Ground Turkey Recipes (2024)

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Ground Turkey Recipes take up a ton of space in my cookbook. Lean ground turkey is a healthier alternative to ground beef, simple to cook yet still incredibly flavorful.

Ground turkey recipes are a budget-friendly way to add lean protein to just about any meal, like turkey burgers, turkey meatballs and turkey meatloaf.

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Table of Contents

  1. Why I Love Ground Turkey Recipes
  2. The Best Ground Turkey Recipes
  3. FAQs
  4. Tips and Tricks for Cooking
  5. Storage

Why I Love Ground Turkey Recipes

Who says turkey is just for Thanksgiving? If you aren’t cooking with ground turkey, you should be! It’s a great way to shave a few calories off your weeknight dinner routine.

Ground turkey easily replaces ground beef in just about any recipe and cooks up in the same amount of time with a lot less fat. Turkey has a great flavor and it’s easily influenced by whatever flavors you want to throw at it.

We love using ground turkey instead of beef for easy weeknight meals, and use it often for turkey burgers, soups, and tacos.

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My Most Popular Ground Turkey Recipe

This recipe has been one of the Top 3 favorite recipes here on Yellow Bliss Road for nearly 8 years. And for good reason! It’s easy, incredibly flavorful, full of vegetables and kid approved!

Teriyaki Turkey Rice Bowl

The delicious, sweet teriyaki sauce and the (kind of) hidden veggies in this Teriyaki Turkey Rice Bowl makes this a healthy ground turkey recipe that your whole family will love!

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The Best Ground Turkey Recipes

Ready to cook up some delicious, budget-friendly and healthier meals? Here are some great ground turkey recipes to add to your weekly meal rotation! There are soup and chili recipes, Low Carb recipes, and my all-around favorite ground turkey dinner recipes.

Turkey Taco Soup

Turkey Taco Soup is loaded with ground turkey, beans, and tons of flavor. It's a quick and easy meal made from pantry ingredients that everyone will love!

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Turkey, Kale and Rice Soup

Ground Turkey Soup is hearty, comforting and ready in less than 30 minutes. It's filled with kale, rice, herbs and a flavorful broth.

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Turkey Chili

Healthy Turkey Chili recipe is hearty, meaty and incredibly flavorful. Simple and easy to make, this tasty chili is great for game day or family dinners.

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Southwest Ground Turkey Casserole

Southwest Ground Turkey Casserole is a filling and satisfying meal that's full of black beans, corn and spices, lean protein and veggies.

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Spicy Ground Turkey Meatloaf Recipe

This easy Mexican Ground Turkey Meatloaf recipe needs just a few common ingredients. It's naturally low carb and gluten-free, and the whole family will love it!

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Turkey Taco Stuffed Peppers

Turkey Taco Stuffed Peppers are tender bell peppers stuffed with seasoned ground turkey taco meat, black beans and cheese for a delicious and easy weeknight dinner.

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Teriyaki Turkey Lettuce Wraps

Sweet homemade Teriyaki combined with lean ground turkey and veggies wrapped in crisp lettuce – a perfectly light meal for lunch or dinner.

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This easy Taco Salad is made with ground turkey instead of beef for a healthy, colorful, meal-sized salad. It's full of crisp lettuce, and topped with a zesty ground turkey and bean mixture and all of your favorite taco toppings.

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Turkey Meatballs

These Ground Turkey Meatballs are tender and moist and a great way to eat a little healthier without sacrificing flavor!

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Ground Turkey Burrito Bowl

Burrito Bowls are loaded with flavorful ground turkey, rice, black beans and a variety of toppings. Easy to customize for a winning dinner!

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Turkey Meatball Subs

Turkey Meatball Subs are an easy weeknight dinner option that can also be made to feed a crowd. Meatballs, marinara sauce and cheese all stuffed inside a soft roll and baked until golden.

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Sweet and Sour Turkey Meatballs

Sweet & Sour Meatballs with turkey meatballs, pineapple and bell peppers, all coated in a homemade sweet and tangy sauce. A great appetizer or main course.

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Turkey Taco Pasta

Ground Turkey Taco Pasta is a super creamy and flavor-packed meal made a little lighter with lean ground turkey.This easy meal idea is going to change the way you do Taco night!

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Turkey Taco Stuffed Shells

A flavor-packed meal made a little lighter with lean ground turkey.Jumbo pasta shells are stuffed with flavorful ground turkey taco meat, cheese and salsa, and baked to perfection.

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Teriyaki Turkey Meatballs

Teriyaki Turkey Meatballs are a quick and easy weeknight meal or appetizer that is so delicious! Turkey meatballs topped with an incredible homemade teriyaki sauce. Perfect over rice or noodles!

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TheseGround Turkey and Black Bean Baked Tacos and just right for a healthy, quick and easy weeknight family meal. Seasoned turkey and black beans stuffed into crispy taco shells and topped with melted cheddar cheese – it’s dinnertime perfection!

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Spicy Pineapple Barbecue Turkey Meatballs

Tender, fresh Turkey Meatballs are smothered in a homemade Spicy Pineapple Barbecue Sauce. Full of sweet and spicy flavor, these meatballs will steal the show for sure when served as a party appetizer or as a dinner entree!

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Turkey Burger

Easy turkey burgers that are so juicy and flavorful. Made with ground turkey and seasoned to perfection, these burgers cook up in only 10 minutes!

