17 Delicious and Nutritious Ground Turkey Whole30 Recipes

These ground turkey teriyaki bowls are easy, healthy and so flavorful! This Whole30 ground turkey recipe is great for a quick weeknight dinner or meal prep. This 20 minute teriyaki ground turkey comes together quickly and easily and has the best bold flavors!

Ground turkey is a versatile and healthy protein that can be used in a variety of delicious Whole30-compliant recipes. Compared to beef and pork ground turkey tends to be lower in fat and calories making it an excellent choice for those looking to lose weight or eat healthier.

In this article, I will share 17 of my favorite ground turkey Whole30 recipes that are nutritious, easy to make, and full of flavor. Whether you are new to the Whole30 program or a seasoned veteran, these recipes will add variety and convenience to your meal plan.

Why Choose Ground Turkey on Whole30?

There are several reasons why ground turkey is a smart choice while following the Whole30 program:

  • It’s a lean source of protein that fits within the Whole30 guidelines. The program emphasizes high-quality proteins like poultry, eggs, seafood, and meat

  • Ground turkey is lower in saturated fat than ground beef or pork, which may help lower cholesterol levels.

  • It’s budget-friendly and easy to find at most grocery stores. Ground turkey tends to cost less per pound than other ground meats.

  • Turkey provides nutrients like niacin, selenium, choline, zinc, vitamin B6, and phosphorus. These support metabolism, immunity, brain function, and energy levels.

  • The mild flavor of ground turkey makes it versatile to season or pair with different ingredients. Itwon’t overpower other flavors.

  • Ground turkey cooks faster than larger cuts of poultry or meat. This makes it convenient for quick weeknight meals.

Now let’s look at some of the best ways to use ground turkey while following the Whole30 program.

1. Whole30 Turkey Taco Lettuce Wraps

These Turkey Taco Lettuce Wraps from Food Faith Fitness are a fresh take on traditional tacos. They’re made with seasoned ground turkey, salsa, and wrapped in crispy lettuce leaves. Feel free to load them up with your favorite taco toppings like avocado, cilantro, or hot sauce.

2. Whole30 Turkey Meatloaf

This Whole30 Turkey Meatloaf recipe from Gnom Gnom is perfect for meal prep and freezes well. It’s flavored with onions, garlic, mustard, and herbs. For a tasty twist, you can stuff the center with vegetables like spinach, mushrooms, or chopped peppers.

3. Whole30 Turkey Bolognese

Satisfy your pasta cravings with this hearty Whole30 Turkey Bolognese recipe from Living Loving Paleo. It’s made with tomatoes, carrots, celery, mushrooms, and herbs for a rich sauce. Simply serve it over zucchini noodles or spaghetti squash.

4. Whole30 Zucchini Turkey Meatballs

These Whole30 Zucchini Turkey Meatballs from Cotter Crunch are a unique spin on classic meatballs. The addition of shredded zucchini makes them extra moist. Bake or pan fry them to serve with marinara sauce and veggies.

5. Whole30 Turkey Burgers

Every Whole30 meal plan needs a good turkey burger recipe like this one from Little Bits Of. They are seasoned with onion, garlic, mustard, and Worcestershire sauce. Top them with approved ingredients like guacamole or caramelized onions.

6. Whole30 Turkey Breakfast Sausage

Make breakfast Whole30-approved with this recipe for Turkey Breakfast Sausage from Lives Well Plated. It combines ground turkey with breakfast sausage seasonings like sage, thyme, rosemary, and red pepper flakes for a quick and easy option.

7. Whole30 Italian Turkey Meatballs

These Whole30 Italian Turkey Meatballs from Fit Foodie Finds are seasoned with traditional Italian herbs and parmesan. Simmer them in marinara sauce for a high-protein meal or appetizer. They also work well over zucchini noodles.

8. Whole30 Turkey and Vegetable Soup

Warm up on chilly nights with this Whole30 Turkey and Vegetable Soup from 40 Aprons. It’s loaded with carrots, celery, spinach, cabbage, and spicy Italian sausage seasoning that pairs perfectly with ground turkey.

9. Whole30 Green Chili Turkey Enchiladas

For a Mexican-inspired dish, try these easy Green Chili Turkey Enchiladas from Mellissa Sevigny. Fill corn tortillas with turkey, green chilies, and onions, then smother with a creamy avocado sauce.

10. Whole30 Turkey-Stuffed Peppers

These Whole30 Turkey-Stuffed Peppers from Primal Edge Health combine ground turkey with mushrooms, spinach, and sun-dried tomatoes for a filling. Stuff them into bell peppers and bake until tender.

11. Whole30 Turkey-Veggie Stir Fry

Quickly sauté ground turkey with your favorite veggies for a Whole30-friendly stir fry. This recipe from Delish Knowledge uses broccoli, carrots, bamboo shoots, ginger, and coconut aminos for an Asian twist.

12. Whole30 Turkey Casserole

Make this comforting Whole30 Turkey Casserole from The Real Food Dieticians for an easy one-pan meal. It layers ground turkey, butternut squash, kale, and sunflower seed butter for sweet and savory flavors.

13. Whole30 Turkey Larb Lettuce Wraps

For exotic Thai flavors, try making ground turkey larb like this recipe from Nom Nom Paleo. It combines ground turkey with lime juice, fish sauce, chili garlic sauce, and mint. Enjoy wrapped in crisp lettuce.

