10+ Ground Turkey Recipes Simple and Delicious for Busy Weeknights

Ground turkey is a versatile ingredient that can simplify your meal planning. You can enjoy delicious meals without spending too much time in the kitchen with numerous ground turkey recipes. Whether you are looking for a quick dinner option or a healthy dish, ground turkey fits the bill.

Incorporating ground turkey into your meals offers a great way to enjoy lean protein while keeping costs down. You can create a variety of easy and tasty dishes that will please the whole family. From tacos to casseroles, using ground turkey is an excellent choice for your weeknight dinners.

Turkey Tacos

Turkey tacos are a tasty and healthy option for your next meal. They offer a lean alternative to traditional beef tacos while still being full of flavor. You can easily customize them with your favorite toppings and sauces.

To make these tacos, start with lean ground turkey. Cook it with a mix of spices like chili powder, cumin, and garlic. This will give your meat a flavorful kick. You can also add salsa for extra moisture and taste.

Serve the turkey mixture in soft or hard taco shells. Top with fresh ingredients like lettuce, tomatoes, cheese, and avocado. Don’t forget a splash of your favorite salsa or a dollop of sour cream!

Ingredients

• 1 pound (450 g) lean ground turkey
• 1 tablespoon chili powder
• 1 teaspoon cumin
• 1 teaspoon garlic powder
• Salt and pepper to taste
• Taco shells
• Toppings of your choice (lettuce, tomato, cheese, avocado, salsa)

Cooking Instructions

1. In a skillet, cook the ground turkey over medium heat until browned, about 5-7 minutes.
2. Drain excess fat if necessary.
3. Add chili powder, cumin, garlic powder, salt, and pepper. Stir to combine.
4. Cook for an additional 2-3 minutes.
5. Serve in taco shells and add your favorite toppings. Enjoy!

2) Simple Turkey Chili

Simple turkey chili is a delicious and hearty meal. It combines ground turkey, beans, and spices to create a warm dish perfect for any night. You can make it quickly on the stove, or use a slow cooker for added convenience.

To start, you’ll need ground turkey, canned tomatoes, kidney beans, and your favorite chili spices. You can customize this dish by adding peppers or corn if you like extra flavor.

Cooking turkey chili is easy. Begin by browning the turkey in a pot over medium heat at 350°F (175°C). Once it’s browned, add the tomatoes and beans. Season with spices and let it simmer for about 20 minutes.

This chili tastes even better the next day, making it great for leftovers. Serve it with some crusty bread or over rice for a complete meal.

Ingredients:

• 1 lb ground turkey
• 1 can diced tomatoes
• 1 can kidney beans
• 1 onion, chopped
• Chili powder, cumin, and salt to taste

Cooking Instructions:

1. Brown the ground turkey in a pot over medium heat (350°F/175°C).
2. Add chopped onions and cook until soft.
3. Stir in diced tomatoes and kidney beans.
4. Season with chili powder, cumin, and salt.
5. Simmer for 20 minutes, then serve.

3) Ground Turkey Stir Fry

Making a ground turkey stir fry is quick and easy. You can whip this up in just 20 minutes. It’s perfect for busy weeknights!

Start by cooking ground turkey in a hot pan. Break it into small pieces while it cooks. This takes about 5 to 6 minutes. Once it’s browned, add in garlic for extra flavor.

Next, toss in pre-shredded or frozen vegetables. You can use bell peppers, carrots, and snap peas for a colorful mix. Stir everything together and let it cook for a few more minutes.

For the sauce, mix soy sauce, hoisin sauce, and a dash of sesame oil. Pour it over the meat and veggies, stirring well.

Serve your stir fry hot. It goes great with rice or noodles!

Ingredients

• 1 pound ground turkey
• 2 cups mixed vegetables (frozen or fresh)
• 2 tablespoons soy sauce
• 1 tablespoon hoisin sauce
• 1 tablespoon toasted sesame oil
• 1 clove garlic, minced

Cooking Instructions

1. Heat a pan on medium-high heat.
2. Add ground turkey and cook until browned, about 5-6 minutes.
3. Stir in minced garlic and cook for 1 minute.
4. Add mixed vegetables and cook for 3-4 minutes.
5. In a small bowl, mix soy sauce, hoisin sauce, and sesame oil.
6. Pour sauce over turkey and veggies. Stir well.
7. Cook for 1-2 more minutes and serve hot.

Turkey Meatloaf

Turkey meatloaf is a tasty and simple dish to prepare. It’s a healthier option compared to traditional meatloaf, using lean ground turkey as the main ingredient. You will appreciate how easy it is to make.

Start by mixing ground turkey with ingredients like crushed crackers, milk, and spices. This adds flavor and helps keep the meatloaf moist. Shape the mixture into a loaf and place it in a baking pan.

Bake your meatloaf at 400°F (200°C) for about 55 minutes. Adding a glaze of ketchup or barbecue sauce in the last 20 minutes gives it that extra delicious taste.

Let the meatloaf rest before slicing. This helps keep it juicy and makes serving easier. It’s perfect for a family dinner!

Ingredients

• 1 lb ground turkey
• 1 cup crushed crackers
• 1/2 cup milk
• 1/2 onion, chopped
• 1 egg
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• Salt and pepper to taste
• Ketchup or barbecue sauce (optional)

Cooking Instructions

1. Preheat the oven to 400°F (200°C).
2. Mix all the ingredients in a bowl.
3. Shape the mixture into a loaf on a baking tray.
4. Bake for 55 minutes.
5. Add ketchup or barbecue sauce in the last 20 minutes.
6. Let it rest before slicing.

