seeds. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Remove from heat.
06 - Arrange warm rice in serving bowls. Top each portion with seasoned sesame turkey.
07 - Layer lettuce leaves, cucumber ribbons, carrot matchsticks, cilantro, and pickled radishes over the turkey as desired.
08 - Garnish with additional toasted sesame seeds and serve with lime wedges on the side.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • It comes together faster than ordering takeout, yet tastes like you've spent hours in the kitchen.
  • Everyone builds their own bowl, so picky eaters and adventurous ones sit happily at the same table.
  • The sesame turkey is so packed with umami that you'll find yourself making it for multiple meals.
02 -
  • Don't skip toasting the sesame seeds yourself; the pre-toasted ones from a jar pale in comparison, and those four minutes make all the difference in flavor.
  • If you add the gochujang directly to cold ingredients, it clumps; warming it in the oil first makes it blend seamlessly into the sauce.
03 -
  • Make the turkey the night before and reheat it gently in the skillet with a splash of water—it saves precious time and the flavors deepen overnight.
  • Toast your sesame seeds in a dry pan for two minutes and you'll understand why they're worth the extra step.
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