June 26, 2026 · 10 min

Spicy Ground Turkey Rice Bowls with Pineapple Salsa and Cilantro Lime Rice

Lunch10 min587 cal / serving

Move over, Hawaiian pizza-there’s a new pineapple-centric dinner in town. Here, we make an easy pineapple salsa with just fresh cilantro, lime juice and onion for a delightfully sweet and savory condiment. It doesn’t stop there, though-the juice is simmered with rich spices to create a tantalizingly sticky glaze for ground turkey.

It’s all joined by fluffy rice, sautéed pepper and onion, smoky red pepper crema and lime for brightness. One bite will have you totally bowled over.


Recipe details

Lunch10 min587 cal / serving2 servings

Nutrition per serving

Calories587 kcalProtein32.2 gFat28.5 gCarbs47.5 gSugar13.1 gFiber3.6 gSodium669 mg

Dietary labels

Gluten-free: yesLactose-free: noDairy-free: no

Allergen check

Gluten / wheat: not detectedMilk / dairy: containsEgg: not detectedFish: not detectedShellfish: not detectedPeanut: not detectedTree nuts: not detectedSoy: not detectedSesame: not detectedMustard: not detectedCelery: not detectedSulphites: not detectedLupin: not detectedMolluscs: not detected

Values are calculated per serving from ingredient amounts and the ingredient nutrition reference per 100g. Allergen and diet labels use available ingredient metadata and name matching; always check product labels for strict diets or allergies. Some ingredient amounts or nutrition values were incomplete, so this is marked as a partial estimate.


Ingredients

Red Onion1 unit Red OnionView ingredient guide
Long Green Pepper1 unit Long Green PepperView ingredient guide
Cilantro0.25 ounce CilantroView ingredient guide
Pineapple4 ounce PineappleView ingredient guide
Lime1 unit LimeView ingredient guide
White Rice0.5 cup White RiceView ingredient guide
Ground Turkey10 ounce Ground TurkeyView ingredient guide
Tex-Mex Paste1 unit Tex-Mex PasteView ingredient guide
SaltSaltView ingredient guide
PepperPepperView ingredient guide
Cooking Oil2 teaspoon Cooking OilView ingredient guide
Butter1 tablespoon ButterView ingredient guide

Instructions

  1. Wash and dry produce. Halve, peel and thinly slice onion; mince a few slices until you have 2 tablespoons (3 tablespoons for 4 servings). Drain pineapple, reserving juice; roughly chop. Roughly chop cilantro. Zest and quarter lime. Halve, core and thinly slice green pepper into strips.
  2. In a small pot, combine rice, ¾ cup water (1½ cups for 4 servings) and a pinch of salt. Bring to a boil, then cover and reduce to a low simmer. Cook until rice is tender, 15-18 minutes. Keep covered off heat until ready to serve.
  3. While rice cooks, in a small bowl, combine minced onion, chopped pineapple, half the cilantro and a big squeeze of lime juice. Season with salt and pepper.
  4. Heat a drizzle of oil in a large pan over medium-high heat. Add sliced onion and green pepper; season with half the Southwest Spice Blend (you’ll use the rest in the next step), salt and pepper. Cook, stirring occasionally, until veggies are browned and softened, 7-9 minutes. Tip: If seasoning begins to brown too quickly, add a splash of water. Turn off heat; transfer to a medium bowl and cover to keep warm. Wipe out pan.
  5. Heat a drizzle of oil in same pan over medium-high heat. Add turkey; using a spatula, press into an even layer. Cook, undisturbed, until browned on bottom, 3-4 minutes. Break up meat into pieces and stir in Tex-Mex paste, remaining Southwest Spice Blend and reserved pineapple juice. Bring to a simmer and cook until sauce has thickened and turkey is cooked through, 2-3 minutes more. Taste and season with salt and pepper. Turn off heat.
  6. Fluff rice with a fork; stir in lime zest, remaining cilantro and 1 tablespoon butter (2 tablespoons for 4 servings). Season with salt and pepper. Divide rice between bowls and top with turkey, veggies and pineapple salsa. Drizzle with smoky red pepper crema and serve with remaining lime wedges on the side.

Recipe Tips

If the seasoning begins to brown too quickly when cooking the vegetables, add a splash of water to the pan.

Ground turkey is fully cooked when internal temperature reaches 165°F.

FAQ

Can I use a different protein instead of ground turkey?

Yes, ground chicken or beef would work well in this recipe. Adjust cooking time as needed.

What can I substitute for the smoky red pepper crema?

You can use sour cream mixed with a pinch of smoked paprika and hot sauce for a similar flavor.

How do I store leftovers?

Store components separately in airtight containers in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat gently before serving.

DandyRecipes community

Rate and discuss this recipe

Your rating and comments help other DandyRecipes readers decide what to cook next.

Your recipe vote

No DandyRecipes user votes yet.

Recipe comments

0 DandyRecipes comments

No DandyRecipes comments yet.

More recipe ideas

12 similar recipes you might like

These suggestions are based on shared ingredients, meal type, and recipe metadata.