Ah, ground turkey — the underdog of the poultry world! It’s like the versatile actor of the kitchen, able to adapt to any role you throw at it. Whether you’re whipping up a zesty taco night or simply trying to please the pickiest of eaters, ground turkey is your trusty sidekick. I mean, who knew a simple bird could bring such joy to a weekday dinner?
Steps
- Easy Ground Turkey Lo Mein: Cook ground turkey until browned, then add your choice of vegetables and noodles. Pour in a simple sauce of soy sauce and sesame oil, allowing the noodles to absorb the liquid. Finish with a splash of sriracha for a kick of heat.
- Mexican Lasagna Lite: Layer tortillas with a mixture of seasoned ground turkey, low-fat cheese, and salsa in a baking dish. Repeat layers and bake until the cheese is melted and bubbly. Let it cool slightly before serving.
- Actually Delicious Turkey Burgers: Mix ground turkey with breadcrumbs, egg, and your preferred seasonings to form patties. Grill or pan-fry until cooked through and serve on buns with your favorite toppings. These are versatile enough to use in meatloaf or meatballs as well.
- Turkey Spaghetti Zoodles: Sauté ground turkey with garlic and onion until cooked. Add spiralized zucchini and your choice of sauce, tossing everything together until the zucchini is tender. This dish is ready in about 10 minutes.
- Turkey and Quinoa Meatloaf: Combine ground turkey with cooked quinoa, eggs, and seasonings. Shape into a loaf and bake until firm, ensuring the quinoa adds a nutty texture. Let it rest before slicing.
- Spinach and Feta Turkey Burgers: Mix ground turkey with chopped spinach, crumbled feta, and spices. Form into patties and grill until cooked through. Serve on buns or with a salad for a lighter option.
- Turkey and Rice Meatballs (Albondigas): Combine ground turkey with rice, spices, and herbs, forming into meatballs. Simmer in a creamy tomato sauce until the rice is cooked and the meatballs are tender.
- Weeknight Crack Slaw: Brown ground turkey in a skillet, then add a mix of shredded vegetables and coleslaw. Stir in soy sauce and spices, cooking until heated through. Serve immediately for a quick meal.
- Chef John’s Turkey Sloppy Joes: Cook ground turkey with onion and garlic until browned. Add a tomato-based sauce and spices, simmering until thickened. Serve on toasted buns for a healthy alternative to the classic.
- Ground Turkey Kheema with Forbidden Rice: Sauté ground turkey with spices like cumin and coriander. Serve over cooked black rice, adding vegetables or herbs for extra flavor. This dish is light yet satisfying.
- Terrific Turkey Chili: Cook ground turkey with onion, then add bell peppers, zucchini, and canned tomatoes. Stir in taco seasoning and simmer until the vegetables are tender, creating a hearty chili.
- Homemade Turkey Breakfast Sausage: Mix ground turkey with sage, marjoram, and red pepper flakes. Shape into patties and cook until browned. Freeze extras for convenient breakfasts throughout the week.
- Stuffed Orange Peppers: Fill bell peppers with a mixture of cooked ground turkey, rice, tomatoes, and cheese. Bake until the peppers are tender and the filling is heated through.
- Crispy Ground Turkey Tostadas: Season ground turkey with taco spices and cook until browned. Layer on crispy tostada shells with toppings like pickled onions and chopped poblano peppers.
- Mozzarella-Stuffed Pesto Turkey Meatballs: Form ground turkey mixed with pesto and spices into meatballs, inserting a cube of mozzarella inside each. Simmer in marinara sauce until the cheese is melted and the meatballs are cooked.
- Cameron’s Ground Turkey Salsa Ranchera for Tacos and Burritos: Cook ground turkey with salsa ranchera in a pressure cooker. Use the mixture as a filling for tacos, burritos, or taco salads.
- Middle Eastern Turkey Dogs: Mix ground turkey with Middle Eastern spices and shape into sausages. Cook and serve in buns or pita bread, adding toppings as desired.
- Basmati Rice and Turkey Stuffed Peppers: Stuff peppers with a mixture of ground turkey, cooked rice, and tomato sauce. Bake until the peppers are soft and the filling is cooked through.
- Sheet Pan Turkey Chili with Cornbread “Dumplings”: Spread turkey chili across a sheet pan and top with dollops of cornbread batter. Bake until the cornbread is golden and the chili is bubbling.
- Instant Pot® Midwest Goulash: Brown ground turkey in an Instant Pot, then add pasta, tomatoes, and seasonings. Cook under pressure until the pasta is tender and the flavors meld.
- Taco Soup with Ground Turkey: Simmer ground turkey with onions, taco seasoning, beans, and corn in beer. Serve with toppings like avocado and tortilla chips for a hearty soup.
