What to Do with Ground Turkey (Easy Ground Turkey Recipes) (2024)

Jump to Recipe - Print Recipe

This post may contain affiliate links.
Please read my disclosure policy.

Is ground turkey healthier? What should I make with ground turkey? You’ll find the answers to those questions below! We’ve also rounded up 15 Easy Ground Turkey Recipes that are easy to make at home.

What to Do with Ground Turkey (Easy Ground Turkey Recipes) (1)

Ground turkey is a convenient ingredient you can keep in your fridge or freezer. You can add them to tacos, chili, pasta, meatballs, and so much more. They are perfect for a quick and easy weeknight dinner.

Is Ground Turkey Healthier Than Ground Beef?

Ground turkey has slightly more calories, fat, cholesterol, and sodium than ground beef. And ground beef has more protein, iron, zinc, and B vitamins. The tie-breaker? It’s in the saturated fats – turkey generally gets more health points than beef on this one. The choice is yours!

What Can You Make with Ground Turkey?

The possibilities are truly endless! Basically, you can substitute ground turkey for ground beef in most recipes! This means you can use it for pasta, tacos, chili, meatloaf, enchiladas, and even meatballs!

How to Avoid Overcooking Ground Turkey?

When you overcook your ground turkey, there’s no turning back! It quickly gets dry and crumbly, and loses its flavor! To avoid this, you’ll need to keep a close eye on the dish as you cook!

If you have to step away from the stove, turn the burner down low and cook it slowly! If you’re really on top of things, then keep an instant-read thermometer handy – cook ground turkey until it reaches an internal temperature of 165°F.

Healthy Ground Turkey Recipes

Healthy Ground Turkey Tacos

What to Do with Ground Turkey (Easy Ground Turkey Recipes) (2)

Loaded with peppers, spices, and turkey, these ground turkey tacos come together in 30 minutes! It’s so delicious and full of flavors.

Healthy Ground Turkey Chili

What to Do with Ground Turkey (Easy Ground Turkey Recipes) (3)

Now it’s time for some delicious chili. It’s packed with lean protein and veggies, and you can either make it a spicy turkey chili if prefer.

Ground Turkey Lettuce Wrap

What to Do with Ground Turkey (Easy Ground Turkey Recipes) (4)

Are you a fan of P.F. Changs’ lettuce wraps? Then you will seriously LOVE this recipe.Not only are the flavors in this dish out of this world but the entire recipe only takes about 15 minutes!!

If you want to make it a bit more hearty, simply throw in some chopped shiitake mushrooms for added texture and flavor.

Ground Turkey Pasta with Spinach

What to Do with Ground Turkey (Easy Ground Turkey Recipes) (5)

Looking for an easy ground turkey recipe? Then stop here! This is a one-pot pasta that comes together in just 30 minutes.

It’s packed with healthy ingredients from spinach to tomatoes, and ground turkey! Enjoy!

Easy Ground Turkey Dinner Ideas

Turkey Meatballs

What to Do with Ground Turkey (Easy Ground Turkey Recipes) (6)

Tender and juicy, smothered in delicious tomato sauce, these turkey meatballs completely melt in your mouth!

They’re full of flavor and great for a quick weeknight meal or appetizer for a party! You’ll absolutely love them!

Ground Turkey Stuffed Peppers

What to Do with Ground Turkey (Easy Ground Turkey Recipes) (7)

A healthy alternative to traditional stuffed peppers, these ground turkey stuffed peppers are gluten-free too! Topped with cheese, they’re hearty and may become one of your favorite ground turkey recipes!

Turkey Meatloaf with BBQ Glaze

What to Do with Ground Turkey (Easy Ground Turkey Recipes) (8)

Seasoned and topped with a BBQ glaze, this turkey meatloaf is full of flavor and completely satisfying. Your family will love this recipe!

Firecracker Ground Turkey

What to Do with Ground Turkey (Easy Ground Turkey Recipes) (9)

A lighter and easier dish, this Firecracker Ground Turkey is the perfect combination of sweet and spicy flavors. And the best part? It comes together in just 15 minutes!

Ground Turkey Shepherd’s Pie

What to Do with Ground Turkey (Easy Ground Turkey Recipes) (10)

Delicious, healthy, and completely satisfying! This Ground Turkey Shepherd’s Pie has a cauliflower mash topping that is out of this world! You can’t beat this slimmed-down version of the classic comfort meal.

Southern Ground Turkey Dishes

Ground Turkey Rice Casserole

What to Do with Ground Turkey (Easy Ground Turkey Recipes) (11)

A casserole dish that has a fantastic mix of spices, vegetables, and lean protein. It comes together in just about 30 minutes! If you’re on weight watchers, then you’ll appreciate that this healthy dinner is just 267 calories and 5 Weight Watchers Freestyle SP.

