We Have 18 Recipes for Ground Turkey That Are Easy and Full of Flavor (2024)

Turkey isn't just for Thanksgiving and to prove it, we compiled easy recipes that use ground turkey. With less fat than beef and less pricey than lamb, ground turkey is also fast-cooking and versatile.

Use ground turkey to lighten up a bowl of comforting chili, whip up some scrumptious meatballs, or fill dumplings or a savory pie. Whichever you choose, you'll end up with a simple satisfying meal that makes your weeknights easier.

01of 18

Turkey-Rosemary Bolognese

We Have 18 Recipes for Ground Turkey That Are Easy and Full of Flavor (1)

This tasty pasta dish requires scant hands-on time, but the sauce simmers low and slow until it's rich and flavorful. The recipe calls for finely chopped cooked turkey meat, but cooked ground turkey works great, too. Don't forget to serve with a baguette for sopping up extra sauce!

Get the Recipe

02of 18

Turkey Lasagna Rolls

We Have 18 Recipes for Ground Turkey That Are Easy and Full of Flavor (2)

What we love about this recipe is you can use cooked turkey in any form: ground, shredded, or diced. It's joined by other Thanksgiving stars—namely gravy, creamed spinach, and mashed potatoes—or whatever leftovers are in your fridge after the big meal. Add a jar of marinara sauce and sprinkle some cheese on top and you're good to go.

get the recipe

03of 18

Turkey-and-Rice Meatballs

We Have 18 Recipes for Ground Turkey That Are Easy and Full of Flavor (3)

These tasty meatballs make a fast and easy weeknight meal, so make at least two batches: one for tonight and the other to freeze for later. This recipe pairs them with a crunchy kale-and-apple salad and a creamy lemony tahini dressing.

get the recipe

04of 18

Pasta With Turkey and Broccoli

We Have 18 Recipes for Ground Turkey That Are Easy and Full of Flavor (4)

A quick sauté of ground turkey in a splash of olive oil with garlic, fennel seed, and red pepper flakes creates a pasta sauce that's every bit as savory and satisfying as many that require twice as much effort. Another trick? Streamline cooking and cleanup by cooking the broccoli in the same pot as your pasta.

get the recipe

Smoky Turkey Chili

We Have 18 Recipes for Ground Turkey That Are Easy and Full of Flavor (5)

While chili is usually made with ground beef, this healthier version calls for ground turkey, along with tomatillos, poblano peppers, and a pinch of cinnamon. Top this comforting dish—also packed with beans, corn, and sweet potato—with sour cream, sliced pickled jalapeños, and grated pepper jack cheese. Dinner is served!

get the recipe

06of 18

Turkey Burgers With Lime Mayo and Crispy Oven Fries

We Have 18 Recipes for Ground Turkey That Are Easy and Full of Flavor (6)

This recipe uses ground turkey seasoned with garlic powder, oregano, and dried chilis to whip up flavorful burgers for the whole family. If you can handle even more deliciousness, top each with lime mayo and ripe avocado slices.

get the recipe

07of 18

Turkey Sloppy Joes With Coleslaw

We Have 18 Recipes for Ground Turkey That Are Easy and Full of Flavor (7)

Ground turkey has a reputation for being too dry, but this recipe puts an end to that bad rap. A mix of tomato sauce, barbecue sauce, and Worcestershire ensures this turkey sandwich is juicy and flavorful.

get the recipe

08of 18

Turkey-Barley Vegetable Soup

We Have 18 Recipes for Ground Turkey That Are Easy and Full of Flavor (8)

Warm and satisfying yet light and healthful, this soup is a well-balanced meal in a bowl. For the perfect accompaniment, add a crusty loaf, a pan of cornbread, or fluffy homemade biscuits.

get the recipe

09of 18

Turkey Taco Salad

We Have 18 Recipes for Ground Turkey That Are Easy and Full of Flavor (9)

For a lighter take on a classic taco, give this salad a whirl. Along with ground turkey, you'll find the usual taco components: beans, store-bought salsa, sour cream, and grated cheese. Sprinkle some tortilla chip pieces on top for a satisfying crunch.

