23 Ground Turkey Recipes to Add to Your Dinner Rotation (2024)

Ground turkey is one of the most versatile and healthy proteins you can cook with. By using this leaner protein, you can turn some of your favorite meals into better-for-you dishes without giving up an ounce of flavor. We're sharing our best ground turkey recipes for weeknight meals and more.

Yes, there are meatballs, burgers, chili, and stellar versions of other recipes you'd expect to find in our collection. We've also got some less well-known ways to use ground turkey for weeknight meals, including takes on the stir fry, pasta dishes, pot pie, and hand pies. We're sure you're going to love these ground turkey recipes so much that you'll be adding them to your regular dinner rotation.

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Creamy Baked Tortellini with Spinach

23 Ground Turkey Recipes to Add to Your Dinner Rotation (1)

Here's a pasta casserole you'll want to make on repeat! Store-bought fresh or frozen cheese tortellini are the base of the dish but it's the super-quick turkey ragu that's the real star of this pasta bake.

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Turkey-Mushroom Patty Melts

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Juicy and full of umami, these patties combine the taste of mild ground turkey with button mushrooms. To make it a proper melt, we griddle slices of rye bread until toasted then top them with the patties, Havarti cheese, and lemon-dressed shredded lettuce.

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Turkey Meatballs in Apricot Sauce with Mint and Almonds

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They're just so good! These meatballs have a soft, almost fluffy consistency since they don't get seared. The dried apricots steep with cinnamon and chicken broth, then gets puréed with onion, melding into a bubbling sauce with a subtle spice and a sweetness that kids will love.

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Greek Turkey Burger

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Much as we love a big turkey patty in a burger bun, we also adore this refreshing and different take. These petit burgers are steamed so they don't dry out, then they get a quick post-steam sear, and are served atop pita, along with hummus, cucumber spears, arugula, and lemony yogurt sauce.

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Turkey and Mushroom Bolognese

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Not only is this a lighter version of the classic Italian recipe, but it only requires 35 minutes of prep. Ground turkey, assorted mushrooms, carrots, and onion round out this delicious dish.

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Ginger-Peanut Turkey Stir-Fry

As easy to make as it is satisfying, this ground turkey stir-fry comes together in a flash. With an ingredient list packed with peanut butter, fresh ginger, tender lettuce, sugar, and lime juice, everyone will be asking for seconds of this tasty creation.

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Whole Stuffed Cabbage

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Our take on the Eastern European classic uses ground turkey, kasha (roasted buckwheat kernels), cabbage, finely chopped onions, and fresh herbs for a spectacular dish.

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Turkey-Pesto Meatball Soup

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Ground turkey is mixed with panko breadcrumbs, lightly whisked egg, Parmigiano-Reggiano, salt, and freshly ground pepper to make these light meatballs. And to make prep even easier, the meatballs can be refrigerated for up to one day ahead of time.

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Turkey Meatloaf with Hoisin Glaze

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Meatloaf has long been a dinner staple. Our version, made with ground turkey, is a lightened up take on the classic. It's topped with a homemade hoisin glaze for a sweet and tangy taste.

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Instant Pot Turkey Chili

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The multicooker is especially well-suited to making dishes like chili. A number of vegetables and plenty of herbs and spices come together to create a dish full of heady aromas.

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Roasted Garlic Turkey Burgers

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Aged provolone cheese and fresh sage are mixed with ground turkey for these burgers. It's a combination that ensures the burgers will stay tender when they're cooked over the heat of an outdoor grill.

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Italian Wedding Soup with Turkey Meatballs

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This delicious dish comes together in only 25 minutes, but the flavors will fool your family—they'll think you spend the whole day cooking. We also like that this recipe can be made ahead of time and frozen for up to three months.

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Turkey Chili

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This version of turkey chili uses both ground and shredded turkey meat for a protein-packed dish. Pink beans, white onion, ancho chiles, and garlic round out the flavor profile.

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One-Pot Thai Turkey and Rice

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Here's a one-skillet meal that is sure to please. Lime juice, garlic, ginger, and coconut milk bring a new level of flavor to ground turkey. Another bonus: this recipe is quick to prep and fast to cleanup.

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Honey-Chipotle Turkey Meatballs

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Ground turkey, garlic cloves, chopped chipotle chiles in adobo sauce, honey, and cider vinegar bring the flavor in this mouthwatering recipe.

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Turkey-Meatloaf Burgers

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This recipe combines two of our favorite uses for ground turkey: meatloaf and burgers. Best of all, it makes enough for eight, so it's the perfect addition to your next cookout.

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Chipotle-Glazed Meatloaf with Sweet Potatoes

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Instead of classic mashed potatoes, this recipe uses the nutrient-rich sweet potato for a sweet side, while a chipotle glaze turns out to be the finishing touch turkey meatloaf needs.

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Zucchini-Ribbon "Lasagna"

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Nutrient-rich zucchini is substituted for the pasta while ground turkey replaces the beef in this healthy version of the Italian classic lasagna.

