Can we make a slightly lukewarm take? Were calling it now—ground turkey is going to be *the* protein of the moment. Who says turkey is only for Thanksgiving? Never been us! Ground turkey is our all year favorite for adding lean protein to pasta, soups, burgers. And dont even get us started on swapping it in as a healthy alternative to ground beef, especially when it means we get to eat ground turkey Italian sloppy Joes, turkey feta stuffed meatballs, and bánh mì burgers. So if youre ready look beyond that pound of ground beef, these 45 easy ground turkey recipes are deliciously simple, weeknight-friendly ways to shake things up this week.
Want even more lightened up, easy meals? Check out our favorite ground chicken recipes, our best ground pork recipes, and our top healthy dinners too.
Here at Delish, we love stuffed peppers, and we love shawarma. So we thought: What would happen if we combined these two crowd-pleasing classics into one delicious, mostly hands-off recipe? The resulting one-pan recipe is definitely a keeper.
Beef chili may come to mind when you think of the classic, cozy meal, but turkey chili deserves its chance to shine. This easy recipe is full of warm spices and double the amount of beans for a thick, meaty chili that’s every bit as filling as the classic.
Ground turkey is an extremely versatile ingredient that can be used to make a wide variety of delicious dishes. As a leaner alternative to ground beef, ground turkey is a great way to add protein and flavor to meals without all the fat and calories Whether you’re looking for quick weeknight dinners, meal prep lunches, or even hearty comfort food classics, ground turkey has you covered
Here are 20 amazing recipes to give you an idea of all the possibilities with ground turkey
1. Turkey Burgers
Burgers are a backyard barbecue staple, but turkey burgers provide a healthier take on the classic. Pack your patties with flavors like garlic Worcestershire sauce and spices to make them juicy and full of flavor. Serve on a whole wheat bun with your favorite burger toppings.
2. Turkey Chili
By swapping ground beef for ground turkey, you can lighten up a big pot of hearty chili. Cook the ground turkey with onions, chili powder, cumin, and your favorite beans and veggies. Garnish with avocado, cheese, and sour cream.
3. Turkey Meatloaf
Meatloaf doesn’t have to be unhealthy. Make a healthier version using lean ground turkey seasoned with onions, breadcrumbs, ketchup, and your favorite herbs and spices. It’s still comforting and delicious.
4. Turkey Meatballs
Flavorful turkey meatballs are so versatile. You can serve them on their own with marinara sauce or toss them in everything from pastas to soups and chilis. Plus, they make perfect high-protein snacks.
5. Turkey Tacos
Tacos are an easy weeknight dinner. Brown some ground turkey with taco seasoning and pile it high on soft tortillas or crunchy taco shells. Top with all your favorite taco toppings like lettuce, tomato, cheese, salsa, and more.
6. Turkey Stuffed Peppers
These vibrant bell peppers are filled with a savory ground turkey mixture and baked until hot and melty. They make a colorful entree or side dish and are packed with veggies.
7. Turkey Lettuce Wraps
Lettuce makes the perfect low-carb taco shell replacement. Fill leaves of butter lettuce with ground turkey cooked with taco seasoning and pile on fresh toppings like salsa, avocado, cheese, etc.
8. Turkey Sloppy Joes
These lighter sloppy joes are made by cooking ground turkey in a sweet and tangy sauce. Spoon it onto whole wheat buns for an easy, family-friendly dinner.
9. Turkey and Vegetable Stir Fry
This healthy dinner comes together in just 20 minutes. Cook ground turkey with shredded veggies like carrots, cabbage, and broccoli. Toss everything in a savory stir fry sauce. Serve over rice.
10. Turkey Shepherd’s Pie
Shepherd’s pie is comfort food at its finest. Make a lighter version by using ground turkey in place of ground lamb or beef. Top it with fluffy mashed potatoes and bake until bubbly and delicious.
