What to cook with Ground Turkey? It’s one of the healthiest and most versatile protein options you can lay your hands on. That’s why we’ve put together this list of Ground Turkey Recipes!
Ground turkey is healthier alternative to ground beef or ground pork and they are an easy substitution in a lot of recipes. Be it your favorite lasagna or tacos or quesadillas or chilies, anything that is made with ground red meat, you can make it with ground turkey.
All your regular red meat favorite dinners can have a Turkey Twist 🙂
Ground Turkey need not be bland and boring. With a variety of ingredients and cooking ideas, ground turkey can be jam packed with flavors.
It has all your regular comfort foods in leaner form without compromising the flavors, plus some innovative ways to use ground turkey and create quick, easy and delicious meals every single time.
Before we get to the recipes, here are a few Frequently Asked Questions. If you’re eager to get to the dishes simply scroll down, or click here.
Is Ground Turkey Healthy?
Absolutely, ground turkey is often considered a lean and nutritious alternative to higher-fat meats like ground beef. It is packed with protein, essential amino acids, vitamins, and minerals. Here’s a quick breakdown of why it’s a fantastic choice for anyone looking to eat healthy.
How to Use Ground Turkey in Place of Beef?
Generally speaking, you can use ground turkey as a one-to-one replacement for ground beef in most recipes. Since turkey is leaner, you may want to add a bit of olive oil or another source of healthy fats to maintain moisture.
Additionally, turkey has a milder flavor profile, so you may find that you’ll want to be a little more generous with your seasonings.
What Temperature Does Ground Turkey Need to be Cooked to?
To ensure your ground turkey is safe to eat, it should measure 165 degrees Fahrenheit (74 degrees Celsius, or 347 degrees Kelvin), when measured with an instant read thermometer.
How Many Calories are in Ground Turkey?
The caloric content of ground turkey can vary depending on the leanness of the meat. Here’s a general guide:
- Lean Ground Turkey: Approximately 135-150 calories per 3.5-ounce (100-gram) serving.
- Regular Ground Turkey: Around 200-220 calories per 3.5-ounce (100-gram) serving.
- Ground Turkey with Skin: The calorie count can go up to around 230-250 calories for the same serving size if the skin is included.
What Kind of Ground Turkey Should I Buy?
Ah, the choices one has to make at the grocery store! Picking the right kind of ground turkey depends on your specific needs and what you’re aiming to achieve with your recipes. Here’s a brief guide to help you make an informed decision:
- Lean Ground Turkey: Ideal for dishes where you’re specifically looking to cut down on fat and calories. It’s more prone to drying out, it’s a great choice for recipes that have a liquid component, like soups or pasta sauces.
- Regular Ground Turkey: A balanced option that’s versatile enough for most recipes. It has a higher fat content than lean ground turkey, making it juicier and more flavorful.
- Ground Turkey Thigh: This option is higher in fat but packed with flavor. Perfect for recipes where you’re looking for a richer taste, like meatballs or burgers.
What Recipes Can I Use Ground Turkey in?
I’m glad you asked, because now it’s time to get to the recipes!
Ground Turkey Recipes that Will Make You Forget About Beef
1. Ground Turkey Stir Fry
This is one of the healthiest and tastiest ground turkey recipes!!
Throw in whatever veggies you have on hand, make a quick homemade sauce out of your pantry, and sizzle your wok in minutes to make this healthy stir fry recipe for your family… all this in under 25 minutes!!
Get the Recipe
2. Ground Turkey Tacos
These Ground Turkey Tacos are perfect for busy weeknights. In just 20 minutes from start to finish, you’re family will be enjoying their favorite Mexican night.
Serve them up with your favorite sides like rice and refried beans for a total feast.
Get the Recipe
3. Ground Turkey Pasta Bake
This delicious and nutritious Ground Turkey Pasta Bake is the perfect meal for the whole family to enjoy.
Made with lean ground turkey meat, wholesome whole wheat pasta, a generous helping of nutrient-packed kale, and topped with a flavorful blend of melted cheese, it’s a dish that combines the goodness of healthy ingredients with the comforting and satisfying taste of classic comfort food.
Get the Recipe
4. Ground Turkey Chili
This Slow Cooker Ground Turkey Chili is super healthy and flavorful. It’s a great meal prep option. Just get it ready in the morning and let it simmer to perfection all day!
So cozy… It’s one of our favorite ground turkey recipes.
Get the Recipe
5. Asian Ground Turkey Meatballs
These easyAsian Ground Turkey Meatballsare succulent, juicy and smothered with a sticky sauce that pops with vibrant flavors!
They’re super versatile too. Make bowl meals, toss them with Asian noodles, or just stick toothpicks in them for the perfect party appetizer.