Ground Turkey Country Gravy

What to Do with Ground Turkey (Easy Ground Turkey Recipes) (12)

If you’re a fan of biscuits and gravy, make this right away! This version will have your mouth watering. This ground turkey gravy is healthy, simple to make, and oh so tasty!

Turkey Burgers

What to Do with Ground Turkey (Easy Ground Turkey Recipes) (13)

These turkey burgers are slightly spicy, smoky, and pair well with chipotle mayo, fresh slaw, or guacamole. Plus, they’re incredibly juicy and moist with cheese mixed right into the burger.

Other Popular Ground Turkey Recipes

Korean Ground Turkey and Rice Bowls

What to Do with Ground Turkey (Easy Ground Turkey Recipes) (14)

Fast, healthy, and convenient for any family weeknight dinner, this Korean Ground Turkey recipe is a must-try! This meal comes together in only 20 minutes! Pair it with some healthy vegetables, this may just become ameal you come back to time and time again!

Ground Turkey Stir Fry

What to Do with Ground Turkey (Easy Ground Turkey Recipes) (15)

With only a few ingredients, and a ton of vegetables, this ground turkey stir fry comes together super fast! Plus it’s completely versatile. You can use whatever vegetables you have on hand, make it spicy or mild, serve it with rice, noodles, or shredded cabbage for a low-carb option.

Ground Turkey Enchiladas

What to Do with Ground Turkey (Easy Ground Turkey Recipes) (16)

Made with seasoned ground turkey, two cheese, and all wrapped up in flour tortillas, ground turkey enchiladas are incredibly filling and satisfying! The secret here is baking them in red enchilada sauce.

Is Ground Turkey Bad for You?

Both ground beef and turkey are nutritious meats that provide protein, fat, and a variety of vitamins and minerals. However, ground turkey is typically lower in saturated fat than beef. That said, it may be a better choice for your heart health.

What to Do with Ground Turkey (Easy Ground Turkey Recipes) (17)

What to Cook with Ground Turkey (Easy Stir Fry Recipe and More)

This Ground Turkey Stir Fry takes about 20 minutes to make and is one of the best ground turkey recipes.

5 from 8 votes

Print Pin Rate

Total Time: 15 minutes minutes

Servings: 4

Author: Izzy

Ingredients

  • 1 pound ground turkey
  • 1 tablespoon minced garlic minced
  • 1/4 teaspoon minced ginger
  • 1/4 cup honey
  • 1/4 cup soy sauce
  • 2 teaspoons sesame oil
  • salt & pepper to taste
  • green onion for garnish

Instructions

  • Add ground turkey to a large non-stick skillet over medium heat.

  • Whisk together garlic, honey, soy sauce, sesame oil, ginger in a mixing bowl.

  • Stir fry and cook for about 10 minutes or until nicely browned.

  • Add the sauce to the skillet. Stir fry and cook for about 3 minutes or until the sauce thickens.

  • Season with salt and pepper. Garnish with green onions a

Author: Izzy

Keyword: Ground Turkey Recipes

Tried this recipe?Follow or tag us on Pinterest @izzycooking

What to Do with Ground Turkey (Easy Ground Turkey Recipes) (2024)

FAQs

What can I add to ground turkey to make it taste better? ›

How do you add flavor to ground turkey? Turkey meat can be flavored with easy ingredients like kosher salt and pepper, bell peppers, garlic powder, and olive oil. If you're cooking meat, specifically turkey taco meat, hot sauce and enchilada sauce are your best mates.

What is ground turkey good for? ›

Our Best Ideas for Ground Turkey

Craving a comforting pot of chili or a plateful of stuffed peppers? Or maybe you want a reliable family favorite like meatloaf or lasagna. Ground turkey can do it all. Best of all, it cooks up quickly so you've got lots of options for getting a meal on the table fast.

How long is ground turkey good for in the fridge? ›

You may store uncooked ground poultry in the refrigerator 1 to 2 days. After cooking, you may keep it 3 to 4 days. Frozen raw poultry is best used in 3 to 4 months; cooked ground poultry, 2 to 3 months.

Is ground turkey healthier than ground beef? ›

Ground beef and turkey are both nutritious meats that provide protein, fat, and a variety of vitamins and minerals. Turkey is generally lower in saturated fat than beef. As such, it may be a better choice for heart health. Fat-free turkey is also the lowest calorie option if you're interested in weight loss.

How do you make ground turkey not taste bland? ›

Before you start cooking, be sure to season the ground turkey well with salt and pepper. Also consider including dried herbs and spices for additional flavor. If you're cooking meatballs or meatloaf, pinch off some of the seasoned mixture and cook it in a skillet to taste.

