These Ground Turkey Recipes Are So Good, You'll Say Buh-Bye to Ground Beef (2024)

These Ground Turkey Recipes Are So Good, You'll Say Buh-Bye to Ground Beef (1)

Ground meats may get a bad rap for being tasteless or limiting, but they're actually some of the most versatile ingredients you can find at your local grocery store, especially when it comes to ground turkey. The ingredient may seem boring, but it's a great base for many healthy dinner recipes that are also delicious. Whether you're looking for Thai lettuce cups or spaghetti and meatballs, a burger, or a bowl of chili to keep you warm on a cold night, there are ground turkey recipes for every palate and mood — even for the pickiest of eaters of your household. Ground turkey works as the base for any kind of dish or as the whole meal, making it an easy and great choice for any weeknight dinner. Not to mention, it's much more affordable than some of the other packed meats out there.

The best part about these ground turkey recipes, though? They're easy! They are ideal for 30-minute dinner plans, and you probably already have most of the ingredients you need for them lying around the kitchen or in your fridge. With these recipes, you will never have to wonder how to cook ground turkey again. Plus, they're instant crowd-pleasers, which guarantees that your loved ones will be asking for any one of these recipes on a weekly basis.

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1

Quick Pork Ragu with Ravioli

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Granted, this recipe may technically be with pork, but swap the pork for lean ground turkey for a lighter dinner option.

Get the Quick Pork Ragu with Ravioli recipe.

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2

Creamy Mashed Potatoes and Cauliflower with Turkey Meatloaf

These Ground Turkey Recipes Are So Good, You'll Say Buh-Bye to Ground Beef (4)

Meatloaf may not be everyone's cup of tea, but if it's yours, you're going to love this recipe. It does take a bit of a time though, so you may want to take that into consideration before making it.

Get the Creamy Mashed Potatoes and Cauliflower with Turkey Meatloaf recipe.

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3

Tuscan Turkey Burgers

These Ground Turkey Recipes Are So Good, You'll Say Buh-Bye to Ground Beef (5)

Put those "turkey isn't as juicy as beef" thoughts to bed with this delicious recipe, packed with Italian veggies and smoked mozzarella.

Get the Tuscan Turkey Burgers recipe.

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4

Meatball Lettuce Wraps

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Forget the pasta. Put a new spin on meatballs with these flavor-packed lettuce wraps. The garlic, mint, Asian fish sauce, and carrots will not disappoint.

Get the Meatball Lettuce Wraps recipe.

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5

Smothered Swiss Turkey Burger

This juicy turkey patty, topped with a mushroom-shallot mixture, and lots of Swiss cheese will forever change your mind about turkey burgers being bland.

Get the Smothered Swiss Turkey Burger recipe.

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6

Orecchiette with Sausage and Radicchio

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Though this recipe was originally made with sausage, you can easily replace it with ground turkey for a healthier yet still delicious option.

Get the Orecchiette with Sausage and Radicchio recipe.

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7

Turkey Chili With Wheat Berries and Beans

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This warm turkey chili will hit the spot on a cold night.

Get the Turkey Chili With Wheat Berries and Beans recipe.

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8

Turkey Meatball and Kale Soup

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This easy-to-make meal can be on the table in just 45 minutes. And if you decide to make these meatballs ahead of time (cook them for 10 minutes, cool, and freeze), dinner can be ready even quicker since all you'll have to do is defrost and let them simmer in the soup before serving.

Get the recipe for Turkey Meatball and Kale Soup.

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9

Thai Turkey Lettuce Cups

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This healthy, low-calorie meal is packed with tons of flavor thanks to zesty lime juice, cilantro, and cumin.

Get the recipe for Thai Turkey Lettuce Cups.

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10

Turkey Burgers and Slaw with Sweet Potato Chips

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Chili paste, soy sauce, and ginger bring some serious spice to these turkey patties.

Get the recipe for Turkey Burgers and Slaw with Sweet Potato Chips.

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11

Turkey Bolognese

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This rich recipe swaps out beef for leaner ground turkey, and high-calorie white pasta for fiber-rich whole-grain spaghetti.

Get the recipe for Turkey Bolognese.

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12

Turkey Meatball Gyro

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Go Greek with this easy dinner idea. Grill a variety of vegetables to add some freshness to the dinner.

Get the recipe for Turkey Meatball Gyro.

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13

Crispy Turkey Skillet Lasagna

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This lean take on lasagna is a hearty family meal — just don't count on having leftovers.

