How to Marinate Ground Turkey for Maximum Flavor

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You want to cook ground turkey but don’t know how to season it. Let’s look at two easy and tasty seasoning blends you can use for all your ground turkey needs. Plus, you probably already have all of these spices in your spice rack.

Ground turkey is a healthy, versatile protein that can be used in everything from burgers to tacos to pasta sauce But on its own, ground turkey can be a little bland and dry That’s where marinating comes in! Marinating is a simple and effective way to infuse flavor and moisture into ground turkey, taking your recipes from boring to bold.

In this comprehensive guide, you’ll learn everything you need to know about marinating ground turkey, including:

  • The benefits of marinating ground turkey
  • Tips for choosing the best marinade
  • Step-by-step instructions for marinating
  • Delicious marinade recipes
  • Creative ways to use marinated ground turkey

Why Marinate Ground Turkey?

Marinating has several benefits that can help make ground turkey tastier and more enjoyable to eat

  • Infuses flavor – Marinades impart flavorings like herbs, spices, citrus, etc This adds lots of extra taste to otherwise bland ground turkey.

  • Increases moisture – The liquid in the marinade helps keep ground turkey juicy and tender, instead of dry and chewy.

  • Tenderizes the meat – Marinating actually begins to break down muscle fibers in the turkey, resulting in a more tender texture.

  • Enhances browning – Ingredients like oil, acid, and salt help ground turkey brown better for more appetizing color.

  • Makes it more versatile – Vibrant flavors from marinades allow you to use ground turkey in more dishes, beyond just burgers and plain turkey meat.

Choosing the Best Marinade for Ground Turkey

Ground turkey takes well to both wet and dry marinades. Here are some tips for selecting marinades that work well:

  • Go bold – Choose intense flavors since mild marinades won’t make much impact. Opt for assertive herbs, spices, vinegars, etc.

  • Use an acid – Acidic ingredients like lemon juice, vinegar, or yogurt help tenderize and impart tang.

  • Include oil – Oil aids in flavor dispersal and browning. Olive, avocado or vegetable oil work well.

  • Mind the salt – Salt enhances flavor but too much can dry out the meat. Add just enough to highlight other flavors.

  • Complement the cooking method – If grilling, choose a marinade with some sugar to caramelize. For stovetop, pick braising-friendly flavors.

  • Set time aside – For best results, marinate ground turkey for at least 30 minutes, but ideally 1-8 hours.

Step-By-Step Guide to Marinating Ground Turkey

Follow these simple steps for flawlessly marinated ground turkey every time:

1. Prepare the Marinade

Whisk together all marinade ingredients until thoroughly combined. You’ll want about 1⁄4 to 1⁄2 cup of marinade per 1 lb of ground turkey.

2. Place Turkey in Marinade

Put ground turkey in a resealable plastic bag or a shallow dish. Pour prepared marinade over the top, making sure all the meat is evenly coated.

3. Marinate in the Refrigerator

Let the turkey marinate in the fridge for 30 minutes up to overnight. Longer marinating times result in more flavor infusion. Occasionally flip the bag or stir the meat to redistribute marinade.

4. Cook as Usual

Remove turkey from the marinade and pat dry. Discard used marinade. Then cook the ground turkey as you normally would, being sure to cook it thoroughly to 165°F internal temperature.

5. Add Finishing Flavors

After cooking, you can add any extra flavors like glazes, sauces or toppings to complement the marinade.

5 Delicious Marinade Recipes for Ground Turkey

Here are some tasty marinade combinations that work exceptionally well with ground turkey:

1. Greek Yogurt Marinade

  • 1 cup Greek yogurt
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 tbsp dried oregano
  • 1 tbsp lemon juice
  • 1⁄2 tsp salt
  • 1⁄4 tsp black pepper

2. Rosemary Balsamic Marinade

  • 1⁄4 cup balsamic vinegar
  • 1⁄4 cup olive oil
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 2 tbsp chopped fresh rosemary
  • 1⁄2 tsp dried thyme
  • 1⁄4 tsp red pepper flakes
  • 1⁄4 tsp black pepper

3. Chili Lime Marinade

  • 1⁄3 cup olive oil
  • Zest and juice of 2 limes
  • 1 tbsp chili powder
  • 2 tsp ground cumin
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 tsp salt

4. Jerk Spice Marinade

  • 1⁄4 cup soy sauce
  • 2 tbsp lime juice
  • 2 tbsp olive oil
  • 2 tbsp Jamaican jerk seasoning
  • 1 tbsp brown sugar
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced

5. Chipotle Southwest Marinade

  • 1⁄3 cup olive oil
  • 3 tbsp lime juice
  • 2 chipotles in adobo sauce, minced
  • 1 tsp adobo sauce
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 1⁄2 tsp ground cumin
  • 1 tsp chili powder
  • 1⁄2 tsp salt

Creative Uses for Marinated Ground Turkey

Thanks to its super absorbent texture, ground turkey adapts well to all different flavors of marinades. Here are some fun ways to put those yummy marinated flavors to use:

  • Marinated turkey burgers – Grill up juicy, flavorful turkey burgers.

