7 Delicious and Simple Sauces for Ground Turkey

Ground turkey is a healthy versatile and budget-friendly meat that can be used in everything from burgers to pasta sauces. However, it can sometimes turn out dry or bland without the right sauces and seasonings. That’s why having a few simple sauce recipes in your back pocket is key to cooking delicious ground turkey dishes.

In this article, I’ll share 7 of my favorite easy sauce ideas that pair perfectly with ground turkey. These sauces add great flavor, moisture, and variety to ground turkey meals without adding a lot of time or complicated steps Whether you’re looking to jazz up basic turkey burgers, make a tasty turkey pasta dish, or give your tacos an extra boost, these sauces have got you covered!

Classic Tomato Sauce

A simple tomato-based sauce is one of the most popular options for ground turkey. The acidity from the tomatoes helps cut through the relative blandness of turkey while adding sweetness, flavor, and moisture. This sauce comes together quickly with items you likely have on hand.

You’ll need:

• 2 tbsp olive oil
• 1 small onion, diced
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 (28 oz) can crushed tomatoes
• 1 (6 oz) can tomato paste
• 1 tsp dried oregano
• 1 tsp dried basil
• Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions:

1. In a saucepan, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add the onion and garlic and cook for 3-5 minutes until softened.
2. Add the crushed tomatoes, tomato paste, oregano, basil and season with salt and pepper.
3. Bring to a boil then reduce heat and simmer for 15 minutes, stirring occasionally, until thickened.
4. Add cooked ground turkey and let simmer 5 more minutes before serving over pasta, rice, zucchini noodles etc.

This versatile tomato sauce works great with turkey meatballs, turkey burgers, turkey stuffed peppers, and so much more!

Creamy Mushroom Sauce

For a richer, more indulgent sauce for your ground turkey, you can’t go wrong with a creamy mushroom sauce. The earthy flavors of the mushrooms pair perfectly with mild turkey.

You’ll need:

• 1 tbsp butter
• 8 oz button mushrooms, sliced
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 2 tbsp all-purpose flour
• 1 cup chicken broth
• 1/2 cup heavy cream
• 2 tsp fresh thyme leaves
• Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions:

1. In a skillet, melt the butter over medium-high heat. Add mushrooms and garlic and cook for 5 minutes.
2. Sprinkle with flour and stir to coat mushrooms. Cook 2 minutes more.
3. Pour in chicken broth and heavy cream. Bring to a boil, stirring constantly.
4. Reduce heat and simmer 5 minutes until thickened.
5. Stir in thyme and season with salt and pepper.
6. Pour sauce over cooked ground turkey and serve over egg noodles, mashed potatoes or rice.

This decadent mushroom sauce makes even the simplest turkey patties feel special. Spoon it over turkey meatloaf or stuffed turkey for amazing flavor.

Barbecue Sauce

For a fun twist on classic BBQ, try making turkey burgers or meatballs with a homemade barbecue-style sauce. The sweet, tangy flavors balance so well with turkey’s mild flavor.

You’ll need:

• 1 cup ketchup
• 1/4 cup apple cider vinegar
• 2 tbsp brown sugar
• 1 tbsp chili powder
• 1 tsp garlic powder
• 1 tsp onion powder
• 1 tsp smoked paprika
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 1/4 tsp pepper

Instructions:

1. In a small saucepan, combine all ingredients and whisk well.
2. Bring to a boil over medium heat, then reduce heat and simmer 10 minutes, stirring occasionally, until thickened slightly.
3. Allow to cool then use as a sauce for turkey burgers, meatballs, kebabs or more. Goes great on grilled or baked turkey dishes.

You can play around with the ingredients and customize the flavor profile to your liking. Dial up the heat with more chili powder or balance it out with more brown sugar.

Asian Peanut Sauce

For a tasty change of pace, try this quick peanut sauce on top of ground turkey. The nutty, gingery, slightly spicy flavor profile is so delicious with turkey. It’s perfect tossed with noodles or rice.

