Ground turkey is the perfect ingredient when you’re looking to cook something a little healthier.
Best Ground Turkey Recipes For Your Next Meal
Ground turkey is a great source of protein and a much healthier alternative to ground beef. From tacos to burgers, almost all of your favorite meals can be made healthier with this one simple ingredient. For a quick and easy dinner in 30 minutes or less, try one of these ground turkey recipes. Your taste buds will thank you!
1. Turkey Sloppy Joes
Not only are these made with leaner turkey, but there’s also a slew of hidden veggies inside! When they’re diced small and covered in sauce, nobody will even know they’re there. Make up a double batch and try serving over baked sweet potatoes for a second fast weeknight feast.
2. Spaghetti Squash Casserole
I am a huge fan of spaghetti squash. I prefer it to other veggie noodles and will eat it with almost anything. For this recipe, it gets baked with the ground turkey and veggie mix as a faux-pasta bake.
3. Ground Turkey Tacos Recipe
Once you’ve added the taco seasoning, most ground meats will taste the same. So why not use turkey and then use those extra calories for an extra scoop of guacamole? Be sure to add some oil to the pan when cooking the meat. Since it has so little fat content, it will need the added moisture during the cook.
4. Turkey Stuffed Bell Peppers
Stuffed bell peppers are a great little dish to bring along to a potluck or a colorful and fast dinner or lunch. They travel so well and have a serving of veggies right in the name! I like to use brown rice to bulk mine out, or you could use diced sweet potatoes or quinoa for something gluten-free.
5. American Turkey Goulash Recipe
This pasta stew is super filling and is usually made with beef. But I love this lightened-up version. It’s still a hearty meal, just without being overly heavy. The zucchini adds a nice green color, but you can add in any selection of vegetables you prefer.
6. Baked Turkey Meatballs
Meatballs can be so versatile, and I always make extra so that I can have them in the freezer for multiple meals. Serve them with marina and oven-roasted spaghetti squash on Monday. For Tuesday, make up some Danish meatball gravy and serve with mashed potatoes. And then who can resist a meatball sub for lunch?
7. Turkey Meatloaf
Much like turkey meatballs, this meatloaf is a lighter version of the usual beef and pork recipes. One key thing to remember is that most ground turkey has almost no fat, which means it needs added moisture to keep from being dry. This recipe uses broth, or milk with eggs, Worcestershire sauce, and ketchup to make sure it is tender and soft.
8. Turkey Lasagna
When I make lasagna, I tend to use a combination of beef and sausage meat. And I would be tempted to add some sausage here, too! The turkey will be super tasty on its own, but I like the flavor you can only get from sausage. Alternatively, you could always use some of the meat from the sloppy joe recipe. It’s full of veggies and tomato sauce and would work so well in this dish.
9. Ground Turkey Burritos With Refried Beans
Since I don’t always have slow-roasted pork on hand, using ground meat for my burritos is an easy way to make a hearty meal. And given all the extras in here – refried beans, salsa, chilis, jalapenos, spices, and cheese – nobody will know that it’s turkey.
10. Healthy Taco Salad
I’ve mentioned before that I need my salads to be loaded with flavor and texture. Well, this recipe doesn’t disappoint. Full of taco flavors and crunch from the corn, tomatoes, and baked tortillas, every bite is better than the next.
11. Turkey Chili
There’s nothing like the smell of a batch of chili cooking away in the kitchen. It’s an inexpensive, easy, and filling dish that will last you for days. Serve it with some warm cornbread, or bulk it out even more by adding sweet potato and corn.
12. Turkey Santa Fe Zucchini Boats
This recipe has you covered with your veggie portions of the day! I happen to love zucchini, and these make great snacks and full meals when served with a hearty salad. If zucchini isn’t your thing, why not try out eggplant?
13. Upside-Down Frito Pie
I’m not above giving kids a helping of Fritos if it means they eat a big bowl of chili. They usually gobble up the meal before they even know it. I almost always add corn to my chili recipes because everyone loves it, and I like the sunny pops of flavor and color it adds.
14. Healthy Turkey Lettuce Wraps
I have to admit that lettuce wraps aren’t usually my thing. But as far as gluten-free, flavorful meals go, this is a winner. The flavors in the meat out-weighs the lack of carbs and almost makes you forget this is borderline healthy!
15. Healthy Instant Pot Turkey Cheeseburger Soup Recipe
Loaded with turkey, potato, cauliflower, onion, carrot, and celery, this soup will more than fill you up. It’s wonderfully creamy, though it doesn’t have added cream! Instead, you’ll need to puree the cauliflower to help thicken it all up.
16. Quick Turkey Ragu
Since the ground turkey gets cooked with red wine and a rich tomato sauce, this will remind you of the beefy dish from your childhood. It will be delicious with pasta, spaghetti squash, or zoodles! Since it’s so easy to make, why not try a batch of quick garlic bread to serve on the side?
17. Cheesy Turkey Meatball Skillet
You had me at ‘cheesy!’ I love that this entire dish gets cooked in one skillet. So not only is it easy, you have fewer dishes to wash up after dinner! The combination of garlic and rosemary is one of my favorites, and it really enhances the turkey and tomato sauce. And any dish that I can cover with cheese is a hit in my house.