  • Marinated turkey meatballs – Toss with pasta, bake, or simmer in sauce.

  • Marinated turkey tacos – Top with favorite taco fixings.

  • Marinated turkey salad – Use in place of chicken in any salad recipe.

  • Marinated turkey pizza – Top homemade or store-bought crust.

  • Marinated turkey sandwiches – Pile onto rolls or toast for quick lunches.

  • Marinated turkey stuffed peppers – An easy, healthy meal.

  • Marinated turkey bowls – Create Mediterranean, Thai or taco-style bowls.

  • Marinated turkey kabobs – Alternate with veggies on skewers.

Get Creative with Marinated Ground Turkey

Marinating is truly a game-changer when it comes to ground turkey. Don’t settle for flavorless turkey – with the simple tips in this guide you can infuse big, bold flavors into ground turkey. Experiment with different marinade combinations and use marinated turkey in all sorts of dishes from ethnic cuisine to weeknight dinners. The possibilities are endless for incorporating more flavor and variety into your ground turkey recipes.

how to marinate ground turkey

Use a great seasoning blend

One of my favorite ways to season ground turkey is with a garlic-onion ground turkey seasoning blend. The other is with a ground turkey taco seasoning.

Ground turkey doesn’t have as much flavor as ground beef or other meats, so you need to add a lot of seasoning.

Cook with a fat

Most ground turkey is “lean ground turkey”, meaning it has a low fat content. It’s a great leaner meat alternative, but it can be a little dry. Make sure to add a good source of cooking fat like olive oil or avocado oil.

Because ground turkey meat usually has less fat, you’ll need to add more water to keep the meat from getting too dry. You can do this by adding sauces and/or condiments, depending on the dish.

This could be salad dressing on a salad, sour cream and salsa on a taco, ketchup and mustard on a turkey burger, or pasta sauce on a pasta dish.

While the turkey is cooking, it helps to add a few tablespoons of broth or water to the pan. After seasoning the ground turkey, just add a few tablespoons of water or broth and let it simmer until the liquid thickens and reduces.

Ground Meat and Veggies Recipe! Do this with your Ground Beef or Turkey. Absolutely Delicious!!!

FAQ

How do you make ground turkey not taste bland?

Under-seasoning is one of the biggest mistakes people make with ground turkey. You’ll find the meat bland and flavorless if you don’t add a hefty serving of dried herbs and spices, as well as the unforgettable salt-and-pepper combo. The exact seasonings you should use for ground turkey depends on how it’s prepared.

What to add to ground turkey to make it moist?

Chop some onions and mushrooms and lightly sautee then shred a favorite veg (zucchini works but experiment). Mix (about 10-20% by volume) with the turkey and make the patties then cook. They should be more moist now. You can also blend the mixture into the ground turkey, make patties and freeze the patties for later.

How long is it safe to marinate a turkey?

According to the Food Safety and Inspection Service, turkey can be safely marinated for up to two days in the refrigerator before cooking. Of course, during the marinating process, the bird should be turned so that all parts benefit from the seasoning.

How do you marinate a Turkey?

Garlic: Add a generous amount of freshly minced garlic to accentuate the flavor of the turkey. Spices: I add salt, pepper, smoked paprika and sweet paprika to finish off the marinade. Be sure to rub the marinade all over the entire bird, including under the skin.

What is a good marinade for ground turkey?

Some popular wet marinades for ground turkey include: * Soy sauce marinade: This marinade is made with soy sauce, garlic, ginger, and honey. It’s perfect for creating a flavorful and tender dish. * Teriyaki marinade: This marinade is made with soy sauce, mirin, and brown sugar. It’s a sweet and savory marinade that’s perfect for grilling.

How do you cook a ground turkey?

With our tips, you’ll be able to make delicious ground turkey that everyone will love. In a large skillet, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add the ground turkey and cook until browned, breaking it up with a spoon as it cooks. Add the onion, green bell pepper, and red bell pepper and cook until softened, about 5 minutes.

How do you cook ground turkey in a crock pot?

In a large skillet, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add the ground turkey and cook until browned, breaking it up with a spoon as it cooks. Add the onion, green bell pepper, and red bell pepper and cook until softened, about 5 minutes. Add the garlic powder, oregano, salt, and black pepper and cook for 1 minute more.

What seasoning goes well with ground turkey?

Taco seasoning like chili powder, cumin, oregano, garlic powder, onion powder, kosher salt and pepper taste great with ground turkey. Other herbs like paprika, dried oregano, basil and rosemary are a good choice too. If you love ground turkey, then you will want to try a few of our other favorite ground turkey recipes.

What temperature should a turkey breast be marinated at?

A meat thermometer inserted into the thickest part of the breast or thigh should register 165 degrees F. This marinade makes enough to cover an average 12-14 pound turkey. If you’re using a larger turkey, you may need to double the marinade.

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