You’ll need:

• 1/2 cup natural peanut butter
• 1/4 cup low-sodium soy sauce
• 3 tablespoons lime juice
• 2 tablespoons brown sugar
• 1 tablespoon sesame oil
• 1 tablespoon grated ginger
• 1 garlic clove, minced
• 1/4 tsp crushed red pepper flakes
• 2-3 tbsp hot water

Instructions:

1. In a small bowl, whisk together all ingredients except water until combined.
2. Add hot water a tablespoon at a time until you reach desired consistency (thin but still clinging to turkey).
3. In a skillet, cook ground turkey until browned and cooked through.
4. Add prepared peanut sauce and toss to coat.
5. Serve turkey and sauce over rice noodles, shredded cabbage, and sliced scallions.

The ginger, garlic, and red pepper give great flavor that complements the ground turkey wonderfully. Serve this sauce over stir fries, noodle bowls, or turkey lettuce wraps.

Chipotle Cream Sauce

Smoky chipotle peppers add awesome depth of flavor and a touch of heat to this creamy sauce for ground turkey. It comes together in just minutes.

You’ll need:

• 1/2 cup plain Greek yogurt
• 1 chipotle pepper in adobo sauce, finely chopped
• 2 tbsp adobo sauce from the can
• 1 lime, juiced
• 1 clove garlic, minced
• 1/4 tsp cumin
• Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions:

1. In a small bowl, stir together the Greek yogurt, chopped chipotle, adobo sauce, lime juice, garlic, and cumin until fully mixed.
2. Season to taste with salt and pepper.
3. In a skillet over medium-high heat, cook ground turkey until browned and cooked through.
4. Remove turkey from skillet and stir in several spoonfuls of the chipotle cream sauce until coated.
5. Serve the turkey topped with extra sauce over rice, in tacos or burrito bowls along with your favorite toppings.

The smoky creaminess pairs so well with turkey’s mild flavor. This sauce also works great as a topper for chili, eggs, or baked potatoes.

Teriyaki Sauce

For an easy homemade teriyaki sauce, all you need is a few pantry staples. The sweet yet slightly salty glaze gives great Asian flavor to turkey.

You’ll need:

• 1/2 cup soy sauce
• 1/4 cup brown sugar
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 tbsp grated fresh ginger
• 2 tbsp honey
• 2 tbsp rice vinegar
• 1 tsp sesame oil
• 1/4 tsp red pepper flakes

Instructions:

1. In a small saucepan, combine all ingredients and bring to a boil over medium heat.
2. Reduce heat and let simmer 5 minutes, stirring constantly, until thickened slightly.
3. Allow sauce to cool slightly before using.
4. In a skillet, cook ground turkey until no longer pink.
5. Add teriyaki sauce and toss to coat turkey. Cook 2 minutes more.
6. Serve teriyaki turkey over rice with steamed broccoli and red bell pepper.

The sweet and salty flavors work so well with mild turkey. Use this easy homemade teriyaki on bowls, stir fries, kabobs and more.

Italian Herb Sauce

Fresh herbs and spices give amazing flavor to this super quick Italian-inspired sauce for turkey. You likely have all the ingredients on hand already!

You’ll need:

• 1/4 cup olive oil
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 tsp dried oregano
• 1 tsp dried basil
• 1/2 tsp dried thyme
• 1/2 tsp dried rosemary
• 1/4 tsp crushed red pepper flakes
• Freshly grated Parm (optional)

Instructions:

1. In a small bowl, combine the olive oil, garlic, and all dried herbs/spices. Stir well until fully incorporated.
2. In a skillet over medium-high heat, cook ground turkey until no longer pink, 5-7 minutes.
3. Remove turkey from skillet and add prepared herb sauce. Toss to coat.
4. Cook 2 minutes more then remove from heat.
5. Serve herb turkey over pasta, gnocchi, or zucchini noodles. Top with freshly grated Parmesan if desired.

The medley of Italian herbs gives so much flavor without needing a long ingredients list. This easy sauce works well with a variety of turkey dishes.

The Takeaway

With a few basic ingredients and simple prep, you can transform bland ground turkey into delicious, flavorful meals that your whole family will love. Whether making a week