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

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 healthy 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.

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.

Which is healthier, ground chicken or ground turkey? ›

Both chicken and turkey provide healthy protein. Generally, chicken tends to be higher in vitamin B6 and pantothenic acid, and turkey tends to be lower in calories, fat, and sodium while having more zinc, niacin, and vitamin B12.

What is the healthiest ground meat? ›

The Bottom Line

If you're eating for a healthy heart, lean ground turkey—which is lower in saturated fat—is the better pick for you. Of course, you can still enjoy ground beef from time to time, but choosing lean ground turkey more often will help your heart in the long run.

What is the best meat to eat to lose 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.

Which is the healthiest meat to eat? ›

Healthiest: Skinless Turkey Meat

An excellent source of niacin and vitamin B6, skinless turkey, is one of the best lean proteins to add to your meals. The nutrients found in skinless turkey meat can help support heart health, energy levels, brain function, digestion, and other bodily processes.

Is ground turkey a processed meat? ›

If you're concerned about additives, these more natural-sounding meats might seem appealing. But there's a catch. Doyle explains that these natural meats (including chicken and turkey) are still processed, and they're still made with nitrates. “They use natural sources of preservatives,” she says.

Is ground turkey good for high cholesterol? ›

To summarize, turkey meat has low total lipid, cholesterol, and polyunsaturated fatty acid levels, making it a desirable option for diets aiming at lowering blood cholesterol levels.

What is the best ground turkey to buy? ›

Shady Brook is hands down my favorite ground turkey brand. They are consistent and I always know I am going to get a high quality, good tasting product.

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.

Is it OK to eat ground meat everyday? ›

Also, if you want to enjoy red meat, official guidelines recommend a "relatively lower consumption" of red and processed meats. While there is no specific number dedicated to red meat, the overall recommendation for animal protein sources (meats, poultry and eggs) for a 2,000-calorie diet is 26 ounces per week.

What meats should I avoid when losing weight? ›

Processed meats

Eating a lot of processed meats over time may contribute to weight gain and increase your risk of chronic diseases. These foods are OK to have once in a while, but try to limit how often you eat them, particularly hot dogs, burgers, and sausages. Processed meats also contain nitrites and nitrates.

Is chicken or turkey better for weight loss? ›

Dark meat cuts of chicken have slightly more fat and calories than dark meat cuts of turkey. The same is true for the white meat of these two types of poultry, as turkey is slightly leaner with fewer calories than chicken.

Is ground meat good for losing weight? ›

Aids in weight management: Consuming lean ground beef as a source of protein can help you feel fuller for longer, potentially aiding in weight management. Supports bone health: Ground beef contains phosphorus, which works alongside calcium to maintain strong bones and teeth.

References

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