The sauce on these ground turkey meal prep bowls tastes like Korean food. Each bowl is full of flavor and has less than 400 calories, so you can make this recipe on the weekend for healthy, tasty lunches all week.
There are so many ways to use ground turkey. You can make Thai turkey lettuce wraps or turkey taco lunch bowls. It’s also great for making meals ahead of time.
Ground turkey is cooked in a mix of sweet and savory sauces that give rice and vegetables more flavor. The sauces are based on Korean beef. You can store it in the fridge or the freezer. perfect for stocking up on healthy meals!.
Ground turkey is an excellent lean protein source to include in your weekly meal prep. It’s lower in calories and fat than beef but still has lots of protein to keep you full and satisfied. Meal prepping healthy recipes with ground turkey ahead of time saves you time and helps you eat better all week long. In this article, we’ll look at some of the best meal prep recipe ideas featuring everyone’s favorite lean ground meat.
Benefits of Meal Prep with Ground Turkey
Meal prepping has become very popular lately, and for good reason. It provides a number of benefits that make it easier to eat healthy all week long
-
Saves time – No need to decide what’s for lunch or dinner each day. Just grab a prepared meal from the fridge and heat it up.
-
Eat better – Pre-portioned healthy meals means less temptation to eat out or order take-out on busy days.
-
Reduce food waste – Meal prep uses ingredients efficiently so there are fewer leftovers or spoiled produce
-
Save money – Preparing food at home is cheaper than eating out. Meal prepping also reduces impulse grabs of processed foods at the store.
Ground turkey in particular is a nutritious and versatile protein to meal prep with. Compared to ground beef it is:
- Lower in calories and fat, especially saturated fat
- Still rich in protein to keep you full and satisfied
- More budget-friendly than lean ground beef
- Versatile to use in many types of cuisine
Let’s look at some of the best meal prep recipes using ground turkey.
Meal Prep Bowl Recipes
Meal prep bowls are a convenient way to assemble healthy lunches and dinners for the week ahead. They usually contain a lean protein, whole grains, vegetables, and healthy fats. Ground turkey works perfectly in bowl meals. Here are some delicious examples:
Greek Turkey Bowls
Flavorful components like lemon herb rice, tzatziki sauce, tomatoes, and feta make these Greek turkey bowls really satisfying. The ground turkey provides a boost of protein. Make a batch and pack them in meal prep containers for easy grab-and-go lunches all week.
Taco Turkey Bowls
Spice up your weekday lunch routine with these fun turkey taco bowls. They contain seasoned ground turkey, brown rice, black beans, corn, shredded cheese and salsa. The flavors of tacos in an easy bowl form!
Asian Turkey Lettuce Wraps
For a lighter lunch, skip the bowl and wrap your ground turkey in lettuce cups. The Asian flavors of ginger, garlic, chili sauce and scallions give so much flavor. It’s also gluten free and lower carb while still filling thanks to the turkey.
BBQ Ranch Turkey Bowls
If you like comfort foods, these BBQ turkey bowls are sure to satisfy. Ground turkey combines with barbecue sauce, ranch dressing, sweet potatoes and green onions. A savory and slightly sweet bowl to enjoy any day of the week.
Ground Turkey Recipes for Meal Prep
In addition to fully composed bowls, it’s handy to prep some versatile ground turkey recipes that can be used in different ways throughout your week. Here are some favorites:
Italian Turkey Meatballs
Keep a batch of baked turkey meatballs in your fridge to add protein and flavor to pasta dishes, sandwiches, salads and more all week long. Italian-seasoned turkey meatballs can be eaten as-is or repurposed in many meals.
Taco-Spiced Turkey
Having prepped taco-spiced ground turkey on hand makes it easy to throw together tacos, taco salads, burritos, nachos and more. The flavorful turkey mixture stores well and works in so many recipes.
Turkey Sloppy Joes
For an easy sandwich filling, prepare turkey sloppy joes ahead of time. The saucy, slightly sweet mixture of ground turkey, tomatoes, onions, and seasonings packs a flavor punch. Keep some ready in the fridge to pile onto rolls or in lettuce wraps for quick lunches.
Teriyaki Turkey
Teriyaki turkey is so versatile – use it in stir fries, fried rice, lettuce wraps, etc. Marinate ground turkey in a homemade teriyaki sauce mixture before cooking. Then portion it out to use in simple meals all week.
Freezer-Friendly Ground Turkey Recipes
Want to take your meal prep up a notch? Consider making freezer meals too! Here are some great ground turkey meals to prep and freeze:
Turkey Chili
Chili is a perfect make-ahead meal because it reheats so well. Brown the ground turkey, onions, peppers and spices before adding beans, tomatoes, and broth. Let it simmer before freezing it in meal prep containers.
Turkey Lasagna Rolls
Assemble lasagna rolls with turkey meat, sauce, ricotta and mozzarella then wrap them up to freeze. When ready to eat, just bake the frozen lasagna rolls until heated through and bubbly. They’ll taste freshly made!
Turkey Meatloaf
Make individual-sized meatloaves using ground turkey, eggs, oats, and spices. Wrap each mini meatloaf tightly and freeze. Reheat them from frozen for quick weeknight dinners paired with veggies.
Turkey & Veggie Pot Pie
For an easy freezer to oven meal, assemble pot pies with ground turkey, veggies and cream sauce. Freeze unbaked pies then cook straight from frozen later on busy nights.
