Turkey meat need not be reserved only for the holidays. As a healthier alternative to red meat, turkey has gained a lot of popularity in recent years for the variety of health benefits it offers.
Want to cash in on its many benefits while keeping your meal incredibly delicious and flavorful? Check out these 30 ground turkey recipes you’ll love having in your arsenal. They’re bound to make meal-time and meal prep a breeze!
#1. Baked Turkey Meatballs with Lemon Garlic Butter Sauce
These hearty and delicious turkey meatballs are packed with flavor, and when paired with the decadent garlic herb butter sauce, this dish is an instant crowd-pleaser. Enjoy this high-fiber, low-carb dish with your favorite pasta or cauliflower rice with a side of salad to make it more filling.
#2. Brussels Sprouts Ground Turkey Skillet
Season ground turkey and Brussels sprouts mix with salt and pepper, add chicken broth and simmer to a thick consistency to make this delicious Brussels sprouts ground turkey skillet. Add garlic powder, red pepper flakes, or a fried egg (optional) before serving warm. The recipe is very versatile, making for a great meal any time of the day.
#3. Cheesy Ground Turkey Quesadillas
A Mexican-inspired recipe, the cheesy ground turkey quesadillas pair well with guacamole, sour cream, greek yogurt, hot sauce, or salsa. This cheesy gooey quesadilla is healthy enough on its own, but if you want to add more fiber, consider adding more thinly-sliced veggies to the mix.
#4. Creamy Turkey Pumpkin Chili
This one-pot delight is the perfect meal to welcome the fall. Ground turkey simmered with canned pumpkin, tender and plump white cannellini beans, and a host of spices like ground coriander, cumin, paprika, and a pinch of chili flakes, this creamy pumpkin turkey chili is smoky, meaty, and soul-warming.
#5. Ground Turkey Black Bean Enchiladas
Loaded with ground turkey, nutritious black beans, and red enchilada sauce, this is an easy dish to make that’ll be a fine addition to your cookbook. Garnish it with sour cream, red onions, and cheese and serve with lime wedges (optional) to make Mexican nights cheesier and saucier.
#6. Ground Turkey Stir Fry
Combining the goodness of ground turkey, carrots, cabbage, and peppers with a super delicious stir fry sauce, this low-carb dish is easy to make and highly customizable. It works well with rice or noodles and is bound to add a much sought-after recipe to your culinary repertoire. Switch up the veggies, choice of meat, and consistency of the sauce as desired.
#7. Ground Turkey Pasta Bake
The flavors of ground turkey, whole wheat pasta, kale, zucchini, and other veggies are complemented by a generous serving of cheese to elevate the appeal of this comfort food recipe. Top this healthy, mouthwatering, and irresistible dish with your choice of cheese and sprinkle some dried Italian seasoning and black pepper for added flavor.
#8. Ground Turkey Stroganoff
Made with ground turkey (no surprises there!), garlic, onion, and mushrooms doused in an incredibly creamy, palatable sauce, this easy and comforting meal works great over egg noodles, mashed potatoes, or cauliflower mash — giving you more freedom over your dinner options. To add a boost of calcium and healthy probiotics to the dish, replace the sour cream with Greek yogurt.
#9. Ground Turkey Stuffed Shells
Tons of spinach and a melty blend of your choice of cheeses is all it takes to make the super satisfying and delicious ground turkey stuffed shells dish. Just stuff the cooked pasta shells with the mixture, cover it with spaghetti sauce, and sprinkle mozzarella cheese over the top. Once it’s cooked to perfection, serve it with a side of garlic bread or your choice of add-ons and enjoy!
#10. Ground Turkey Teriyaki Rice Bowl
Bring a dose of Asian flavors to the forefront with this quick, easy, and healthy meal. Paired with lots of fresh carrots and broccoli, a savory teriyaki sauce, and sauteed with garlic and ginger to add some “zing,” this drool-worthy recipe will be a complete hit with adults and children alike. Want to add more nutrition and color to the dish? Add more veggies!
