This Teriyaki Ground Turkey Eggplant Rice Bowl is a delicious, healthy meal that comes together easily for meal prep. With lean turkey mince, sauteed eggplant, and a flavorful teriyaki sauce, it's a perfect balance of protein, carbs, and veggies. Plus, it freezes and reheats wonderfully, making it a great option for the busy week ahead.note - ingredients can be approximate.
10g(1tablespoon)sesame oil, or other high heat oil e.g. canola, vegetable
500g(1lb)turkey mince, see note 1
1eggplant
1brown onion
250g(1 ¼cups)rice, yields approx.4 cups
Teriyaki Sauce (or use 1 cup store bought)
120g(½cups)soy sauce, subs note 2
55g(¼cups)brown sugar
45g(3tablespoon)mirin, subs note 3
3clovesgarlic, minced, see note 4
3g(1 teaspoon)ginger, minced, see note 4
15g(2tablespoon)maple syrup, subs note 5
60g(¼cups)water
10g(1tablespoon)cornstarch
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Instructions
Prepare
Prepare the 250 g(1 ¼cups) rice according to packet instructions, your own way or see my tips and tricks.
Dice: 1 eggplant and 1 brown onion
Mince: 3 cloves garlic and 3 g(1 teaspoon) ginger. Then, whisk together with 120 g(½cups) soy sauce, 55 g(¼cups) brown sugar, 45 g(3tablespoon) mirin, 15 g(2tablespoon) maple syrup, 60 g(¼cups) water, 10 g(1tablespoon) cornstarch until sugar has dissolved. Taste and adjust as necessary.
Cook
Heat 10 g(1tablespoon) sesame oil in a skillet over medium heat and sauté 1 brown onion until lightly browned (approx. 2 minutes). Then, add 1 eggplant and cook until golden brown (approx. 2 minutes).
Decrease the heat and cook until the eggplant starts to decrease in size (approx. 5-10 minutes)
Add 500 g(1lb) turkey mince, breaking it up as it cooks until browned and fully cooked.
Add sauce and stir well. As it heats, it should thicken and cling to the mince and veggies.
Spoon the teriyaki turkey and eggplant mixture over the rice, garnish with sliced green onions or sesame seeds, and serve!
Video
Notes
Note 1 - Turkey MinceYou can get a few options of turkey mince. I prefer turkey breast mince (it's slightly lighter in colour and leaner). However, this is more expensive. You can use regular turkey mince, but it may have additional water content which means you'll be left with less once cooked.Note 2 - Soy SauceSubstitutions - low-sodium, tamari (for gluten-free)Note 3 - MirinSubstitutions - white wine vinegar, white vinegarNote 4 - Garlic & GingerFresh recommended. Paste or pre-minced can work, but less powerfulNote 5 - Maple SyrupSubstitutions - honey or more brown sugarStoringStore mince mixture and rice separately (or opposite ends of container) for up to 4 days in fridge.ReheatingAdd splash of water or icecube to rice.Reheatmicrowave 1 minute intervals (for approx. 2-3 minutes) or on stove for approx. 5 minutes Freezing Freeze ground turkey with eggplant separately to rice for up to 6 months.