Best Ground Turkey Recipes (2024)

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These are the Best Healthy Ground Turkey Recipes! No matter what diet you follow these ground turkey recipes are delicious and easy to make!

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I’ve Gathered My Favorite Meals With Ground Turkey

Here is your go-to resource for delicious, healthy ground turkey recipes, and is a helpful guide to mastering the art of cooking ground turkey flawlessly.

No more boring, flavorless ground turkey here! Our collection showcases the versatility of lean ground turkey from mouthwatering turkey burgers to vibrant stir-fries and hearty slow cooker chili.

If you are looking for something to pair with these dishes, check out these Healthy Side Dishes!

Is ground turkey healthier than ground beef?

Ground turkey is higher in protein and lower in fat per pound compared to ground beef. Per 4 oz serving:

Turkey~ 167 calories, 22g protein, 9g fat

Ground Beef~240 calories, 21g protein, 17g fat

We personally prefer ground turkey because it is a lighter option. It is less greasy and overall just leaves us feeling satisfied, but not stuffed!

In a time crunch? Try These Healthy Ground Turkey Recipes

If you’re short on time – ground turkey is an awesome protein to cook with. It only takes 10-15 minutes to make – making it the perfect weeknight staple! All of these recipes are also great for meal prep.

  • Spicy Ground Turkey Stir Fry is one of the best ground turkey recipes! Low carb, Whole30, paleo and done in under 30 minutes with 7 simple ingredients. This easy meal is great for meal prepping or a quick dinner.
Best Ground Turkey Recipes (3)
  • Healthy Turkey Stir Fry is one of our favorites! Loaded with veggies and a simple mix of spices – it’s flavorful and easy!
  • This Turkey Skillet Dinner is the perfect one pot meal. It’s quick, easy, and super tasty. Dinner in 30 minutes!
  • Taco Stuffed Peppers are perfect for a quick dinner! You can get this delicious and healthy dinner on the table in under an hour.
  • Ground Turkey Zucchini Boats stuffed with chipotle seasoned ground turkey, black beans, cheese and all your favorite toppings. It’s the perfect healthy, gluten free and low carb meal for any night of the week!
  • Greek Turkey Taco Lettuce Wrapsare lighter versions of gyros or tacos served in lettuce wraps instead of pitas or tortillas! They fit into healthy low-carb, Paleo, and gluten-free diets.

These Simple Ground Turkey Recipes take only 1 lb!

If you have a pound of ground turkey that you’re looking to use up – these healthy ground turkey recipes are for you! All of these recipes use one pound of ground turkey.

  • Healthy Stuffed Peppers are an easy dinner. These paleo stuffed peppers are healthy, gluten free + dairy free and can be made in the slow cooker or oven. An Italian dinner made lighter with cauliflower rice!
  • Turkey Shepherd’s Pie is the ultimate easy dinner. A Healthy Shepherd’s Pie Recipe made with ground turkey and veggies. Easy and yummy!
  • Easy Zucchini Lasagna is perfect for a lighter dinner! Cheesy, low carb & delicious- no noodles needed!
  • This Stuffed Acorn Squash is a simple, nutritious dinner. Filled with winter flavors, naturally gluten free + perfect for a quick meal! This stuffed acorn squash recipe is the perfect weeknight dinner!
Best Ground Turkey Recipes (5)
  • Turkey Quinoa Stuffed Peppers are a hearty, healthy meal your family will love! Make them in the slow cooker, instant pot or oven for a quick, easy dinner!
  • Healthy Baked Ziti Pasta is a lighter twist on a classic Italian dish. Baked Ziti Pasta is made with ground turkey for a delicious, simple dinner that anyone will love! Easily made gluten free + simple to prepare!
  • Unstuffed Peppers are a hearty, easy meal everyone will love! Keto, whole30, paleo and so yummy! Perfect for a quick weeknight dinner!
  • BellPepperNachos that everyone will love! Thesepeppernachos are healthy, easy to make and tasty! Keto friendly too!
  • Healthy Stuffed Poblano Peppersfeature ground turkey, black beans, and a ton of not-too-spicy southwestern flavor. Leftovers make a great lunch!
  • Stuffed Pepper Casserole is so yummy! A healthy dinner that is made in one pan in under an hour! Gluten free & delicious.

