Asian Quinoa and Turkey Stir Fry

This zesty Asian quinoa and turkey stir fry takes almost no thought! Use your favorite Asian sauces and you can make it taste different every week, without any extra effort. Follow this recipe and learn how to speed up prep work too!

Lately, I have been all about the stir-fry. At least once or twice a week, I am loading up a wok or skillet with protein, tons of veggies, and a quick sauce like this beef and bok choy stir fry with mushrooms.

Normally my stir-fries lean in an Asian direction since I am partial to any combination of soy sauce, sriracha, hoisin, curry, or other Asian flavors.

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Lately, this has included some Chinese 5 spice, which is quickly becoming one of my favorite spice blends. It’s a combination of anise, Szechuan peppercorns, cloves, fennel, and cinnamon and it’s delicious - which is why I used it in this turkey stir fry recipe!

Key Ingredients For Ground Turkey Stir Fry

Besides the ground turkey and quinoa, these are the ingredients you’ll need to make the stir fry:

• Spices: For some heat, I added some red pepper flakes. Add as much or as little as you want. I also used fresh ginger! You can substitute this with ground ginger, but it won't have as bold of a flavor. I also used one teaspoon of Chinese five-spice powder. Since it can be strong, I recommend starting with one teaspoon.
• Sauce: I fried everything in a combination of coconut oil and sesame oil to give it a nuttier undertone. Then, I added low-sodium soy sauce for the salty umami flavor. You can use coconut aminos if you need a gluten-free option.
• Vegetables: I recommend looking for a cabbage-based Asian vegetable mix. Mine had a few types of cabbage, carrots, kale, Brussel sprouts, pea pods, and broccoli slaw. Whatever you choose, just make sure it is quick cooking. I also added a thinly-sliced red pepper and some chopped scallions.
• Garnish: Top with fresh cilantro for a yummy bite! This is optional, so if you don't like cilantro, just leave it out.

Note: For a full list of ingredients and detailed instructions on how to make this easy turkey stir fry, take a look at the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post!

What To Serve With This Quinoa Turkey Stir Fry

Whenever I whip up a batch of this simple stir fry, I love to just put it in a bowl and eat it for lunch! It's perfect for meal prep because it reheats easily and tastes even better the next day. If you feel like it needs a bit more flavor, just add a bit more soy sauce and it will taste new again.

Don't forget to add a few more fresh scallions on top! Not only does it add a bright green color to the dish but it also adds a nice crunchy freshness to it.

To make this a complete meal, you can serve some baked veggie egg rolls on the side. Even though this stir fry is packed with veggies, I like to eat roasted green beans with it for a little more fiber and nutrition.

Recipe Tips And Ideas For Asian Quinoa

Follow these tips to make sure that this stir fry turns out perfect every single time!

• Pre-cook the quinoa and store it in the refrigerator in an airtight container. Keep it up to 3 days. Using fresh quinoa could cause it to stick to the pan.
• Cook the seasoned turkey beforehand. To save time, pre-cook the ground turkey with the Chinese five-spice powder and store it in the refrigerator until you are ready to use it.
• Use Chinese five-spice powder moderately. This Chinese spice seasoning is very strong. I suggest starting with just one teaspoon and then adding more if you want it to be bolder or spicier.
• Add a bit of cilantro. I mixed the cilantro into the stir fry to cook out some of the flavors into the quinoa, but you can also use it as a garnish at the end or leave it out entirely.
• Want to add more protein? Add some chopped cashews for more protein and a delightful crunch!
• Make it vegetarian. Replace the turkey with tofu to make a vegetarian tofu stir fry. Vegetarian crumbles will also work.

Frequently Asked Questions About Quinoa and Turkey Stir Fry

Here are some questions I frequently get asked about by some readers…

Is this recipe keto-friendly?

No, this recipe is not keto-friendly. It doesn't have any added sugars, but the quinoa has too many natural carbs to fit within most people's macros. If you want it to be keto-friendly, replace the quinoa with homemade cauliflower rice.

If I leave out the turkey, will this stir fry still taste good?

Yes, you can make this stir fry a meatless meal by leaving out the ground turkey. It will also taste amazing with ground chicken, ground beef, or even some spicy sausage.

How long can I store this turkey stir fry in the refrigerator?

To make sure the meat stays fresh, store this meal in an airtight container for up to 4 days.

Can I use rice instead of quinoa in this stir fry?

Yes, you can certainly use any type of rice or starch as the base of this stir fry. Quinoa is perfect for vegetarians because it has so much protein in it.

If you choose to use rice, make it ahead of time and store the cooked rice in the refrigerator overnight. It is more difficult to make stir fry with fresh rice.

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