If you’re wondering how to cook ground turkey and make it taste good, you’re in luck! This recipe lets you create healthy, flavourful ground turkey meat in just 15 minutes. That way, you can have your weeknight meal ready in no time. You can cook ground turkey as taco meat, a topping for salads, chilli, gyro bowls, and more!
Ground turkey can be a healthy and delicious alternative to ground beef. But improperly cooked ground turkey often turns out dry and flavorless. Not to worry – with a few simple tricks, you’ll be cooking juicy, flavorful ground turkey worthy of any recipe.
At my site, we’ve cooked a lot of ground turkey over the years Through trial and error, I’ve learned the best techniques for cooking ground turkey so it turns out moist and full of flavor
In this guide, I’ll share everything I know about how to cook ground turkey to perfection. You’ll learn:
- The best types of ground turkey to buy
- Pro tips for maximum moisture and flavor
- Common mistakes to avoid
- Tasty add-ins and flavor boosters
- Creative recipe ideas to try
Follow these tips and you’ll never go back to dry, boring ground turkey again!
Choosing the Best Ground Turkey
Not all ground turkey is created equal. The type you select will impact texture and moisture. Here are your options:
Regular ground turkey – Usually contains both white and dark meat with about 20% fat. This has the best moisture and flavor. Look for 80/20 or 85/15 blends.
Ground turkey breast – Made from just the lean white breast meat with very little fat. Can easily dry out but is very healthy.
Pre-flavored ground turkey – Seasoned blends like taco, Italian, or Mediterranean flavors. Convenient but limit seasoning options.
For the juiciest results, I recommend regular 80/20 ground turkey. The small amount of fat provides much needed moisture. Ground turkey breast dries out more easily unless prepared carefully.
The Secret to Perfectly Cooked Ground Turkey
Cooking ground turkey so it stays tender and flavorful requires a few special techniques:
1. Use Fat for Moisture
Browning ground turkey in a bit of oil or butter helps keep it from drying out. Olive oil is my go-to for flavor. Bacon fat also adds nice richness.
2. Brown Well Before Stirring
Let the turkey cook undisturbed for 5-6 minutes to form a nice sear. This caramelization equals huge flavor.
3. Crush Larger Pieces
As the turkey cooks, break up any larger chunks using a spoon or potato masher so they absorb fat.
4. Don’t Overcook
Cook just until no longer pink, about 8-10 minutes total. Going longer results in dryness.
5. Let Sit Before Using
Give the cooked turkey 5 minutes rest so juices reabsorb. This makes all the difference.
Follow this process for guaranteed tender and flavorful ground turkey every time. Now let’s look at some add-ins that can really take it to the next level!
Moisture-Boosting Ingredients
Since ground turkey is so lean, mixing in a few ingredients adds back lost moisture and ratchets up the flavor:
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Mushrooms – Finely mince and sauté until browned before adding turkey.
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Onion and garlic – Aromatic alliums bring tons of flavor. Cook them first in the pan.
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Eggs – Whisk 1-2 eggs per pound of turkey. The proteins keep meat tender.
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Breadcrumbs – About 1/4 cup per pound absorbs juices. Panko give the best crunch.
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Cheese – Grated Parmesan or crumbled feta add richness. Stir in after cooking.
Don’t limit yourself to just one – combining a couple makes turkey really sing.
Seasonings and Flavorings
Ground turkey can use a flavor boost compared to fattier meats. Here are my go-to seasoning combos:
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Italian – Basil, oregano, marjoram, rosemary, parsley, garlic
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Tex-Mex – Chili powder, cumin, paprika, garlic, cayenne, oregano
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Mediterranean – Mint, cilantro, lemon, garlic, sumac, cinnamon, allspice
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Indian – Turmeric, cumin, coriander, ginger, garlic, garam masala
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Thai – Lemongrass, lime, ginger, galangal, shallots, chilies
Mix and match herbs, spices, aromatics and broths for global inspiration. A sprinkling of cheese on cooked turkey adds a tasty finishing touch.
