5 Ground Turkey Recipes

Ground turkey is a delicious lean protein with a mild flavor that lends itself well to many different flavor profiles. Use it in a variety of dishes from breakfast through dinner.

5 Great Ground Turkey Dishes

Try these delicious ground turkey recipes for enjoyable, easy meals.

Ground Turkey Breakfast Sausage

It's easy to make your own breakfast sausage when you already have ground meat. Just add herbs and spices to the turkey, and use as you would any other breakfast sausage. Include it in your rotation of breakfast or breakfast-for-dinner meals.

Ingredients

• 

  1 pound ground turkey
• 2 teaspoons brown sugar
• 1 teaspoon kosher salt
• 1 teaspoon fresh cracked black pepper
• 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes
• 1 teaspoon dried ground sage
• 1 teaspoon dried thyme
• 1/4 teaspoon dried marjoram
• 1 teaspoon oil

Method

1. Combine all ingredients in a medium bowl, mixing well.
2. Shape into patties.
3. Heat oil in non-stick skillet over medium-high heat until shimmering hot.
4. Add patties and fry until browned on both sides, about five minutes per side.

Ground Turkey Shepherd's Pie

A classic Irish dish, shepherd's pie typically uses minced lamb. Try replacing the lamb with ground turkey for a hearty, satisfying main course.

Ingredients

• 

  1-1/2 pounds potatoes or sweet potatoes, peeled and diced
• 6 garlic cloves, minced, divided
• 1/2 cup skim milk
• 1/4 cup chicken stock
• Sea salt and fresh cracked black pepper to taste
• 1 pound ground turkey
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 1 medium onion, diced
• 1 celery stalk, diced
• 2 tablespoons flour
• 1 cup chicken broth
• 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
• 1 tablespoon dried thyme
• 1 teaspoon sea salt
• 1/2 teaspoon fresh cracked black pepper

Method

1. Boil the potatoes and 4 cloves of the minced garlic until potatoes are tender.
2. Drain the potatoes. Combine with skim milk and chicken stock.
3. Mash the potatoes and season to taste with salt and pepper. Set aside.
4. Preheat the oven to 400 degrees.
5. In a large sauté pan, heat oil until it is shimmering hot over medium-high heat.
6. Add turkey and cook until it is well browned.
7. Remove turkey with a slotted spoon and set aside.
8. Add onion, celery, and carrot to remaining oil in pan (adding a bit more if necessary) and cook until it is soft, about five minutes.
9. Add the remaining two cloves of minced garlic and cook, stirring constantly, until it is fragrant, about 30 seconds.
10. Add flour and cook, stirring constantly for about one minute.
11. Stir in chicken broth, scraping the bottom of the pan to remove any cooked on bits.
12. Add Worcestershire sauce, thyme, sea salt, and black pepper.
13. Cook until mixture thickens slightly and begins to boil.
14. In a 9x9 baking pan, spread the meat mixture on the bottom.
15. Top with mashed potatoes.
16. Bake until potatoes are golden, about 20 minutes.

Farfalle with Ground Turkey Bolognese

A traditional Bolognese sauce is a slow simmered meat ragu containing ground beef and veal. This recipe lightens the original up by using ground turkey.

Ingredients

• 

  2 tablespoons olive oil
• 2 pounds ground turkey
• 1 onion, chopped
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 2 tablespoons chopped fresh Italian parsley
• 1 tablespoon dried oregano
• 1/2 teaspoon dried marjoram
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 teaspoon sugar
• 1/2 teaspoon fresh cracked black pepper
• 1 8-ounce can tomato sauce
• 4 cups cooked hot farfalle pasta
• Shredded Asiago cheese, to taste

Method

1. Heat olive oil in a large pot over medium-high heat until shimmering hot.
2. Add turkey and cook until browned.
3. Add onions and cook until soft, about five minutes.
4. Add garlic and cook until garlic is fragrant, about 30 seconds.
5. Add Italian parsley, oregano, marjoram, salt, sugar, pepper, and tomato sauce.
6. Simmer, uncovered, over medium-low heat until turkey is tender and sauce is thickened, about 60 minutes.
7. Serve over hot pasta, topped with Asiago cheese.

Ground Turkey Vegetable Soup with Rice

This hearty soup makes a healthy main course.

Ingredients

• 

  2 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 pound ground turkey
• 1 onion, chopped
• 2 carrots, peeled and chopped
• 2 stalks celery, peeled and chopped
• 1 red pepper, seeded and chopped
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 15-ounce can cooked tomatoes, chopped
• 2 tablespoons chopped fresh thyme leaves
• 4 cups chicken stock
• 1 bunch kale, washed and chopped
• 1 cup cooked brown rice
• Salt and fresh cracked black pepper, to taste

Method

1. Heat olive oil over medium-high heat in a large pot until shimmering hot.
2. Add turkey and cook, breaking up turkey, until it is well browned.
3. Add onion, celery, carrots, and red peppers. Cook until soft, about five minutes.
4. Add garlic and cook until it releases its scent, about 30 seconds.
5. Add tomatoes, thyme, and chicken stock, scraping bottom of pan to remove any cooked on bits.
6. Bring soup to a boil. Add kale and rice.
7. Reduce heat to medium-low and simmer, covered, until vegetables are tender, about 15 minutes.
8. Taste and season with salt and pepper.

Ground Turkey and Black Bean Burritos

Ground turkey works well with Mexican flavor profiles. Try these turkey burritos instead of your traditional burrito the next time you feel like having a dinner with Mexican flair.

Ingredients

• 

  1 can black beans, drained and rinsed
• 1/2 cup prepared salsa
• 1 tablespoon oil
• 1 pound ground turkey
• 1 onion, chopped
• 1 green pepper, chopped
• 1 clove garlic, minced
• 2 teaspoons chili powder
• 2 teaspoons cumin
• 1 teaspoon oregano
• 1 cup reduced fat cheddar cheese
• 5 whole wheat tortillas

Method

1. Preheat oven to 375 degrees.
2. Warm up black beans and mash with prepared salsa. Set aside.
3. In a sauté pan, heat oil over medium-high heat until shimmering hot.
4. Add turkey and cook, breaking up, until well browned.
5. Add onion and pepper and cook until soft, about three minutes.
6. Add garlic and cook until it releases its fragrance, about 30 seconds.
7. Add chili powder, cumin, and oregano and stir to combine well.
8. Remove meat mixture from heat.
9. Spread mashed beans equally on tortillas.
10. Top with ground turkey mixture and cheese.
11. Roll tortillas around filling and place on a baking sheet.
12. Bake until heated through, about 15 to 20 minutes.

Lean Protein

Ground turkey lends itself well to many recipes and flavors. With so many choices, its easy to make ground turkey your go-to protein for healthy meals.