Hot Okay, lukewarm take: ground turkey is *the* protein of the moment. Who says turkey is only for Thanksgiving? Not us! We love using ground turkey all year long to add lean protein to soups, burgers, and pasta. Plus, using it instead of ground beef is a great way to stay healthy, especially when it means we can eat things like turkey feta stuffed meatballs and Italian sloppy Joes. Ready to try something new this week besides ground beef? These 43 easy ground turkey recipes are quick and tasty ways to mix things up during the week.
Do you want even more easy and healthy meals? Check out our top healthy dinners, best ground chicken recipes, and best ground pork recipes.
When you think of a classic, warm meal, beef chili might come to mind. But turkey chili should get its chance to shine. This simple recipe has half as many beans as the original and is full of warm spices. The chili is thick and meaty, just like the original.
Ground turkey is an extremely versatile ingredient that can be used to make a variety of delicious dishes. From flavorful entrees to easy weeknight meals, ground turkey is a lean and budget-friendly protein option. In this article we’ll explore 20 amazing recipes featuring ground turkey.
Hearty Main Dishes
Ground turkey makes an excellent base for hearty main dishes that will satisfy your comfort food cravings Try using it to make
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Turkey meatloaf – Mix ground turkey with breadcrumbs, eggs, and your favorite spices and veggies. Bake into a classic meatloaf and serve with mashed potatoes or veggies
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Turkey burgers – Make juicy burgers with ground turkey and add fun flavors like pesto, buffalo sauce or Mexican spices. Serve on buns or over salad.
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Turkey chili – Cook up turkey chili packed with beans, tomatoes, peppers and spices. Top with cheese, avocado or cornbread.
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Turkey meatballs – Roll flavorful turkey meatballs with Parmesan, herbs and panko breadcrumbs. Simmer in tomato sauce for subs or pasta dishes.
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Turkey lasagna – Layer noodles, turkey ragu, cheese and veggies for a hearty turkey lasagna.
Easy Weeknight Meals
Thanks to its quick cooking time, ground turkey is perfect for getting dinner on the table fast any night of the week. Quick and easy meal ideas include:
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Turkey tacos – Season ground turkey with taco spices and pile into tortillas with all the fixings.
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Turkey stir fry – Cook turkey with veggies and teriyaki or Asian-inspired seasonings for a fast stir fry. Serve over rice.
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Turkey skillet meals – Cook ground turkey with veggies, beans or pasta right in one skillet for fuss-free meals.
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Turkey pasta – Toss cooked turkey Bolognese sauce or meatballs with your favorite pasta.
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Turkey wraps – Stuff tortillas with ground turkey, cheese, veggies and sauce for hand-held lunches or dinners.
Family-Friendly Favorites
Ground turkey is mild in flavor yet hearty enough to please kids and adults alike. Family-friendly recipes to try include:
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Turkey sloppy Joes – Kids love these saucy sandwiches made with ground turkey.
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Turkey nuggets – Bread ground turkey and bake into fun chicken nugget lookalikes.
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Turkey mac and cheese – Mix ground turkey into everyone’s comfort food fave.
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Turkey stuffed shells – Stuff pasta shells with a cheesy turkey and veggie filling.
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Turkey stuffed peppers – Fill bell peppers with seasoned ground turkey and rice or quinoa.
Lighter Turkey Dishes
Since ground turkey is lower in fat than other ground meats, it’s great for healthier recipes like:
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Turkey lettuce wraps – Fill lettuce leaves with flavorful ground turkey and veggies for low-carb, lighter meals.
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Turkey cabbage rolls – Use ground turkey in stuffed cabbage rolls along with brown rice and seasonings.
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Turkey Buddha bowl – Layer a bowl with cooked ground turkey, roasted veggies, greens and a simple dressing.
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Turkey stuffed zucchini boats – Scoop out zucchini halves and stuff with lean ground turkey and tomatoes.
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Turkey cauliflower rice bowl – Top riced cauliflower with ground turkey, avocado and salsa.
Creative Recipes Beyond the Basics
Ground turkey doesn’t have to be boring. Kick up the flavor with creative recipes like:
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Thai turkey lettuce cups – Spice up ground turkey with Thai peanut sauce and veggies.
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Buffalo turkey burgers – Mix hot sauce into the turkey for tangy, buffalo-style burgers.
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Turkey enchilada soup – Simmer ground turkey and enchilada spices in a creamy veggie soup.
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Moroccan turkey meatballs – Add Moroccan spices to turkey meatballs for a flavorful twist.
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Greek turkey gyro meat – Season ground turkey for homemade gyros with tzatziki sauce.
The possibilities are endless with this versatile and budget-friendly ingredient! Whatever you’re craving, there’s likely a delicious way to make it with ground turkey.
Ground Turkey FAQs
Still have questions about cooking with ground turkey? Here are answers to some frequently asked questions:
Is ground turkey healthy?
Yes, ground turkey is one of the leanest protein options. It’s lower in fat and calories than ground beef or pork.
Is ground turkey safe to eat?
Ground poultry should always be cooked thoroughly to 165°F as with other ground meats. Cook and store it properly to prevent foodborne illness.
What’s the best way to cook ground turkey?
Browning ground turkey in a skillet helps boost flavor. You can crumble and stir to fully cook through. Avoid overcooking or it may become dry.
Can you substitute ground beef for turkey?
Yes, turkey can be used in place of ground beef in just about any recipe, like chili, burgers or meatloaf. Adjust seasonings to suit your tastes.
What spices go well with ground turkey?
Popular seasonings for ground turkey include garlic, onion, oregano, basil, cumin, chili powder, curry powder and Italian seasoning blends.
Time to Get Cooking!
With so many options for easy, flavorful recipes, ground turkey is one of the most versatile and budget-friendly proteins. Whether you’re craving comforting casseroles or lighter weekday meals, ground turkey can make it happen. Now it’s time to grab your ground turkey and start cooking up some delicious dishes tonight!
Baked Minty Meatballs With Lemony Orzo
Silky and rich, this lemony orzo is inspired by a Greek soup called avgolemono. The orzo is simmered on the stove instead of boiling like pasta to make a creamy sauce. It’s worth giving it an extra stir or two to get the right texture. With minty turkey meatballs, this all-in-one meal is easy to make for a small dinner during the week or a dinner party. Get the Baked Minty Meatballs With Lemony Orzo recipe.
Air Fryer Turkey Breakfast Sausage
You’re gonna flip over the flavor of these homemade sausage patties. They taste just as good as the traditional pork version, but they are made with leaner ground turkey and less oil because they are cooked in an air fryer. Serve these alongside some air fryer pancakes or French toast sticks for the easiest breakfast ever.
Get the Air Fryer Turkey Breakfast Sausage recipe.