11. Turkey Lasagna
You can still enjoy rich, cheesy lasagna while lightening it up with ground turkey. Make your meaty lasagna layers with a hearty turkey bolognese sauce and gooey cheese.
12. Turkey Zucchini Boats
These fun and colorful boats are made by stuffing halved zucchini with a flavorful ground turkey mixture. They make a great light meal and are packed with veggies.
13. Turkey Egg Roll in a Bowl
Skip the wrappers and pour this flavor-packed stir fry mixture over rice. Cook ground turkey with veggies like cabbage, carrots, ginger and garlic. Toss everything in a sweet and savory Asian sauce.
14. Turkey Meatball Subs
Pile flavorful turkey meatballs onto sub rolls and smother them in melted provolone cheese for an easy sandwich with tons of protein.
15. Turkey-Stuffed Spaghetti Squash
Spaghetti squash halves are filled with an Italian-seasoned ground turkey mixture. It’s a grain and gluten-free take on turkey bolognese that’s perfectly hearty and comforting.
16. Turkey-Mushroom Flatbreads
These simple flatbreads are topped with garlicky mushrooms and seasoned ground turkey. Warm them up under the broiler for an easy appetizer or light meal.
17. Healthy Turkey Burrito Bowls
Build your own burrito bowl by topping cauliflower rice with seasoned ground turkey, black beans, shredded lettuce, pico de gallo, cheese, and avocado. It’s gluten-free and full of veggies.
18. Turkey Taco Quinoa
Quinoa gives this turkey taco filling extra protein and fiber. Mix the seasoned ground turkey into the cooked quinoa along with beans, corn, and peppers for a healthy, hearty dish.
19. Turkey-Stuffed Acorn Squash
The natural bowl shape of acorn squash is perfect for stuffing. Fill halved acorn squash with a savory ground turkey mixture and roast until tender for a fall-inspired meal.
20. Ground Turkey Hash
This hearty hash is made by browning ground turkey and potatoes together. Add veggies like peppers, spinach, and scallions and top with a fried egg for an easy breakfast, lunch, or dinner.
As you can see, ground turkey is endlessly versatile. With all these delicious recipes, you’ll never get bored. It’s a healthier and budget-friendly alternative to beef that works in so many dishes. The possibilities are truly endless with ground turkey!
Thai Sweet Chili Turkey Burger
Sometimes you gotta branch out of your standard burger operation and switch up the flavor palate. Enter: This Thai-inspired sweet chili turkey burger. Its just the break from boring you’ve been waiting for, with a ginger-, garlic-, and scallion-studded turkey patty, pickled spicy chiles and cucumbers, a bright, crisp cabbage slaw, and plenty of sweet chili mayo all on a shiny, fluffy brioche bun. Get the Thai Sweet Chili Turkey Burger recipe. Advertisement – Continue Reading Below
Baked Minty Meatballs With Lemony Orzo
Silky and rich, this lemony orzo is inspired by a Greek soup called avgolemono. To achieve a creamy sauce, the orzo is simmered on the stovetop rather than boiled like pasta, making it totally worth an extra stir or two for the perfect texture. Paired with minty-turkey meatballs, this all-in-one meal is actually quite simple to pull off for a simple weeknight dinner or dinner party. Get the Baked Minty Meatballs With Lemony Orzo recipe. Advertisement – Continue Reading Below
Ground turkey recipes have a bad rep for being bland and boring. But this meatloaf is LOADED with flavor. How? Worcestershire garlic, rosemary, and thyme. Bonus: Not only is the glaze totally delicious, its also only two ingredients, ketchup and brown sugar.
Get the Best-Ever Turkey Meatloaf recipe.
When the weather outside is frightful, nothing satisfies our craving for comfort food quite like a good shepherds pie. A traditional shepherds pie is made with ground lamb or beef, but this turkey version is surprisingly light and SO easy to make.
Get the Turkey Shepherds Pie recipe.
Ground Meat and Veggies Recipe! Do this with your Ground Beef or Turkey. Absolutely Delicious!!!
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