14. Whole30 Turkey Quesadillas

These Whole30 Turkey Quesadillas from Lexi’s Clean Kitchen are made with cauliflower tortillas for a grain-free take. Fill them with ground turkey, bell pepper, avocado, and taco seasonings.

15. Whole30 Sloppy Joe Stuffed Sweet Potatoes

Stuff baked sweet potatoes with flavorful ground turkey sloppy joes made with peppers, onions, and tomatoes. Find the recipe for this fun meal at The Healthy Apple.

16. Whole30 Turkey-Veggie Hash

Whip up this easy Whole30 Turkey-Veggie Hash from What Great Grandma Ate for a hearty breakfast or dinner. It’s a skillet meal made with ground turkey, potatoes, bell pepper, spinach, and seasonings.

17. Whole30 Turkey-Zucchini Lasagna

For a low-carb lasagna, use zucchini slices instead of noodles like in this Whole30 Turkey-Zucchini Lasagna recipe from Little Pine Low Carb. Layer zucchini with turkey meat sauce, spinach, and cheese.

Tips for Preparing Whole30 Ground Turkey Recipes

Following these simple tips will help ensure your ground turkey dishes turn out moist, flavorful and delicious:

  • Choose 93% lean or leaner ground turkey to limit fat intake. Avoid pre-flavored turkey with additives.

  • Season ground turkey well with fresh herbs, spices, garlic, mustard, etc. It has a mild flavor on its own.

  • Cook ground turkey thoroughly to 165°F internal temperature to eliminate bacteria risk.

  • Avoid overcooking to prevent dryness. Use a meat thermometer and cook just until done.

  • Sauté ground turkey in a skillet rather than boiling it for the best texture.

  • Mix in vegetables, broth, or sauce to add extra moisture and flavor.

ground turkey whole30 recipes

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

  • These ground turkey bowls are both healthy and tasty!
  • They are quick and easy to make.
  • This is a great way to use up ground turkey.
  • Serve with cauliflower rice, white or brown rice, or lettuce wraps. This recipe is versatile.
  • This Asian inspired weeknight dinner is packed with flavor.
  • The veggies are masked in the homemade teriyaki sauce. This is great for picky eaters and kids!
  • Check out these Keto Turkey Burgers and these Whole30 Turkey Meatballs for other ideas.
  • As written, this is Whole30 approved, Paleo, Gluten Free, Dairy Free, Nut Free, Sugar Free, and AIP.

How to Cook Ground Turkey

Ground turkey is a light pink color when raw. It has a similar appearance and texture to ground beef. Unlike ground beef, ground turkey is notorious for being dry and boring.

Season ground turkey or cook with a sauce to prevent blandness. In these ground turkey teriyaki bowls, the teriyaki sauce adds a ton of flavor to the ground turkey.

To prevent dry ground turkey, cook until internal temperature reaches 165 degrees Fahrenheit. Use a meat thermometer to check doneness. Overcooking will yield dry meat.

To cook, add ground turkey to a skillet with a drizzle of olive oil. Cook on medium until brown and crumbly, breaking up meat with spatula as you cook.

These are the main ingredients and substitutions for ground turkey teriyaki bowls. Scroll down to the recipe card for the full recipe.

Ground beef or ground chicken work in this recipe. In addition, ground pork and ground beef work well too!

The veggies can be mixed and matched. Onion, peppers and broccoli are great vegetables for teriyaki stir fry. Use another veggie if desired. Other common stir fry veggies include mushrooms, baby corn, snow peas and green onions.

The cauliflower rice can be substituted for white or brown rice (no longer Whole30 or AIP) if desired. Spaghetti squash would be delicious here too for another low carb option.

For a spicy option, check out this Sugar Free Stir Fry Sauce in place of this teriyaki sauce.

First, add all turkey bowl ingredients except cauliflower rice to a skillet over medium heat.

Cook for 5 to 7 minutes covered. Occasionally stir and break up meat with spatula.

In another skillet, add cauliflower rice with a drizzle of olive oil over low heat. Cook 5 to 7 minutes, stirring occasionally.

Once turkey is cooked, make teriyaki sauce. Add sauce ingredients to a bowl and stir. Then, pour this sauce into the skillet.

Simmer for 8 to 10 minutes until sauce has slightly thickened.

Remove both skillets from heat.

Finally, assemble ground turkey teriyaki bowls!

Whole30 Meal Prep | 3 Whole30 Recipes with Ground Turkey

FAQ

Is ground turkey healthier than ground beef?

Ground beef and turkey are both nutritious meats that provide protein, fat, and a variety of vitamins and minerals. Turkey is generally lower in saturated fat than beef. As such, it may be a better choice for heart health. Fat-free turkey is also the lowest calorie option if you’re interested in weight loss.

Is ground turkey healthy for weight loss?

If you’re looking to reduce calories for weight loss, either lean ground turkey or lean ground beef are healthy choices. Keeping tabs on saturated fat for heart health? Lean ground turkey is the better pick by a slim margin.

When not to cook ground turkey?

Look & Color. Raw turkey meat should be light pink or beige, depending on the type of meat and its fat content. The meat color becomes dull as time passes, which is normal. However, if the meat has a brown, gray or yellow or green hue, you will want to part ways with it.

How to add flavor to ground turkey?

How do you add flavor to ground turkey? Turkey meat can be flavored with easy ingredients like kosher salt and pepper, bell peppers, garlic powder, and olive oil. If you’re cooking meat, specifically turkey taco meat, hot sauce and enchilada sauce are your best mates.

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