Ingredients
- Ground turkey
- Noodles
- Sriracha sauce
- Ground turkey
- Low-fat ingredients
- No-fat ingredients
- Ground turkey
- Ground turkey
- Zoodles
- Ground turkey
- Quinoa
- Ground turkey
- Spinach
- Feta cheese
- Ground turkey
- Rice
- Cumin
- Cayenne
- Oregano
- Smoked paprika
- Tomato sauce
- Crème fraiche
- Sherry vinegar
- Saffron basmati rice
- Ground turkey
- Vegetables
- Cole slaw mix
- Sauce
- Ground turkey
- Ground turkey
- Black rice
- Ground turkey
- Zucchini
- Green bell peppers
- Crushed tomatoes
- Prepared salsa
- Taco seasoning mix
- Ground turkey
- Sage
- Marjoram
- Red pepper
- Ground turkey
- Orange bell peppers
- Onions
- Tomatoes
- Rice
- Cheese
- Gouda
- Liquid smoke
- Ground turkey
- Taco spices
- Poblano
- Pickled red onions
- Stuffed Pesto Turkey Meatballs
- Ground turkey
- Mozzarella
- Pesto
- Garlic
- Onions
- Italian cheese
- Marinara sauce
- Ground turkey
- Salsa ranchera
- Ground turkey (7% or 8% fat content)
- Ground turkey
- Brown basmati rice
- Tomato sauce
- Lentils
- Seasonal vegetables
- Ground turkey
- Chili powder
- Jalapenos
- Cornbread mix
- Ground turkey
- Corn
- Beans
- Peas
- Cheese
- Ground turkey
- Onions
- Taco seasoning
- Diced tomatoes
- Black beans
- Kidney beans
- Corn
- Chiles
- Beer
FAQ
- What makes ground turkey a healthier choice compared to ground beef?
- Ground turkey is typically leaner than ground beef, containing fewer calories and less saturated fat, making it a healthier alternative for those looking to reduce their intake of these nutrients.
- Can ground turkey be used as a substitute in recipes that usually require ground beef?
- Yes, ground turkey can be swapped for ground beef in a variety of dishes, including burgers, meatloaves, and casseroles, offering a lighter version of these classic meals.
- What are some quick and easy ground turkey recipes for weeknight dinners?
- Some quick and easy ground turkey recipes include Turkey Spaghetti Zoodles, which are paleo and gluten-free, and Weeknight Crack Slaw, which can be prepared in just 10 minutes by cooking ground turkey with veggies and coleslaw mix.
- How can I enhance the flavor of ground turkey dishes?
- Enhancing ground turkey dishes can be achieved by incorporating flavorful ingredients such as spices, herbs, or other complementary foods like feta, spinach, or pesto. For instance, Spinach and Feta Turkey Burgers combine the salty and earthy flavors to enhance the taste of ground turkey.
- Are there any international dishes that can be prepared with ground turkey?
- Yes, ground turkey can be used in various international dishes, such as Turkey and Rice Meatballs (Albondigas) with a Spanish twist, or Ground Turkey Kheema, which is a lighter version of an Indian dish typically served with nutty black rice.
Tips
- Enhance Flavor with Simple Ingredients: When making ground turkey dishes, consider adding sriracha or other hot sauces to enhance flavor, especially if you’re using them in dishes like lo mein.
- Explore Low-Fat Options: Substitute regular ingredients with low- or no-fat alternatives to create lighter versions of traditional dishes, like in the Mexican Lasagna Lite, without compromising on taste.
- Experiment with Unique Textures: Incorporate ingredients like quinoa into your turkey meatloaf to add a nuttier texture and flavor compared to traditional breadcrumbs.
- Simplify Weeknight Meals: For quick and easy weeknight dinners, such as crack slaw, cook ground turkey with pre-cut veggies and prepared sauces to have a hearty meal ready in just minutes.
Equipment
- Instant Pot or Pressure Cooker – Needed for recipes like Cameron’s Ground Turkey Salsa Ranchera for Tacos and Burritos and Instant Pot® Midwest Goulash.
- Spiralizer – Useful for making Turkey Spaghetti Zoodles.
- Sheet Pan – Required for recipes like Sheet Pan Turkey Chili with Cornbread “Dumplings”.
- Cast Iron Skillet – Handy for recipes that require even cooking and browning, such as Crispy Ground Turkey Tostadas.
- Rice Cooker – Useful for cooking rice efficiently, like in Basmati Rice and Turkey Stuffed Peppers.
- Meat Grinder or Food Processor – If you want to make Homemade Turkey Breakfast Sausage from scratch using whole cuts of turkey.
- Large Dutch Oven – Ideal for making soups and chilis, such as Taco Soup with Ground Turkey.
- Mandoline Slicer – Could be useful for thinly slicing vegetables, such as pickled red onions for the Crispy Ground Turkey Tostadas.
