40 Ground Turkey Recipes That Will Make You Forget About Beef (2024)

Anything beef can do, turkey can do better.

By Mackenzie Filson
40 Ground Turkey Recipes That Will Make You Forget About Beef (1)

We're calling it—ground turkey is *the* protein of the moment. Who says turkey is only for Thanksgiving? Not us! Ground turkey is our all year favorite for adding lean protein to pasta, soups, burgers. And don't even get us started on swapping it in as a healthy alternative to ground beef, especially when it means we get to eat ground turkey Italian sloppy Joes, turkey feta stuffed meatballs, and bánh mì burgers.

Speaking of burgers, we love how delicious turkey burgers can be. When it comes to making a mean, lean turkey burger, we don't think you need to 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 Greek-stuffed turkey burgers, Italian turkey burgers, and Sriracha turkey burgers.

Ground turkey is also one of our favorite ways to make our all-time favorite 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 included our turkey lasagna, our baked penne alla vodka with turkey, and our spaghetti with turkey ragù here too.

Want even more lightened up, easy meals? Check out our favorite ground chicken recipes, our best ground pork recipes, and our top healthy dinners too.

1

Turkey Chili

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Beef chili may come to mind when you think of the classic, cozy meal, but turkey chili deserves its chance to shine. This easy recipe is full of warm spices and double the amount of beans for a thick, meaty chili that’s every bit as filling as the classic.

Get the Turkey Chili recipe.

2

Shawarma Stuffed Peppers

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Here at Delish, we love stuffed peppers, and we love shawarma. So we thought: What would happen if we combined these two crowd-pleasing classics into one delicious, mostly hands-off recipe? The resulting one-pan recipe is definitely a keeper.

Get the Shawarma Stuffed Peppers 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 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.

5

Turkey Burgers

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Turkey burgers are a summer cookout staple here at Delish, and are always a reliable option when you’re craving something lighter than a classic hamburger. While they can have a reputation for being dry and bland, made right, they’re anything but.

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 beloved summer squash is even standing in for corn tortillas in this savory turkey zucchini enchilada casserole.

Get the Turkey Zucchini Enchilada Casserole recipe.

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7

Best-Ever 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. Bonus: Not only is the glaze totally delicious, it's also only two ingredients, ketchup and brown sugar.

Get the Best-Ever Turkey Meatloaf recipe.

8

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.

9

Cranberry-Glazed Turkey Meatballs

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With a sweet and tangy glaze made with cranberry sauce and thyme- and sage-speckled turkey meatballs, these are great for serving with toothpicks as an app or over fluffy mashed potatoes for a low-key dinner.

Get the Cranberry-Glazed Turkey Meatballs recipe.

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10

Taco Stuffed Sweet Potatoes

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We love how you can stuff sweet potatoes with pretty much anything, but this recipe might be our fave. 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.

11

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.

12

Spicy Turkey Sausage & Kale Chili

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While we love classic turkey chili, when we're looking to spice things up, we turn to this recipe. Spicy ground turkey, red bell peppers, cannellini beans, tomatoes, and kale all combine for a cozy soup that will warm you up all winter long.

Get the .

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13

Bánh Mì Turkey Burgers

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Craving a turkey burger that's anything but boring? This is the one for you. We took all of the classic flavors of a bánh mì sandwich (pickled vegetables, spicy mayo, cilantro) and combined them into one exciting burger.

Get the Bánh Mì Turkey Burgers recipe.

14

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.

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

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.

17

Baked Turkey Burgers

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

Get the Baked Turkey Burgers recipe.

18

Baked Penne Alla Vodka with Turkey

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Here we changed up classic penne alla vodka, and added in ground turkey. The result is a creamy baked pasta dish 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

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 better-f0r-you, so grab your slow cooker and cozy on up.

Get the Slow-Cooker Turkey Chili recipe.

20

Instant Pot 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.