Ground Turkey Dinner Ideas for the Slow Cooker

These slow cooker ground turkey recipes are SO easy. You only need a few minutes of prep time to get them started and the crockpot does all the work!

  • Paleo Turkey Chili is a delicious, healthy meal made in the crockpot or instant pot. Loaded with veggies- it’s easy to make and yummy!It’s our favorite slow cooker turkey chili recipe.
  • Healthy Bolognese is a delicious, hearty dinner. Paleo, Whole30 friendly and loaded with flavor – this hidden veggie bolognese is one you’ll love!
  • The Best Italian Wedding Soup Recipe! This recipe is easy to make and loaded with flavor. A delicious, cozy dinner!
  • Ground Turkey Chili! Learn how to make turkey chili that’s healthy & delicious in your crockpot, instant pot, or on the stove!
  • Whole30 Italian Wedding Soup is the perfect cozy, easy dinner. Paleo, whole30 and low carb – this soup can be made in the crockpot or on the stove! It’s gluten free, grain free and dairy free but packed with flavor and veggies!
Best Ground Turkey Recipes (7)
  • Leftover Turkey Chili is one of the best leftover turkey recipes or can easily be made with ground turkey! Easy to make, healthy and loaded with flavor – this is a must try!
  • Slow Cooker Turkey Sloppy Joes are an easy, delicious crockpot dinner! Serve them in a bun or on top of a salad!

Meals with Ground Turkey: Meatballs

Turkey Meatballs are one of our favorite healthy recipes to make. They’re quick, easy and YUMMY! Here are some of our favorite turkey meatball recipes

  • Greek Turkey Meatballs are the perfect healthy dinner. Put them on a salad, in a sandwich, or eat them on their own. Paleo, Whole30 and keto friendly!
  • Healthy Buffalo Turkey Meatballs are an easy weeknight dinner. Easily made paleo, keto and whole30, they’re perfect over a salad or on rice!
Best Ground Turkey Recipes (8)
  • Healthy Turkey Meatballs are a nutritious twist on a classic Italian dish. Whole30 friendly, paleo, gluten free, dairy free and so delicious! Made with lean turkey and fresh herbs- they’re the perfect dinner! I love pairing with tomato sauce and zucchini noodles or whole wheat pasta.
  • Meatball Spaghetti Squash Boats are an easy, low calorie, gluten free dinner. Low carb, cheesy + loaded with baby meatballs – they’re delicious!
  • Caprese Meatballs are the perfect easy, healthy meal! Low carb, filled with flavor, and done in 30 minutes – they’re great for dinner or meal prepping!A baked turkey meatballs recipe everyone will love!
  • Coconut Lime Rice Noodle Stir Fry with Lemongrass Meatballs is an incredible, flavor-filled, aromatic dish with so many delicious components. The lemongrass meatballs take on a slightly lemon-floral flavor from the lemongrass, and the coconut lime sauce is equal parts bright, citrusy, and savory.
  • Thai Red Curry Turkey Meatballs are great for meal prep – paleo friendly recipe. Serve with caulirice or zucchini noodles!

Ground Turkey Recipes: Healthy Burgers

We love burgers (this Burger Salad with Dill Pickle Vinaigrette is one of our absolute favs- you can make it with ground turkey instead!), but turkey burgers often get a bad reputation. These ground turkey burger recipes are loaded with flavor and stay juicy!

