Pin Experience the ultimate comfort food with this Creamy Korean Turkey Rice Skillet, a vibrant one-pan meal that blends savory lean protein with a signature sweet-and-spicy kick. This dish transforms simple ground turkey and rice into a gourmet experience, enriched by a glossy, gochujang-based sauce and topped with a perfectly soft-boiled jammy egg. It is the ideal solution for busy weeknights when you want a meal that is both nutritious and packed with bold, satisfying flavors.
Pin The magic of this skillet lies in the layers of aromatics. By sautéing ginger, garlic, and onion in toasted sesame oil, you create a fragrant foundation that elevates the ground turkey. The addition of fresh spinach and julienned carrots adds color and nutrition, while the cooked rice soaks up every drop of the flavorful sauce, ensuring that every bite is as delicious as the last.
Ingredients
- 1 lb (450 g) ground turkey
- 4 large eggs
- 1 small onion, diced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1-inch piece ginger, minced
- 1 medium carrot, julienned or diced
- 1 cup (150 g) baby spinach
- 2 tbsp gochujang (Korean red chili paste)
- 1 1/2 tbsp soy sauce
- 1 tbsp honey or brown sugar
- 1 tbsp rice vinegar
- 1 tbsp sesame oil
- 1/3 cup (80 ml) chicken or vegetable broth
- 2 tbsp heavy cream or coconut cream (optional)
- 3 cups cooked short-grain rice (preferably day-old)
- 2 tbsp sliced scallions
- 1 tsp toasted sesame seeds
- Kimchi (optional, for serving)
Instructions
- Step 1
- In a small saucepan, bring water to a gentle boil. Carefully add eggs and simmer for 7 minutes for jammy yolks. Transfer eggs to an ice bath; peel and set aside.
- Step 2
- Heat sesame oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add onion, garlic, and ginger; sauté until softened, about 3 minutes.
- Step 3
- Add ground turkey; cook, breaking up with a spatula, until browned and cooked through, 5–6 minutes. Drain excess fat if needed.
- Step 4
- Stir in carrot and cook for 2 minutes.
- Step 5
- Lower heat to medium. Add gochujang, soy sauce, honey, rice vinegar, and broth. Stir to coat turkey evenly and bring to a simmer.
- Step 6
- Add heavy cream (if using) and baby spinach. Cook until spinach wilts, about 1 minute.
- Step 7
- Fold in cooked rice, mixing thoroughly until rice is hot and well combined with the sauce.
- Step 8
- Taste and adjust seasoning if needed.
- Step 9
- Slice jammy eggs in half. Serve rice skillet in bowls, top each with a halved egg, scallions, sesame seeds, and kimchi if desired.
Zusatztipps für die Zubereitung
For the best results, use day-old rice as the grains are firmer and less likely to become mushy when folded into the sauce. When preparing the jammy eggs, make sure the water is at a gentle simmer rather than a rolling boil to prevent the shells from cracking upon entry.
Varianten und Anpassungen
This recipe is highly versatile; you can substitute ground chicken for the turkey or use coconut cream for a completely dairy-free creamy texture. If you want to increase the heat, add a dash of gochugaru (Korean chili flakes) to the sauce. For a gluten-free version, swap the soy sauce for tamari and ensure your gochujang brand is certified gluten-free.
Serviervorschläge
Serve the skillet warm in deep bowls, placing the halved eggs on top to showcase the silky yolks. A side of spicy, tangy kimchi provides a wonderful contrast to the creamy sauce, while a final sprinkle of fresh scallions and toasted sesame seeds adds a satisfying crunch and freshness to the dish.
Pin Whether you are a fan of Korean cuisine or just looking for a new way to enjoy ground turkey, this Creamy Korean Turkey Rice Skillet is sure to become a household favorite. Its combination of textures and deep, savory notes makes it a truly memorable meal that satisfies every craving.
Recipe Questions
- → What makes this skillet Korean-inspired?
The combination of gochujang (Korean red chili paste), soy sauce, sesame oil, and rice vinegar creates that signature sweet and spicy Korean flavor profile. The optional kimchi garnish adds authentic tang and fermentation notes.
- → Can I make this dish dairy-free?
Absolutely. Simply omit the heavy cream or substitute with coconut cream for the same luscious texture without dairy. The rest of the ingredients are naturally dairy-free.
- → Why use day-old rice?
Day-old rice has less moisture, which prevents the final dish from becoming mushy. The grains stay separate and fluffy when folded into the sauce, creating better texture throughout.
- → How do I get perfect jammy eggs?
Gently simmer large eggs for exactly 7 minutes, then immediately transfer to an ice bath. This stops the cooking and yields that coveted runny yolk with set whites. Peel carefully while cool.
- → Can I adjust the spice level?
Yes. Start with 2 tablespoons gochujang for medium heat. For more kick, add gochugaru (Korean chili flakes). For milder flavor, reduce gochujang to 1 tablespoon and increase honey slightly.
- → What protein substitutes work well?
Ground chicken is an excellent substitute with similar texture. For a vegetarian version, use crumbled tofu or plant-based ground meat, adding a splash more soy sauce for depth.