Ground Turkey Bowl (Printable)

Seasoned turkey with roasted vegetables over grains for a balanced meal.

# What You’ll Need:

→ Protein

01 - 1 lb ground turkey
02 - 1 tbsp olive oil
03 - 1 tsp smoked paprika
04 - 1 tsp ground cumin
05 - 1/2 tsp garlic powder
06 - 1/2 tsp onion powder
07 - 1/4 tsp chili flakes
08 - Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste

→ Vegetables

09 - 1 medium red bell pepper, diced
10 - 1 medium zucchini, diced
11 - 1 medium red onion, diced
12 - 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
13 - 2 cups broccoli florets
14 - 1 tbsp olive oil
15 - Salt and pepper to taste

→ Grains

16 - 1 cup brown rice or quinoa, uncooked
17 - 2 cups water or low-sodium chicken broth
18 - Pinch of salt

→ Garnish

19 - 1/4 cup fresh cilantro or parsley, chopped
20 - 1/2 avocado, sliced
21 - Lime wedges

# Directions:

01 - Preheat oven to 425°F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Toss bell pepper, zucchini, red onion, cherry tomatoes, and broccoli with 1 tbsp olive oil, salt, and pepper. Spread evenly on the prepared baking sheet.
02 - Roast vegetables for 20-25 minutes, stirring halfway through, until tender and slightly caramelized.
03 - Rinse rice or quinoa under cold water. In a saucepan, combine grains, water or broth, and a pinch of salt. Bring to a boil, reduce heat, cover, and simmer for 15-20 minutes for rice or 12-15 minutes for quinoa, until liquid is absorbed. Fluff with a fork.
04 - Heat 1 tbsp olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add ground turkey, breaking it up with a spatula. Sprinkle in smoked paprika, cumin, garlic powder, onion powder, chili flakes, salt, and pepper. Stir well and cook for 6-8 minutes until turkey is browned and cooked through.
05 - Divide cooked grains among four bowls. Top each with a portion of seasoned turkey and roasted vegetables.
06 - Top bowls with fresh cilantro or parsley, avocado slices, and lime wedges if desired.

# Expert Tips:

01 -
  • It's a one-person meal that somehow feels celebratory instead of utilitarian.
  • Everything cooks simultaneously, so you're done in under 45 minutes with minimal cleanup.
  • The flavors build naturally without any weird sauces or complicated techniques to master.
02 -
  • Don't skip rinsing the grains; it removes excess starch and prevents them from becoming gluey.
  • The vegetables finish roasting at the exact moment the turkey finishes cooking if you time it right, which feels like minor magic but is actually just paying attention.
03 -
  • Toast your spices in the pan for 10 seconds before adding the turkey; it deepens their flavor in ways that feel disproportionate to the effort.
  • If your vegetables aren't browning enough, increase the oven temperature to 450°F and watch them closely.
Go Back