Tips for Successful Meal Prep with Ground Turkey
Follow these tips to make your ground turkey meal prep simple and set yourself up for healthy eating success:
-
Choose 93% lean or 99% lean ground turkey for maximum leanness
-
Season well with spices, herbs and sauces for flavor
-
Cook in a skillet over medium heat until browned and no longer pink
-
Let cool fully before packing in meal prep containers
-
Refrigerate for 3-5 days or freeze up to 3 months
-
Reheat frozen meals by thawing overnight in the fridge then reheating
-
Add favorite toppings or pair with healthy sides for complete meals
Enjoy Healthy and Delicious Meals All Week Long
As you can see, ground turkey is very versatile for meal prepping! Follow some of the delicious recipes above to enjoy nutritious home-cooked meals with ease. Meal prep with lean ground turkey is an easy way to save time, eat healthier and reduce food waste.
Reasons you’ll ♡ this recipe
- It’s ready in less than 30 minutes, so it’s great for a quick dinner during the week or to make ahead of time.
- it freeze/thaws great
- The sauce gives the turkey, rice, and vegetables just the right amount of flavor.
This recipe was adapted from Taste of Homes Korean Beef and Rice, which in turn, was inspired by Korean beef bulgogi. Beef bulgogi is a traditional Korean recipe that consists of thin strips of beef marinated in a delicious sauce. The beef can be skewered, then grilled, or sauteed in a frying pan. The marinade can vary widely by chef, but typically consists of a mixture of soy sauce, garlic, ginger, green onion, sugar and pear.
If you are interested in reading more about the history behind beef bulgogi, I encourage you to read this article.
Step by step directions
1. Shake up sauce- Youll want to mix up the sauce before you begin cooking. In a small jar, add honey, soy sauce, sesame oil, red pepper flakes, and black pepper. Shake it up, then set aside.
2. Cook turkey- Heat a non stick pan over medium heat. Add the ground turkey to the pan. Stir and break it up with a spatula for 7 to 10 minutes.
3. Tobacco Add the minced garlic and ginger, and cook, stirring a bit, for 1 minute. Then mix it right into the ground turkey.
4. Sauce it up- Shake the sauce back up, then pour it evenly over the turkey. Let it cook for 1-2 minutes until bubbly and everything is coated in the sauce.
5. Split up: Put the ground turkey sauce into meal prep containers that are at least 2 cups in size. Add steamed broccoli and rice. Refrigerate for up to 4 days, and heat it up until steaming hot in the microwave to serve.
- Instead of rice, use cauliflower rice or even zoodles, and try a different sweetener in the sauce to make it low carb.
- Honey can be switched out for maple syrup, brown sugar, or monk fruit.
- Leave out the soy sauce and use tamari or coconut aminos instead. You’ll also need to change the rice.
- Chicken thighs (chopped into cubes) or ground turkey can be used instead of the ground turkey.
- Keep in the fridge for up to four days in an airtight container.
- freezer- store in the freezer for up to 3 months.
- thaw- overnight in the fridge.
- reheat- in the microwave until steaming hot.
My favorite ground turkey bowls #mealprep #fruitbowls #mealprepsunday #fitness
FAQ
How long does ground turkey last for meal prep?
When not to cook ground turkey?
Is ground meat good for meal prep?
How to jazz up ground turkey?
What are some healthy ground turkey recipes?
Make a filling and flavorful meal with these healthy ground turkey recipes. Turkey is a versatile protein that can be used in chilis, stuffed peppers and more. From Taco Spaghetti Squash Boats to Turkey & Brown Rice Chili, these turkey recipes are delicious and the perfect option for tonight’s menu. Was this page helpful?
How do you cook a ground turkey in a skillet?
This healthy ground turkey skillet cooks pretty fast. First, brown the turkey and season with salt and cumin. After about five minutes, push the meat to one side, add the onion and tomato paste, and cook for a minute. Next, add the black beans, corn, tomato, jalapeño, corn, and ¼ cup water. Then add the zucchini and remaining salt and cumin.
Is ground turkey good for meal prep?
Using ground turkey for meal prep is a great way to keep costs down and nutrition up. This lean, mean protein is great at soaking up the flavor. Enjoy these ground turkey meal prep recipes. Discover twenty-one ways to bring lean ground turkey to life in your meal prep roster with these best healthy ground turkey recipes for your meal plan! 1.
How many ground turkey meal prep recipes are there?
These 15 ground turkey meal prep recipes include pre-portioned meals and freezer-friendly options. Spending a little time prepping your meals ahead is a great way to reduce your meal time stress! We’ve got a ton of meal prep options on the blog including vegetarianand beef options, but today, we’re focussing on ground turkey! Jump toshow
How do you cook a Turkey in a crock pot?
First, brown the turkey and season with salt and cumin. After about five minutes, push the meat to one side, add the onion and tomato paste, and cook for a minute. Next, add the black beans, corn, tomato, jalapeño, corn, and ¼ cup water. Then add the zucchini and remaining salt and cumin. Cover the skillet and cook on low for four to five minutes.
How many calories are in a ground turkey meal Prep Bowl?
These ground turkey meal prep bowls have a delicious Korean-inspired sauce! Packed with flavor and under 400 calories per bowl, you can prep this recipe on the weekend for healthy and delicious lunches through the week. Check out this recipe