Say Bye to Beef With 14 Ground Turkey Recipes (2024)

Turkey is usually relegated to the holiday table and forgotten the rest of the year in favor of other meats like beef or chicken. But this versatile and lean meat is a perfect alternative if you’re looking for something healthier than red meat and a little more exciting than chicken. Ground turkey is great for creating everything from burgers and tacos to chili and lasagna. Try these 14 ground turkey recipes year ’round for a different take on your favorite dishes.

1. Turkey Breakfast Sausage: Let’s start things off with a healthy breakfast to kick off your day. Satisfy your craving for eggs and sausage with this English muffinsandwich. (via The Yummy Life)

2. Quinoa and Ground Turkey Zucchini Boats: Pair ground turkey with gluten-free, high-protein quinoa for a meal that will keep you full all day long. The cute zucchini boats also make this a fun dish to serve at parties. (via E Is for Eat)

3. Easy Turkey Chili With Kale: Chili is one of those dishes that can be frozen for months and still come out tasting good, making it the perfect go-to for quick family dinners. Make yours a little healthier with the addition of ground turkey and kale. (via The Kitchn)

4. Thai Turkey Burgers: Switch things up at the grill this weekend by making turkey burgers instead of beef. Add some Thai spices to give them a kick. (via How Sweet It Is)

5. Chinese Green Beans With Ground Turkey Over Rice: Forget the Chinese takeout and make yourself a (much healthier) rice bowl at home with ground turkey and green beans. (via The Weary Chef)

6. Bubble Up Enchiladas: The name itself is enough to conjure up images of melted, bubbling cheese. But don’t be fooled by the ooey gooey-ness of this dish, because, coming in at 390 calories, it’s actually pretty healthy! (via Recipe Diaries)

7. Turkey Parmesan Meatballs: A new riff on an old classic, these aren’t the meatballs your grandma used to make. These oven-baked bites are a healthy choice, and the melted Parmesan topping prevents them from drying out. (via I am a Food Blog)

8. Quick and Easy BBQ Cups: Five ingredients and 20 minutes is all you need to make these BBQ turkey cups. They’re fun for kids and adults alike and make for great party snacks. (via Yummy Healthy Easy)

9. Turkey-Spinach Sliders: Isn’t there something so fun about eating mini versions of food? These little turkey sliders prove that good things come in small packages. (via Bon Appétit)

10. Ground Turkey Rolled Tacos: As if we didn’t love tacos enough, these bad boys are fried to a crispy golden brown. But if you want to keep it a little lighter, these tacos are packed with enough flavor to keep them delicious even pre-fry. (via De Su Mama)

11. Spicy Tomato and Turkey Soup With Ditalini: Soup is the ultimate feel-good meal but can sometimes seem bland and boring. Not anymore, with this spicy concoction of tomato, ground turkey and little pasta pieces. (via Iowa Girl Eats)

12. 20-Minute Turkey Taco Nachos: Is there anything better on game day than a heaping plate of nachos? Nope, we don’t think so! Pour yourself a cold beer and enjoy. (via How Sweet It Is)

13. Mini Turkey Meatloaves: Eating clean can be hard so these easy mini turkey meatloaves are the perfect make-ahead recipe for busy ladies on the go. Make a batch on the weekend to last you the rest of the week and pop one in your mouth as a snack, quick breakfast or mid-afternoon pick me up. (via All Sorts of Pretty)

14. Spaghetti Squash Lasagna Bowls: Not only do you get to eat a fun meal out of a squash bowl, the spaghetti squash resembles real spaghetti, making you think you’re indulging in a bowl of pasta when you’re really not! (via Sweet Remedy)

Will you make the switch from other meats to turkey? What are some of your favorite ways to cook ground turkey? Sound off below!

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Say Bye to Beef With 14 Ground Turkey Recipes (2024)

FAQs

Is it okay to mix ground turkey and ground beef? ›

Try doing what smart cooks do: Mix ground turkey breast with lean ground beef to improve the taste and limit the saturated fat.

What can you add to ground turkey to make it taste like beef? ›

Mix together ground turkey, onion soup mix, and steak sauce in a large bowl. Shape into 4 patties. Heat a large skillet over medium heat; lightly coat with cooking spray. Cook patties in the hot skillet until cooked through, about 4 minutes per side.

