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Spicy Thai Basil Ground Turkey

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253 CALORIES 6g CARBS 13g FAT 30g PROTEIN
5
Freestyle™ SmartPoints™ New!
(5 Old SmartPoints™)
(7 PointsPlus®)
Spicy Thai Basil Ground Turkey
Spicy Thai Basil Ground Turkey Recipe

This Spicy Thai Basil Ground Turkey will rival your favorite Thai takeout but is made at home with healthier ingredients and ready in less time than it takes to order take-out. Plus it's low carb, Whole30 friendly, Paleo and gluten-free.

Here's a really easy Thai dish that you can make in less than 20 minutes! The other night we were both really craving take-out after a particularly stressful work day and decided to make the healthier choice is make some kind of takeout at home. I was craving Thai so I was planning on making these Thai Basil Beef Bowls but quickly realized I was all out of ground beef. Luckily I had some ground turkey in the freezer and whipped up this quick turkey version instead. And it came out amazing. The sauce is savory and spicy and the Thai basil adds just the right amount of freshness to the dish. Everything is finished with some fresh lime juice. Normally I serve it over this cauliflower coconut rice, which is delicious. You could also reach for lettuce wraps, brown rice, or quinoa.

Looking for more take-out dishes at home? Try this Lightened Up Cashew Chicken, Copycat Panda Express Chow Mein, Sesame Chicken with Broccoli, or Sesame Beef.

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The Recipe

Spicy Thai Basil Ground Turkey

PREP TIME: 5 Min
COOK TIME: 15 Min
TOTAL TIME: 20 Min
Dinner
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19 Comments
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Ingredients

US METRICS
  • 1.33 lb. 93% lean ground turkey
  • 1/2 U onion, diced
  • 3 U garlic cloves, minced
  • 1 tbsp. fresh ginger, minced
  • 2 tbsp. low sodium soy sauce (or coconut aminos)
  • 2 tsp. Asian garlic chili paste (like sambal oelek)
  • 1/2 cup Thai basil
  • 1 U lime, juice only

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Instructions

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1

Add the turkey and onion to a hot nonstick skillet over medium high heat. Brown and break up the larger chunks as you go until no longer pink.

2

Add in the garlic and ginger.. Cook for 1-2 minutes until fragrant.

3

Add the soy sauce, chili paste, and basil. (For a sweeter option, add 1-3 tsp. sugar as well) Cook for 30 seconds and remove from heat. Taste and season as needed with additional soy or chili sauce. Squeeze lime juice over top.

Nutritional Facts
Serving Size: 6 oz.
Amount Per Serving
Calories 253
Calories from Fat 116
% Daily Value *
Total Fat 13g
20%
Saturated Fat 3g
17%
Monounsaturated Fat 0g
0%
Polyunsaturated Fat 0g
0%
Cholesterol 112mg
37%
Sodium 478mg
21%
Total Carbohydrate 6g
2%
Dietary Fiber 1g
4%
Sugars 2g
Protein 30g

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet. Your daily values may be higher or lower depending on your calorie needs.

The Nutritional Values provided are estimates only and may vary based on the preparation method.

Spicy Thai Basil Ground Turkey
† SmartPoints™ and PointsPlus® calculated by Slender Kitchen; Not endorsed by Weight Watchers International, Inc.
† We are a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites.
19 Comments
On Spicy Thai Basil Ground Turkey
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Dianne
May 22, 2019 - 15:33
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5
Absolutely delicious. I added chopped water chestnuts for crunch, and served it over cilantro cauliflower rice.
Would be equally delicious as a lettuce wraps with a sweet chili sauce.
A perfect WW meal!
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Kristen Mccaffrey
May 23, 2019 - 06:58
So glad to hear you enjoyed it and I love the idea of adding water chestnuts - yum!
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Diane
March 11, 2019 - 16:48
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5
I made this recipe with tofu for those who want to omit the meat and it was wonderful. I added some broccoli, cabbage, onions, and sliced carrots plus wonderful Thai basil and some slices of lemon grass. I used some mushroom soy sauce that I got at my Asian grocery store along with the thai basil and some fresh lemon grass. I served it with brown rice and it was a real winner. It was as food as I have at my fav. Thai restaurant.
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Kristen Mccaffrey
May 23, 2019 - 06:58
That sounds amazing!! Love all the veggies and the idea of using tofu.
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Tamara Willis
January 29, 2019 - 08:42
Can I use regular basil?
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Kristen Mccaffrey
January 29, 2019 - 09:29
Regular basil will work just fine :)
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Grace
December 11, 2018 - 17:21
Hi! Do you chop up the basil or use the leaves whole?
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Kristen Mccaffrey
December 11, 2018 - 17:52
Chopped! I will update the ingredient list to include that. Thanks!
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Ashley
October 29, 2018 - 07:43
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4
Is Thai Basil a spice? or do you make it on your own? I cant find anything when I google it.
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Jordan
November 27, 2018 - 09:39
It is an herb that you would use fresh. Unlikely that your regular grocery store has it. We've found it at an Asian food market before, but we grow it in our garden now since it's so hard to find. :-/ It definitely does taste different than the "normal" basil you would find at the store. I love Thai food, so it was worth it for us to grow it.
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Veronica
August 28, 2018 - 17:10
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5
This was a HUGE hit with my husband. He said he would have paid money in a restaurant for it. Thanks for a super easy and very tasty recipe!
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Kristen Mccaffrey
May 23, 2019 - 06:59
Those are my favorite responses to meals! So happy to hear you enjoyed it.
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Vicki
August 7, 2018 - 17:47
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5
I was looking for inspiration for my ground turkey meat and came across this recipe. I talked my husband into trying it. He has recently been diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes and has chosen to go onto a low carb diet. He continues to voice concern about getting bored with the meals I usually make and refuses to try cauliflower sides that imitate rice. I made this tonight and he raved about it. It is excellent and so easy. Thank you so much. He even liked the cauliflower. That, for a person who hates cauliflower, is high praise indeed.
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Kristen Mccaffrey
May 23, 2019 - 07:00
Love this!! Always fun to get our family members to try things they usually wouldn't :)
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Jody Goldman
March 11, 2017 - 07:01
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5
Another delicious recipe. I brought it for lunch during the week.
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Nelly Steele
January 29, 2017 - 13:34
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5
Delicious! eveyrone loved it and easy to prepare
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Saundra Contreras
January 16, 2017 - 20:22
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5
Made this for dinner with ground turkey breast. Didn't have scallions so I just used red onion. I also added half a head of grated cabbage and skipped the asparagus. Served it with green beans on the side. It was so good!!
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Kristen Mccaffrey
May 23, 2019 - 07:00
Love the idea of adding cabbage! Such good crunch.
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Colleen Gooding
January 11, 2017 - 15:02
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4
Wonderful flavour and easy. I couldn't find thai basil so I used regular basil
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