Tantalizing Turkey Mince Noodles: A Delight
Crisp-fried turkey mince in a chilli, soy, and garlic sauce served over noodles creates a tasty 20-minute meal that’s low in fat but rich in taste. Enjoy the lean turkey mince and cabbage in this simple, feel-good meal perfect for any day of the week.
This simple and tasty Asian recipe uses turkey mince for a quick meal. Cooking it with chilli, soy sauce, and garlic adds great flavour, while cabbage provides crunch and fibre. It’s a healthy option that’s easy to prepare and perfect for busy nights.
When cabbage is in season, I love to use it in a variety of recipes. From comforting fall soup ideas and stir-fries to easy homemade salad recipes and budget-friendly side dishes for family dinners, I incorporate it in many ways. I often chop it and freeze it for easy access whenever needed.
Each year, I aim to expand my collection with more cabbage recipes. If you enjoy this dish with turkey mince, you’ll also love a refreshing cabbage salad or a hearty cabbage soup for a tasty addition to your meals.
I love cooking quick, autumn-inspired meals that are easy to make and taste incredible. Using simple, seasonal vegetables like cauliflower, pumpkin, beans, and apples, along with cabbage, I can create delicious fall recipes for my family. Sharing these homemade autumn dishes makes for special meals that we all enjoy.
Expert Tips
- Cook the Ground Turkey Well: Brown the turkey completely to improve its taste and texture.
- Prep Cabbage Properly: Shred or slice the cabbage thinly so it cooks evenly and mixes well with the other ingredients.
- Cook Noodles Al Dente: Make sure the noodles are firm but cooked through to avoid them becoming mushy.
Why this recipe works
This recipe works because it uses simple ingredients that are easy to find. Ground turkey provides protein, while cabbage adds texture and garlic, chilli, and soy sauce deliver great flavour. It’s quick to make, perfect for busy mums, and ideal for days when you don’t feel like cooking.
Substitutions
- Sesame Oil: Use vegetable oil or olive oil. Cooking times remain the same.
- Turkey Mince: Substitute with ground chicken, pork, or beef. Cook all these proteins until browned and fully cooked, usually about 5-7 minutes.
- Garlic: Use garlic powder if fresh garlic isn’t available.
- Cabbage or Pak Choi: Use spinach, bok choy, or broccoli slaw. Spinach wilts quickly, so add it in the last 2 minutes of cooking. Bok choy and broccoli slaw should be added to the noodles and cooked until tender, about 3-5 minutes.
- Green Onions: Substitute with chives or shallots. Chives can be added raw or at the end of cooking for garnish. Shallots should be cooked until soft, about 2-3 minutes.
- Instant Noodles: Use rice noodles, udon noodles, or spaghetti. Cooking times vary: rice noodles typically need 4-5 minutes, udon noodles 2-4 minutes, and spaghetti around 8-10 minutes.
Noodle Sauce:
- Oyster Sauce: Use hoisin sauce or mushroom sauce.
- Light Soy Sauce: Substitute with dark soy sauce or tamari (for gluten-free). Dark soy sauce will give a richer colour and slightly different flavour, but cooking times remain the same.
- Sesame Oil: Use vegetable oil or olive oil. The cooking process is the same as with sesame oil.
- Brown Sugar: Substitute with honey or maple syrup. Add these with the other liquids, and they will integrate into the sauce just as quickly.
- Chilli Powder: Use red pepper flakes or hot sauce.
Step-by-step Instructions
Check out our handy guide with step-by-step photos to help you along the way and make the most of this noodle recipe!
Heat 1 tablespoon of sesame oil in a large pan over medium heat. Add 500 grams of ground turkey and break it up with a spatula. Stir in 2-3 cloves of minced garlic and cook until the turkey is browned and fully cooked, about 5-7 minutes.
Remove the cooked ground turkey from the pan and set it aside. In the meantime cook 3 cakes instant noodles until al dente, drain, rinse with cold water, and set aside.