10of 18

Grilled Turkey-Zucchini Burgers

We Have 18 Recipes for Ground Turkey That Are Easy and Full of Flavor (10)

Dry turkey isn't a concern with these burgers thanks to moisture-packed zucchini. Garlic powder and cumin bring extra flavor to the patties, while a schmear of honey mustard and mayo adds irresistible creaminess.

get the recipe

11of 18

Turkey and Scallion Dumplings

We Have 18 Recipes for Ground Turkey That Are Easy and Full of Flavor (11)

This recipe calls for leftover chopped cooked turkey, but ground turkey works great, too. Serve these dumplings with a simple tamari-based dipping sauce, or drop them into a miso broth for a satisfying meal. Either way, this dish is an easy copy of your favorite take-out appetizer.

get the recipe

12of 18

Ricotta Meatballs

We Have 18 Recipes for Ground Turkey That Are Easy and Full of Flavor (12)

Combine ground turkey with ground beef for these easy-to-make meatballs that also include ricotta, bread crumbs, and grated Parmesan cheese. For a complete meal, serve over pasta, zucchini noodles, or polenta .

get the recipe

13of 18

Turkey-Pumpkin Chili

We Have 18 Recipes for Ground Turkey That Are Easy and Full of Flavor (13)

This dish is the epitome of fall flavors—chili, pumpkin, and turkey—in a warm, nourishing bowl with a couple twists from traditional chili. It features cannellini beans (instead of pintos) and is seasoned with just coriander and paprika (instead of chili powder and cumin), but goes great with tortilla chips just the same.

Get the Recipe

14of 18

Turkey Burgers With Cajun Grilled Onions

We Have 18 Recipes for Ground Turkey That Are Easy and Full of Flavor (14)

This recipe mixes ground turkey with grated Gruyère or Swiss cheese—resulting in a moister, juicier patty—as well as minced garlic and chili powder to kick up the flavor. Top with grilled onion slices and a sprinkle of your favorite Cajun seasoning to end the argument once and for all that turkey burgers are dry and flavorless.

Get the Recipe

15of 18

Turkey and Cheese Pupusas

We Have 18 Recipes for Ground Turkey That Are Easy and Full of Flavor (15)

Ever tried pupusas? It's a Central American dumpling-like dish made with corn flour and filled with meat, cheese, or beans. This one is stuffed with mozzarella and cooked turkey, which can be ground, shredded, or chopped. Pan-fry them to a golden brown, top with salsa verde and sour cream, and you'll know why El Salvador adopted it as their national dish.

Get the Recipe

16of 18

Cauliflower Shepherd's Pie

We Have 18 Recipes for Ground Turkey That Are Easy and Full of Flavor (16)

This light version of the British classic features ground turkey (instead of lamb or beef) and a mashed topping made of cauliflower (instead of potatoes). Another difference is it only takes 30 minutes to start to finish. Healthier and quicker: What's not to love?

Get the Recipe

17of 18

Sweet Potato and Turkey Tagine

We Have 18 Recipes for Ground Turkey That Are Easy and Full of Flavor (17)

Sweet potato is a common ingredient in this North African staple, but turkey is an unconventional diversion. Whether you use chunks of leftover cooked turkey as the recipe suggests, or substitute with ⅔ to 1 pound of ground turkey, you'll get a hearty stew flavored with warm spices that goes great with couscous or rice.

Get the Recipe

18of 18

Green Chilaquiles

We Have 18 Recipes for Ground Turkey That Are Easy and Full of Flavor (18)

The hardest part of this nacho-like Mexican dish is the decision-making: Snack, appetizer, or a meal? Shredded leftover turkey or browned ground turkey? Queso fresco, cotija, or feta cheese? Homemade chips and salsa or store-bought? Make it your own and crunch away!

