Im always working on my recipes to keep my calories down. Mixing lean hamburger and adding ground turkey, still keeps the flavor of the hamburger. Your guests will never know and they are half ground beef and ground turkey, a crowd-pleaser as well. My husband and I lost 80lbs. For us, just changing our mindset by always revamping recipes and working ingredients without losing flavor. It’s like a challenge for me to share what I make and keep track of every calorie, fat, and carb. Sandwich Thins Multigrain or a lettuce wrap is what we use unless we have guests over.
Try this healthy hamburger recipe if you love a classic hamburger but want to make it a little lighter. It combines ground beef and lower-fat ground turkey. Tender and juicy, youd never guess theyre not completely ground beef. When the patty is perfectly seasoned, you can put it on a whole wheat bun or on top of a salad and get any burger you want. — The Test Kitchen.
Lean ground turkey makes a nutritious alternative to ground beef in recipes. But some dishes seem to cry out for that rich, beefy flavor. So can you combine ground beef and turkey for the best of both worlds? Absolutely!
Blending the two ground meats creates a healthier hybrid option. The turkey lightens up the saturated fat content while the beef amps up the hearty flavor. In this article, I’ll explain how to successfully mix beef and turkey. You’ll also find recipe ideas, cooking tips, and details on the nutrition profile when combining the two proteins.
Why Mix Ground Beef and Turkey?
There are a few good reasons to blend ground beef with ground turkey
- Creates a less fatty option than all beef
- Provides more flavor than just turkey
- Allows you to use some beef for taste without going overboard
- Makes turkey more moist with added fat content
- Stretches expensive beef further
- Adds nutritional variety with two proteins
By customizing the ratio, you can achieve your preferences for leanness, moisture and beefy flavor
Best Recipes for Mixed Meats
Combining beef and turkey works great in dishes where you want thick, saucy texture and plenty of spice. Some top recipes include:
- Chili – Add chili powder, beans, tomatoes, and spices
- Meat sauce – For pasta, lasagna, or stuffed shells
- Meatloaf – Mix with onions, eggs, breadcrumbs, and ketchup glaze
- Burgers – Bind with eggs and breadcrumbs for juicy patties
- Tacos – Season the meat with taco spices
- Sloppy Joes – Make a saucy sandwich filling
The spices and other mix-ins help disguise any textural differences between the meats. Slow simmering also marries the flavors.
Tips for Cooking Combined Meats
Follow these tips when cooking recipes using blended ground beef and turkey:
- Choose 85% lean ground beef for moisture – Too lean can be dry
- Use 93% lean ground turkey – Higher fat content prevents dryness
- Mix meats before adding other ingredients – Combine flavors evenly
- Add beef first to pan – It usually takes longer to brown
- Cook until no pink remains – Turkey requires thorough cooking
- Add spices early – Distributes seasoning evenly
- Simmer in sauce at least 15-20 minutes – Allows flavors to meld
Taking the time to properly brown and season the blended meat mixture is key for the best flavor.
Nutrition Profile of Mixed Meats
Combining ground turkey and beef offers a nutritional compromise:
- More protein than beef alone
- Less saturated fat than all beef
- Healthier than all ground turkey if very lean
- Adds nutrients like B vitamins from beef
- Provides iron, zinc, and magnesium from both meats
- Lower in calories than high fat beef when portion controlled
Go with an 80/20 ratio of turkey to beef and you cut the saturated fat almost in half compared to all ground beef.
Blending ground beef with ground turkey allows you to customize recipes for a healthier fat content without sacrificing that coveted beefy flavor. Use the mix in chili, burgers, meatloaf and more.
With the right ratio, cooking techniques, and spice additions, the two meats combine seamlessly. Experiment to find your perfect turkey-to-beef balance for a hearty yet healthier hybrid meal option the whole family will devour.
Ingredients For healthy hamburger mix of beef and turkey
- 1-1/4 lb 80/20 ground beef
- 1-1/4 lb 85% lean ground turkey
- 1 Tbsp garlic powder
- 1/2 Tbsp onion powder
- 1/4 tsp ground pepper
- 1/2 Tbsp sea salt
- 1-1/2 Tbsp Worcestershire sauce
How To Make healthy hamburger mix of beef and turkey
- 1 Mix all the ingredients in a large mixing bowl. Massage the mixture well so that all the meat is mixed in with the other ingredients.
- 2 Create six tennis balls-size balls with the meat. Then use your thumbs to press the meat together to make patties.
- 3: Put the patties on a grill over high heat and cook the first side for 6 minutes. Then cook the second side for 4 to 5 minutes. Let burgers rest for 5 min before serving.
- 4 Serve with your veggies and condiments. Optional. add cheese, and/or bacon strips. If you want to cut back on carbs, burgers in a lettuce wrap are a great option.
- Last Step: Don’t forget to share! Post a picture of your finished recipe on your favorite social network and watch all of your friends drool. And dont forget to tag Just A Pinch and include #justapinchrecipes so we can see it too! .
MIXING GROUND TURKEY AND GROUND BEEF | Reducing Red Meat Consumption | The Squeebee Cooking
FAQ
Is it okay to cook ground turkey and ground beef together?
How do you mix two ground meats together?
Is it safe to cook ground beef and ground chicken together?
What meat to mix with ground beef for burgers?
Can I use ground turkey instead of ground beef?
Ground turkey can be used instead of ground beef in any dish. It is a healthy alternative and can be cooked and seasoned accordingly. You can also use the bones and organs to create a rich stock that can be used in place of store-bought chicken stock instead of using it for ground turkey.
What are the health benefits of ground turkey?
Ground turkey has multiple benefits. It is a good source of minerals, and B vitamins, rich in proteins, low in fat and it is lower in calories than common turkey.
Can you mix ground turkey and beef for meatballs?
Both beef and turkey are high in protein, but beef has slightly more protein per serving. In conclusion, mixing ground turkey and ground beef for meatballs can be a delicious and healthy way to change up your routine. With a few simple ingredients, you can create a flavorful and moist meatball that is sure to please everyone at the table.
Can you put ground beef and Turkey in a burger patty?
The Spruce Eats / Nita West You may not have thought of doing it before, but combining ground beef and turkey into one burger patty creates a nice texture and flavor combination. The beef keeps the burger juicy, and the turkey adds a leaner meat to the mix while reducing the amount the cooked burger will shrink on the grill.
How do you make ketchup with ground turkey?
Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Coat a 9×13-inch loaf pan with cooking spray. Combine ground turkey, ground beef, onion, milk, bread crumbs, egg, rosemary, salt, and pepper in a mixing bowl. Press into the prepared pan. Whisk ketchup, brown sugar, and mustard together in a separate bowl; pour over meatloaf.