Ground turkey is a super versatile, healthy lean meat. You can use it so many ways, and it makes for a perfect protein packed main ingredient that’s easy to cook. It browns pretty quickly, making it ideal for easy weeknight meals. Here’s our favorite 9 recipes that use ground turkey, featuring everything from meatloafs, to pasta skillets, to
Recipes with Ground Turkey
I love using ground turkey on a weeknight because it’s so easy to cook with. It absorbs most any flavor you cook with it (Italian, Asian, Greek, etc). I do like to season ground turkey pretty heavily because it has a mild flavor, but sometimes this depends on the brand and fat level of the ground turkey you buy.
Buying Ground Turkey
When you buy ground turkey, there are a few varying levels of fat to choose from. My go to ground turkey brand is Jennie-O, but I also love Sprouts and Trader Joes’ ground turkey.
- Ground Turkey Fat Content:
- 93/7: Pretty standard, very lean. Great for sautéing.
- 85/15: A little more fat, works better for meatloaf and burgers.
- 99/1: Super lean. Difficult to find. Only works well in soups, stews because of how lean it is (can be dry).
Cooking, Storing & Freezing Ground Turkey
Ground turkey is considered fully cooked once it reaches 165 degrees fahrenheit. Store ground turkey in the refrigerator for up to the best buy date on the package, I recommend keeping it on a paper towel on a plate to prevent and absorb drips. Ground turkey can be frozen for up to 3 months. To thaw before cooking, place the ground turkey in the refrigerator 24 hours prior. You can also submerge the package in cool water to thaw it more quickly.
Ground Turkey Orzo Skillet
This is an easy 30 minute, one pan dinner. It works great on a weeknight with a side salad (or just on its own) and the leftovers are almost better! I add extra tomatoes to mine.
Ground Turkey Enchiladas (high protein!)
This recipe uses a lean mixture of ground turkey, and a secret ingredient of Greek yogurt to make the filling creamy but calorie and fat friendly. We know you will love this easy dinner as much as we do!
Ground Turkey Sweet Potato Skillet
This Ground Turkey and Sweet Potato Skillet is a clean eating feast. Stuffed full of fresh flavor that fills you up and best yet, it takes only about 20 minutes! I love that it comes together with lots of color and even my picky eating kiddo likes it.
Oven Baked Sliders
Oven Baked Sliders are the easiest burgers for an appetizer, main course, or after school snack! I love that you can use any meat (beef, ground chicken, ground turkey, etc). I’ve served these mini burgers at parties, play dates, football parties, and sometimes just on a weeknight when I want an easy but filling dinner.
Homemade Turkey Breakfast Sausage
We love some easy protein for breakfast and I make these Turkey Breakfast Sausage patties weekly! I love them on their own, or with some eggs on toast. These are super simple to make, and only use whole ingredients for the most flavorful, healthy, and filling turkey sausage recipe.
Thai Turkey Meatloaf
A turkey based meatloaf is infused with carrots, cilantro, water chestnuts, and infused with fresh ginger, topped with an easy store bought sweet chili glaze. So much flavor, I like to make them into 2 mini meatloafs on a sheet pan.
Air Fryer Turkey Burgers
These turkey burgers are on our weekly rotation. Tip? Avoid ground breast meat if possible and purchase the 93/7 fat content product. You might save a few calories by using only ground breast meat but they will be dry. There is no way around it. Fat equals flavor and to get a juicy burger you need a bit of it.
Turkey Chili with Sweet Potatoes
This Turkey Chili with Sweet Potatoes is what we crave when we are eating clean! Ground Turkey, veggies, beans with a pinch of cinnamon…not kidding! It goes perfectly with the sweet potatoes. It’s the secret to this delicious chili.
Taco Pie
This easy Taco Pie recipe was the Pillsbury Bake-off Winner in 1970 – Made with ground turkey, store bought crescent rolls, sour cream and taco seasoning that makes a delicious easy casserole everybody loves.
More Ground Turkey Recipes:
- Firecracker Ground Turkey
- Ground Turkey with Green Beans
- Easy Turkey Taco Skillet
- Ground Turkey Veggie Skillet
Let’s eat! – Kathi and Rachel
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Best Ground Turkey Dinner Skillet
Ingredients
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 1 lb ground turkey
- 1/2 tbsp italian seasoning
- 1 tbsp garlic powder
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp cracked black pepper
- 1/2 cup diced onion
- 1/2 cup diced bell pepper
- 1 8 oz can of fire roasted tomatoes (drain well)
- 1 cup orzo
Broth Mixture
- 1 cup tomato sauce (marinara works in a pinch)
- 1 cup chicken broth (or water)
Topping
- 1/2 cup mozzarella cheese
- 2 tbsp fresh basil (optional)
Instructions
- Add olive oil to a medium size pan with a lid. Turn on medium high heat.
- Add ground turkey, garlic powder, Italian seasoning, salt and pepper. Sauté until fully cooked. Add bell pepper and onion, sauté until almost translucent.
- Meanwhile, combine tomato sauce and chicken broth (or water). Whisk well to combine and set aside.
- Add drained can of fire roasted tomatoes. Stir to combine.
- Add orzo. Once orzo is golden brown, add tomato sauce/chicken broth (or water) mixture. Reduce heat to a low simmer and place lid on pan. Stir once every 5 minutes to prevent orzo from sticking.
- Dinner is done once liquid is fully absorbed into orzo. Top with cheese and basil if desired. Allow to cool for 5 minutes, serve & enjoy.
Nutrition
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