Get the recipe for Crispy Turkey Skillet Lasagna.

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14

Ground Turkey Sloppy Joes

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Classic sloppy joes get a healthy makeover you can feel good about digging into.

Get the recipe for Ground Turkey Sloppy Joes.

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15

Greek Turkey Burgers

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Looking for a healthy burger recipe? This one is super quick, easy to make, and packed with Mediterranean flavor.

Get the recipe for Greek Turkey Burgers.

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16

Turkey Meatballs

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Adding mushrooms, mustard, and other bold seasonings to the ground turkey mixture makes these meatballs way better than your standard beef recipe.

Get the recipe for Turkey Meatballs.

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17

Turkey Taco Cups

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Consider this a fun, healthy twist on taco night.

Get the recipe for Turkey Taco Cups.

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18

Quick Turkey Chili

These Ground Turkey Recipes Are So Good, You'll Say Buh-Bye to Ground Beef (30)

Ready in only 25 minutes and freezable for up to three months, this chili is a weeknight sanity saver.

Get the recipe for Quick Turkey Chili.

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19

Gingery Asian Noodle Salad with Turkey and Cucumbers

These Ground Turkey Recipes Are So Good, You'll Say Buh-Bye to Ground Beef (32)

There's no way anyone will call your salad boring when you show up with this Asian-inspired dish.

Get the recipe for Gingery Asian Noodle Salad with Turkey and Cucumbers.

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20

Pappardelle with Turkey Ragu

These Ground Turkey Recipes Are So Good, You'll Say Buh-Bye to Ground Beef (34)

Dry white wine adds zip to this rustic dish of pappardelle pasta tossed with ground turkey, rosemary, and marinara sauce.

Get the recipe for Pappardelle with Turkey Ragu.

These Ground Turkey Recipes Are So Good, You'll Say Buh-Bye to Ground Beef (2024)

FAQs

Is ground turkey really healthier than ground beef? ›

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 can I 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 beef and ground turkey good together? ›

Love the taste of beef burgers, but not the saturated fat? Try doing what smart cooks do: Mix ground turkey breast with lean ground beef to improve the taste and limit the saturated fat.

Is ground turkey a good substitute for ground beef? ›

Ground Poultry

With a similar texture, ground chicken or ground turkey can be superb substitutes for ground beef. The poultry is a bit paler than beef, which can change the appearance of some dishes, but they still taste equally delicious.

Is it okay to 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 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.

What can I put on my turkey to give it flavor? ›

Fresh herbs like thyme, rosemary, and sage along with a half lemon go a long way to add flavor, and stuffing it into the bird takes almost no time at all.

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.

How to cook ground turkey so it's not 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.

What is the healthiest ground meat? ›

If you're eating for a healthy heart, lean ground turkey—which is lower in saturated fat—is the better pick for you. Of course, you can still enjoy ground beef from time to time, but choosing lean ground turkey more often will help your heart in the long run.

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.

Is ground turkey bad for cholesterol? ›

Turkey is high in protein, and relatively low in calories, fat, and cholesterol. But, some ingredients commonly used to cook it add high levels of cholesterol, such as oil and butter. Healthier options may taste just as great.

Do you season ground turkey before or after cooking? ›

Yes, you season it first as it goes in the pan. The salt, pepper, and chili powder will give it flavor along with the fresh veggies in this recipe.

What is the best substitute for beef? ›

The most popular meat alternatives are traditional substitutes which include foods like tofu, tempeh, seitan, lentils, beans, and chickpeas.

How to know if ground turkey is bad? ›

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.

Is ground turkey considered processed meat? ›

Turkey and chicken are often recommended as healthy alternatives to red meat. But if they are preserved, they count as processed meats and are harmful.

Is grass fed beef healthier than ground turkey? ›

Comparing the two, beef raised on grass is higher in omega-3 fatty acids than poultry because cows get more of these omega-3s from eating grass so there may be some additional anti-inflammatory benefits there. All meats have a different composition of nutrients so variety is really what's best.

Is 85 ground turkey healthy? ›

With 21g of protein, 17g of fat per serving, and 240 calories, our 85% Lean Ground Turkey puts a healthy spin on your favorite recipes. From lasagna to burgers and tacos, Honeysuckle White® ground turkey is a lean protein addition you can feel good about.

Is ground turkey good for weight loss? ›

Ground turkey is a great food choice for individuals looking to shed excess weight. It offers several health and nutritional benefits, including: High protein content: Ground turkey is an excellent source of lean protein — a crucial component of any weight loss diet.

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