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 OK to mix ground turkey and ground beef? ›

You may not have thought of doing it before, but combining ground beef and turkey into one burger patty creates a nice texture and flavor combination. The beef keeps the burger juicy, and the turkey adds a leaner meat to the mix while reducing the amount the cooked burger will shrink on the grill.

Which is healthier ground turkey or ground beef? ›

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. However, if your main goal is flavor, ground beef may outshine turkey in some dishes.

How do you make ground turkey taste like ground beef? ›

Whenever I made turkey burgers, I would dissolve some beef bouillon in a little water and add it to the turkey with a little canola oil, then season and form the patties. The bouillon gave it some flavor and the water and oil helped with moisture. Just make sure not to overcook.

Does ground turkey cook differently than ground beef? ›

However, it is important to note that ground turkey has a leaner meat content than ground beef, which means that it may cook faster and could be drier than ground beef. Additionally, ground turkey has a milder flavor than ground beef, so you may need to add more seasoning to achieve the desired flavor.

Is it OK to mix turkey and beef? ›

Yes of course, as turkey is a very lean meat the result will be less fatty than just beef. The taste will probaly more like beef than turkey but it depends on the quality of your meats. It is quite common to used different meats mixed together in this way.

Does ground turkey and ground beef taste different? ›

Ground beef, especially fattier options, is described as flavorful and moist. Its high-fat content contributes to its juicy, savory taste, which intensifies when grilled or browned in a pan. On the other hand, ground turkey is usually considered a lean meat and has a milder, slightly gamey flavor compared to beef.

Can you eat ground turkey every day? ›

Your body can't store protein, so you need to consume it every day. As long as you don't eat too much turkey, it is a healthy way to get the protein you need. It's also a good source of beneficial vitamins and minerals like magnesium and niacin. Turkey is also an excellent source of selenium.

What is the healthiest meat to eat? ›

5 of the Healthiest Meats
  1. Sirloin Steak. Sirloin steak is both lean and flavorful – just 3 ounces packs about 25 grams of filling protein! ...
  2. Rotisserie Chicken & Turkey. The rotisserie cooking method helps maximize flavor without relying on unhealthy additives. ...
  3. Chicken Thigh. ...
  4. Pork Chop. ...
  5. Canned Fish.
Jan 6, 2020

What is the healthiest meat for burgers? ›

If you choose beef, choose 90 percent lean or higher. Bison and venison are also leaner red meat choices. Poultry such as ground turkey or chicken can be higher in saturated fat and calories if dark meat and skin are used in the mix. If you choose to use ground chicken or turkey, look for breast only.

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

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

How do you make ground turkey not taste bland? ›

Before you start cooking, be sure to season the ground turkey well with salt and pepper. Also consider including dried herbs and spices for additional flavor. If you're cooking meatballs or meatloaf, pinch off some of the seasoned mixture and cook it in a skillet to taste.

What makes ground turkey juicy? ›

Mushrooms add moisture, mouthfeel, and umami (beefy) flavor to the otherwise dry ground turkey. When mushrooms are chopped up into little bits, they easily and evenly mix with ground turkey making the protein so tender and flavorful while also giving the dish a veggie boost. And we all love that!

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! I season while cooking, I also cook in beef broth for more flavor.

Does ground turkey take longer to cook than 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.

How long does ground turkey last in the fridge? ›

You may store uncooked ground poultry in the refrigerator 1 to 2 days. After cooking, you may keep it 3 to 4 days. Frozen raw poultry is best used in 3 to 4 months; cooked ground poultry, 2 to 3 months.

Can you mix different ground meats? ›

Additionally, I will do mixes of different ground meats – for variety or based on need (like, what is available in my home at any given time). For example, I find that a mix of ground beef and ground pork seasoned with Italian spices makes a far better meatball than just using beef or pork by themselves.

Can you mix ground meats? ›

This means you can combine types of ground meats in order to influence the final texture. For example, add ground pork to your meatballs to give them a smoother, softer texture than just using ground beef alone. Or better yet, you could mix in diced bacon, pancetta, or prosciutto!

Can you cook different ground meats together? ›

Assuming you are using safe handling methods and you are cooking the meats properly, no, there is no risk.

Is it safe to cook ground beef and ground chicken together? ›

Ground poultry may be substituted for ground beef or combined with ground beef in many recipes. The important thing is that it be cooked safely. Ground poultry patties, loaves or any combinations should be cooked to 165° F (73.9° C).

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