This Seasoned Ground Turkey is a meal prep staple! It’s quick to make, stores beautifully, and is seasoned to perfection. This turkey is packed with flavor, but versatile enough to be enjoyed in a number of different recipes!
This recipe is one that I use a lot for meal prep and batch cooking because it’s so quick and easy, it stores super well, and it can be used in tons of different recipes—you can use it in pretty much any other recipe that calls for ground turkey.
Use this in enchiladas, stir fries, or pastas, add it to sandwiches, layer it on potatoes…you name it! It is the best way to prep lean protein to be ready to go when you need a meal fast.
Ground turkey is a versatile and healthy staple that can be used in endless quick and easy meals But plain ground turkey can be bland and dry on its own. The key is knowing what ingredients to add to make it juicy, flavorful and delicious
Here are 15 amazing flavor ideas for what to put in ground turkey
1. Taco Seasoning
Taco-seasoned ground turkey is perfect for tacos, burrito bowls, nachos, quesadillas or taco salads. Make your own taco seasoning blend at home with spices like:
- Cumin
- Chili powder
- Paprika
- Onion powder
- Garlic powder
- Salt
- Pepper
Or use a store-bought packet for convenience. Add taco toppings like shredded cheese, salsa, avocado and sour cream.
2. Italian Herbs and Cheese
Italian-seasoned ground turkey is great in pasta dishes, pizzas, meatballs and more Season it with
- Oregano
- Basil
- Rosemary
- Thyme
- Garlic powder
- Salt
- Pepper
Mix in shredded mozzarella or parmesan cheese. Put it on top of pasta with marinara sauce or make turkey meatballs.
3. Soy Sauce and Ginger
For an Asian-inspired turkey, add:
- Minced garlic
- Minced ginger
- Soy sauce
- Sesame oil
- Rice vinegar
- Chili garlic sauce (optional)
Stir fry it with veggies and serve over rice or noodles. Use in lettuce wraps or burgers.
4. BBQ Sauce
BBQ turkey is perfect for sandwiches, salads, nachos, stuffed potatoes or pizza. Season it with:
- Your favorite BBQ sauce
- Smoked paprika
- Chili powder
- Garlic powder
- Onion powder
Top with pickles, cheese and crispy onions.
5. Salsa and Lime
Give your turkey a Mexican twist with:
- Salsa
- Lime juice
- Cilantro
- Cumin
- Chili powder
- Diced onion
- Diced jalapeno (optional)
Use in tacos, burrito bowls, nachos, quesadillas or salads.
6. Pesto
Pesto turkey is delicious mixed into pasta, stuffed in sandwiches or atop pizza. Make a quick pesto with:
- Basil
- Garlic
- Pine nuts
- Olive oil
- Parmesan
Or use store-bought pesto for convenience.
7. Lemon and Herbs
For a fresh, Greek-inspired flavor, add:
- Lemon juice
- Lemon zest
- Oregano
- Mint
- Parsley
- Garlic
- Olive oil
Use in grain bowls, salads, pitas or lettuce wraps.
8. Harissa
For a spicy North African twist, season with:
- Harissa paste
- Lemon juice
- Garlic
- Olive oil
- Cumin
- Coriander
Stir into couscous, stuffed peppers or lettuce wraps.
9. Curry Powder
Warm up your turkey with:
- Curry powder
- Cumin
- Coriander
- Turmeric
- Cayenne pepper
- Garlic
- Ginger
Serve over rice with raita. Use in wraps or lettuce cups.
10. Ranch Seasoning
Give your turkey that classic ranch flavor with:
- Dried parsley
- Dried dill
- Garlic powder
- Onion powder
- Salt
- Pepper
- Buttermilk (optional)
Great in salads, sandwiches, pizza and more.
11. Cajun Spices
Spice it up with:
- Cajun seasoning
- Smoked paprika
- Garlic
- Onion
- Cayenne pepper (optional)
Use in jambalaya, stuffed peppers or po boys.
12. Moroccan Spices
For a Moroccan twist, use spices like:
- Cumin
- Coriander
- Cinnamon
- Paprika
- Cayenne pepper
Stir into couscous or serve stuffed in peppers or zucchini boats.
13. Jerk Spices
Give your turkey that quintessential Caribbean jerk flavor with:
- Jerk seasoning
- Chili powder
- Allspice
- Thyme
- Garlic
- Onion
- Lime juice
Great in wraps, on skewers, salads and more.
14. Chili Powder and Beans
Turkey chili is a classic. Season with:
- Chili powder
- Cumin
- Oregano
- Cayenne pepper
- Garlic
- Onion
And add canned beans, tomato sauce and veggies. Top with avocado, cheese or sour cream.
15. Alfredo Sauce
Creamy turkey Alfredo is comfort food at its finest. Simply sauté ground turkey and mix with:
- Jarred Alfredo sauce
- Grated Parmesan
- Chopped spinach
- Garlic
Toss with pasta and you have an easy 20-minute dinner.
The options for flavoring ground turkey are endless. Get creative with herbs, spices, sauces and condiments you love. The key is using bold seasonings generously to make up for the mild flavor of turkey.
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What is the best way to season ground turkey?
Ground turkey can be seasoned in so many different ways! For this recipe, I like to keep it versatile with a combination of garlic powder, paprika, thyme, oregano, salt, black pepper, and onion powder. It’s a magical blend of spices that adds tons of flavor, but also ensures that the turkey can be used in a ton of different ways.
What to Serve with Seasoned Ground Turkey
Since this protein based dinner has both delicious and versatile flavors it will pair well with many of your favorite side dishes.
Choose one or several of these side dishes to create a wholesome, well-rounded dinner. There are both classic options and some healthy options to keep it light.
- Potatoes – You can whip up a batch of savory mashed sweet potatoes or cook up a couple of instant pot baked potatoes. Serve them as a side dish OR load them up with ground turkey and veggies for a lazy-man’s shepherd’s pie.
- Cajun Roasted Veggies – These fresh roasted vegetables are perfect paired with a seasoned ground turkey dinner.
- Garlic Parmesan Broccoli– One of my kid’s favorite veggies
- Roasted Mashed Cauliflower– This is a great pairing to keep it lower carb and veggie packed.
How to Brown Ground Turkey
FAQ
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