Get the Recipe
6. Ground Turkey Stuffed Peppers
These easy Ground Turkey Stuffed Peppers are a hit! Brimming with Mediterranean flavors, even your picky eaters won’t mind their veggies.
With hearty wild rice, sweet cherry tomatoes, briny olives, nutty pine nuts, and plenty of great seasonings, they’re a meal that you’ll want to make again and again.
Get the Recipe
7. Ground Turkey Pasta with Broccoli
Looking for a guilt-free and flavorful meal? Our Ground Turkey and Broccoli Pasta is packed with protein and vitamins, perfect for a quick and healthy dinner. Save this Healthy Ground Turkey Dinner idea for busy weeknights.
Get the Recipe: Ground Turkey Pasta
8. Cheesy Ground Turkey Quesadillas
These ground turkey quesadillas are a great addition to your Mexican night rotation. They’re super easy and super cheesy.
They go great with guacamole, salsa and sour cream, or even on their own!
Get the Recipe @ girlheartfood
9. Baked Ground Turkey Meatballs with Lemon Garlic Butter Sauce
Baked Turkey Meatballs with Lemon Garlic Butter Sauce… These hearty and delicious meatballsare a sure crowd pleaser!
They’re loaded with flavors and have an absolutely decadent garlic herb butter sauce.
10. Ground Turkey & Vegetable Skillet
Turkey and Vegetable Skillet is an easy weeknight dinner loaded with lean ground turkey, green beans, zucchini, summer squash and fire roasted tomatoes and topped with smoked mozzarella.
A healthy one pot dinner the whole family will enjoy!
11. The BEST Ground Turkey Burgers
Your favorite big juicy hamburger on the lighter side. They’re so tender and juicy and are packed with flavor.
Everyone will love these easy and healthy ground turkey burgers!
Get the Recipe @ dinneratthezoo
12. Turkey Meatloaf
Turkey Meatloaf is a healthier version of your nostalgic comfort food that’s just as good as the original.
It’s perfectly seasoned and you won’t even miss the beef!
Get the Recipe @ cookingclassy
13. Ground Turkey Swedish Meatballs
Everybody’s favorite Swedish meatballs just got leaner. This is a perfect quick and satisfying dinner is the ultimate comfort food.
Skip the trip to IKEA and make this awesome dish in your own home!
14. Thai Turkey Meatballs in Coconut Red Curry Sauce
These super delicious Thai Turkey meatballs will become a new favorite.
They’re perfectly seasoned with ginger, garlic and red chili paste and smothered in a coconut milk gravy. Sooo good.
15. Ground Turkey Black Bean Enchiladas
Ground Turkey Black Bean Enchiladasare an awesome way to add ground turkey into your Mexican nights.
They’re cheesy, saucy and oh so good.
16. Ground Turkey Taco Lettuce Wraps
For a super healthy dinner that’s also tasty and fun to eat, try these Turkey Taco Lettuce Wraps.
They’re a super fast weeknight dinner that’s both low fat and low carb.
Get the Recipe @ cookingclassy
17. Ground Turkey Picadillo
Picadillo is one of my favorite meals and has different variations from Cuba to Puerto to Mexico and all the way to the Philippines.
This lighter version is made with ground turkey instead of beef, but it sure doesn’t skimp on flavor!
Get the Recipe @ tablefortwoblog
18. Minestrone with Turkey Meatballs
This tasty bowl of Minestrone with Turkey meatballs is packed with fresh veggies and has a light, yet cozy broth.
It’s a great light dinner option and the leftovers are even better!
Get the Recipe @ damndelicious
19. Ground Turkey Sloppy Joes
These yummy turkey sloppy joes are a healthier version of your childhood favorite.
They whip up in under 30 minutes and taste so good the kids won’t even notice they’re eating healthier!
Get the Recipe @ thechunkychef
20. Ground Turkey Stroganoff
This turkey stroganoff is super easy and super comforting meal with ground turkey and mushrooms in a magically delicious sauce.
Great over egg noodles or mashed potatoes. YUMMM.
21. Ground Turkey Shephard’s Pie
This shepherd’s pie is a hearty and delicious, with ground turkey and veggies in a delicious sauce and topped with light and fluffy mashed potatoes.
It’s and easy meal perfect for busy weeknights or serving to guests.
Get the Recipe @ everydayhealthyrecipes
22. Cheesy Baked Turkey Meatballs in Marinara
These perfectly seasoned Cheesy Baked Turkey Meatballsare smothered in marinara, topped with cheese and baked to absolute deliciousness.
The whole family will love this one!
Get the Recipe @ joyfulhealthyeats
23. Ground Turkey Lasagna
Here is everybody’s favorite lasagna… a healthier version. This recipes has a simple homemade tomato basil sauce layered with lean ground turkey, mozzarella and ricotta.
Perfect for serving crowds or make ahead meal prep!