Common Cooking Mistakes
It’s easy to unknowingly make mistakes that dry out ground turkey. Watch out for these pitfalls:
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Too high heat – Use medium heat to prevent burning on the outside before the inside cooks.
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Cooking too long – Once browned, it only takes another 5 minutes or so to finish cooking.
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Stirring too early – Letting the meat sear builds crucial flavor.
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Using extra lean turkey – The lack of fat means it dries out more easily. Supplement with olive oil.
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Not letting rest – Those 5 minutes after cooking make turkey juicier. Don’t skip!
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Underseasoning – Flavor needs a boost so don’t be shy with spices and herbs.
Creative Ways to Use Ground Turkey
Ground turkey isn’t just for boring weeknight meals. With the right recipes, it can be downright delicious. Some tasty ideas:
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Thai turkey lettuce wraps – With peanut sauce and tons of veggies.
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Turkey taco pie – All the flavors of tacos in easy pie form.
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Zucchini turkey meatballs – Shredded zucchini keeps them moist.
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Turkey burgers – Juicier and more flavorful than beef.
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Turkey bolognese – A lighter riff on the Italian classic.
From healthy lettuce wraps to family-friendly casseroles, the possibilities are endless!
FAQs About Cooking Ground Turkey
Let’s wrap up with answers to some frequently asked questions:
Is ground turkey healthier than ground beef?
Definitely! It contains less saturated fat and more protein by volume. Go for an 85/15 blend for max nutrition.
Do you need to add oil when cooking ground turkey?
A bit of olive or avocado oil helps keep lean turkey moist. Bacon fat or butter also add nice richness.
What’s the best way to reheat cooked ground turkey?
Stir frequently over medium-low heat adding a splash of broth, wine or water to prevent drying out.
Can you freeze cooked ground turkey?
Yes! Let it cool fully then freeze in an airtight container up to 3 months. Thaw in the refrigerator before using.
What if my ground turkey is still pink inside?
Turkey can remain a bit pink even when thoroughly cooked. Use a food thermometer if unsure – 160°F is safe.
Perfectly Cooked Ground Turkey Every Time
Follow my tips for moist, flavorful ground turkey that livens up any recipe. The keys are using some fat for cooking, browning well without stirring initially, and not overcooking. Mix in aromatic veggies, cheeses and bold herbs and spices to take your turkey to new heights.
Tips for the best results
Using a stainless steel plan over a high heat This will achieve the best browning as the heat distribution over a stainless steel pan is amazing.
Add seasoning to your liking The seasoning is key if you’re wondering how to make ground turkey taste good. Be sure to use spices/seasonings that you enjoy. If you like a bold flavor, add more seasonings and vice versa.
Choose a quality ground turkey brand Since ground turkey is the star of the show, I recommend using a good-quality turkey brand. You’ll notice a difference in flavour when using lower-quality meat versus higher quality.
Now that you know how to cook ground turkey, you may be wondering what to use turkey for. Here are a few easy meal prep/dinner ideas: use the ground turkey for soup, stew, chilli, tacos, stir-fry, pasta meat sauce, egg roll in a bowl, meatloaf, burgers, or meatballs. Essentially, you can use ground turkey anywhere you would normally use other types of ground meat.
Serve with my delicious : Mexican Street Corn Off the Cob
How to make ground turkey the best
- Preheat a large non-stick frying pan over a high heat, coated with rapeseed oil/canola ( 1).
- Add the ground turkey into the pan and break apart (roughly) with a spatula ( 2).
3. Leave to brown on a high heat for five minutes. Season with salt and pepper ( 3).
4. After this time, the ground turkey should have taken on some nice colour. Break apart properly now with your spatula and stir ( 4).
5. Continue to cook for another 3 minutes, then add the seasoning and another generous pinch of salt into the pan. Reduce the heat to medium now and continue to cook for a further 2 minutes ( 5).
6. Serve up with a crack of black pepper and enjoy! ( 6).