Get the Recipe

We Have 18 Recipes for Ground Turkey That Are Easy and Full of Flavor (2024)

FAQs

What can I add to ground turkey to make it taste better? ›

How do you add flavor to ground turkey? Turkey meat can be flavored with easy ingredients like kosher salt and pepper, bell peppers, garlic powder, and olive oil. If you're cooking meat, specifically turkey taco meat, hot sauce and enchilada sauce are your best mates.

How do you make ground turkey not taste bad? ›

You'll find the meat bland and flavorless if you don't add a hefty serving of dried herbs and spices, as well as the unforgettable salt-and-pepper combo.

When not to cook ground turkey? ›

Look & Color

Raw turkey meat should be light pink or beige, depending on the type of meat and its fat content. The meat color becomes dull as time passes, which is normal. However, if the meat has a brown, gray or yellow or green hue, you will want to part ways with it.

How to make 99 ground turkey taste good? ›

Enhance Flavor with Seasonings

While ground turkey has a mild flavor, adding the right seasonings can make it truly delicious. Experiment with a variety of herbs and spices like garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, cumin, or dried oregano. Don't be afraid to get creative and adjust the flavors to your liking!

How do you make turkey not bland? ›

Add flavor to a bland turkey.

Turkey needs to be generously seasoned. But if the meat is still under-seasoned after cooking, carve the turkey and place the slices on a serving platter. Sprinkle all over with sea salt and a few grinds of fresh black pepper. And be sure to properly season the gravy.

How do you make ground turkey taste more savory? ›

You could try adding some Worcestershire Sauce, or some smoked paprika, savory, chili powder. What are some ways to cook chicken breast or ground turkey so that it is not plain? After you brown the meat, use it in a recipe. Most recipes that work for ground beef will also work for ground turkey.

Why does my turkey have no flavor? ›

Perhaps the most crucial step in flavoring your turkey is sprinkling it liberally with salt and pepper before roasting. If the meat still ends up tasting flat, just carve the bird and then sprinkle sea salt and freshly ground pepper over the slices before serving.

What makes ground turkey juicy? ›

Process the Ground Meat for Juicier Texture

Instead of blending the mix with our hands, we reground the meat with seasonings in a food processor. Grinding meat develops myosin, a sticky meat protein that traps water and fat, keeping it juicy.

Why do they put rosemary in ground turkey? ›

Rosemary extract is commonly added to commercial ground turkey meat as a flavoring agent but also acts to stabilize color. A cross-section of antioxidants have been tested for their ability to stabilize meat color through direct addition.

Is it OK to leave cooked ground turkey out overnight? ›

The Two-Hour Rule

Havern explains: "The maximum amount of time perishable foods can [spend] in the danger zone is two hours. At two hours, the food must be consumed, stored correctly, or thrown away. This includes all cooked leftovers, [chopped] fruits and vegetables, meat, poultry, fish, eggs, and dairy products."

Why is my ground turkey GREY after freezing? ›

But as any poultry starts to go bad, it will start to turn an unpleasant shade of gray. If that pink hue starts to look slightly dull then it's time to use up your ground turkey immediately, and if it has a gray tint (even just a slight one), then it's time to toss it.

Which ground turkey is best? ›

Whether you're making ground turkey tacos, turkey burgers, or another family favorite, 93% Lean Ground Turkey will be your go-to for lean, flavorful dishes.

How to season ground turkey to taste like hamburger? ›

Ground turkey isn't as flavorful as ground beef, but if you want it to feel a little bit more like ground beef, try adding some Worcestershire sauce.

When should I season ground turkey? ›

As soon as your ground turkey has some nice color to it, you'll want to add in all the spices - that would be your garlic powder, cumin, chili powder, dried oregano, paprika, salt, and pepper - plus the two tablespoons of water or enchilada sauce.