#11. Healthy Taco Salad
Enjoy all your favorite taco flavors in a healthy form with this healthy taco salad. Just add turkey, spices, and herbs along with a generous serving of veggies into a bowl with salsa-yogurt dressing. Once combined, sprinkle tortilla chips and top it off with a delicious salad yogurt dressing to maximize its appeal.
#12. Healthy Turkey Meatballs in a Curry Sauce
Simmered in a creamy red curry sauce, these herby, garlicky ground turkey meatballs are bursting with bold Asian spices. Made with lean turkey, seasoned with salt and pepper to taste, and garnished with fresh cilantro and chopped peanuts, this low-fat and high-protein meal adds a “fusion” flavor bomb to the recipe — one you’ll actively seek for its healthy composition.
#13. Loaded Turkey Taco Bowls
Made with tons of fresh veggies, ground turkey, pinto beans, and rice, this turkey taco bowl is garnished with fresh avocado slices, chopped cilantro, lime, jalapenos, chopped radishes, and full-fat sour cream. Serve with a side of chips for a solid flavor punch. Taco nights just got all the more appealing!
#14. Mediterranean Turkey Burgers
A healthy, delicious burger that is bursting with Mediterranean flavors, this recipe calls for spinach to be combined into the meat to keep the meat moist and tender as it cooks and to add a beautiful dose of phytonutrients. Loaded with onions and herbs and topped with crisp veggies and a tangy yogurt sauce spiked with dill, lemon, garlic, and feta cheese, this recipe brings a sharp, tangy, flavorful upgrade to your regular turkey burger recipe.
#15. Turkey Meatballs Minestrone
A light, cozy broth packed with fresh veggies, this turkey meatballs minestrone is perfect for a light weeknight dinner. Season it with salt and pepper and sprinkle parmesan cheese over the top before serving to enjoy this hearty mouthwatering soup.
#16. One-Pot Pasta with Turkey & Spinach
Loaded with healthy ground turkey, spinach, and tomatoes, topped with shredded cheese, and garnished with chopped cilantro for added flavor, this recipe for one-pot pasta with turkey and spinach can be whipped in just about 30 minutes. How’s that for an easy-to-make dinner?
#17. Spicy Turkey Kabobs with Tangy Yogurt Sauce
Boasting a unique, tangy flavor, this Middle Eastern dinner stick is a gluten-free treat and a mouth-watering delight. Served with a thick, creamy sauce made with cilantro, garlic, ground cumin, lemon juice, mustard, and yogurt and baked with cilantro, mint, or parsley, this nutrient-dense dish is fairly easy to make and nutrient-dense. It makes the cut for a light dinner that keeps you full.
#18. Taco Mac with Ground Turkey
Take mac-and-cheese to the next level by loading it with taco meat and the noodles of your choosing. Top it off with avocado, hot sauce, or sour cream for added flavor, and stir in some shredded cheddar cheese or any other sharp cheese to make it ultra-creamy. Consider using gluten-free pasta for a more fiber-filled serving.
#19. Turkey Taco Lettuce Wraps
Lettuce wraps are one of those recipes that look amazing and taste even better! The ground turkey is cooked with chicken broth, paprika, tomato sauce, and various herbs and spices. Get some fresh Romaine or iceberg lettuce and fill the leaves with this delicious mix for a refreshingly light dinner. You can add toppings such as chopped tomatoes, cheese, and avocado slices to make these wraps even tastier!
#20. Turkey & Vegetable Skillet
A healthy and incredibly flavorful pot dinner made with fire-roasted tomatoes, lean ground turkey, green beans, summer squash, and zucchini and topped with smoked mozzarella for added flavor! This low-carb dish is customizable, so if you’re not big on smoked mozzarella, try provolone or fontina. That should do the trick just fine!
