What is Diced Turkey? A Delicious and Versatile Ingredient

Diced turkey is a versatile ingredient that can be used in a variety of dishes. It consists of turkey meat that has been cut into small, bite-sized cubes or pieces. Diced turkey is a lean, low-fat source of protein that can be easily added to soups, salads, casseroles, pastas, and more.

How is Diced Turkey Made?

Diced turkey starts with raw turkey meat, usually from the breast. The breast meat is trimmed of excess fat and skin, then cut into small cubes ranging from 1/4 to 1/2 inch in size. The end result is bite-sized pieces of white turkey meat ready to be cooked and incorporated into recipes.

To make diced turkey, the turkey breast is first removed from the bone and any skin or visible fat is trimmed off. The breast meat is then cut into strips, then the strips are cut crosswise into cubes. The turkey can be diced by hand with a sharp knife, or commercially produced diced turkey is diced by machines for faster, uniform cubing.

Benefits of Using Diced Turkey

There are several benefits to using diced turkey rather than slices shreds or ground turkey

• Uniform pieces cook evenly – With consistent sizing, diced turkey cooks in a uniform way This prevents some pieces from drying out or overcooking

• Retains moisture – The smaller cube size helps retain moisture and prevent turkey from drying out during cooking.

• Easy to incorporate – The small pieces blend seamlessly into recipes like soups, casseroles, pastas, and more.

• Quick cooking – The small cubes require minimal cooking so diced turkey can cook faster than larger pieces.

• Versatile – Diced turkey works well in a wide range of dishes from Mediterranean to Southwest cuisine.

• Lean protein – Turkey breast meat is naturally low fat and high in protein.

How to Cook with Diced Turkey

Diced turkey is easy to cook with. It can be used in place of other diced meats like chicken or beef in most recipes. Here are some simple ways to cook with diced turkey:

• Sauté – Cook diced turkey in a skillet over medium-high heat with olive oil or butter until lightly browned and cooked through. Season with spices as desired.

• Stir fries – Turkey makes a great addition to veggie stir fries. Cook quickly over high heat until no longer pink.

• Soups – Add diced turkey to soups like chicken noodle, minestrone or turkey vegetable. Simmer until heated through.

• Salads – Toss cooked, chilled diced turkey with greens, veggies and dressing for an easy protein-packed salad.

• Wraps/pitas – Sautéed diced turkey is perfect in wraps and pita sandwiches paired with cheese, lettuce, tomatoes and avocado.

• Casseroles – Use diced turkey in casseroles in place of chicken. Works well mixed into rice casseroles, pasta bakes and more.

• Chili – Swap ground turkey for diced turkey in your favorite chili recipe for great texture and bite.

• Pasta – Sauté diced turkey and toss with pasta, marinara or alfredo sauce for a fast dinner.

• Kabobs – Thread cubes of turkey onto skewers with veggies or fruit for a fun dinner off the grill.

• Pizza – Scatter cooked diced turkey over pizza in place of sausage, pepperoni or other meats.

Buying and Storing Diced Turkey

Diced turkey can be purchased pre-packaged at most grocery stores, usually located in the poultry section near whole turkeys and ground turkey. It is also easy to dice turkey at home from a whole turkey breast or tenderloins.

When buying pre-packaged diced turkey, look for turkey that is from the breast meat, with minimal fat, skin or additives. Opt for turkey raised without antibiotics when possible.

Store fresh diced turkey in the refrigerator and use within 2-3 days for best quality. For longer storage, diced turkey can be frozen for 2-3 months. Thaw frozen diced turkey in the refrigerator before using.

Pre-cooked, cured diced turkey is also available. This has been pre-cooked and cured with salts/nitrates for flavor. The pre-cooked variety can keep in the fridge for 5-7 days and be used without additional cooking required.

Recipes Using Diced Turkey

Diced turkey is the perfect standalone ingredient to incorporate into a wide range of globally inspired recipes:

Turkey Jambalaya – Sauté diced turkey with Cajun seasoning, onion, peppers and rice then simmer in chicken broth for a lighter jambalaya.

Turkey Larb Lettuce Wraps – Toss cooked diced turkey in larb sauce with mint, scallions, lime juice and serve in lettuce cups.

Turkey Taco Salad – Top a taco salad with seasoned, sautéed diced turkey, salsa, beans, corn, cheese and avocado.

Turkey and Vegetable Stir Fry – Stir fry diced turkey with broccoli, carrots, bell peppers, bamboo shoots, baby corn and teriyaki. Serve over rice.

Mediterranean Turkey Skillet – Cook diced turkey with tomatoes, spinach, chickpeas, feta and seasonings for a fast Mediterranean-inspired dinner.

Buffalo Turkey Salad – Toss cooked diced turkey in buffalo sauce then serve over lettuce and celery with blue cheese dressing.

Turkey Noodle Soup – Simmer diced turkey in chicken broth with carrots, celery, onions, noodles and herbs for a comforting soup.

Turkey Casserole – Combine diced turkey with egg noodles, frozen veggies and cream of chicken soup then bake until bubbly and top with cheese.

Turkey Chili – Make classic chili with diced turkey, onions, peppers, beans, tomatoes, chili powder and cumin. Top with avocado, cheese and sour cream.

Is Diced Turkey Healthy?

Diced turkey breast is one of the leanest cuts of turkey meat, making it an exceptionally healthy choice. It has the following nutrition profile:

• High in protein – Excellent source of lean protein needed for building and repairing muscle.

• Low fat – Turkey breast is much lower in saturated fat compared to red meats.

• Low calorie – Has fewer calories than an equal portion of other meats.

• Rich in nutrients – Provides niacin, selenium, vitamin B6 and other nutrients.

• Versatile – Can be incorporated into healthy recipes across cuisines.

Diced turkey breast is considered a healthy choice among nutritionists and dietitians. Going with breast meat, with the skin removed, ensures you get the greatest nutritional benefit from turkey.

Compared to red meats like beef and pork, diced turkey is significantly lower in fat, calories and cholesterol. The lean protein provides a nutrient boost without extra calories. It’s an easy way to get more healthy protein into your diet.

Diced turkey is a versatile and healthy ingredient that can be used in everything from soups to salads, pastas to pizzas. Made from lean, low-fat turkey breast meat, it cooks quickly and easily while providing a boost of protein. With its mild flavor, diced turkey can be used in recipes across cuisines. Pre-packaged diced turkey can be found at most grocery stores for easy meal prep. With its impressive nutrition stats and simple preparation, diced turkey is a smart choice for healthy everyday cooking.