Do you drain ground turkey? ›

Most ground beef needs to be drained, so it's besy to drain after cooking. Turkey has less fat, so you are fine to season it while cooking. Thank you for the a2a!

What can I add to ground turkey to make it less dry? ›

For starters, minced mushrooms or grated butter are a few of the ways to add moisture to ground turkey. Mushrooms are full of water — around 90% – and will keep the meat tender, while a tablespoon of unsalted butter contains about 12 grams of fat.

References

Top Articles
23+ Spring baby announcement ideas + 100 pregnancy announcement quotes - SoCal Mommy Life
21 Baby Announcement Board Ideas to Capture Anyone's Heart | LoveToKnow
25X11X10 Atv Tires Tractor Supply
Plus Portals Stscg
Cumberland Maryland Craigslist
Select The Best Reagents For The Reaction Below.
Cape Cod | P Town beach
litter - tłumaczenie słowa – słownik angielsko-polski Ling.pl
The Witcher 3 Wild Hunt: Map of important locations M19
735 Reeds Avenue 737 & 739 Reeds Ave., Red Bluff, CA 96080 - MLS# 20240686 | CENTURY 21
"Une héroïne" : les funérailles de Rebecca Cheptegei, athlète olympique immolée par son compagnon | TF1 INFO
How To Level Up Roc Rlcraft
Www.publicsurplus.com Motor Pool
Espn Horse Racing Results
Best Nail Salons Open Near Me
Sef2 Lewis Structure
Terry Bradshaw | Biography, Stats, & Facts
St Clair County Mi Mugshots
Regal Amc Near Me
Globle Answer March 1 2023
Cpt 90677 Reimbursem*nt 2023
Strange World Showtimes Near Savoy 16
Poochies Liquor Store
Roanoke Skipthegames Com
Nearest Ups Ground Drop Off
3 Ways to Drive Employee Engagement with Recognition Programs | UKG
Annapolis Md Craigslist
"Pure Onyx" by xxoom from Patreon | Kemono
Truckers Report Forums
Chris Provost Daughter Addie
Pillowtalk Podcast Interview Turns Into 3Some
Rogers Centre is getting a $300M reno. Here's what the Blue Jays ballpark will look like | CBC News
Top-ranked Wisconsin beats Marquette in front of record volleyball crowd at Fiserv Forum. What we learned.
Dr. John Mathews Jr., MD – Fairfax, VA | Internal Medicine on Doximity
Restored Republic December 9 2022
Planet Fitness Santa Clarita Photos
Indio Mall Eye Doctor
The Angel Next Door Spoils Me Rotten Gogoanime
COVID-19/Coronavirus Assistance Programs | FindHelp.org
Is Ameriprise A Pyramid Scheme
Mybiglots Net Associates
Oakley Rae (Social Media Star) – Bio, Net Worth, Career, Age, Height, And More
Lesly Center Tiraj Rapid
Meet Robert Oppenheimer, the destroyer of worlds
Bellelement.com Review: Real Store or A Scam? Read This
Mit diesen geheimen Codes verständigen sich Crew-Mitglieder
Joe Bartosik Ms
Parks And Rec Fantasy Football Names
Nfl Espn Expert Picks 2023
2121 Gateway Point
Lorcin 380 10 Round Clip
Latest Posts
Article information

Author: Nicola Considine CPA

Last Updated:

Views: 6130

Rating: 4.9 / 5 (49 voted)

Reviews: 88% of readers found this page helpful

Author information

Name: Nicola Considine CPA

Birthday: 1993-02-26

Address: 3809 Clinton Inlet, East Aleisha, UT 46318-2392

Phone: +2681424145499

Job: Government Technician

Hobby: Calligraphy, Lego building, Worldbuilding, Shooting, Bird watching, Shopping, Cooking

Introduction: My name is Nicola Considine CPA, I am a determined, witty, powerful, brainy, open, smiling, proud person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.