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Cheesy Ground Turkey Tacos

Ground turkey tacos are a healthier version of a favorite with juicy, flavorful meat stuffed into tortillas with all your favorite toppings.

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Ground Turkey Enchiladas

Ground Turkey Enchiladas have a cheesy, saucy ground turkey filling rolled up in flour tortillas. Easy to make, healthy and delicious!

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FAQs

Is Ground Turkey Better for You than Ground Beef?

Ground turkey is a healthier alternative to beef. Although it does depend on the lean meat to fat ratio. You do want to make sure you are purchasing LEAN ground turkey(turkey breast). Although you can find very lean ground beef, turkey will still beat out it’s competition for lower calories and fat.

What can I add to ground turkey for flavor?

Season properly – Ground turkey meat is notorious low in fat but also can be quite bland just on it’s own. It’s important to season the meat while cooking. I always saute my ground turkey in a skillet with fresh onion and garlic and season generously with salt and pepper. Sometimes I add veggies like carrots or spinach. Simmering in a little low-sodium chicken broth can also add flavor.

Tips and Tricks for Cooking

  • Great for freezing! Make up a double batch of ground turkey when you’re cooking it for your recipe and freeze it to use later.
  • Be careful not to over-handle the meat. As with ground beef, turkey can become tough when over-mixed. Handle the meat as little as possible when shaping into burgers, meatballs and meatloaf, and use a soft touch to prevent pushing too much air out of the mixture. That’s what’s going to yield the most tender and juicy bite.
  • Don’t overcook the meat. Because of it’s low fat content, ground turkey can quickly dry out and become tough. To avoid this, keep an instant read thermometer on hand to check the temperature. It should reach 165 degrees when fully cooked.
  • Serve cooked ground turkey on it’s own over mashed potatoes or brown rice with a side salad and your choice of veggies.
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Storage

You have two options when freezing ground turkey – raw or cooked.

Freezing raw ground turkey:

You can place this into the freezer directly in the package from the grocery store or re-wrap it tighter to help prevent freezer burn.

The best way to thaw anything, especially raw meat, is to place it in the refrigerator overnight. Thawing on the counter is not recommended as the uneven temperature can cause bacteria to develop.

To thaw frozen ground turkey quickly, unwrap and place in a microwave safe dish and use the defrost setting on your microwave. Be sure to turn it in the dish a few times to ensure even defrosting. Of course you can also thaw overnight in the fridge.

Freezing cooked ground turkey:

Cook the turkey in a big batch with whatever seasonings you like. Allow it to cool completely (but for no longer than 2 hours), then place portions into freezer bags or airtight freezer containers and freeze for up to 4 months. Thaw in the fridge overnight, then add to soups, tacos, wraps and more.

Refrigerating cooked turkey:

Store cooked meat in the fridge in an airtight container and use it up within 4 days. Great for lunch prep or for adding to soups, tacos, etc. throughout the week.

Ground Turkey Recipes (2024)

FAQs

How do you make ground turkey 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.

Did I cook my ground turkey enough? ›

When overcooked, ground turkey quickly gets dry and crumbly, and loses its flavor. Follow this tip: Keep on eye on the time as you cook, and keep an instant-read thermometer handy. To prevent dry meat, cook ground turkey until it reaches an internal temperature of 165°F.

What is the best ground turkey to eat? ›

Whether you're making ground turkey tacos, turkey burgers, or another family favorite, 93% Lean Ground Turkey will be your go-to for lean, flavorful dishes. Shady Brook Farms® turkeys are raised by independent farmers with no antibiotics ever, and with no added hormones or steroids.

How long can ground turkey stay 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 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 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 not to cook ground turkey? ›

How to Tell If Ground Turkey Is Bad (Because Sometimes It's Not Obvious)
  1. Step 1: Check the Date. 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. ...
  2. Step 2: Look for Changes in Color. ...
  3. Step 3: Smell the Turkey.
Apr 10, 2023

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 keep ground turkey moist when cooking? ›

Adding some fat in the form of healthy oil would work, as would adding a flavorful liquid such as chicken stock or vegetable stock. You can also add finely chopped vegetables which retain moisture, such as mushrooms, zucchini or eggplant.

Can I eat ground turkey everyday? ›

Protein is a macronutrient, which means that your body needs a lot of it. Your body can't store protein, so you need to consume it every day. As long as you don't eat too much turkey, it is a healthy way to get the protein you need. It's also a good source of beneficial vitamins and minerals like magnesium and niacin.

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.

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.

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.

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

The meat color becomes dull as time passes, which is normal. However, if the meat has a brown, gray or yellow or green hue, you will want to part ways with it. It is also ready for the trash can or compost bin if you can see visible mold on the meat.

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.

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

All you have to do, is add 1 tablespoon of Kitchen Bouquet Browning & Seasoning Sauce per 1 pound of ground turkey. Then incorporate the Kitchen Bouquet into the meat. Now, this is to give the turkey the flavor of beef.

Can you season ground turkey to taste like beef? ›

Ground turkey isn't as flavorful as ground beef, but if you want it to feel a little bit more like ground beef, try adding some Worcestershire sauce.

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.

What can I add to ground turkey to keep it moist? ›

Mushrooms add moisture, mouthfeel, and umami (beefy) flavor to the otherwise dry ground turkey. When mushrooms are chopped up into little bits, they easily and evenly mix with ground turkey making the protein so tender and flavorful while also giving the dish a veggie boost.

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