In the same pan, heat 1 tablespoon of sesame oil over medium heat. Add 2 cups of cabbage (or Pak Choi) and 4 green onions, and stir-fry for 2-3 minutes until they start to soften. Then, add the cooked turkey back into the pan and stir to combine.
Add the cooked instant noodles to the pan. Pour in the sauce (made with 4 tbsp oyster sauce, 4 tbsp soy sauce, 3 tbsp sesame oil, 2 tbsp brown sugar, and 1 tsp chilli powder). Toss gently to coat the noodles.
Portion the noodles into bowls. Top with extra green onions or sesame seeds if you like. Serve hot and enjoy!
A full list of ingredients and instructions can be found in the recipe card below.
Variations
- Asian-style stir-fry – Toss with soy sauce, garlic, and veggies.
- Spicy bolognese – Cook with tomatoes, Italian herbs, and chilli flakes.
- Thai basil noodles – Add fish sauce, garlic, and fresh basil.
Other Asian-inspired recipes
- If you’re looking for a quick meal, try easy 15-minute yaki udon (stir-fried udon noodles)—a super fast and tasty dish. You can also make spicy tuna onigiri for a fun snack!
- If you’re in the mood for something hearty, try Korean keema—it’s a tasty, comforting meal. For a quick and easy dish, delicious and easy chicken noodle stir fry is a great choice.
- Craving something crispy? Crispy sesame chicken with a sticky asian sauce will do the trick. Or, for a tender meal, go with a sticky Chinese pork belly—it’s juicy and full of flavour.
- If you want something light, try easy wonton recipes with ground turkey—they’re easy to make and super yummy. And for a veggie-packed dinner, make sweet and sour veg stir fry—it’s quick and delicious!
Topping Ideas
- Fresh herbs (cilantro, parsley, basil)
- Green onions
- Toasted sesame seeds
- Lime or lemon wedges
- Chilli flakes or Sriracha
- Crispy shallots or garlic
- Thinly sliced bell peppers, carrots, or cucumbers
More Easy Dinner Recipes
Need a quick and easy dinner? These simple meals are perfect for busy nights.
- For a veggie-packed meal, sweet and sour stir fry is a great choice—ready in minutes and full of fresh ingredients. If you love roasted veggies, baked eggplant with yoghurt sauce makes a tasty and healthy option.
- For a comforting meal, gnocchi with pesto and zucchini is soft, chewy, and packed with goodness. If you’re craving something hearty, my 15-minute noodle Miso soup is a great go-to recipe.
- Pasta lovers will enjoy pancetta and zucchini pasta, a quick and flavorful dish. And if you want something extra special, Turkish meatballs with roasted potatoes are a filling and satisfying meal.
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Turkey Mince Noodles
Equipment
- Large Pot: To boil the noodles.
- Strainer/Colander: To drain the cooked noodles.
- Skillet/Frying Pan: To cook the turkey mince.
- Wooden Spoon/Spatula: To stir and break up the turkey mince while cooking.
- Cutting Board: To chop vegetables or other ingredients, if needed.
- Tongs: To handle the noodles or turkey mince while cooking.
- Serving Spoon/Fork: To serve the finished dish.
- Bowl/Plate: To serve the cooked noodles and turkey mince.
Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons sesame oil
- 500 grams turkey mince or ground pork or beef
- 2-3 cloves garlic finely chopped
- 2 cups cabbage (or Pak Choi) cut into long thin pieces
- 4 green onions roots and tips trimmed, cut into small segments
- 3 cakes instant noodles
Turkey Mince Noodle Sauce:
- 4 tablespoons oyster sauce
- 4 tablespoons light soy sauce
- 3 tablespoons sesame oil
- 2 tablespoons brown sugar
- 1 teaspoon chili powder optional
Instructions
Prepare the Turkey Mince:
- Heat 1 tablespoon of sesame oil in a large frying pan or wok over medium heat.
