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From meatballs to stir frys, this collection of simple ground turkey recipes will have you serving up healthy-but-hearty meals on the reg.
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Cook That Ground Turkey for Dinner—Tonight!
Hemming and hawing over what to do with that ground turkey in your freezer? I’m about to make your life very easy. Whether you’re looking for tender and saucy meatballs or a quick healthy stir-fry, this drool-worthy collection of ground turkey recipes makes things exciting all while keeping it simple and healthy.
What’s the Best Way to Cook It?
Most cooking methods work just fine for turkey. It’s easy to sauté in a skillet and it works great for slow cooking or pressure cooking, too. The biggest thing to keep in mind when making any of these ground turkey recipes is to cook the meat through until it reaches an internal temperature of 160-165º F, and you can check this with a meat thermometer. This is a little tricky if you’re working with crumbled ground turkey mind you, but crumbles cook through quickly, so it’s much easier to tell just by giving them a good look.
Is Ground Turkey Healthier Than Chicken?
It’s a common question I get with my recipes: is ground turkey healthy? Both ground turkey and chicken are good sources of protein, vitamins, and minerals.
How Do You Make It Not Taste Bland?
Don’t be shy with seasoning! When I’m coming up with ground turkey recipes for dinner, my rule is 1 tsp of salt for every pound of ground meat. As for other flavorings, it all depends on what you’re making. Once the turkey is cooked, taste as you go.
The ground turkey recipes below will give you a good idea of how to flavor turkey in different ways—from burgers to tacos, and with sauces and seasonings.
How Do You Cook It So It’s Not Dry?
Lean ground meats have a reputation of drying out because they have less fat and moisture. To prevent this, you obviously want to avoid overcooking the turkey—any meat will dry up if it’s overcooked.
Here Are 14 Ground Turkey Recipes to Make for Dinner
Easy Ground Turkey Meatballs With Sauce
These saucy meatballs are everything: tender, tasty, and a perfect companion for pastas or hoagies (meatball subs, anyone?)
They’re super easy to make and they can be frozen for future feasting.
Best Turkey Burger Recipe
The key to a fantastic burger is the patty, and this turkey burger has got it going on. It’s juicy, well-seasoned, and even a little smoky thanks to the addition of a special little ingredient!
Healthy Ground Turkey Chili
This easy nourishing ground turkey chili is chock full of hearty beans and veggies, and it’s incredibly flavorful! A great source of protein and fiber.
Easy Stuffed Peppers With Ground Turkey
These delish stuffed peppers with ground turkey will fill you up without weighing you down! Full of veggies and cheesy goodness, for balance.
Creamy Tomato Instant Pot Pasta with Ground Turkey and Spinach
This Creamy Tomato Instant Pot Pasta is packed with tomatoes, ground turkey, and spinach for a wholesome and hearty weeknight meal!
Instant Pot Tacos With Ground Turkey
Tacos with ground turkey are perfect for any weeknight, especially Instant Pot tacos. Nutritious, delicious, & ready in 10 minutes!
Ginger Garlic Meatballs With Hot Honey Glaze
A great weeknight meal, these yummy baked turkey ginger garlic meatballs are tossed in a lip-smacking hot honey glaze everyone will love!
Ground Turkey Stir Fry With Cabbage
With bright & tasty orange ginger sauce, this veggie-packed ground turkey stir fry with cabbage will be an absolute hit at your dinner table!
Instant Pot Bolognese Sauce with Turkey
Trade the usual 2-3 hour stovetop simmer time for this quick and easy 40-minute pressure cook—without sacrificing any flavor! This hearty sauce is perfect for fat chewy noodles or a nice big lasagna.
Easy Turkey Meatloaf With Oats
This turkey meatloaf with oats is super tender, loaded with flavor, and smothered in a lip-smacking glaze. It rivals the beefy classic!
Unstuffed Cabbage Rolls with Ground Turkey and Rice
These Unstuffed Cabbage Rolls are a simple more approachable version of the classic. Made with lean ground turkey, this is easy and quick enough for a weeknight meal.
Instant Pot Sloppy Joes With Ground Turkey
Instant Pot Sloppy Joes With Ground Turkey are perfectly saucy and full of flavor! A quick and easy weeknight option to throw into your rotation.
Delicious Lasagna with Ground Turkey Meat Sauce
This hearty lasagna is layered with cheesy, meaty goodness—fresh mozzarella, creamy ricotta, and tender ground turkey!
Tender Greek Turkey Burgers
These Tender Greek Turkey Burgers are a hit! Ground turkey is blended with garlic, kalamata olives, feta, and capers. Stack’em how you want, but cucumbers, roasted red peppers, and spoonfuls of tzatziki are the true way to go.
Have You Made Any of These Ground Turkey Recipes?
If you enjoyed one of these recipes, please consider leaving a STAR rating & commenting on the post with feedback!
You can also show off your creations on Instagram by tagging @killing__thyme
I cannot wait to get my hands on the ground turkey. So many great choices to choose from. Thanks for the list.
You’re very welcome!
Aww, yeah. Just looking at these recipes is making me hungry! I’m bookmarking this and making them all.
Haha, keep me posted ;)
Such a great collection of recipes! We always have ground turkey on hand and have made a few of these already. The garlic and ginger meatballs are the family fave!
Those are always a hit!
Totally making the pasta and the meatballs yum!
Awesome! Keep me posted.
I always use ground turkey in place of hamburger in tacos. I really love the way it changes the texture.
That’s interesting! I’ve found the texture very similar.
We love ground turkey because it is so versatile. You have lots of great recipes here to try.
Thanks!
I just love using ground turkey in place of hamburger in recipes! These all look delicious. :)
Same!
What a great round up of turkey recipes — can’t wait to give these a try when I’m stuck for dinner ideas!
Let me know which ones you try!
Love how easy this recipe is. It’s perfect for our family!
Which recipe caught your eye?
Yes! I’ve been looking for an article like that! I constantly find turkey slightly underwhelming, so really keen to try some of these recipes to make me excited about it again!
I hear you! Until I really figured out how to make it shine, it was such a drag to use. Now, I love it!