I seriously never get tired of super easy stir-fry dinners! I mean, what’s not to love? With only a few ingredients, you can work in a TON of vegetables, and they’re super fast! Using ground meat makes them even easier because there’s no cutting or slicing raw meat (not a fan of this task). This Ground Turkey Stir Fry is especially great because it’s so versatile. Use whatever vegetables you have on hand, make it spicy or mild, and serve it with rice, noodles, or with shredded cabbage for a low-carb option. Scroll down for more deets on those options!
This Ground Turkey Stir Fry is another meal inspired by those “macro-friendly” meal delivery services that deliver individual, ready-to-reheat meals to your door. While those services are super convenient, they’re also super expensive and I know I can make similar meals at home for a fraction of the price. 🙂 You can easily adjust the macros in this meal by increasing, decreasing, or eliminating any of these elements: turkey, vegetables, rice, or nuts. Unfortunately, I don’t have the specific macronutrient information for this meal, and you can read why in my FAQs.
Ground turkey breast is a versatile and healthy lean protein that can be used in a variety of dishes It cooks quickly, making it an ideal choice for busy weeknight meals The mild flavor of ground turkey breast also allows it to easily take on the flavors of whatever sauce or seasoning you pair it with.
In this article, we will share 27 of our favorite healthy and delicious recipes made with ground turkey breast. These recipes range from classic comfort foods like meatballs, lasagna, and chili to more creative dishes like lettuce wraps, burgers, and stuffed peppers. Many of the recipes are300 calories or less per serving, making them waistline-friendly as well.
We tested all of these recipes in our own kitchen and can personally vouch for how tasty they are! Keep reading for lots of weekday dinner inspiration using ground turkey breast.
Why Choose Ground Turkey Breast?
There are a few key benefits that make ground turkey breast a smart choice compared to other ground meats:
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It’s lean – Ground turkey breast is 99% fat free, while standard ground turkey can contain up to 20% fat Going with the breast meat eliminates a lot of unwanted saturated fat and calories
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It’s versatile – Ground turkey breast works well in place of recipes that call for ground beef or ground chicken The mild flavor lets the seasonings and sauces shine.
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It cooks quickly – Ground turkey breast cooks fast in a skillet, making it ideal for speedy weeknight meals on busy nights.
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It’s budget-friendly – Buying turkey in bulk when it’s on sale and freezing ground turkey breast in 1 pound packages helps keep costs low compared to other ground meats.
Tips for Cooking with Ground Turkey Breast
To get the best results when cooking with ground turkey breast, keep these tips in mind:
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Don’t overcook it – Ground turkey breast dries out easily. Cook just until no longer pink and juices run clear.
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Add some fat – The extra lean meat benefits from a small amount of oil or butter when cooking to prevent sticking.
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Season well – Ground turkey breast needs added flavor. Use spices, herbs, sauces and marinades liberally.
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Use a meat thermometer – This guarantees the turkey reaches a safe internal temperature of 165°F without overcooking.
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Chill thoroughly before cooking – Formed patties and meatballs hold together better when the ground meat is cold.
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Mix with bold ingredients – Pair ground turkey breast with strongly flavored ingredients like chili paste, bbq sauce or blue cheese.
Now let’s get to the recipes! Here are 27 of our favorite healthy ground turkey breast recipes to add to your regular dinner rotation:
1. BBQ Turkey Meatloaf
[Photo of bbq turkey meatloaf]
This lighter bbq turkey meatloaf has all the comforting flavor of traditional meatloaf but is healthier with the use of ground turkey breast. The sweet and tangy barbecue sauce glaze on top makes it irresistible. Serve slices alongside mashed potatoes or rice.
Get the recipe here
2. Italian Turkey Meatballs
[Photo of turkey meatballs]
These turkey meatballs are seasoned with traditional Italian herbs and parmesan cheese. They have a tender texture from mixing the ground turkey with breadcrumbs and egg. Simmer the cooked meatballs in pasta sauce for a fast, family-friendly meal.
Get the recipe here
3. Turkey-Vegetable Stir Fry
[Photo of turkey stir fry]
Skip the carbs but keep the flavor with this quick turkey stir fry. Strips of ground turkey breast get tossed with fresh vegetables like broccoli, bell peppers, mushrooms, carrots, snow peas and beansprouts. Serve over cauliflower rice or on its own.
Get the recipe here
4. Spicy Turkey Lettuce Wraps
[Photo of spicy turkey lettuce wraps]
Recreate the fresh flavors of your favorite Asian lettuce wraps at home with this easy ground turkey recipe. It comes together quickly and packs a flavor punch from chili garlic sauce. Cooling lettuce leaves make the perfect low carb vessel.
