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Ground Turkey and Cabbage Skillet

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This easy one-pan turkey cabbage stir fry is ready in just 20 minutes and packed with flavor, crunch, and lean protein. It’s one of my go-to healthy dinners—simple, flexible, and perfect for busy weeknights when I need something fast and cozy but still light.

I make this stir fry all the time when I’m craving something cozy but still light. It’s beginner-friendly, flexible, and made with simple ingredients I usually have in the fridge. Plus, it’s easy to double and makes great leftovers!

If you love quick dinners, check out my cabbage and beans or cabbage and sausage skillet next.

🛒Ingredients

  • Ground turkey – I usually use lean ground turkey because it's lighter but still makes the skillet hearty and satisfying.
  • Shredded carrots – They add a touch of natural sweetness, a pop of color, and cook quickly.
  • Green cabbage – One of my favorite budget-friendly vegetables. I like to slice it thinly so it softens quickly while still keeping a little crunch.
  • Olive oil or avocado oil – Either works well for sautéing the turkey and vegetables.
  • Fresh garlic – I always use fresh garlic here because the flavor is so much better than garlic powder.
  • Fresh ginger – Freshly grated ginger adds a bright, slightly spicy flavor that really brings the dish together.
  • Salt and black pepper – Season to taste and adjust at the end if needed.
  • Green onions – I stir them in right before serving for a fresh finish and a little extra color.
  • Water or vegetable broth – A splash helps steam the cabbage until tender without making the skillet watery.
  • Agave or brown sugar – Just a little balances the savory flavors. I usually reach for agave, but brown sugar works just as well.

👩‍🍳 You'll find the complete list of ingredients below the recipe card.

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🥘 How To Make Turkey and Cabbage Skillet

  1. Make the sauce: Mix soy sauce, sesame oil, sriracha, and sweetener in a bowl. Set aside.
  2. Cook the turkey: In a skillet over medium heat, sauté the turkey with garlic, ginger, salt, and pepper. Cook until browned.
  3. Add veggies: Stir in cabbage, carrots, and broth. Cover and let steam 5–7 minutes, until tender.
  4. Finish with sauce: Pour in the stir fry sauce and stir well.
  5. Serve: Garnish with more green onions, sesame seeds, or a drizzle of sriracha.

📋Tips

  • I always recommend using fresh garlic and ginger here because they add so much more flavor than the dried versions.
  • Try not to cook the cabbage for too long. I like it tender but still with a little bite, so it doesn’t turn soft and watery.
  • Start with a small amount of sriracha and add more after tasting. One teaspoon keeps it mild, while one tablespoon gives it a more noticeable kick.
  • Regular sesame oil works perfectly in this recipe, so there’s no need to buy anything special.
  • Ground turkey is my go-to, but ground chicken or beef will work just as well if that’s what you already have.
  • Prefer a saucier skillet? Simply double the sauce ingredients so there’s plenty to spoon over rice or noodles.
  • This is also a great recipe for using up extra vegetables. Bell peppers, mushrooms, carrots, or snap peas all work well.
  • I usually serve this with rice, but noodles, quinoa, or lettuce wraps are also delicious options.
  • Add a fried egg on top for an easy upgrade. The runny yolk makes the whole skillet even more satisfying.
  • To make it vegetarian, replace the ground turkey with crumbled tofu or tempeh.

🍱Storing Leftovers

  • 🍱To Store. Keep in a sealed container in the fridge for up to 4 days.
  • 🥶Freezing. Store in freezer-safe containers for up to 2 months.
  • 🔥To Reheat. Warm in a skillet with a splash of broth, or microwave until heated through.
  • Make Ahead. Chop your veggies and mix the sauce early.

What To Serve With Ground Turkey Stir Fry

I love this dish as-is, but here are some ways to round it out:

  • Fried egg on top – Adds richness and protein.
  • Steamed rice – Classic and satisfying.
  • Rice noodles – Makes it a full meal.
  • Lettuce wraps – Fresh and fun.
  • Cauliflower rice – Great if you’re cutting carbs.

More One-Pot Skillet Recipes

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📖Recipe

Ground Turkey and Cabbage Skillet.

Ground Turkey and Cabbage Skillet

This Ground Turkey and Cabbage Skillet is a healthy 20-minute dinner made in one pan. Easy, veggie-packed, and full of bold, savory flavors.
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Prep Time 5 minutes
Cook Time 15 minutes
Total Time 20 minutes
Course Main Course
Servings 4 servings
Calories 154 kcal

Ingredients
  

Ground turkey cabbage stir fry

  • ½ pounds lean ground turkey
  • ¾ cup shredded carrots
  • ½ head of medium green cabbage, sliced
  • 1 ½ teaspoon olive oil, or avocado oil for cooking
  • 2 teaspoon minced garlic
  • 1 tablespoon ginger, grated
  • salt + black pepper to taste
  • 3 green onion stalks, sliced thin
  • ¼ cup water or vegetable broth

Stir fry sauce

  • 2 tablespoon low sodium soy sauce, or coconut aminos
  • 1 tablespoon sesame oil
  • 1 tablespoon sriracha or other hot sauce
  • 1-2 teaspoon agave syrup or brown sugar, add more to taste

Instructions
 

  • Make the sauce: Mix soy sauce, sesame oil, agave, sriracha, in a bowl. Set aside.
    2 tablespoon low sodium soy sauce, 1 tablespoon sesame oil, 1 tablespoon sriracha or other hot sauce, 1-2 teaspoon agave syrup or brown sugar
  • Cook the turkey: In a skillet over medium heat, add oil and sauté the turkey with garlic, onion, ginger, salt, and pepper. Cook until browned.
    ½ pounds lean ground turkey, 1 ½ teaspoon olive oil, 2 teaspoon minced garlic, 1 tablespoon ginger, salt + black pepper to taste, 3 green onion stalks
  • Add veggies: Stir in cabbage, carrots, and broth. Cover and let steam 5–7 minutes, until tender.
    ¾ cup shredded carrots, ½ head of medium green cabbage, ¼ cup water or vegetable broth
  • Finish with sauce: Pour in the stir fry sauce and stir well.

Nutrition

Calories: 154kcalCarbohydrates: 10gProtein: 16gFat: 6gSaturated Fat: 1gPolyunsaturated Fat: 2gMonounsaturated Fat: 3gTrans Fat: 0.01gCholesterol: 31mgSodium: 354mgPotassium: 478mgFiber: 4gSugar: 5gVitamin A: 4135IUVitamin C: 44mgCalcium: 60mgIron: 1mg
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Comments

  1. Tried the leftover turkey and cabbage recipe. It was delicious!!!

    Reply

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