Pin Recipe This Creamy Korean Turkey Rice Skillet is a comforting, one-pan dish that brings bold fusion flavors to your weeknight dinner table. Featuring lean ground turkey simmered in a sweet and spicy Korean-style sauce and combined with fluffy rice, this meal is finished with luscious jammy eggs for a truly decadent yet easy-to-make experience.
Pin Recipe Whether you are new to Korean flavors or a longtime fan of gochujang, this recipe offers a mild and creamy introduction to Korean-fusion cooking. It’s a versatile dish that works perfectly for meal prep or a quick family meal that feels special.
Ingredients
- Protein: 1 lb (450 g) ground turkey
- Vegetables & Aromatics: 1 small yellow onion (finely diced), 3 cloves garlic (minced), 1-inch piece fresh ginger (grated), 1 medium carrot (peeled and diced), 1 cup (150 g) baby spinach (roughly chopped)
- Sauce: 2 tbsp gochujang, 2 tbsp soy sauce, 1 tbsp honey or brown sugar, 1 tbsp rice vinegar, 1 tbsp toasted sesame oil, 1/2 cup (120 ml) chicken or vegetable broth, 1/4 cup (60 ml) heavy cream or coconut cream
- Rice & Toppings: 3 cups cooked white rice (preferably day-old), 4 large eggs, 2 green onions (thinly sliced), 1 tbsp toasted sesame seeds
- Optional: Kimchi, for serving
Instructions
- Step 1
- Heat a large skillet over medium heat. Add sesame oil, then sauté onion, garlic, and ginger for 2–3 minutes until fragrant and softened.
- Step 2
- Add ground turkey and cook, breaking it up with a spatula, until browned and cooked through, about 5–6 minutes.
- Step 3
- Stir in carrots and cook for another 2 minutes.
- Step 4
- In a small bowl, whisk together gochujang, soy sauce, honey, rice vinegar, and broth. Pour sauce into skillet and stir to coat meat and vegetables.
- Step 5
- Reduce heat to low; add spinach and cook until wilted, about 1 minute.
- Step 6
- Stir in heavy cream and cooked rice until everything is well combined and creamy. Simmer for 2–3 minutes to heat through.
- Step 7
- Meanwhile, bring a saucepan of water to a boil. Gently add eggs and simmer for 7 minutes for jammy yolks. Transfer eggs to ice water, peel, and halve.
- Step 8
- Serve skillet mixture in bowls, topped with halved jammy eggs, green onions, and sesame seeds. Add kimchi on the side if desired.
Zusatztipps für die Zubereitung
For the best texture, use day-old rice; fresh rice contains more moisture and may result in a softer consistency. When preparing the eggs, an ice bath is essential to stop the cooking process immediately and ensure those perfectly liquid, jammy yolks.
Varianten und Anpassungen
This dish is easily customizable: substitute ground chicken or pork for the turkey if preferred. To make it dairy-free, use coconut cream or simply omit the cream. You can also adjust the gochujang amount to control the heat level to your personal preference.
Serviervorschläge
Serve each portion in a shallow bowl to showcase the colorful toppings. A side of kimchi provides a crisp, fermented contrast to the creamy rice, while an extra sprinkle of toasted sesame seeds and sliced green onions adds fresh aromatics to every bite.
Pin Recipe 
This Creamy Korean Turkey Rice Skillet is proof that a nutritious, high-protein meal doesn't have to be complicated. With its rich sauce and satisfying textures, it's a fusion favorite that will quickly earn a spot in your weekly dinner rotation.
Recipe FAQs
- → What makes this skillet Korean-style?
The Korean flavors come from gochujang (fermented chili paste), soy sauce, rice vinegar, sesame oil, and toasted sesame seeds. These ingredients create the characteristic sweet-spicy-savory balance found in Korean cuisine.
- → Can I make this dairy-free?
Yes, simply substitute coconut cream for the heavy cream. The coconut cream adds richness and creates the same creamy texture while keeping the dish dairy-free.
- → Why use day-old rice?
Day-old rice has less moisture and firmer texture, preventing the skillet from becoming mushy. Fresh rice can release excess water and make the final dish soggy rather than fluffy.
- → How do I get perfect jammy eggs?
Simmer eggs in boiling water for exactly 7 minutes, then immediately transfer to an ice bath to stop cooking. This yields set whites with creamy, runny yolks.
- → Can I adjust the spice level?
Absolutely. Reduce gochujang for milder flavor or increase for more heat. You can also add sriracha or Korean chili flakes (gochugaru) for additional spice.
- → What proteins can I substitute?
Ground chicken, pork, or even crumbled tofu work well in this skillet. Cooking times may vary slightly depending on the protein chosen.