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

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Published by Izzy

on Nov 21, 2022, Updated Nov 19, 2023

5 from 8 votes

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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) (2)

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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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.

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5 from 8 votes

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

By: Izzy

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

Total: 15 minutes mins

Servings: 4

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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

Nutrition information provided is an estimate only and will vary based on ingredient brands and cooking methods used.

Like this recipe? Rate and comment below!

About Izzy

I'm Izzy, a food lover and photographer. Here you’ll find a collection of simple recipes that are perfect for busy people. My blog aims to help you make and enjoy delicious and healthy food at home.

Read More About Me

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

FAQs

What is ground turkey good for? ›

It's a lean protein which means you can easily whip lots of healthy options, but it's also juicy and delicious—and can just as easily be used in any of your favorite recipes. Craving a comforting pot of chili or a plateful of stuffed peppers? Or maybe you want a reliable family favorite like meatloaf or lasagna.

How to make ground turkey more flavorful? ›

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

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.

How do you cook ground turkey so it is moist? ›

Even 93 percent lean ground turkey—often the fattiest preground turkey you can buy—can still taste too lean and can easily dry out during cooking. To temper those effects, we added 2 tablespoons of melted butter to the meat, along with a panade of milk and panko.

Is ground turkey healthier than 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.

Is ground turkey healthier than chicken? ›

Both chicken and turkey provide healthy protein. Generally, chicken tends to be higher in vitamin B6 and pantothenic acid, and turkey tends to be lower in calories, fat, and sodium while having more zinc, niacin, and vitamin B12.

How do you make ground turkey not taste bland? ›

The Turkey Seasoning:
  1. Chili powder.
  2. Ground cumin.
  3. Garlic powder.
  4. Onion powder.
  5. Paprika or dried oregano.
  6. Salt & Black Pepper.
  7. Optional: red pepper flakes or cayenne pepper or a little spice kick.
Sep 10, 2023

How do you make ground turkey not 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. Adjust seasoning accordingly.

What can I put in the turkey for best flavor? ›

Instead of filling your bird with stuffing, fill it with aromatics. (News flash: Cooking stuffing inside a turkey can be dangerous.) The basics, like onion, garlic, thyme, rosemary, and sage, help lend that traditional Thanksgiving flavor. Take your aromatics up a notch by adding halved lemons or oranges.

How do you know when ground turkey has gone bad? ›

But as any poultry starts to go bad, it will start to turn an unpleasant shade of gray. If that pink hue starts to look slightly dull then it's time to use up your ground turkey immediately, and if it has a gray tint (even just a slight one), then it's time to toss it.

How to eat ground turkey? ›

The Best Ground Turkey Dinner Recipes
  1. Turkey-Stuffed Peppers. Spiced with fresh jalapeños and taco seasoning, and sprinkled with pepper jack cheese, turkey-stuffed peppers are a protein-packed, veggie-laden, hassle-free meal that everyone will love.
  2. Turkey Quinoa Meatloaf. ...
  3. Turkey Shepherd's Pie. ...
  4. Turkey Lasagna.

Can you eat 3 day expired ground turkey? ›

The Bottom Line

If the meat won't be used within a day or two, store it in the freezer and enjoy it within three to four months. If at any point, you notice discoloration, a foul smell or a slimy or tacky appearance to the ground turkey, do not consume it and throw it out.

What can I add to ground turkey to make it less dry? ›

Mushrooms! Ground mushrooms to be exact. Trust me, with this juicy recipe, you will fall head over heels in love with ground turkey. Mushrooms add moisture, mouthfeel, and umami (beefy) flavor to the otherwise dry ground turkey.

Can I use butter to cook ground turkey? ›

The method for cooking ground turkey is very similar to how you would cook ground beef. Get started by heating butter or oil in a skillet over high heat. Add in your ground turkey and use a spoon or tongs to start to break it apart.

Is ground turkey healthy to eat every day? ›

The bottom line is yes—it is okay to include ground turkey in your diet regularly, though as with any food, it's crucial to eat it in moderation and variety in your food choices. Eating a diverse range of nutrient sources helps ensure you obtain all of the essential nutrients needed for enhancing overall health.

What is the healthiest ground meat? ›

If you're eating for a healthy heart, lean ground turkey—which is lower in saturated fat—is the better pick for you. Of course, you can still enjoy ground beef from time to time, but choosing lean ground turkey more often will help your heart in the long run.

Is ground turkey a processed meat? ›

Doyle explains that these natural meats (including chicken and turkey) are still processed, and they're still made with nitrates. “They use natural sources of preservatives,” she says. “Many companies are using celery powder, celery juice or celery salt, which are high in nitrates.

What meat is most healthy? ›

While meat can be a part of a healthy diet, not all sources are created equal. The leanest and healthiest meats to eat include poultry, pork, fish, and seafood. Eating a balanced diet is one of the keys to a healthy lifestyle, which means choosing various foods from different food groups, like proteins.

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