  • Healthy Turkey Burger Recipe that is juicy, moist and absolutely delicious! A must try for an easy dinner!
  • Greek Turkey Burgers are a great choice if you are looking for a leaner, healthier option to a traditional burger. Bursting with Greek flavours like feta cheese, mint and lemon, these burgers are topped with creamy homemade tzatziki. I think they’re the best turkey burgers!
  • Air Fryer Turkey Burgers are easy and juicy – the perfect for a quick weeknight meal. This recipe is gluten-free, paleo, and great for kids.
  • These Asian Style Turkey Burgers are lower in fat but high on flavor. A nice alternative if you’re looking for a healthier option.
  • Portobello Turkey Burgers are perfect for when you’re in the mood for a great burger with a spin on the traditional! Low in carbs and so yummy.
  • Paleo and Whole30 Turkey Burgers have a short ingredient list AND a secret ingredient… can you guess it? Sweet potatoes! The sweet potatoes keep the burgers moist and add a really nice earthy flavor.

Easy Ground Turkey Recipes: Lettuce Wraps

Ground turkey lettuce wraps are simple and delicious! Here are a few that we like:

  • These Sesame Ginger Ground Turkey Lettuce Wraps are super flavorful and make a great weeknight meal. You can have them on the table in 15 minutes flat!
  • Asian Lettuce Wraps are delicious! This homemade version tastes like PF Chang’s Lettuce Wraps and they are so easy to make. They can be ready in 20 minutes!

Ground Turkey Recipes: Healthy Meatloaf

Ground turkey is the perfect base for meatloaf because it’s low in fat and takes on the flavor of whatever you mix it with. We love these healthy turkey meatloaf recipes.

Ground Turkey Recipe FAQ

Is turkey low in fat?

Yes, turkey is low in fat. It typically has 75% less fat than ground beef. It’s a much leaner meat.

What can I add to ground turkey for flavor?

All of the recipes listed below are loaded with flavor. The key is to add spices, veggies, grains and seasonings to the recipe. All of these can help boost the flavor of a ground turkey recipe!

How do I cook lean ground turkey without drying it out?

Adding a sauce or veggies can help keep turkey moist. We will also occasionally add a few tablespoons of broth to a pan when cooking ground turkey. This adds both flavor and moisture!

Is ground turkey good for weight loss?

Yes, ground turkey is great for weight loss! Lean ground turkey is high in protein and low in fat/calories which makes it an ideal food for weight loss. You can have 4 oz of turkey for under 150 calories and 20-30g of protein!

What turkey helps you lose weight?

If weight loss is your goal, look for lean ground turkey. You can also use lean turkey breasts and cooked turkey meat. Ideally opt for turkey that is high in protein, low fat and low calorie.

Is ground turkey or chicken healthier?

Ground turkey and ground chicken are nearly identical in terms of nutrients and macros. Both are lean, high in protein and low in calories. Enjoy whichever one you like better!

Which is better for you ground turkey or ground hamburger?

There are benefits to eating both ground turkey and ground beef. Ground beef is higher in healthy fats and more nutrient dense. Ground turkey is lower in fat/nutrients and higher in protein per oz. Everyone has different dietary needs so depending on what you’re looking for different meats might be ‘healthier’.

Other healthy dinner recipes:

Looking for other easy meals? Check out these 40+ Healthy Dinner Recipes. Click here to grab our free healthy 30 minute dinners cookbook.

  • 40+ Quick Dinners
  • Healthy Ground Beef Recipes
  • Ground Turkey Recipes
  • Healthy Shrimp Recipes
  • Cheap, Healthy Meals
  • Healthy Sheet Pan Dinners
  • 30+ Best Salmon Recipes
  • Healthy Crockpot Recipes

Best Ground Turkey Recipes (9)

Easy Ground Turkey Recipes: Healthy Stir Fry

5 from 1 vote

Easy Ground Turkey Stir Fry is one of the best ground turkey recipes! Low carb, Whole30, paleo and done in under 30 minutes with 7 simple ingredients. This easy meal is great for meal prepping or a quick dinner.

WW Freestyle Points 2

Prep Time : 5 minutes minutes

Cook Time : 15 minutes minutes

Total Time : 20 minutes minutes

Serves : 4 people

(hover over # to adjust)

PRINTRATE

Ingredients

Instructions

  • Heat olive oil in a pan. Add onion + garlic and sauté for 5 minutes until translucent.

