What is Diced Turkey? A Complete Guide

Diced turkey is a versatile and healthy meat that is growing in popularity But what exactly is diced turkey and how is it used? This article will explore everything you need to know about this nutritious and delicious ingredient,

What is Diced Turkey?

Diced turkey refers to pieces of turkey meat that have been cut into small uniform cubes. It is made by cutting turkey breasts, thighs or other cuts into cubes that are usually around 1/2 to 3/4 inches in size. The uniform cubes allow diced turkey to cook quickly and provide a consistent texture and flavor.

Diced turkey is available in most grocery stores, usually near other packaged turkey products or in the fresh meat department. You can find it raw or pre-cooked. Raw diced turkey needs to be cooked before eating, while pre-cooked is ready to eat or just needs heating.

Benefits of Diced Turkey

There are many benefits that make diced turkey a healthy and handy kitchen staple:

• Lean protein – Turkey is a lean meat that provides an excellent source of protein while being lower in fat and calories compared to beef or pork.

• Versatile ingredient – The uniform cubes allow diced turkey to be easily incorporated into recipes like soups, salads, casseroles, pastas, and more.

• Quick cooking – The small pieces mean diced turkey cooks faster than turkey breasts or other larger cuts.

• Budget-friendly – Diced turkey costs less per pound compared to other cuts of turkey.

• Kid-friendly – Many kids love the flavor and texture of diced turkey. It’s an easy way to get them to eat lean protein.

How is Diced Turkey Used?

Diced turkey is a versatile ingredient that can be used in many types of savory dishes:

• Soups – Turkey noodle soup, turkey chili, turkey and rice soup.

• Salads – Diced turkey is perfect for chef’s salads, Cobb salads, turkey taco salads.

• Wraps – Add to turkey wraps with veggies and cheese for easy lunches.

• Casseroles – Use in turkey tetrazzini, turkey and stuffing casserole.

• Pasta dishes – Toss with spaghetti, penne, or bowtie pasta for a quick meal.

• Stir fries – Stir fry with veggies and teriyaki or curry sauce.

• Snacks – Make turkey roll-ups with cheese and pickle in a tortilla.

• Sandwiches – Put on bread or rolls for turkey subs and sandwiches.

Purchasing and Storing Diced Turkey

When buying diced turkey, here are some tips:

• Check the sell-by date and pick the freshest option.

• Look for packages without tears or leaking juices.

• For pre-cooked, choose turkey that looks moist, not dry.

• Opt for low sodium versions to control salt content.

• Raw diced turkey can be frozen for up to 9 months for longer storage.

Once open, store diced turkey in the refrigerator:

• Raw diced turkey lasts 1-2 days.

• Pre-cooked keeps 3-4 days after opening.

• Use opened packages within the recommended timeframe.

How to Cook Raw Diced Turkey

Raw diced turkey must reach an internal temperature of 165°F, just like ground turkey and chicken. Here are some cooking methods:

• Sauté – Cook over medium-high heat in olive oil or butter until no longer pink.

• Grill – Toss diced turkey with oil and grill until cooked through and slightly charred.

• Bake – Place in a casserole dish and bake at 350°F for 15-20 minutes until hot and browned.

• Simmer – Add to soups, stews, and chilies and simmer for 10-15 minutes until fully cooked.

• Microwave – Microwaving is not recommended as it can create uneven cooking.

Recipes Using Diced Turkey

Diced turkey is the star in these delicious recipes:

• Turkey Taco Lettuce Wraps – Sauté diced turkey with taco seasoning and stuff into lettuce leaves.

• Turkey and Broccoli Pasta – Toss diced turkey with broccoli, garlic, olive oil and pasta.

• Cheesy Turkey and Rice Casserole – Mix diced turkey with rice, cheese, cream of mushroom soup and bake.

• Buffalo Turkey Salad – Combine diced turkey, romaine lettuce, diced celery, shredded cheese and buffalo sauce.

• Turkey Tetrazzini – Sauté diced turkey with mushrooms, spaghetti, Parmesan, and creamy sauce.

Is Diced Turkey Healthy?

Diced turkey is a very healthy meat choice. A 4 ounce serving provides:

• 25 grams of protein
• Just 1 gram of fat
• 120 calories

Compared to the same amount of ground beef’s 15 grams of fat and 290 calories, diced turkey is clearly the healthier choice. It provides all the flavor and satisfaction of turkey meat in an easy, versatile form.

So if you’re looking for a nutritious ingredient to incorporate into your recipes, diced turkey is a great protein-packed option. With its quick cook time and mild flavor, the possibilities are endless for delicious dishes using diced turkey.