Get the Recipe @ ambitiouskitchen
24. Baked Ziti with Ground Turkey
Baked Ziti is a pan of utter comfort. Tender noodles, ground turkey, marinara sauce and cheese is baked into a dish everyone will want seconds of.
It’s great as leftovers, too!
25. Ground Turkey Meatball Tortellini Soup
This turkey meatball tortellini soup with spinach is an easy yet super satisfying soup. Make a big batch, leftovers make great school lunches.
We bet you’ll be coming back to this one!
26. Loaded Ground Turkey Taco Bowls
These Loaded Turkey Taco Bowls are a 30 minute meal packed with veggies and lean protein.
This is a healthy and fun bowl meal perfect for any night of the week.
Get the Recipe @ ourbalancedbowl
27. Taco Zucchini Boats with Ground Turkey
TheseTaco Zucchini Boatsare a lighter version of your favorite stuffed squash.
They’re a super satisfying way to get a tons of healthy veggies while watching your carbs.
Get the Recipe @ cookingclassy
28. Healthy Taco Salad with Ground Turkey
All of your favorite taco flavors in healthy form!
This taco salad uses lean ground turkey instead of the usual beef and is topped with a deliciously creamy homemade southwest dressing.
Get the Recipe @ eatingbirdfood
29. Ground Turkey Teriyaki Rice Bowl
These delicious Teriyaki Turkey Rice Bowls are a healthy ground turkey recipe the whole family will love! The mild turkey takes on the Asian flavors beautifully.
This is another quick and easy weeknight meal using ground turkey.
Get the Recipe @ yellowblissroad
30. Ground Turkey Bolognese
We are rounding out this list with everybody’s comfort Italian dish, in leaner form… Bolognese. It’s an easy and healthy pasta dish the kids will absolutely love.
Perfect to satisfy those Italian cravings!
Aren’t these ground turkey recipes, all a fabulous start to a healthy, leaner lifestyle, yet without compromising on the delicious flavors you are used to?
The great thing is you can find them all together, so go ahead and bookmark this page or pin these awesome ground turkey recipes. Cook all your favorite regular dishes with a Turkey Twist… Have fun. 🙂
Check out these other tasty recipe collections!
Ground Chicken Recipes
Ground Beef Recipes
Ground Pork Recipes
Ground Venison Recipes
Ground Lamb Recipes
Ground Bison Recipes
30 BEST Ground Turkey Recipes
Yield: 4 servings
Prep Time: 5 minutes
Cook Time: 15 minutes
Total Time: 20 minutes
This collections of easy Ground Turkey Recipes will give you a new appreciation for this healthy and versatile meat.
Ingredients
Taco Seasoning
- 1 Tbsp chili powder
- 1.5 tsp cumin
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1/2 tsp onion powder
- 1 tsp oregano
- 1/2 tsp paprika (we use smoked)
- 1/4 tsp red chili flakes
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
Taco Meat
- 1.5 Tbsp cooking oil
- 1lb ground turkey
- Taco seasoning
- 8oz tomato sauce
- 2 garlic cloves, chopped
Tacos
- 8 corn tortillas
Desired Topping
- Shredded Cheese
- Diced Tomato
- Diced Avocado
- Cilantro
- Sliced Jalapeño
- Chopped Onion
- Sliced Black Olives
- Pico de Gallo
- Guacamole
- Sour Cream
Instructions
- Mix all taco seasoning ingredients in a bowl.
- Heat up oil in a skillet over medium high heat. Add in the ground turkey and break it up with a wooden spoon or spatula. Let it cook undisturbed for 3-4 minutes, then give it a stir. Continue cooking, stirring occasionally, until ground turkey is no longer raw.
- Stir in garlic, taco seasoning and tomato sauce. Mix everything well and simmer for 8-10 minutes.
- Meanwhile, heat an ungreased non-stick skillet over medium high heat. Once it’s hot, cook the tortillas about 10 seconds per side, just until some brown spots start to appear.
- Scoop a generous portion of the ground turkey filling into each tortilla, and fill with your favorite toppings.
Notes
- Let me know which recipes you try, I love hearing from you!
Nutrition Information
Yield 4Serving Size 1
Amount Per ServingCalories 628Total Fat 39gSaturated Fat 9gTrans Fat 0gUnsaturated Fat 26gCholesterol 129mgSodium 1293mgCarbohydrates 39gFiber 10gSugar 6gProtein 36g
Nutrition information calculated by Nutritionix.
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Welcome to GypsyPlate! I'm Alpana, former wordwide tour manager and professional caterer, now full time blogger. I love exploring cuisines from around the world, and my recipes have been featured on sites such as MSN, Parade, Brit + Co, CNET and AOL. You can explore my entire collection of sortable recipes in my Recipe Index or learn more about me here.
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