Creamy Korean Turkey Rice Skillet

The Creamy Korean Turkey Rice Skillet is a vibrant, one-pan dish that brings bold Korean-inspired flavors to your table in just 40 minutes. This fusion meal features ground turkey simmered in a sweet and spicy sauce, perfectly folded with fluffy rice and crowned with a silky jammy egg for a comforting finish.

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This recipe balances the warmth of ginger and garlic with the iconic kick of gochujang, creating a sauce that is both savory and slightly sweet. The addition of heavy cream or coconut cream gives the dish a luxurious mouthfeel, making it a crowd-pleasing meal that is simple to prepare for busy weeknights.

Ingredients

• Protein & Eggs: 1 lb (450 g) ground turkey, 4 large eggs
• Vegetables & Aromatics: 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
• Sauce: 2 tbsp gochujang, 1 1/2 tbsp soy sauce, 1 tbsp honey or brown sugar, 1 tbsp rice vinegar, 1 tbsp sesame oil, 1/3 cup chicken or vegetable broth, 2 tbsp heavy cream or coconut cream (optional)
• Rice: 3 cups cooked short-grain rice (preferably day-old)
• Garnish: 2 tbsp sliced scallions, 1 tsp toasted sesame seeds, Kimchi (optional)

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 and 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

Using day-old rice is highly recommended as the drier texture allows the grains to absorb the sauce without becoming mushy. Always ensure your skillet is large enough to fold in the rice easily without overcrowding the pan.

Varianten und Anpassungen

You can easily substitute ground chicken for turkey if preferred. For a dairy-free creamy option, use coconut cream. If you crave more heat, feel free to add a dash of gochugaru (Korean chili flakes) to the sauce.

Serviervorschläge

Serve this skillet hot in shallow bowls, ensuring each portion gets two egg halves. The acidity of optional kimchi on the side provides a refreshing contrast to the rich, creamy rice. Garnish generously with fresh scallions and toasted sesame seeds for added crunch and flavor.

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This Creamy Korean Turkey Rice Skillet is a testament to how simple ingredients can create a complex and satisfying meal. Whether you are looking for a nutritious weeknight dinner or a flavorful meal prep option, this skillet offers a perfect blend of protein, vegetables, and bold Korean spices.

Recipe Questions & Answers

→ What makes this dish Korean-inspired?

The Korean flavors come from gochujang (fermented red chili paste), soy sauce, sesame oil, rice vinegar, and optional kimchi. These ingredients create that signature sweet and spicy Korean taste profile.

→ Can I use different proteins?

Ground chicken works excellently as a substitute. Ground pork or beef would also work, though you may want to adjust the cooking time slightly depending on the fat content.

→ Why use day-old rice?

Day-old rice has dried out slightly, which prevents it from becoming mushy when stir-fried. Freshly cooked rice can work too—just spread it on a baking sheet to cool and dry for 15-20 minutes before using.

→ How do I get perfect jammy eggs?

Simmer eggs in gently boiling water for exactly 7 minutes, then immediately transfer to an ice bath to stop cooking. This yields perfectly set whites with creamy, runny yolks.

→ Is this dish spicy?

The gochujang provides mild to medium heat. You can easily adjust by adding more or less gochujang, or incorporating gochugaru (Korean chili flakes) for extra spice.

→ Can I make this dairy-free?

Simply omit the heavy cream or substitute with coconut cream. The dish remains rich and satisfying without dairy, thanks to the creamy egg yolks and flavorful sauce.