  • Add turkey to cooked onion and garlic. Cook uncovered until browned, about 10 minutes.

  • After turkey is cooked, add in green beans, coconut aminos + bomba sauce.

  • Stir together. Cover + cook for 5 minutes so green beans can ‘steam’. You can cook for an additional 5 minutes if you prefer softer green beans.

  • Serve with green onions or sesame seeds for garnish over rice or cauliflower rice.

Video

Nutrition Facts

Nutrition Facts

Easy Ground Turkey Recipes: Healthy Stir Fry

Amount Per Serving (8 oz ground turkey + green beans (approx))

Calories 214Calories from Fat 72

% Daily Value*

Fat 8g12%

Saturated Fat 2g13%

Cholesterol 58mg19%

Sodium 438mg19%

Potassium 478mg14%

Carbohydrates 15g5%

Fiber 4g17%

Sugar 5g6%

Protein 20g40%

Vitamin A 828IU17%

Vitamin C 17mg21%

Calcium 64mg6%

Iron 2mg11%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet. This is an estimate and can vary pending your ingredients

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Best Ground Turkey Recipes (10)

Best Ground Turkey Recipes (2024)

FAQs

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

Chopped yellow onions, scallions, cilantro, and red bell pepper all help add flavor. So too does the chili powder and minced garlic.

How to jazz up ground turkey? ›

There are plenty of easy ground turkey recipes out there. But, you will always need spices like olive oil, kosher salt and pepper, chili powder, and garlic powder. You can add minced garlic, and freshly chopped onions and peppers, for an extra edge.

Is ground turkey really 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.

How do you make 99% ground turkey taste good? ›

Enhance Flavor with Seasonings

While ground turkey has a mild flavor, adding the right seasonings can make it truly delicious. Experiment with a variety of herbs and spices like garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, cumin, or dried oregano. Don't be afraid to get creative and adjust the flavors to your liking!

When should I season ground turkey? ›

First, heat 1 tbsp of olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Then, add the ground turkey to the pan and cook for 5 minutes, breaking up the turkey as it cooks. When the turkey is no longer pink, reduce the heat to low, then add 1 ½ Tablespoons of the seasoning and stir to combine.

How to season a turkey really good? ›

There are two main ways you can season a turkey.
  1. Dry brine: Combine salt, pepper, dried herbs, and spices and rub the mixture under the turkey skin, inside the cavity, and then over the skin. ...
  2. Compound better: Combine butter, salt, pepper, fresh chopped herbs, citrus zest, and other flavorings.
Nov 3, 2023

How do you make ground turkey not bland? ›

personally i like to add half a packet of onion soup mix, half a packet of ranch dressing mix, 2 tablespoons of low sodium soy sauce, 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes, and 1/2 teaspoon of msg per pound of ground turkey. if you can find a good szechuan sauce that also makes the turkey flavorful.

How can I improve my turkey flavor? ›

Never pass up the opportunity to add flavor to turkey by stuffing the cavity with a simple aromatics mix. Fresh herbs like thyme, rosemary, and sage along with a half lemon go a long way to add flavor, and stuffing it into the bird takes almost no time at all.

When not to cook ground turkey? ›

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.

Can I eat ground turkey 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.

Is ground turkey good for weight loss? ›

Turkey. Turkey is another great lean meat option for contributing to weight loss. It's low in calories and provides many of the same nutrients as chicken. Ground turkey is one of the best choices for eating turkey to lose weight, simply because it's lean.

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.

What to add to ground turkey? ›

You can add more or less of any of the ground turkey seasonings. You might also want to try other spices that you enjoy. I have added Worcestershire sauce, rosemary, oregano, onion powder, garlic powder, chili powder, hot sauce, and Italian seasoning depending on what I'm using my ground meat for.

What is the best ground turkey to buy? ›

Shady Brook is hands down my favorite ground turkey brand. They are consistent and I always know I am going to get a high quality, good tasting product.

How long does ground turkey last 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.

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 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

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