Cozy Turkey Teriyaki Bowls

Transform your Thanksgiving leftovers into an exciting weeknight meal with these Quick Leftover Turkey Teriyaki Rice Bowls. Tender chunks of cooked turkey are tossed in a savory-sweet glaze and served over warm rice with crisp vegetables.

Why You Will Love This Recipe

Transforming holiday leftovers has never been this delicious or easy. Quick Leftover Turkey Teriyaki Rice Bowls come together in just 20 minutes, making them the ultimate busy weeknight dinner solution. You get a completely fresh flavor profile that tastes nothing like traditional holiday meals, helping you avoid meal fatigue. Plus, this customizable bowl is budget-friendly and helps reduce food waste by repurposing what you already have in your refrigerator.

Ingredients

• 2 cups cooked leftover turkey, diced or shredded
• 1 tablespoon vegetable oil
• 1/2 cup low-sodium soy sauce
• 1/4 cup water
• 2 tablespoons brown sugar, packed
• 1 tablespoon honey
• 1 tablespoon rice vinegar
• 1 clove garlic, minced
• 1 teaspoon fresh ginger, grated
• 1 tablespoon cornstarch
• 1 tablespoon cold water
• 3 cups cooked white or brown rice
• 2 cups broccoli florets, steamed
• 1 carrot, julienned
• 1 green onion, thinly sliced
• 1 teaspoon sesame seeds

Step-by-Step Instructions

1. In a small bowl, whisk together the soy sauce, 1/4 cup of water, brown sugar, honey, rice vinegar, minced garlic, and grated ginger until the sugar dissolves.
2. In a separate tiny bowl, mix the cornstarch and cold water together to create a slurry. Set aside.
3. Heat the vegetable oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the diced leftover turkey and cook for 3 to 4 minutes until warmed through and slightly browned on the edges.
4. Pour the teriyaki sauce mixture directly into the skillet with the turkey. Bring the liquid to a gentle simmer.
5. Stir the cornstarch slurry into the simmering sauce. Cook for 2 to 3 minutes, stirring constantly, until the sauce thickens and glossy coats the turkey.
6. Divide the warm cooked rice among bowls as the base.
7. Top each bed of rice with the glazed teriyaki turkey, steamed broccoli florets, and fresh julienned carrots.
8. Garnish the bowls with sliced green onions and a sprinkle of sesame seeds before serving.

Expert Tips / Pro Tips

To get the best texture, make sure your leftover turkey is cut into even, bite-sized pieces so it absorbs the sauce thoroughly. If your teriyaki sauce becomes too thick while simmering, simply stir in an extra tablespoon of water to thin it out. For an extra layer of depth, toast your sesame seeds in a dry skillet for just one minute before sprinkling them over the finished bowls.

Variations & Substitutions

If you do not have turkey on hand, this recipe works wonderfully with leftover rotisserie chicken or even pan-fried tofu. Swap out the broccoli and carrots for any vegetables lingering in your crisper drawer, such as snap peas, bell peppers, or baby spinach. For a low-carb alternative, serve the glazed turkey over cauliflower rice or zucchini noodles instead of traditional grain rice.

Serving Suggestions

These hearty rice bowls stand completely on their own as a satisfying meal, but they also pair wonderfully with an Asian-inspired cucumber salad or warm miso soup. You can also set out bowls of sriracha, chili garlic sauce, or spicy mayo on the side so family members can customize their spice level.

Storage, Freezing & Reheating

Store any leftover assembled bowls in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. If you plan to meal prep, you can store the rice, turkey, and vegetables in separate compartments. Reheat in the microwave on high for 2 minutes, stirring halfway through, until steaming hot. Freezing is not recommended due to the texture of the fresh vegetables and rice.

Nutrition Information

FAQ

Can I use bottled teriyaki sauce instead of making it from scratch?

Yes, you can substitute the homemade sauce ingredients with 3/4 cup of your favorite store-bought teriyaki sauce to save extra time.

Is this recipe gluten-free?

To make this dish gluten-free, simply swap the standard soy sauce for certified gluten-free tamari and ensure your cornstarch is certified gluten-free.

Can I use frozen vegetables?

Absolutely. Steamed frozen broccoli or a mixed bag of stir-fry vegetables will work wonderfully in these bowls.

Save

Cozy Turkey Teriyaki Bowls

Warm, comforting bowls featuring savory ground turkey glazed in homemade teriyaki sauce, served over fluffy rice with tender-crisp steamed broccoli and carrots.

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 15 minutes mins

Cook Time 20 minutes mins

Total Time 35 minutes mins

Servings: 4 bowls

Course: Dinner, Main Course

Cuisine: Asian Inspired, Japanese-American

Calories: 485

Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients

  

Teriyaki Sauce

• 1/3 cup soy sauce low sodium preferred
• 1/3 cup water
• 2 tbsp brown sugar packed
• 1 tbsp rice vinegar
• 1 tsp fresh ginger minced
• 1 clove garlic minced
• 1 tbsp cornstarch

Bowl Base & Turkey

• 3 cups cooked jasmine rice or brown rice
• 1 tbsp olive oil
• 1 lb lean ground turkey 93/7
• 2 cups broccoli florets
• 1 cup carrots julienned or sliced
• 2 tbsp green onions sliced for garnish
• 1 tsp sesame seeds for garnish

Method

 

Instructions

1. In a small bowl, whisk together the soy sauce, water, brown sugar, rice vinegar, minced ginger, minced garlic, and cornstarch until smooth and the cornstarch is fully dissolved.
2. Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the ground turkey and cook, breaking it apart with a wooden spoon, until browned and fully cooked through, about 6 to 8 minutes.
3. Pour the teriyaki sauce mixture directly into the skillet with the cooked ground turkey. Bring the mixture to a simmer, stirring frequently.
4. Let the sauce simmer for 2 to 3 minutes until it thickens into a glossy glaze that coats the turkey nicely.
5. Meanwhile, steam the broccoli florets and sliced carrots in a steamer basket or microwave until tender-crisp, about 4 minutes.
6. Assemble the bowls by dividing the warm cooked rice among four bowls. Top with the glazed ground turkey and the steamed vegetables.
7. Garnish with sliced green onions and sesame seeds before serving.

Notes

You can easily swap the ground turkey for ground chicken or beef. For added heat, drizzle with sriracha or add a pinch of red pepper flakes.