- Add the turkey mince to the pan and break it up with a spatula or wooden spoon. Add the minced garlic and cook until browned and cooked through, stirring occasionally. This should take about 5-7 minutes.500 grams turkey mince, 2-3 cloves garlic
- Remove the cooked turkey mince from the pan and set it aside.
Cook the Instant Noodles:
- Bring a large pot of water to a boil. Add the instant noodles and cook according to the package instructions until they are al dente.3 cakes instant noodles
- Drain the noodles and rinse them under cold water to stop the cooking process. Set aside.
Prepare the Turkey Mince Noodle Sauce:
- In a small bowl, combine the oyster sauce, light soy sauce, sesame oil, brown sugar, and chili powder (if using). Stir well to ensure all the ingredients are thoroughly mixed.4 tablespoons oyster sauce, 4 tablespoons light soy sauce, 3 tablespoons sesame oil, 2 tablespoons brown sugar, 1 teaspoon chili powder
Stir-Fry the Vegetables:
- In the same frying pan or wok used for the turkey mince, heat the remaining tablespoon of sesame oil over medium heat.2 cups cabbage (or Pak Choi), 4 green onions, 2 tablespoons sesame oil
- Add the cabbage and green onions to the pan and stir-fry for 2-3 minutes until they begin to soften.
Combine the Ingredients:
- Add the cooked turkey mince back to the pan with the vegetables and stir to combine.
- Add the cooked instant noodles to the pan and pour the prepared Turkey Mince Noodle Sauce toss everything together gently, ensuring that the noodles are coated in the sauce.
Serve:
- Divide the Turkey Mince Noodles into individual serving bowls.
- Garnish with additional green onions or sesame seeds if desired.
- Serve hot and enjoy!
Video
Notes
- You can substitute turkey mince with ground pork, beef, or chicken if preferred.
- Cook the turkey mince until fully browned and no pink remains for the best texture.
- Rinse the cooked noodles under cold water to prevent them from sticking together.
- Adjust the chili powder in the sauce to your spice preference; skip it if you don’t like heat.
- Stir-fry the cabbage (or Pak Choi) and green onions just until softened to keep them crisp.
- Combine all ingredients gently to avoid breaking the noodles.
- Garnish with extra green onions or sesame seeds for added flavor and presentation.
- Serve immediately for the best taste and texture.
- Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 2 days; reheat gently before serving.
Turkey mince noodles looks delicious I have tried it I made it this for my dinner.
This is a great week night dinner recipe. It’s easy to make, very tasty and light too!
I love the asian flavors in this dish and that it’s made with turkey mince, which means it’s lower calorie than beef, yet with lots of protein. Also, despite a friend of mine not being a veggies fan, she didn’t even notice this has cabbage snuck in.
What a great turkey noodle recipe! I’m going to bookmark this and use this with our leftover turkey from thanksgiving this year!
This was an easy new dinner that everyone loved! I’m always trying to find something new to do with ground turkey and this was perfect!
A yummy, flavorful dinner! The whole family enjoyed this recipe.
Such a yummy dish for a quick dinner! My husband loved this and he isn’t a big fan of noodles. So good!
Loved this tasty dish. Savory and satisfying. Dinner ready in less than 30 minutes was a bonus. Thanks for the delicious recipe.
This dish really hit the spot. Comforting yet light enough for summer.
Oh my, this is so simple, yet so so delicious! I did surprise my kids and made this but I used a lean beef mince. What a delight!! I will make it again and again.
Perfect weekend meal and I love noodles. Gonna try this weekend. 🙂
I can never resist a great noodle recipe. Ground turkey is under used for sure. Perfect for an easy meal any night of the week.
This recipe is easy and delicious. I have been wanting to do more with ground turkey so I tried this. Home-run. My family really enjoyed
Nice idea, easy weeknight meal.