18. Turkey Picadillo
I’m always on the lookout for simple and delicious meals. So when I came across this recipe, I got excited. Capers and olives are incredible together, but I often overlook the jars in the fridge and reach for something else more familiar. This might just look like rice and ground turkey, but it’s bursting with salty goodness, and it’s extra special when served with fried plantains.
19. Turkey Taco Dip
Hot dips are such a nice change to the usual ranch dips we get with those veggie platters. This recipe is like digging into a bowl of tacos, and they should always be served with big scoops for maximum crunch and filling. If you’re not a canned cheese fan, I highly recommend this Copycat Qdoba Queso recipe instead. I promise it will take this dip to a whole new level.
20. Ground Turkey Stuffed Shells
These might not be the fastest recipe, but the payoff is worth it. There’s something so impressive about a big dish full of stuffed pasta shells. And if you’re looking for a meatless Monday option, you can always substitute with meat-free mince or spinach.
21. Turkey Cabbage Rolls
Some of us didn’t grow up eating cabbage rolls, so we don’t know the nostalgia of that first bite. But there’s no time like now to give it a try and make it your new go-to. Using cabbage is an inexpensive way to make what is almost lasagna-like in flavor and texture. The ground turkey gets seasoned and bulked out a little with quinoa, or you can use brown rice if you prefer. I like to add a smear of mozzarella and ricotta before adding the meat mixture for a creamier dish. And I always sprinkle the whole thing with cheese!
22. Stuffed Pepper Soup
Whenever I have a free afternoon, I like to make a big batch of soup. It comforting, filling, and perfect for cold winter days. This recipe is everything I love about stuffed peppers made into a hearty soup that pairs perfectly with a grilled cheese sandwich. If you’re not a huge fan of peppers, try adding butternut squash and zucchini instead.
23. Baked Wontons Recipe
I was skeptical of this recipe. Wontons should be deep-fried until they are crispy and piping hot. But I was pleasantly surprised by the crunch they got from the oven. Since I’m not a massive fan of water chestnuts, I substitute green onions and diced carrot and celery for color and crunch. Serve hot with plenty of sweet chili sauce.
24. Greek Turkey Burgers
I’ve been known to be a touch fussy when it comes to burgers. Too often, I’ve taken my first bite only to be disappointed at the lack of flavor and texture. But these incredible Greek burgers are anything but boring. Full of garlic, olives, feta, spinach, and oregano, they will make your meal even without added extras. Though a few slices of red onion will never be a bad idea. Serve with halloumi fries and lots of ketchup.
25. Ground Turkey Brussels Sprouts Skillet
I actually love Brussels sprouts. I use them roasted, shredded, baked, or covered in bacon on the side of pretty much any dish. In this case, they make the base for a gluten-free dinner that will leave you wanting more. It’s essentially a stir-fry, using ground turkey, peppers, and a slew of herbs and spices. You could even throw in some hoisin sauce and serve alongside those baked wontons.
26. Quick and Easy Ground Turkey Stir-Fry
Since we just kicked off a new year, I think we all want to try to eat a little healthier. Although the thought of meal planning can be daunting, when you have recipes like this in your back pocket, it’s far easier than you think! This colorful and tasty dish holds well in the fridge and reheats like a dream. I would suggest adding extra sauce when you reheat to keep it from drying out in the microwave. The peanuts give it a great crunch, but you could try some sesame seeds instead if you want it nut-free.
27. Turkey Meatloaf Muffins – Just 5 Ingredients!
This recipe has a beautiful Mexican twist on the classic we all love. Full of salsa, Monterey Jack cheese, and spices, it makes a nice change from the usual meatloaf recipes. And I adore the mini-muffin portions. You can make up a batch of these and freeze them easily. Grab as many as you need and thaw in the fridge overnight.
28. Turkey Cheeseburger Quinoa Casserole
This might not be the prettiest dish, but it’s loaded with protein and packed with flavor. By cooking the quinoa in beef broth, you’ll infuse so much meaty flavor without even trying. As for the sauce? It’s a creamy concoction of cream cheese, beef broth, onion, and garlic powder. The turkey gets smothered in steak seasoning, relish, Worcestershire sauce, ketchup, mustard, and grated romano cheese.
29. Easy Inside Out Turkey Cheeseburgers
Be careful when biting into these babies! One bite will leave them gushing with melted cheesy goodness. The recipe for the burgers keeps it relatively simple, but I would be tempted to add some onions to the mix. And I’m not in love with American cheese, so I would probably go for a mature cheddar or something smoky instead.
30. Sweet Potato Turkey Hash Recipe
Add a fried egg on top with a gushing yolk, and you’ll have one delicious breakfast. Be sure to cut your sweet potato small so that it cooks in time without burning on the outside. I like to use leeks in place of onions here for a slightly different note and lovely colorful addition. And I almost always add bacon, too, because… well, do I need a reason? Click on a star to rate it!
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