These easy turkey steaks are made in less than 10 minutes. Perfect for a quick weeknight dinner, or as a simpler alternative to roast turkey. Serve the steaks with your favorite side dishes, like green beans, mashed potatoes, rice, salad and more.
If youre looking for easy turkey steak recipes, youve come to the right place! They are really simple to make, taste amazing, and a much faster alternative to a whole roasted turkey. Learning how to make turkey steaks has been a game changer for me, and I now cook a quick turkey dinner on a regular basis.
Whether youre looking to cook turkey steaks for Christmas or Thanksgiving, or if youre just looking for healthy turkey steak recipes in general, I highly recommend that you cook them in a frying pan, just like how you would cook any other steak.
Turkey steaks are a delicious, lean, and protein-packed alternative to beef With a milder flavor than beef, turkey steaks can be seasoned boldly and cooked in a variety of ways while still staying moist and juicy If you’re new to cooking turkey steaks, have no fear! With these simple tips and techniques, you’ll be able to cook tender, flavorful turkey steaks easily and consistently.
Key Things to Know About Turkey Steaks
To get started it’s helpful to understand a few key things about turkey steaks
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Turkey steaks come from the breast of the turkey and are boneless, skinless, and cut thinly, usually about 1/2 to 1 inch thick.
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They cook faster than roasting a whole turkey breast or turkey leg since they are thinly sliced. A typical cook time is 8-15 minutes.
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Turkey steaks are leaner and have a milder flavor than beef steak. Feel free to use bold spices and seasonings.
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Turkey steak is heartier and less prone to drying out than chicken breast, so higher heat cooking methods work well.
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Look for turkey steaks that are evenly sized for even cooking. About 4-6 oz is typical.
Seasoning Turkey Steaks
One of the keys to delicious turkey steaks is properly seasoning them before cooking. Here are some tips:
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Use bold flavors – Don’t be shy with seasonings! Turkey can handle stronger flavors like garlic, paprika, herbs, etc.
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Go beyond just salt and pepper – Consider spice blends, chili powder, garlic powder, oregano, rosemary, etc. Pick flavors that complement your cooking method.
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Dry brine if time allows – Sprinkle steaks liberally with salt and let rest 20-30 mins. This seasons deep and boosts juiciness.
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Marinate for extra flavor – Soak turkey in a marinade sauce for 30 mins up to overnight. Try Italian dressing, teriyaki, wine/vinegar mixtures.
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Pat steaks dry – Blot away excess moisture before cooking for better sear and caramelization.
Choosing the Best Cooking Method
Turkey steaks cook quickly, so high heat, fast cooking methods work best. Consider these techniques:
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Pan-searing – The high heat of a skillet gives a nice browned crust while keeping the interior juicy. Use a bit of oil.
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Grilling – The hot, dry heat of the grill is perfect for getting a char while cooking through. Go for medium-high heat.
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Broiling – This oven-cooking mimics grilling. Cook 4-5 inches from heat, turning once halfway through.
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Stir-frying – Quick cooking in a ripping hot pan or wok. Slice turkey thin and stir-fry with vegetables.
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Roasting – Cook turkey steaks in a hot oven, 400°F or above. Easier for batch cooking multiple steaks.
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Air frying – The super hot circulating air crisps up the outside beautifully. Spray with oil for best results.
Cook Times and Internal Temperatures
Since they are thinly sliced, turkey steaks cook faster than chicken breasts or beef steaks. Follow these guidelines:
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For 1-inch steaks, cook 8-10 minutes per side using high heat. Thinner steaks may only need 4-5 minutes per side.
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Check for doneness by cutting into the thickest part of a steak. Turkey is done when the interior is white throughout with no pink.
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Turkey steaks are safe to eat at 165°F. For the juiciest results, cook just until done and remove immediately to prevent overcooking.
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Let steaks rest 3-5 minutes after cooking. The temperature will rise 5-10°F as juices redistribute.
