This Seasoned Ground Turkey is a meal prep staple! It’s quick to make, stores beautifully, and is seasoned to perfection. This turkey is packed with flavor, but versatile enough to be enjoyed in a number of different recipes!
This recipe is one that I use a lot for meal prep and batch cooking because it’s so quick and easy, it stores super well, and it can be used in tons of different recipes—you can use it in pretty much any other recipe that calls for ground turkey.
Use this in enchiladas, stir fries, or pastas, add it to sandwiches, layer it on potatoes…you name it! It is the best way to prep lean protein to be ready to go when you need a meal fast.
Ground turkey can seem bland and dry on its own. The key is knowing what ingredients to mix in to make it delicious and juicy every time. After researching many recipes and ideas, I’ve discovered 15 of the best ways to add incredible flavor to ground turkey.
1. Taco Seasoning
Ground turkey takes on a bold Mexican flair with the addition of taco seasoning. Simply add a packet of store-bought seasoning or make your own blend with spices like cumin, chili powder, paprika, onion powder, garlic powder, salt and pepper. Taco turkey is perfect stuffed in tacos, nachos, quesadillas, burritos and more. Finish it off with tasty toppings like cheese, salsa, guacamole and sour cream.
2. Italian Herbs and Cheese
For an Italian twist, season ground turkey with oregano, basil, rosemary, thyme, garlic powder, salt, and pepper. Then mix in shredded mozzarella or parmesan cheese. This herb and cheese turkey mixture is delicious in pasta, pizzas, meatballs and meatloaf. The cheese adds a lovely richness.
3. Soy Sauce and Ginger
Add an Asian flair to ground turkey with minced garlic, minced ginger, soy sauce, sesame oil, rice vinegar and chili garlic sauce. Stir fry the turkey with veggies and serve over rice or noodles It’s also tasty stuffed in lettuce wraps or patties The combo of soy sauce, ginger and garlic gives it a wonderful umami depth.
4. BBQ Sauce
BBQ turkey fills sandwiches, tacos, nachos and more with finger-licking goodness. Season it with your favorite bbq sauce, smoked paprika, chili powder, garlic powder and onion powder. Garnish it with gooey cheese, crispy onions or fresh pickles. The sweet, tangy and smoky flavors make it irresistible.
5. Salsa and Lime
For Mexican-style turkey, combine salsa, lime juice, chopped cilantro, cumin, chili powder and diced onions and jalapenos (optional) Use it to fill tacos, tostadas, burritos, nachos, quesadillas or taco salads The combo of spicy salsa and bright citrus adds fresh Southwestern taste.
6. Pesto
Mixing pesto into ground turkey yields an ultra-flavorful Italian dish. Make a simple pesto with basil, garlic, pine nuts, olive oil and parmesan. Toss the pesto turkey with pasta and marinara or form into meatballs. The herby pesto infuses tons of flavor.
7. Lemon and Herbs
A Greek-inspired turkey features lemon juice, lemon zest, oregano, mint, parsley, garlic and olive oil. Stuff it into pitas, use in lettuce wraps or serve over rice or veggies. The medley of bright herbs and tart lemon seriously boosts the flavor.
8. Harissa
For a North African twist, season ground turkey with harissa paste, lemon juice, garlic, olive oil and cumin. Harissa’s blend of smoky chili peppers, garlic, spices and olive oil adds addictive flavor. Serve in lettuce cups, stuffed peppers or couscous.
9. Curry Powder
Warm up turkey’s flavor with spices like curry powder, cumin, coriander, turmeric, cayenne and garlic. Sautee with veggies and serve over rice with a cooling raita sauce. The blend of curry’s earthy spices and heat seriously amps up the flavor.
10. Ranch Seasoning
Give turkey a cool ranch taste by adding dried parsley, dill, garlic powder, onion powder, salt and pepper. For extra creaminess, mix in some buttermilk too. Ranch turkey pairs wonderfully with salads, sandwiches, buddha bowls and more.
11. Cajun Spices
Spice up turkey with a hearty dose of Cajun seasoning, smoked paprika, garlic, onions and cayenne pepper (optional). Use it to make flavorful jambalaya, etouffee, gumbo or po boys. The punchy Cajun spices infuse big bold flavor.
12. Moroccan Spices
A Moroccan flavor comes from spices like cumin, coriander, cinnamon, paprika and cayenne. Stuff the mixture into peppers, zucchini or eggplant. Bake and serve over couscous. The warming, exotic spices seriously amp up the flavor.
13. Jerk Seasoning
Transport your tastebuds to the Caribbean with the addition of jerk seasoning, chili powder, allspice, thyme, garlic and onions. use as the protein in wraps, nachos, salads and more. The blend of spicy, herby jerk spices makes it irresistible.
14. Chili Powder and Beans
For turkey chili, saute turkey with chili powder, cumin, oregano, garlic, onions and cayenne. Then simmer with canned beans, diced tomatoes and veggies for a hearty, protein-packed dish. Sprinkle with cheese, onions and sour cream.
