31 Ground Turkey Recipes That Won't Hurt Your Wallet Or Your Diet (2024)

We've got your dinner plans right here.

By Mackenzie Filson
31 Ground Turkey Recipes That Won't Hurt Your Wallet Or Your Diet (1)

When it comes to eating healthier, we don't think you need to sacrifice on flavor ever. Which is why we love adding our favorite lean protein to the table: ground turkey! It not only works perfectly in pastas, casseroles, meatballs, and stir-fries, but we might even prefer it over regular ol' ground beef. So whether you're trying to cut carbs or gluten, lower your cholesterol, or simply add a bit more variety to your diet, we've got tons of healthy ground turkey recipes that will have the whole family asking for seconds.

Ground turkey is also one of our favorite ways to make our all-time best comfort foods a bit lighter, like we did with our turkey meatloaf and turkey shepherd's pie. Personally, we think there's really nothing more comforting than a freshly baked pasta dish (or really any pasta ever), which is why we have turkey lasagna, baked penne alla vodka with turkey, and spaghetti with turkey ragù on repeat.

Can we take a moment to say how secretly delicious turkey burgers can be? When it comes to making a mean, lean turkey burger, we don't think you need to cover up the fact that it's turkey, especially with our special hacks to help you achieve a supremely moist, flavorful patty. And you don't even have to grill out, simply turn on your oven and you'll be on your way to a killer baked turkey burger. After you try that, next on the menu are our recipes for banh mi burgers and sriracha turkey burgers.

1

Turkey Taco Lettuce Wraps

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No bread? No problem. Doubling up on romaine leaves ensures a mess-free lunch, sans the carbs. If you're looking for more lettuce cup recipes try these easy Thai chicken lettuce cups next!

Get the Turkey Taco Lettuce Wraps recipe.

2

Turkey Shepherd's Pie

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When the weather outside is frightful, nothing satisfies our craving for comfort food quite like a good shepherd's pie. A traditional shepherd's pie is made with ground lamb or beef, but this turkey version is surprisingly light and SO easy to make.

Get the Turkey Shepherd's Pie recipe.

3

Turkey Feta Meatballs

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These turkey feta meatballs are easy to make and can be served any way you like. We like these atop our lemon-yogurt spread, but feel free to get creative—meatball subs, , whatever you like!

Get the Turkey Feta Meatballs recipe.

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4

Turkey Chili

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There is absolutely no reason why a turkey chili needs to be second to a more classic beef chili. This easy chili is full of warm spices and double the amount of beans for a thick, meaty chili that’s every bit as filling.

Get the Turkey Chili recipe.

5

Turkey Burgers

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Whether you're making these in a skillet on the stovetop like we did or are taking them to the grill when the weather is nice, these turkey burgers are a flavorful, lean option that just might rival your favorite beef burgers.

Get the Turkey Burgers recipe.

6

Turkey Zucchini Enchilada Casserole

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There are few things zucchini can't do, it seems. From grilled zucchini to zucchini soup and zucchini lattice lasagna, you can use it in so many different ways. Here, the summer squash is standing in for corn tortillas in this savory turkey zucchini enchilada casserole recipe.

Get the Turkey Zucchini Enchilada Casserole recipe.

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7

Air Fryer Turkey Meatloaf

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These little meatloaves are exactly what we want to eat when we’re homesick, even if we never had meatloaf growing up. Maybe it’s the ketchup. Maybe it’s the brown sugar. Maybe it’s the tantalizing scent of a cozy meal made extra easy in our air fryer!

Get the Air Fryer Turkey Meatloaf recipe.

8

Turkey Lasagna

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We love ground beef with all our heart, but every now and then, we need a break. Enter: this beautifully cheesy ground turkey recipe. It's got everything you love about a traditional lasagna, only you'll feel a little better after destroying a big slice.

Get the Turkey Lasagna recipe.