Get the recipe here
5. Turkey and Black Bean Chili
[Photo of turkey chili]
Amp up your classic chili recipe by using lean ground turkey breast and loading it up with vegetables like bell pepper, onion, and zucchini. Topped with a dollop of Greek yogurt, this chili delivers 27 grams of protein per serving!
Get the recipe here
6. Cajun Turkey Burgers
[Photo of cajun turkey burgers]
Burgers don’t have to be boring. These Cajun turkey burgers are seasoned with the flavors of New Orleans – garlic powder, paprika, thyme, cayenne and oregano. The creamy avocado salsa verde takes them over the top.
Get the recipe here
7. Turkey Taco Stuffed Peppers
[Photo of turkey taco stuffed peppers]
Enjoy all of your favorite Tex-Mex flavors baked into a pepper. These turkey-stuffed peppers are filled with seasoned ground turkey, black beans, corn, and cheese. They make a fun (and healthy) family dinner.
Get the recipe here
8. Zucchini Turkey Skillet
[Photo of turkey zucchini skillet]
This easy one-pan dinner mixes lean ground turkey breast with zucchini noodles, marinara sauce and parmesan cheese. Thanks to the zoodles, a serving has just 200 calories and 27 grams of protein.
Get the recipe here
9. Asian Turkey Lettuce Wraps
[Photo of Asian turkey lettuce wraps]
All the taste of takeout without all the fat and calories. This Asian ground turkey mixture is flavored with ginger, garlic and teriyaki and served in refreshing lettuce cups instead of fried wrappers.
Get the recipe here
10. Cheesy Turkey and Broccoli Pasta
[Photo of turkey broccoli pasta]
Comfort food doesn’t get much easier than this 4-ingredient turkey pasta skillet. Quick-cooking turkey breast, broccoli and mozzarella get tossed with pasta and seasonings for a fast 500 calorie dinner.
Get the recipe here
11. Thai Turkey Burgers with Peanut Sauce
[Photo of thai turkey burger]
Wow your family with these fun, globally-inspired turkey burgers. They’re infused with the flavors of Thailand – ginger, lime, cilantro and red curry paste. Topped with an addictive sweet and creamy peanut sauce.
Get the recipe here
12. Buffalo Turkey Meatballs
[Photo of buffalo turkey meatballs]
Give boring turkey meatballs an upgrade with the addictive flavors of Buffalo chicken wings – hot sauce, blue cheese and ranch dressing. These game day appetizers will be a touchdown with any sports fan.
Get the recipe here
13. Easy Sloppy Joes
[Photo of sloppy joes]
Made with lean ground turkey instead of greasy beef, these slimmed down sloppy joes deserve a permanent spot in your dinner rotation. Sweet, tangy and utterly delicious!
Get the recipe here
14. Lighter Turkey Alfredo Zoodles
[Photo of turkey alfredo zoodles]
Cut the carbs but keep the flavor in this skinny turkey Alfredo recipe. Quick-cooking zucchini noodles stand in for heavy pasta while protein-packed ground turkey breast replaces fatty ground beef.
Get the recipe here
15. Turkey Larb Lettuce Wraps
[Photo of turkey larb lettuce wraps]
Skip the takeout and make your own quick and healthy larb at home. Ground turkey stands in for ground pork or chicken and gets flavored with lime, chili and fresh herbs. Serve in crunchy lettuce cups for portion control.
Get the recipe here
16. Turkey Sausage Pasta
[Photo of turkey sausage pasta]
Lean turkey sausage adds tons of savory flavor to this speedy pasta dish while keeping it light. With just 500 calories per serving, you can indulge in this comforting weeknight dinner guilt-free.
Get the recipe here
17. BBQ Turkey Shepherd’s Pie
[Photo of bbq turkey shepherd’s pie]
Shepherd’s pie gets a healthier, more American makeover in this fun recipe. Ground turkey is combined with barbecue sauce, corn and mashed cauliflower instead of potatoes for the topping.
Get the recipe here
18. Turkey Banh Mi Lettuce Wraps
[Photo of banh mi lettuce wraps]
Experience the tastes of a Vietnamese banh mi sandwich using lettuce leaves instead of bread. Quick-cooking ground turkey breast stands in for traditional pork. Topped with Quick Pickled Carrots and Daikon, cilantro and Sriracha mayo.