40 Ground Turkey Recipes That Will Make You Forget About Beef (2024)

FAQs

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

Directions
  1. Mix together ground turkey, onion soup mix, and steak sauce in a large bowl. Shape into 4 patties.
  2. Heat a large skillet over medium heat; lightly coat with cooking spray.
  3. Cook patties in the hot skillet until cooked through, about 4 minutes per side. ...
  4. Serve patties on hamburger buns.

When not to cook ground turkey? ›

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.

Which is better for you ground turkey or 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.

Can I eat ground turkey every day? ›

Protein is a macronutrient, which means that your body needs a lot of it. 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.

What can I add to ground turkey for flavor? ›

There are plenty of easy ground turkey recipes out there. But, you will always need spices like olive oil, kosher salt and pepper, chili powder, and garlic powder. You can add minced garlic, and freshly chopped onions and peppers, for an extra edge.

How do you keep ground turkey moist when cooking? ›

Even 93 percent lean ground turkey—often the fattiest preground turkey you can buy—can still taste too lean and can easily dry out during cooking. To temper those effects, we added 2 tablespoons of melted butter to the meat, along with a panade of milk and panko.

Is it better to season ground turkey before cooking? ›

Ground turkey is a great lean protein option, it's super versatile, and it cooks up really quickly. It's perfect for busy weeknights when you need an easy, delicious meal without the hassle. But, ground turkey can be a bit bland and dry if it's not seasoned or cooked well.

Do you rinse ground turkey before cooking? ›

USDA research has found that washing or rinsing meat or poultry increases the risk for cross-contamination in the kitchen, which can cause foodborne illness. From a food safety perspective, washing raw poultry, beef, pork, lamb or veal before cooking it is not recommended as the safest method.

Why is my ground turkey grey? ›

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.

Is ground turkey good for high blood pressure? ›

Foods that fight high blood pressure

Substitute ground turkey for ground beef. And snack on fresh fruits. You can stuff avocados with almost anything (diced chicken breasts, tomatoes, low-fat cheese) and bake them in the oven.

What is the difference between 93 and 99 ground turkey? ›

Two types to look for are 93% lean ground turkey and 99% lean ground turkey. The biggest difference is that the 99% version is generally made with all breast meat and contains no saturated fat. However, because it has so little fat, it runs the risk of getting dry.

What is the best ground turkey to buy? ›

Whether you're making ground turkey tacos, turkey burgers, or another family favorite, 93% Lean Ground Turkey will be your go-to for lean, flavorful dishes. Shady Brook Farms® turkeys are raised by independent farmers with no antibiotics ever, and with no added hormones or steroids.

Why do I get gassy after eating ground turkey? ›

Beef, eggs, pork, fish, and poultry are rich in sulfur, which can be turned into hydrogen sulfide by gut bacteria, resulting in foul-smelling gas that is reminiscent of rotten eggs. Protein supplements may also contain ingredients that cause flatulence and encourage excessive wind.

When should you not eat ground turkey? ›

Things You Should Know

Check if your turkey has a bad sour-smelling odor to know if it's spoiled. Toss out your ground turkey if it has a slimy texture. Get rid of ground turkey if it darkens or dulls to a dark gray color, a sure sign it's gone bad.

What's 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.

How to make ground turkey taste less gamey? ›

The distinct game flavor of either birds or animals will be milder after soaking the meat overnight in the refrigerator in either a salt or vinegar solution. 2. Vinegar solution - 1 cup per quart of cold water. Use enough solution to cover the game completely.

Can I add beef bouillon to ground turkey? ›

My favorite bouillon to use in this recipe is beef bouillon, but chicken and vegetable bouillon also work. The addition of strained tomatoes and bouillon makes the best turkey seasoning. It adds so much flavor! You won't believe how good ground turkey tacos made with this recipe are.

Can you substitute beef with ground turkey? ›

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.

How can I improve my turkey 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. (While you're at it, season the cavity with a good amount of salt and pepper.) Brining is an essential step to ensure a juicy bird.

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