#21. Turkey Bolognese
Made with veggies, turkey, chicken stock, tomato paste, and the choicest cheese, this Turkey Bolognese dish will satisfy your Italian cravings just fine! And in a leaner form, no less! To enjoy this rich, hearty meal, sprinkle parmesan cheese over the top and then serve it with zucchini noodles or spaghetti squash if desired.
#22. Turkey Quinoa Meatloaf
This turkey quinoa meatloaf offers a healthy dose of protein, fiber, and good fats and is bursting with flavor. The quinoa gives a “denseness” to the loaf, making it easy to slice while the veggies amp up its nutritional content. Season it with onion and garlic powder to balance out the bland counterparts. This extremely flavorful dish is bound to accommodate even the pickiest of eaters.
#23. Turkey Lasagna
With a homemade tomato basil sauce delivering fresh flavors, this lasagna is made with nutritious lean ground turkey and packed with fresh herbs and Italian spices — perfect for quick dinners and make-ahead meals. Fresh mozzarella, creamy ricotta, and a touch of parmesan add a healthy dose of protein to the mix and increase the recipe’s overall appeal.
#24. Turkey Picadillo
This version of Picadillo may be lighter than other variations but in no way does it compromise on flavor. Simmered with veggies, tomato sauce, and homemade seasoning, this recipe really highlights the ground turkey. Add any seasonings as needed, top it off with cilantro and onion and serve with arroz con gandules, tortillas, chips, or rice to make it kid-friendly.
#25. Turkey Sausage Patties
Loaded with garlic, ginger, and scallions, these turkey sausage patties offer a mild-to-moderate zing of flavor and a powerful punch of nutrition. It serves as a perfectly delicious low-carb, grab-and-go breakfast and works well with pancakes and eggs.
Friendly tip: If you’re a novice, consider coating the sausage patties with some egg and bread crumbs to keep them from falling apart.
#26. Turkey Shepherd’s Pie
Swapping the traditional beef or lamb with ground turkey, this turkey shepherd’s pie is a super flavorful, healthy, and easy-to-make recipe. Paired with healthy vegetables and gravy and topped with creamy mashed potatoes and cheese, it’s a fantastic addition to any dinner plan. To make the dish look as good as it tastes, char the cheese slightly with a kitchen torch.
#27. Turkey Sloppy Joes
A recipe that gives a healthy spin to your favorite sloppy joes, these yummy turkey sloppy joes are sweet, tangy, zesty, and savory. This easy-to-make recipe is delicious enough to tempt the kids into eating healthy. Feel free to substitute other ingredients to achieve the perfect texture and consistency to compliment your food palate. You can also choose your favorite type of bun. As long as you toast the buns before adding the sloppy joe mixture, you’ll have a delicious serving on your plate.
#28. Turkey Stuffed Bell Peppers
A protein-packed, veggie-laden meal, the turkey stuffed bell peppers are spiced with fresh peppers cut lengthwise in half along with other flavorful seasonings, followed by tomatoes, breadcrumbs, and cheese. Sprinkle the stuffed bell peppers with pepper jack cheese or shredded cheddar-flavored lactose-free cheese and serve it with a side of rice and salad for a perfectly healthy dinner.
#29. Turkey Swedish Meatballs
These turkey Swedish meatballs are the ultimate comfort food that is, wait for it, made entirely in one pan and under an hour! The tender egg noodles and meatball seared in a hot skillet and served with a creamy gravy is an easy-to-make recipe that is rich and so flavorful. Serve it with a side of tart lingonberry jam and you elevate a regular dinner into quite the fancy affair.
#30. Turkey Tacos
Lean and healthy, this light, flavorful, and better-for-you taco recipe is low in saturated fat and has fewer calories while holding no punches in the taste department. With the addition of killer spices and mild green chiles, this recipe has the perfect amount of moisture to lock all the flavors in. It is served with a variety of taco toppings and makes for a quick, lip-smacking delicious meal that will rock your culinary world.