9

Spaghetti With Turkey Ragù

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You have no excuse to not make this stupid-easy ragù: Made with ground turkey, white wine, and crushed tomatoes, it's a flavor bomb.

Get the Spaghetti With Turkey Ragù recipe.

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10

Spinach-Stuffed Shells With Mini Turkey Meatballs

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In our unscientific opinion, tiny food just somehow tastes better? While we love our classic stuffed shells, there's just something even more delicious about stuffing them with mini homemade turkey meatballs.

Get the Spinach-Stuffed Shells With Mini Turkey Meatballs recipe.

11

Garlic Butter Turkey Meatballs

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Garlicky, tender, and NOT boring, these turkey meatballs are some of our all-time favorites. Try them with zoodles or spaghetti squash for a lighter take on an Italian fave.

Get the Garlic Butter Turkey Meatballs recipe.

12

Italian Sloppy Joes

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With ground turkey swapped in for beef and an Italian flair, these sloppy Joes are anything but basic. For more sloppy eats, try ground turkey in our sloppy grilled cheese next!

Get the Ground Turkey Italian Sloppy Joes recipe.

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13

Taco Stuffed Sweet Potatoes

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We love how you can stuff sweet potatoes with pretty much anything. We took these into Tex-Mex territory with a combo of ground turkey, onion, carrots, tomatoes, and taco seasoning.

Get the Taco Stuffed Sweet Potatoes recipe.

14

Turkey Meatloaf

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Ground turkey recipes have a bad rep for being bland and boring. But this meatloaf is LOADED with flavor. How? Worcestershire garlic, rosemary, and thyme. And not only is the glaze totally delicious, but it's also only two ingredients: ketchup and brown sugar.

Get the Best-Ever Turkey Meatloaf recipe.

15

Air Fryer Turkey Breakfast Sausage

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You’re gonna flip over the flavor of these homemade sausage patties. They’re just as delicious as the classic pork version but made with leaner ground turkey (and in your air fryer = less oil!). Serve these alongside some air fryer pancakes or French toast sticks for the easiest breakfast ever.

Get the Air Fryer Turkey Breakfast Sausage recipe.

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16

Slow-Cooker Turkey Chili

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Having a big bowl of chili ready at dinner with very minimal effort (and dishes) is what winter is all about. This turkey chili is both comforting and healthy. So grab your slow cooker and cozy on up.

Get the Slow-Cooker Turkey Chili recipe.

17

Trader Joe's Ground Turkey Stuffed Peppers With Pepper Jack

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When you need a quick, healthy weeknight dinner option, stuffed peppers—and the endless ways to make them—are here for you. Swap ground turkey into our cheesesteak stuffed peppers next!

Get the Ground Turkey Stuffed Peppers With Pepper Jack recipe.

18

Baked Penne Alla Vodka with Turkey

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Here we changed up the classic penne alla vodka a little bit and added in ground turkey. The result is a creamy baked pasta that satisfies every carb craving possible with a little extra boost of protein.

Get the Baked Penne Alla Vodka with Turkey recipe.

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19

Baked Turkey Burgers

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These juicy turkey burgers are packed with flavor, thanks to soy sauce, garlic, scallions, and shallots. Baking the burgers removes the guesswork of knowing whether they're fully cooked too. You can top these however you like, but we love adding some richness to the lean turkey burger with some avocado and onion.

Get the Baked Turkey Burgers recipe.

20

Thai Turkey Meatballs

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These turkey meatballs are the perfect dinner to get you back on track after a long string of late-night takeout. They're light, fresh, and full of flavor. Try them over rice noodles, a bed of greens, or some brown rice.

Get the Instant Pot Thai Turkey Meatballs recipe.

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Mackenzie Filson

Mackenzie Filson is a food writer and contributing digital food producer at Delish. Her favorite ice cream flavor is chocolate-pine. If wine was an astrological sign she'd be a New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc. She's never met a bag of Spicy Sweet Chili Doritos she didn't eat in one sitting.