Get the recipe here
19. Turkey Kale Sweet Potato Skillet
[Photo of turkey sweet potato kale skillet]
This one-pan meal has everything – lean turkey breast, vitamin-packed kale, fiber-rich sweet potatoes, zesty salsa and melty cheese. Enjoy this easy 400 calorie
How to Store Ground Turkey Stir Fry
This recipe works great for meal prep, but I suggest only storing in the refrigerator rather than the freezer. Freezing will cause the vegetables to soften further and seep more water. This dish will stay good in the refrigerator for about four days.
- 1/4 cup soy sauce ($0.24)
- 1/2 Tbsp toasted sesame oil ($0.16)
- 1/2 Tbsp brown sugar ($0.02)
- 1 pinch red pepper flakes (optional) ($0.02)
- 1 Tbsp water ($0.00)
- 2 bell peppers ($2.00)
- 4 green onions ($0.22)
- 2 oz. spinach (two large handfuls, or 1/4 of an 8oz. bag) ($0.30)
- 2 Tbsp cooking oil of choice ($0.08)
- 2 cloves garlic, minced ($0.16)
- 19 oz. ground turkey* ($3.49)
- 1/4 cup chopped peanuts ($0.12)
- 2.5 cups cooked brown rice ($0.60)
- Make the stir fry sauce by stirring together the soy sauce, toasted sesame oil, brown sugar, red pepper, and water until the sugar is dissolved. Set the sauce aside.
- Dice the bell peppers and slice the green onions.
- Heat the cooking oil in a very large skillet over medium heat. Once hot, add the ground turkey and minced garlic. Stir and cook until the turkey is cooked through and no water is left pooling on the bottom of the skillet (8-10 minutes).
- Once the turkey is cooked and the moisture has evaporated, add the bell pepper and green onions to the skillet. Stir and cook for about 2 minutes more, then add the spinach and continue to cook just until it is about half wilted (1-2 minutes).
- Pour the stir fry sauce into the skillet. Continue to stir and cook the turkey and vegetables until everything is coated in sauce and the spinach is fully wilted (about 2 minutes more).
- Serve about 1 cup of the stir fry mixture with 1/2 cup rice and a sprinkle of chopped peanuts over top.
Scroll down for the step by step photos!
Customize your Ground Turkey Stir Fry
- Reduce the recipe cost by increasing the vegetables and decreasing the amount of ground turkey
- Use ground beef, pork, chicken, or crumbled tofu or tempeh in place of the ground turkey
- Other vegetable options: mushrooms, broccoli, carrots, bean sprouts, snap peas, green beans, water chestnuts
- Top with cashews or sesame seeds in place of the peanuts
- Make it spicy by stirring a tablespoon (or TWO ) of sriracha or chili garlic sauce into the stir-fry sauce
- Add fresh some freshly grated ginger to the stir-fry sauce for extra zing
- Add cooked noodles to the stir fry at the end instead of serving over rice
- Add a bag of coleslaw mix to the stir fry to bulk it up without adding carbs, similar to my Beef and Cabbage Stir Fry, instead of serving it with rice or noodles.
EASY LOW CARB GROUND TURKEY SKILLET | GROUND TURKEY RECIPES | HEALTHY RECIPES | LOW CARB RECIPES
FAQ
How to add flavor to ground turkey breast?
What is ground turkey breast used for?
Is ground turkey breast healthier than ground beef?
Is ground turkey healthier than chicken breast?
How do you cook a turkey breast with butter?
Using your fingers, carefully loosen the skin from the breast meat, spreading half of the butter mixture under the skin. Secure skin over the butter with wooden picks. Place turkey, breast side up, on top of the lemon slices. Spread remaining half of the butter mixture over the turkey; season with salt and pepper, to taste.
How do you cook a turkey breast with thyme & garlic?
In a small bowl, combine butter, garlic, thyme, sage and rosemary. Dry turkey thoroughly with paper towels. Using your fingers, carefully loosen the skin from the breast meat, spreading half of the butter mixture under the skin. Secure skin over the butter with wooden picks. Place turkey, breast side up, on top of the lemon slices.
How long does it take to cook a ground turkey?
Ground turkey is joined by a medley of fresh vegetables including zucchini, bell pepper, spinach, onion, and garlic, in a one-pan skillet meal that is ready in just 30-minutes. Tasty and healthy, this ground turkey skillet recipe is dairy-free, gluten-free, paleo, and compliant with Whole30.
How do you cook ground turkey in a pressure cooker?
Begin your ground turkey and spinach pasta dish by sauteeing your ground turkey in the pressure cooker with oil, onion, salt, garlic powder, cumin, oregano, and pepper. To the pot, add uncooked penne, canned tomatoes, and chicken broth. Pressure cook for 4 minutes.