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One-Pot Turkey Skillet Pie

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A savory pie is made from ground turkey topped with cheddar biscuits, what could be better? This rich, filling meal is guaranteed to become a new family favorite. And since it comes together in less than an hour, you can enjoy it any night of the week.

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Spinach-and-Turkey Hand Pies

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Leftover turkey meatloaf made from our Greek-Style Meatloaf is used as the filling for these savory hand pies.

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Mustard Turkey Burgers

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The simple patty is made with ground turkey, minced red onion, Dijon mustard, and salt, and is served atop a whole wheat bun with avocado for a satisfying and easy dinner.

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Ground Turkey Tacos

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Here's a lighter take on the classic taco and it's all thanks to the lean ground turkey. Our recipe makes eight servings, so there's plenty for everyone.

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Pot Sticker Dumplings and Soy-Vinegar Sauce

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The crispy-yet-soft texture of these dumplings explodes with ground turkey. There's a hint of punchy flavor from the soy-vinegar dipping sauce.

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23 Ground Turkey Recipes to Add to Your Dinner Rotation (2024)

FAQs

How do you enhance ground turkey? ›

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.

What does ground turkey go good with? ›

You can just about use ground turkey with every dish that calls for ground beef or diced chicken. My favorite thing to do is make a stir fry with cabbage,carrots, broccoli and ground turkey. I pair it with some steamed white rice and top it with a sesame ginger sauce.

How long can you keep ground turkey 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.

How to season ground turkey to taste like hamburger? ›

Whenever I made turkey burgers, I would dissolve some beef bouillon in a little water and add it to the turkey with a little canola oil, then season and form the patties. The bouillon gave it some flavor and the water and oil helped with moisture. Just make sure not to overcook.

How do you make ground turkey taste more savory? ›

I usually add some spices and herbs that compliment the meat. Try adding some salt, pepper, onion powder, garlic powder, thyme, maybe some rosemary. If you want to go with a bit of a spicier flavor try adding some cajun seasoning. Adding some white cheddar, mayo, cranberry sauce or even some gravy works great as well.

What to eat with turkey for dinner? ›

Here are some side dishes that go well with turkey or chicken:
  1. Mashed potatoes.
  2. Stuffing.
  3. Green bean casserole.
  4. Sweet potato casserole.
  5. Roasted vegetables (such as carrots, Brussels sprouts, broccoli, or potatoes)
  6. Salads (such as Caesar salad, Cobb salad, or a simple green salad)
  7. Rolls or bread.
  8. Gravy.
Oct 6, 2023

What is the best fat to add to ground turkey? ›

Cook with a fat

Most ground turkey is “lean ground turkey”, meaning it has a low fat content. While it makes for a great leaner alternative when you're choosing meat, it also means it can be a little dry. Make sure to add a good source of cooking fat like olive oil or avocado oil.

Can I eat ground turkey everyday? ›

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.

Can I eat 5 day old cooked ground turkey? ›

USDA recommends using cooked turkey within 3 to 4 days, kept refrigerated (40°F or less). Refrigeration slows but does not stop bacterial growth. Turkey can be frozen for 3 to 4 months.

Is it OK to leave cooked ground turkey out overnight? ›

The Two-Hour Rule

Havern explains: "The maximum amount of time perishable foods can [spend] in the danger zone is two hours. At two hours, the food must be consumed, stored correctly, or thrown away. This includes all cooked leftovers, [chopped] fruits and vegetables, meat, poultry, fish, eggs, and dairy products."

Can you eat 3 day expired ground turkey? ›

The Bottom Line

If the meat won't be used within a day or two, store it in the freezer and enjoy it within three to four months. If at any point, you notice discoloration, a foul smell or a slimy or tacky appearance to the ground turkey, do not consume it and throw it out.

Why is my ground turkey GREY after freezing? ›

If it's stored or packaged so that it doesn't get any oxygen it will turn gray. It's still good to eat as long as the gray hasn't penetrated most of the way into the meat but if you're concerned discard the gray part and use only that which is still fairly red.

How can I tell if ground turkey is gone bad? ›

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.

How can you tell if ground turkey has gone bad? ›

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.

How do you make ground turkey less 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 season a turkey for best flavor? ›

Stick with salt and pepper, put herbs like rosemary, thyme, and sage to work, or take spicy Cajun seasoning for a spin for some kick. Whatever blend you choose, spread it all over the turkey—on top, underneath, between the body and wings and legs, under the skin, and even in the cavity of the bird.

How do you add flavor to turkey? ›

Never pass up the opportunity to add flavor to turkey by stuffing the cavity with a simple aromatics mix. 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 add texture to ground turkey? ›

A few tablespoons of panko bread crumbs break up the finely ground turkey; gently tossing all the ingredients together and using a light touch to shape the patties helps keep the texture loose. Baking soda and gelatin keep the meat moist; help with browning, richness, and savory flavor; and provide a juicy mouthfeel.

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