1. Prep Your Ingredients First

Before the pan hits the heat, take a few minutes to prep everything. Trim and chop the green beans, dice your onions, mince the garlic, and set all your ingredients in small bowls or on a cutting board within reach. This makes cooking smoother and more enjoyable.

2. Cook the Green Beans

• Heat 1 tablespoon of olive oil in a large skillet or wok over medium-high heat.
• Once the oil is shimmering (but not smoking), toss in the chopped green beans.
• Season lightly with salt and pepper and sauté for about 6 minutes, stirring occasionally.
• You’re aiming for tender yet crisp green beans with a slight char on the edges.
• Once they’re cooked to your liking, transfer them to a bowl and set aside.

Beginner tip: If your beans are getting too brown but still too firm, add a tablespoon of water and cover the pan for a minute. This steams them slightly without losing that stir fry texture.

3. Sauté Aromatics

• Add the remaining 1 tablespoon of olive oil to the skillet.
• Toss in the chopped onion and sauté until translucent and fragrant, about 2 to 3 minutes.
• Add the minced garlic and stir for 30 seconds, just until you catch that garlicky aroma. Watch closely—garlic burns quickly.

4. Brown the Ground Turkey

• Add the ground turkey to the skillet, breaking it up with a spatula or wooden spoon as it cooks.
• Continue cooking until the turkey is browned and fully cooked through, about 6 to 8 minutes.

Beginner tip: You’ll know the turkey is cooked when there’s no pink left and the meat releases from the pan easily. If you’re unsure, use a meat thermometer to check for 165°F (74°C).

5. Mix the Sauce

While the turkey is cooking, whisk together all sauce ingredients in a small bowl:

• Soy sauce
• Honey
• Chili garlic sauce
• Sesame oil
• Grated ginger
• Black pepper
• Red pepper flakes (if using)

6. Combine and Simmer

• Add the cooked green beans back into the skillet with the turkey.
• Pour the sauce over everything.
• Stir well to ensure all the meat and veggies are thoroughly coated.
• Let everything simmer together for about 2 to 3 minutes, until the sauce slightly thickens and everything is hot and well combined.

7. Serve and Enjoy

Remove from heat and serve immediately. This dish pairs beautifully with steamed jasmine rice, brown rice, or cauliflower rice for a low-carb option.