15. Alfredo Sauce
For an ultra-easy dinner, saute ground turkey and mix with jarred Alfredo sauce, spinach and garlic. Toss with pasta and sprinkle with parmesan. The rich, creamy sauce infuses tons of flavor into the turkey.
The options for seasoning ground turkey are endless. Get creative with your favorite herbs, spices, sauces and condiments to make it scrumptious. With bold, intense seasonings, you can easily transform bland ground turkey into something crave-worthy and delicious.
Recipe Step by Step
I am going to highlight a few key steps in the recipe here, but make sure to jump down to the recipe card for comprehensive instructions on how to make seasoned ground turkey.
- Step 1– In a small dish, combine all of the spices.
- Step 2– Heat a skillet over medium-high heat, then add in the ground turkey and onion. Heat until the turkey is cooked through.
- Step 3– Drain any excess fat or liquid, return the turkey to the skillet, then sprinkle in the seasonings. Stir to distribute, then remove from the heat and serve.
- Drain before seasoning – Cook the turkey, then drain any excess fat our liquid out of the pan before you add the spices. If you drain after seasoning the meat, then you’ll drain out a bunch of that flavor.
- Mix well – Once you add the spices, make sure you mix everything up really well so that it’s evenly distributed throughout. We want flavor in every bite!
- Check the temp – You will likely be able to tell that the turkey is done just by looking at it (it should be no longer pink), but if you do want to double check, then you can use a meat thermometer to check the temperature. It should be 165ºF.
If you need to make this recipe, but are extra short on time, here are a few ideas that can help make this recipe even faster!
- Make the spice mix in advance – To get ahead on prep, feel free to mix up a batch, a double batch, or even a triple batch of the seasoning mix. That way, it’s measured out and ready to use.
- Make it ahead of time! – Since this recipe is so quick, there isn’t a ton that you can do to speed up the cooking process. You can, however, cook it ahead of time and store it in the fridge or freezer. That way it’s ready to go!
Making this seasoned ground turkey recipe into a freezer meal is simple! Follow the steps below and you can store this recipe in the freezer for up to 6 months.
How to Freeze Seasoned Ground Turkey
- Follow the recipe as instructed, then let it cool completely.
- Divide it out into meal-sized portions, place into freezer-safe containers, then store in the freezer for 3-4 months.
- When you’re ready to serve, simply thaw overnight in the fridge, then use as desired.
Ground Turkey Meal Prep
This Seasoned Ground Turkey is one of my favorite recipes for meal prep. You can make a big batch and then either divide it into meal sized portions, or put it into family sized portions. This helps you get a jump start on any recipe that uses ground turkey.
- Ground Turkey Tacos – Take taco Tuesday to the next level with these ground turkey tacos! Loaded with flavorful ground turkey and all of your favorite fixings!
- Ground Turkey Stir Fry – This easy and healthy dinner is the perfect way to use ground turkey. It’s packed full of lean potein and veggies and is ready in just 20 minutes.
If you have leftovers after making this recipe, then it is your lucky day! They save and reheat well, and can make the start of another delicious dish.
To save leftovers, separate into meal sized portions and then place in an airtight container and store:
- in the refrigerator for 3-4 days
- in the freezer for 3-4 months
Here are a few ways to repurpose those leftovers and give them a delicious makeover!
- Ground Turkey Cobbler – Swap the beef out for this ground turkey in my homemade ground beef cobbler layered with meat, vegetables, cheddar bay biscuit mix, and soup!
- Baked Ziti with Ground Turkey – Whip up a batch of this baked ziti with ground turkey for a delicious and hearty meal that the whole family will love.
- Homemade Bolognese Sauce – Make a homemade turkey bolognese by heating the leftover ground turkey in a big pan of my homemade marinara!
- Sandwiches – Simply spoon the ground turkey on a bun or on your favorite bread with the toppings of your choice for an easy and tasty sandwich.
Episode 1 | How to Cook Ground Turkey, Beef, or Chicken
FAQ
How do you add flavor to ground turkey?
You can rub your turkey with lemon or orange juice and then spices besides salt and pepper. You could also try barbecue sauce.Apr 12, 2017
What to add to turkey to make it taste better?
… cavity now vacant, you can add aromatics like a quartered onion, a few smashed cloves of garlic, orange, apple, or lemon wedges, and a couple of hearty herbsNov 7, 2024
What is best to put inside a turkey for flavor?
Season the turkey: Stir together parsley, rosemary, sage, thyme, lemon-pepper, and salt in a small bowl. Rub the cavity of the turkey with the herb mixture, then stuff the cavity with celery, orange, onion, and carrot.
What is used in ground turkey?
According to the US National Turkey Federation (NTF), anything under the label ground turkey is “manufactured from whole muscle material such as drumstick, thighs, neck, etc., with all components, e.g. skin and adhering fat, in natural proportions.” Ground turkey producers are not permitted to exceed these limits.