31 Ground Turkey Recipes That Won't Hurt Your Wallet Or Your Diet (2024)

FAQs

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.

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's the healthiest ground turkey? ›

Additionally, choose lean cuts of either meat, such as 93% lean and 7% fat ground turkey or beef. Although, 99% fat-free turkey is the leanest option of all, with less than 1 gram of saturated fat per 3 ounces (85 grams) ( 6 ).

When not to cook ground turkey? ›

But as any poultry starts to go bad, it will start to turn an unpleasant shade of gray. If that pink hue starts to look slightly dull then it's time to use up your ground turkey immediately, and if it has a gray tint (even just a slight one), then it's time to toss it.

What is the best meat for losing belly fat? ›

Lean meats include skinless chicken breast, the white meat part of the turkey, and lean cuts of beef. Leafy greens, green tea, and bright vegetables can help reduce swelling and turn off fat-storage genes. Bright, colorful vegetables also add color and crunch to the meal plan.

What ground meat is best for weight loss? ›

If you're looking to reduce calories for weight loss, either lean ground turkey or lean ground beef are healthy choices. Keeping tabs on saturated fat for heart health? Lean ground turkey is the better pick by a slim margin.

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 does ground turkey do to your body? ›

Turkey is an excellent source of lean protein, which helps keep you full for longer periods and provides energy throughout the day. It's also low in fat and calories, which makes it a great option if you're watching your weight or trying to maintain a healthy lifestyle.

Is rotisserie turkey healthy? ›

Turkey is rich in protein and an excellent source of many vitamins and minerals, especially B vitamins. Skinless cuts have fewer calories and less fat than those with the skin on.

What brand is the best ground turkey? ›

Shady brook farms 93% lean and 7% fat ground turkey is perfect for making meatballs, burgers, or adding to pasta sauce. The turkey is perfectly juicy and not too fatty. The price is very accessible and you can easily buy it at any big store. I would recommend.

How to make ground turkey taste good? ›

What is the best way to season ground turkey? With ground turkey, you need fresh aromatics to season it. Chopped yellow onions, scallions, cilantro, and red bell pepper all help add flavor.

What ground turkey has no additives? ›

Shady Brook Farms® turkeys are raised by independent farmers with no antibiotics ever, and with no added hormones or steroids.

How long will 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.

Why does my ground turkey smell like eggs? ›

“The skin or surface of spoiled turkey meat is usually slimy, and the meat itself smells like rotten eggs or sulfur. These characteristics are due to microbial spoilage.” Spoilage might be expected if a turkey has been left in the refrigerator for a week or longer or left to thaw in the garage for a few hours. Dr.

Do I need to wash ground turkey? ›

While washing meat and poultry to remove dirt, slime, fat or blood may have been appropriate decades ago when many slaughtered and prepared their own food, the modern food safety system doesn't require it. Meat and poultry are cleaned during processing, so further washing is not necessary.

Can I eat turkey while trying to lose weight? ›

Turkey. Turkey is another great lean meat option for contributing to weight loss. It's low in calories and provides many of the same nutrients as chicken. Ground turkey is one of the best choices for eating turkey to lose weight, simply because it's lean.

Is ground turkey better than chicken for weight loss? ›

If we're getting really granular, ground turkey is generally a little leaner than ground chicken. It has fewer calories, less sodium, more iron, and more protein.

What meats should I avoid when losing weight? ›

Deli meat, hotdogs, and canned meat such as Spam are high in sodium and trans fat, which you should avoid if you are trying to lose weight. Like red meat, overconsumption of processed meats is linked to an increased risk of obesity and diabetes.

What foods help burn belly fat? ›

Five foods that may help burn belly fat include:
  • foods with soluble fiber like fruits, vegetables, and legumes.
  • foods with protein like meat, fish, eggs, and dairy.
  • fatty fish like tuna and salmon.
  • foods with probiotics like yogurt, kefir, sauerkraut, and kimchi.
  • green tea.

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