Handy Turkey Steak Cooking Tips
Follow these tips to ensure perfect turkey steaks every time:
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Pat steaks dry thoroughly before seasoning and cooking. Excess moisture inhibits caramelization.
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Use a digital thermometer. These thin steaks cook fast, so temperature is the best doneness test.
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Go for high heat.Turkey steaks need hot and fast cooking methods to crisp the outside and seal in juiciness.
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Cook in a skillet or pan that retains heat well. Stainless steel is ideal for an even, fast sear.
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Flip steaks only once during cooking. Frequent flipping slows browning. Just increase heat if steak browns too fast.
Fun and Creative Ways to Serve Turkey Steaks
The mild flavor and quick cooking time of turkey steaks make them extremely versatile. Consider serving your turkey steaks:
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With creative pan sauces – Mushroom, wine, mustard-cream, etc. Deglaze the cooking pan to make the sauce.
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In stir-fries – Thinly sliced and cooked with crisp veggies and noodles or rice.
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On top of salad greens – Warm or cold for a protein-packed salad meal.
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In sandwiches – Grill up turkey steaks for hearty yet healthy sandwiches.
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With roasted veggies – Complement the steaks with roasted potatoes, squash, Brussels sprouts.
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Over pasta – Sliced turkey steaks served over zucchini noodles or whole wheat pasta.
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In tacos or fajitas – Warm tortillas and slice turkey for a lean taco filling.
The options are endless for turning simple turkey steaks into full creative meals. Use your imagination and favorite flavors!
Cooking moist and flavorful turkey steaks is easy once you know the basics. With flavorful seasoning, high heat quick-cooking methods, and proper internal temperatures, you’ll have tender and juicy steaks every time. Experiment with different spices, marinades, cooking techniques and creative servings. In no time, turkey steaks will become a regular easy and healthy meal in your home.
Why you’ll love it
- Easy to make
- 10-minute turkey entree
- Tastes amazing
- An affordable and light alternative to beef steak
- Use any seasoning that you like
- For weeknight dinners, special occasions, or even holiday meals
Turkey steaks are boneless turkey breasts which are cut into ½-inch steaks. They look similar to a thin chicken breast, or exactly how you would expect a steak to look like.
The steaks can be cooked in a frying pan or skillet, or in an oven, air fryer, BBQ or other appliance. Because they are so thin, they cook within a few minutes, which makes them a quick alternative to cooking a whole turkey breast. You can season them with traditional flavors,
You can buy turkey breast strips in most supermarkets. In the UK, they are available all year around, but in the US and Australia they are more commonly found from October to December, around the holiday season.
Turkey breast steaks: You can buy pre-cut steaks, or use a sharp knife to slice a turkey breast into steaks. If you want to use frozen steaks, you will have to defrost them beforehand.
Olive oil: The oil keeps the meat juicy, and prevents the turkey from sticking to the frying pan. You can also use melted butter, avocado oil or vegetable oil instead.
Seasoning: Salt, pepper and Italian seasoning or mixed dried herbs add lovely flavor to the turkey. You can find other seasoning suggestions below.
You can find full instructions + ingredient measurements in the recipe card at the bottom of this page
One: Season the turkey well on both sides.
Two: Heat up the cooking oil in a frying pan over medium heat. Place the steaks in the pan, and make sure to eave a little space between each steak. Cook for 3-5 minutes, or until the meat is golden brown on the bottom. Then, flip and repeat until its cooked on the other side. This will take between 5-10 minutes in total.
Leave the steaks to rest for up to 10 minutes, or serve them immediately.
TIP! Make sure that the meat is thawed before use. To make the meat extra tender, you can use a meat tenderizer before adding seasoning.
- Avoid overcrowding the pan to ensure an even cooking result. You might have to cook the steaks in multiple batches.
- Make sure that the turkey steaks are thoroughly defrosted before you start cooking them.
- Adjust the seasoning to taste. You might prefer to add more or less seasoning, or change the seasoning completely.
