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 incredibly versatile and healthy meat that can be used in a variety of dishes. From classics like meatloaf and chili to more creative recipes like turkey burgers and stuffed peppers, the possibilities are endless! Here are 17 delicious things to make with ground turkey:
1. Turkey Meatloaf
This classic comfort food gets a healthier makeover by using lean ground turkey instead of beef. Mix the turkey with breadcrumbs, eggs, and your favorite seasonings like onion, garlic, and parsley. Top with ketchup or barbecue sauce and bake until no longer pink inside. Make meatloaf sandwiches the next day for easy leftovers.
2. Turkey Burgers
Skip the beef and make juicy turkey burgers on the grill or stove. Add Worcestershire sauce, mustard, and chopped onions to the ground turkey before shaping into patties. Serve on buns with all your favorite burger toppings. Turkey burgers are a great way to lighten up your summer barbecues.
3. Turkey Tacos
Tacos aren’t just for ground beef – ground turkey works great and gives a bit more protein. Season the turkey with taco seasoning and toss in onions and peppers. Stuff into taco shells or tortillas and load up with shredded cheese salsa guacamole, and more.
4. Turkey and Vegetable Soup
Whip up a hearty and healthy soup using ground turkey, veggies like carrots, celery, and onions and chicken or vegetable broth. Season with garlic basil, oregano, and simmer until the flavors meld. Top bowls with freshly grated Parmesan.
5. Turkey Chili
For a chili that’s lower in fat than the classic beef version, use lean ground turkey Sauté the turkey with onions, garlic, and chili powder Add beans, diced tomatoes, and broth. Simmer until thickened. Garnish with cheddar, sour cream, and avocado.
6. Turkey-Stuffed Peppers
Fill bell peppers with a savory ground turkey mixture. Sauté turkey with tomato sauce, rice, Parmesan, and Italian seasoning. Spoon into halved pepper shells and bake until peppers are tender. Serve garnished with shredded mozzarella.
7. Turkey-Vegetable Casserole
Make this easy one-pan dinner by browning ground turkey with mushrooms, carrots, broccoli and seasoning. Mix in rice and chicken broth, transfer to a casserole dish, and top with cheese. Bake covered and then uncovered until bubbly.
8. Cheesy Turkey and Rice Skillet
Cook ground turkey in a skillet until no longer pink, then stir in rice, cheese, milk, and seasonings. Once the rice has absorbed the liquid, sprinkle with more cheese and put a lid on to melt it. Quick, easy, and comforting!
9. Turkey Meatballs
For a lighter take on classic Italian meatballs, use a combo of ground turkey and breadcrumbs held together by egg and Parmesan. Shape into balls and bake or simmer in your favorite marinara sauce. Serve over pasta or on subs.
10. Turkey-Zucchini Lasagna
Make lasagna a bit healthier by swapping half the meat for shredded zucchini. Layer lasagna noodles with the turkey-zucchini mixture, tomato sauce, and mozzarella and Parmesan cheeses. Cover and bake until bubbly and lasagna noodles are tender.
11. Turkey Sausage Patties
Season ground turkey with Italian spices like fennel, parsley, garlic, and pepper for homemade turkey sausage. Shape into patties and cook in a skillet until browned and cooked through. Use in place of pork sausage at breakfast or dinner.
12. Turkey Sloppy Joes
Sloppy joes aren’t just for ground beef! Use ground turkey seasoned with chili powder, Worcestershire sauce, mustard, and garlic. Pile the saucy turkey onto buns and dig in. Quick, budget-friendly, and fun for kids.
13. BBQ Turkey Sliders
Mix ground turkey with barbecue sauce, shredded cheddar, and green onions. Shape into mini patties and cook on the stove or grill until cooked through. Pile onto mini buns for an easy appetizer or game day food.
14. Healthy Turkey Meatballs
Lighten up meatballs by using ground turkey instead of beef or pork. Add oats, egg whites, Parmesan, and herbs for texture and flavor. Bake the meatballs until cooked through, then serve with marinara over zoodles or spaghetti squash for a low-carb dinner.
15. Turkey and Black Bean Quesadillas
Sauté ground turkey with taco seasoning and black beans. Place the mixture between tortillas with shredded Monterey Jack. Cook the quesadillas in a skillet until the cheese is melted. Top with salsa, Greek yogurt, and cilantro.
16. Turkey Hash
Make a hearty turkey hash for breakfast by cooking ground turkey with potatoes, peppers, onions, and seasonings like garlic powder, paprika, and cumin. Top with a fried egg for extra protein.
17. Asian Turkey Lettuce Wraps
For a lighter take on lettuce wraps, use ground turkey instead of ground pork or chicken. Sauté the turkey with mushrooms, water chestnuts, ginger, and Asian sauces. Serve wrapped in crisp lettuce leaves.
As you can see, ground turkey is endlessly versatile. It’s budget-friendly and naturally leaner than beef or pork, making it perfect for healthy, family-friendly meals. With so many tasty recipes to choose from, you’ll never get bored cooking with ground turkey!
Taco Stuffed Sweet Potatoes
We love how you can stuff sweet potatoes with pretty much anything, but this recipe might be our fave. We took these into Tex-Mex territory with a combo of ground turkey, onion, carrots, tomatoes, and taco seasoning.
Get the Taco Stuffed Sweet Potatoes recipe.
Thai-Style Red Curry Meatballs
To make this a true weeknight winner, spoon the meatballs, vegetables, and sauce over steamed jasmine rice or rice noodles for a filling dinner. The super-flavorful curry sauce will soak into your base, giving sweet and savory heat in every bite. Get the Thai-Style Red Curry Meatballs recipe.Advertisement – Continue Reading Below
Ground Meat and Veggies Recipe! Do this with your Ground Beef or Turkey. Absolutely Delicious!!!
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