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Quick Spicy Thai Basil Ground Turkey Stir Fry Recipe with Jasmine Rice

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A quick and flavorful Thai-inspired stir fry featuring ground turkey, fresh Thai basil, and spicy chilies served over fragrant jasmine rice. Perfect for busy weeknights, this dish balances heat, sweetness, and savory notes with minimal fuss.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 lb (450g) ground turkey (lean or medium-fat)
  • 1 cup loosely packed fresh Thai basil leaves
  • 4 cloves garlic, minced
  • 2 red Thai bird’s eye chilies, finely sliced
  • 2 small shallots, thinly sliced
  • 2 tablespoons fish sauce
  • 1 tablespoon soy sauce (low-sodium optional)
  • 1 tablespoon oyster sauce (optional)
  • 1 teaspoon brown sugar
  • 2 tablespoons vegetable oil (canola or peanut oil recommended)
  • 3 cups cooked jasmine rice (freshly steamed or day-old)

Instructions

  1. Cook the Jasmine Rice: Rinse 1 ½ cups (300g) jasmine rice under cold water until clear. Combine with 1 ¾ cups (415ml) water in a pot or rice cooker. Bring to a boil, reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer for 15 minutes. Remove from heat and let steam, covered, for 10 minutes. Fluff with a fork.
  2. Prep Aromatics and Herbs: Mince garlic, slice shallots thinly, and slice red chilies into rings. Pick Thai basil leaves off stems and roughly chop or leave whole.
  3. Heat the Oil: Heat 2 tablespoons vegetable oil in a wok or large skillet over medium-high heat until shimmering. Add garlic, shallots, and chilies. Stir-fry for about 1 minute until fragrant but not browned.
  4. Cook the Ground Turkey: Add ground turkey, breaking it up with a spatula. Spread out and sear undisturbed for 1 minute, then stir and cook for 3-4 minutes until no longer pink but still juicy.
  5. Season the Stir Fry: Add fish sauce, soy sauce, oyster sauce, and brown sugar. Stir well to coat turkey evenly. Cook for 2 more minutes while stirring to thicken the sauce.
  6. Add the Basil: Toss in Thai basil leaves and stir gently until just wilted, about 30 seconds to 1 minute.
  7. Final Taste and Adjust: Taste and add more fish sauce, sugar, or chilies as desired.
  8. Serve: Spoon the stir fry over jasmine rice. Garnish with extra basil leaves or sliced chilies if desired.

Notes

If ground turkey seems dry, add a splash of chicken broth or water during cooking to keep moist. Avoid overcrowding the pan to ensure proper browning. Add Thai basil at the end to preserve flavor and color. Adjust chili quantity to control heat level. Use gluten-free soy sauce and oyster sauce for gluten-free version.

Nutrition

Keywords: Thai basil stir fry, ground turkey recipe, spicy Thai stir fry, quick dinner, jasmine rice, Thai food, weeknight meal

Find it online: https://blixfood.com/quick-spicy-thai-basil-ground-turkey-stir-fry-recipe-with-jasmine-rice/