- Make sure that the meat is cooked through before serving. The best way to do this, is to use a meat thermometer. The internal temperature of the turkey should read 165 F / 74 C.
Pan seared turkey steaks are best served as an entree or main course for dinner or lunch. You can also dice them up, and add to stews, soups, salads and more.
If you change up the seasoning, you can serve these steaks with any sides you like. Serve them how you would serve chicken breasts, beef steaks or pork loin.
Use a seasoning mix: Replace the suggested spices and herbs with your favorite spice mix. For example, try using Cajun seasoning, taco seasoning, chicken dry rub, or BBQ spice mix.
Marinated turkey steaks: You can use your favorite marinade, either store bought or homemade. You can also make a simple marinade by combining olive oil, lemon juice and and herbs or spices that you like. Sauces like BBQ sauce, sweet chili sauce and teriyaki are also great as marinades.
Other herbs: Replace the Italian seasoning or mixed dried herbs with any dried herbs that you like. Basil, parsley, thyme, oregano and rosemary are all excellent choices.
Other spices: Turkey pairs nicely with a variety of flavors. Try adding garlic powder, paprika, lemon zest, cumin, smoked paprika or mustard powder.
Baked, roasted or air fried: Cook the steaks at 400 F / 200 C for 5-15 minutes. The exact cooking time will vary. Use a meat thermometer to ensure that the meat is cooked through.
To make this recipe, all you need is a frying pan or skillet. A cast iron skillet is a great option, as it will sear the surface of the steaks nicely. You can also use a non-stick pan to make sure that the meat doesnt stick to the pan.
Additionally, you will need a spatula to flip the steaks. Make sure to use separate kitchen utensils for handling raw and cooked meat.
Store leftover turkey steaks in a sealed container in a refrigerator for up to 2 days. You can reheat them in a microwave or skillet for a few minutes, and serve them warm.
Alternatively, slice or dice the meat, and add it to other dishes like casseroles, pasta, salads or soups. You can use sliced turkey instead of chicken in this lemon chicken pasta, or add it to my Mexican casserole.
I dont recommend cooking the steaks from frozen, as this tends to make the meat quite dry. However, if you want to try, you can bake them in the oven at 400 F / 200 C for about 20-30 minutes. Cook them in a sauce or marinade to keep them juicy.
They take between 5-10 minutes to cook, depending on the cooking method and temperature used. The meat should ideally be cooked on both sides, at around 400 F / 200 C.
Turkey steaks are usually made from turkey breast. The breast is sliced into thin steaks, which are much easier to cook, but taste just as good.
Garlic Lemon Butter Turkey Steaks // Turkey Recipe // Healthy Lunch or Dinner in 10 Minutes
How do you cook a Turkey steak in a frying pan?
Follow these steps: Heat a skillet over medium-high heat and add a drizzle of oil. Remove the turkey steaks from the marinade and pat them dry. Season with salt, pepper, and any other desired spices. Place the steaks in the hot skillet and cook for about 4-5 minutes on each side, or until they reach an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C).
How do you cook a Turkey steak in a oven?
Remove the turkey steaks from the marinade and pat them dry. Season with salt, pepper, and any other desired spices. Place the steaks in the baking dish and bake for approximately 20-25 minutes, or until they reach an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C). Let the steaks rest for a few minutes before serving.
How long do you cook a Turkey steak in a pan?
Allow the pan to preheat. Once hot, add the turkey steaks into the pan, evenly distributed so they aren’t overlapping. Leave to sear over a high heat for 2 minutes, then rotate and cook for a further minute. Depending on the thickness of your turkey steaks, adapt the cook time.
How do you cook a seasoned Turkey steak?
Sprinkle the seasoning mix over both sides of the turkey steak and rub it in to coat evenly. Place a heavy bottom skillet or cast iron on medium-high heat, add olive oil, swirl to coat the pan, and heat until shimmering hot. Add the seasoned turkey steak to the hot oil, do not overcrowd the pan.