A Southwest Rice and Ground Turkey Skillet is a deliciously easy throw-together dinner. This 30 minute meal is full of great flavor with a little kick, and is a healthy way to mix things up in your dinner rotation!
Ground turkey is a versatile and healthy meat that can be used in a variety of dishes It’s leaner than beef and pork, making it a great lower-fat option. Ground turkey is also an economical choice that can help stretch your grocery budget
If you find yourself with leftover cooked ground turkey, don’t worry – there are plenty of delicious ways to use it up! Here are 17 tasty ideas for leftovers:
1. Turkey Tacos
Leftover ground turkey makes an easy taco filling. Simply warm it up with taco seasoning and spoon into tortillas or taco shells. Top with all your favorite taco toppings like shredded lettuce, diced tomatoes, cheese, and salsa.
2. Turkey Chili
Chili is a great way to use up ground turkey. Cook up a pot with beans, onions peppers, tomatoes and spices. Top with shredded cheddar, sour cream, and avocado. The turkey chili can also be frozen for quick meals later.
3. Turkey Meatballs
Mix leftover ground turkey with breadcrumbs, egg, and seasonings to make hearty turkey meatballs. Bake, fry, or simmer them in pasta sauce. Meatballs also freeze well for future meals.
4. Turkey Shepherd’s Pie
For a comforting casserole, layer leftover turkey with vegetables like peas, carrots, and corn in a baking dish. Top with mashed potatoes and cheese then bake until bubbly
5. Turkey Pizza
Leftover ground turkey makes a great pizza topping. Sprinkle it over a prepared crust with cheese, veggies, and sauce for a protein-packed pizza night.
6. Turkey Egg Scramble
Give breakfast a protein punch by scrambling eggs with ground turkey, vegetables, and cheese. Wrap it up in a tortilla or serve over toast for a satisfying start to the day.
7. Turkey Pasta Salad
Transform ground turkey into a tasty pasta salad for lunches. Toss cooked turkey and pasta with a light dressing, vegetables, cheese, and fresh herbs. Chill before serving.
8. Turkey Lettuce Wraps
For a lighter option, stuff ground turkey, shredded lettuce, diced veggies, and sauce into lettuce cups or wraps. They make a flavorful low-carb lunch or dinner.
9. Sloppy Joes
Sloppy joes are a family-friendly way to use up ground turkey. Cook it with ketchup, Worcestershire sauce, and spices to make the classic saucy sandwich filling.
10. Turkey Lo Mein
Stir-fry leftover ground turkey with lo mein noodles, soy sauce, ginger, garlic, and veggies for a fast weeknight meal. Top with peanuts or sesame seeds for added crunch.
11. Turkey Burritos
Warm up ground turkey and roll into flour tortillas with beans, rice, cheese, and salsa. The protein-packed burritos can be eaten on-the-go or frozen for later.
12. Turkey Quesadillas
Fill tortillas with turkey, cheese, and taco seasoning then cook until the cheese is melted. Serve with guacamole, salsa, or sour cream for dipping.
13. Turkey Casserole
Make a creamy casserole by combining cooked ground turkey with mixed vegetables and a sauce made of cream of mushroom soup, milk, and seasonings. Top with crackers or fried onions and bake.
14. Turkey Stuffed Peppers
For a fun twist, stuff bell peppers with leftover ground turkey, rice, marinara sauce, and cheese. Bake until the peppers are tender.
15. Turkey Noodle Soup
Simmer ground turkey with chicken broth, vegetables, pasta or noodles, and seasonings for a soothing bowl of soup. Garnish bowls with parsley.
16. Turkey Sliders
Shape leftover ground turkey into mini patties and top with cheese, lettuce, tomato, and condiments to make easy appetizer sliders.
17. Turkey Fried Rice
Turkey fried rice combines ground turkey with rice, soy sauce, veggies, and eggs for a fast weeknight one-pot meal. You can easily customize it with ingredients you have on hand.
As you can see, leftover ground turkey can be transformed into a wide range of dishes from Mexican favorites like tacos and burritos to classic casseroles, pastas, and more. With a little creativity, you’ll never be bored with leftover ground turkey again!
Ingredient Information And Substitutions:
- Ground Turkey – It wouldnt be a ground turkey dinner without turkey! If you have the option, opt for a slightly higher fat content in your ground turkey- I went with 94% instead of 99% lean turkey. Ground chicken or lean ground beef also works.
- Rice – Use your favorite! Bonus points if youre using leftovers as you wont have to take the time to cook it before getting started. I typically go with white or brown rice.
- Aromatics – Youll need onion, garlic, and scallions (the scallions are an optional garnish). If you want to get ahead, peel the garlic, dice the onion, and wash the scallions.
- Vegetables – Im using red bell pepper, canned diced green chiles, black beans, and frozen corn. If you want to add other veggies, go for it!
- Rotel – A wonderful mixture of diced tomatoes and green chiles, Rotel adds so much to this Southwest turkey recipe! If youre sensitive to heat, opt for the mild version.
- Cheddar Cheese – I cant say enough good things about buying a big block and shredding the cheese yourself. If youre prepping this dish for later, shred the cheese in advance to get ahead. Pre-shredded also works- I like sharp cheddar.
- Olive Oil – Youll sauté the fresh veggies and garlic in olive oil to get everything started.
- Seasonings – Use Kosher salt, black pepper, chili powder, cumin, chipotle powder, and dried cilantro to create this flavor-packed ground turkey bowl recipe.
- Tortilla Chips – Crush them up for your garnish.
- Lime – And finish it all off with a squeeze of lime juice!
What To Serve With This Southwest Skillet
This dish goes so well with:
“Dirty” Rice Recipe | #HealthyFoodIdeas | Ground Turkey Recipes | Chaz’s Cuisines
FAQ
How long is leftover cooked ground turkey good for?
How to use dry turkey leftovers?
Is ground turkey healthier than ground beef?