How to make lean ground turkey taste good? ›

What is the best way to season ground turkey? With ground turkey, you need fresh aromatics to season it. Chopped yellow onions, scallions, cilantro, and red bell pepper all help add flavor.

Can I eat ground turkey by itself? ›

Ground turkey is a low-fat, healthy alternative to ground beef. Cooked correctly, it has a hearty, satisfying flavor that tastes great by itself or in soups and pasta dishes.

Is ground turkey healthier than chicken? ›

So, if you're whipping up a stir fry and only have ground chicken on hand when the recipe calls for ground turkey, go ahead and make the substitution. If we're getting really granular, ground turkey is generally a little leaner than ground chicken. It has fewer calories, less sodium, more iron, and more protein.

Is it healthy to eat ground turkey everyday? ›

While lean turkey and chicken are generally considered healthy sources of protein, consuming excessive amounts of these meats may lead to an overconsumption of certain nutrients and may also increase your risk of developing certain health conditions.

Can I eat 5 day old cooked ground turkey? ›

USDA recommends using cooked turkey within 3 to 4 days, kept refrigerated (40°F or less). Refrigeration slows but does not stop bacterial growth. Turkey can be frozen for 3 to 4 months.

Can I use 2 day expired ground turkey? ›

The USDA recommends cooking (or freezing) raw, ground turkey within one or two days after purchasing or the “sell by” date printed on the package. So if your best-laid plans for Tuesday night turkey burgers were forgotten until Saturday, it's unfortunately time to say goodbye.

Why does ground turkey turn gray when cooked? ›

The reason that ground turkey turns grey when cooked is because the myoglobin in the meat reacts with the air and forms a compound called metmyoglobin. This compound is a dark red or purple color, but it turns grey when it is cooked because it loses its oxygen.

Does ground turkey raise blood sugar? ›

Turkey is a low glycemic index (GI) food. That means it won't cause the blood sugar spike that you'd get from more sugar-rich and carb-rich foods. If you have diabetes, including turkey in your diet can help you to keep your blood sugar under control.

What is the difference between 93 and 99 ground turkey? ›

Two types to look for are 93% lean ground turkey and 99% lean ground turkey. The biggest difference is that the 99% version is generally made with all breast meat and contains no saturated fat. However, because it has so little fat, it runs the risk of getting dry.

Is ground turkey bad for cholesterol? ›

Skinless, lean, and ground chicken or turkey breast are good low-cholesterol choices. 100g of lean cuts of turkey breast contain around 104mg of cholesterol. While this seems like a lot, it only has 3g of saturated fat. 100g of skinless chicken breast contains 73mg of cholesterol and 0.5g of saturated fat.

How to season ground turkey to taste like hamburger? ›

Whenever I made turkey burgers, I would dissolve some beef bouillon in a little water and add it to the turkey with a little canola oil, then season and form the patties. The bouillon gave it some flavor and the water and oil helped with moisture. Just make sure not to overcook.

How do you make ground turkey taste more savory? ›

You could try adding some Worcestershire Sauce, or some smoked paprika, savory, chili powder. What are some ways to cook chicken breast or ground turkey so that it is not plain? After you brown the meat, use it in a recipe. Most recipes that work for ground beef will also work for ground turkey.

How do you make ground turkey less gamey? ›

The distinct game flavor of either birds or animals will be milder after soaking the meat overnight in the refrigerator in either a salt or vinegar solution.

How to infuse a turkey with flavor? ›

What to Inject a Turkey With
  1. Basic Brine. Liquid: Chicken stock. ...
  2. Butter & Beer. Liquid: butter + beer. ...
  3. Herby Turkey. Liquid: butter + chicken stock. ...
  4. Italian. Liquid: chicken stock + olive oil + red wine vinegar. ...
  5. Spicy & Smoky. Liquid: butter +white wine + chicken stock + orange juice. ...
  6. Brown Sugar & Mustard.
Nov 1, 2021

References

Top Articles
Latest Posts
Article information

Author: Ray Christiansen

Last Updated:

Views: 6257

Rating: 4.9 / 5 (69 voted)

Reviews: 84% of readers found this page helpful

Author information

Name: Ray Christiansen

Birthday: 1998-05-04

Address: Apt. 814 34339 Sauer Islands, Hirtheville, GA 02446-8771

Phone: +337636892828

Job: Lead Hospitality Designer

Hobby: Urban exploration, Tai chi, Lockpicking, Fashion, Gunsmithing, Pottery, Geocaching

Introduction: My name is Ray Christiansen, I am a fair, good, cute, gentle, vast, glamorous, excited person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.