Is ground turkey healthier than ground beef? ›

"Ground turkey contains less saturated fat than ground beef, giving it a more beneficial fat profile," says Beaver. "In its place, ground turkey instead contains more polyunsaturated fat, which is a protective, healthier type of fat."

How do you make ground turkey not taste bland? ›

The Turkey Seasoning:
  1. Chili powder.
  2. Ground cumin.
  3. Garlic powder.
  4. Onion powder.
  5. Paprika or dried oregano.
  6. Salt & Black Pepper.
  7. Optional: red pepper flakes or cayenne pepper or a little spice kick.
Sep 10, 2023

Does ground turkey take longer to cook than ground beef? ›

A 3.5-ounce turkey burger cooks in 3 to 4 minutes per side; a beef patty cooks in 6 to 8 minutes per side. In a microwave oven on full power, a pound of ground turkey cooks in just 5 to 6 minutes. On the other hand, ground turkey, unlike beef, should never be served rare.

Does ground turkey need more seasoning than ground beef? ›

Ground turkey requires more seasoning than ground beef

The same principle applies to ground turkey. eHow explains that it's much easier to disguise ground turkey in dishes where the beef isn't the main flavor profile like in a pasta sauce, for example.

How to cook ground turkey so it isn't dry? ›

To keep it moist while cooking, you can either add a fat such as butter, or baste with a liquid like chicken stock. How do you fix a dry turkey? If you've overcooked your turkey, the only way to make it more palatable is to add moisture to the meat.

How do you get the gamey taste out of ground turkey? ›

The distinct game flavor of either birds or animals will be milder after soaking the meat overnight in the refrigerator in either a salt or vinegar solution. 2. Vinegar solution - 1 cup per quart of cold water. Use enough solution to cover the game completely.

Does ground turkey and ground beef taste different? ›

As far as a difference in taste, Hueschen says it's only slight, and depending on how you use it, you might not even notice – meaning it's possible to make ground turkey taste like beef.

Can I eat ground turkey every day? ›

The bottom line is yes—it is okay to include ground turkey in your diet regularly, though as with any food, it's crucial to eat it in moderation and variety in your food choices. Eating a diverse range of nutrient sources helps ensure you obtain all of the essential nutrients needed for enhancing overall health.

What is the healthiest ground meat to eat? ›

Ground beef and turkey are both nutritious meats that provide protein, fat, and a variety of vitamins and minerals. Turkey is generally lower in saturated fat than beef. As such, it may be a better choice for heart health. Fat-free turkey is also the lowest calorie option if you're interested in weight loss.

What is the healthiest meat to eat? ›

While meat can be a part of a healthy diet, not all sources are created equal. The leanest and healthiest meats to eat include poultry, pork, fish, and seafood. Eating a balanced diet is one of the keys to a healthy lifestyle, which means choosing various foods from different food groups, like proteins.

How to season ground turkey so it tastes good? ›

There are plenty of easy ground turkey recipes out there. But, you will always need spices like olive oil, kosher salt and pepper, chili powder, and garlic powder. You can add minced garlic, and freshly chopped onions and peppers, for an extra edge.

Why does ground turkey smell weird when cooking? ›

Signs Ground Turkey is Spoiled

While it's still fresh, ground turkey won't have much of an odor, but it will start smelling off-putting as soon as bacteria starts forming. Raw and cooked ground turkey start to develop odors when they go bad.

What is the best ground turkey to buy? ›

Shady Brook is hands down my favorite ground turkey brand. They are consistent and I always know I am going to get a high quality, good tasting product. I love using it as a mix in to mac and cheese, pasta sauce, Shepard's pie, tacos, you name it, there are unlimited uses.

Can you mix different ground meats? ›

The Type Of Fat Affects The Texture

It creates a super tender, gelatinous structure. This means you can combine types of ground meats in order to influence the final texture.

Is it safe to mix ground beef and ground chicken? ›

Chopped up bacon (and/or bacon fat), pork or beef can all be added to ground chicken to enhance its fat content, moisture, and flavour.

References

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