5) Lettuce Wraps with Ground Turkey

Lettuce wraps with ground turkey are a quick and healthy meal option. They are easy to make and packed with flavor. You can enjoy them as a light lunch or a fun dinner.

Start by cooking ground turkey in a pan until it’s browned. You can use spices or sauces to add taste. Many recipes use flavors like soy sauce and hoisin for an Asian twist.

Once the turkey is ready, spoon it into large lettuce leaves, like butter lettuce. These leaves are great for holding the filling without getting soggy.

You can also add toppings, such as crushed peanuts or chopped green onions. This gives a nice crunch and extra flavor.

Ingredients

• 1 pound ground turkey
• 1 tablespoon soy sauce
• 1 tablespoon hoisin sauce
• Lettuce leaves (like butter lettuce)
• Green onions, chopped
• Crushed peanuts (optional)

Cooking Instructions

1. Heat a pan over medium-high heat.
2. Add ground turkey and cook until browned, about 5-7 minutes.
3. Stir in soy and hoisin sauces.
4. Spoon the mixture into lettuce leaves.
5. Top with green onions and peanuts if desired. Enjoy!

Turkey Burger Sliders

Turkey burger sliders are a fun and tasty meal option. They are perfect for game nights or casual dinners. You can make them easily in under 30 minutes.

Start by mixing ground turkey with your favorite seasonings. Shape the turkey into small patties. Place them on a baking sheet or grill them.

Bake at 350°F (175°C) for 15-20 minutes. You’ll know they’re done when the juices run clear. For extra flavor, add cheese on top during the last few minutes of cooking.

Serve the sliders on small buns with toppings like lettuce, tomato, and your favorite sauces. These sliders are great for a crowd or a cozy night in.

Ingredients

• 1 pound ground turkey
• 1 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1 teaspoon onion powder
• Salt and pepper to taste
• Slider buns
• Cheese (optional)
• Lettuce, tomato, and sauces for topping

Cooking Instructions

1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
2. In a bowl, mix the ground turkey with garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper.
3. Shape the mixture into small patties.
4. Place the patties on a baking sheet or grill.
5. Bake for 15-20 minutes until cooked through.
6. Add cheese for the last few minutes if you like.
7. Serve on buns with your favorite toppings.

7) Turkey Stuffed Peppers

Turkey stuffed peppers are a tasty and easy meal to prepare. You can enjoy them for dinner or save leftovers for lunch. The combination of ground turkey and colorful bell peppers makes for a healthy dish.

To make these stuffed peppers, you’ll start by cooking your ground turkey. You can add spices, vegetables, and cheese to create a flavorful filling.

Next, hollow out your bell peppers and stuff them with the turkey mixture. Place the filled peppers in a baking dish and bake at 375°F (190°C) until they are tender.

This dish is not only filling but also nutritious. The peppers add vitamins, while the turkey provides lean protein.

Ingredients

• 4 large bell peppers
• 1 pound (450 g) ground turkey
• 1 cup cooked rice
• 1 can diced tomatoes
• 1 cup shredded cheese
• Spices (salt, pepper, garlic powder)

Cooking Instructions

1. Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
2. Cook the ground turkey in a skillet until browned.
3. Mix in cooked rice, diced tomatoes, and spices.
4. Cut the tops off of the bell peppers and remove the seeds.
5. Stuff each pepper with the turkey mixture.
6. Place peppers in a baking dish and top with cheese.
7. Bake for 30-35 minutes.

8) Spaghetti with Turkey Bolognese

If you’re looking for a simple and tasty dinner, spaghetti with turkey Bolognese is a great choice. This dish is not only easy to make, but it’s also a healthier twist on traditional Bolognese sauce.

To start, you’ll need whole wheat spaghetti, which you can swap for regular or gluten-free pasta if you prefer. Ground lean turkey works well here and reduces the calories compared to beef.

When cooking, sauté some olive oil with onions and carrots until they’re soft. Then, add the turkey and cook it until browned. Mix in your favorite tomato sauce and let it simmer for a while.

Serve the sauce over your cooked spaghetti, and you have a delicious meal ready in no time!

Ingredients

• Whole wheat spaghetti
• Olive oil
• Onion
• Carrot
• Ground lean turkey
• Tomato sauce
• Salt and pepper

Cooking Instructions

1. Cook the spaghetti according to package instructions.
2. Heat olive oil in a pan over medium heat.
3. Add chopped onion and carrot, cooking until soft.
4. Add ground turkey and cook until browned.
5. Stir in tomato sauce and simmer for 10 minutes.
6. Serve over spaghetti and enjoy!

9) Ground Turkey Skillet

A Ground Turkey Skillet is a quick and easy meal you can whip up any night of the week. It’s packed with flavor and can include your favorite vegetables.

Start by heating a skillet over medium-high heat. Add a bit of oil along with chopped veggies like bell peppers or zucchini. Cook these for a few minutes until they are tender. Then, add the ground turkey.

Season the turkey with salt, garlic powder, and cumin. Cook it until browned, breaking it apart with a spatula. This usually takes about 5 to 7 minutes.

Feel free to get creative. You can add other ingredients like black beans or corn to make it heartier.

Ingredients

• 1 pound ground turkey
• 1 tablespoon oil
• 1 bell pepper, chopped
• 1 zucchini, chopped (optional)
• Salt, to taste
• 1 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1 teaspoon cumin

Cooking Instructions

1. Heat a skillet over medium-high heat.
2. Add oil and chopped veggies, cooking for 3-5 minutes.
3. Add ground turkey and break it apart.
4. Season with salt, garlic powder, and cumin.
5. Cook until turkey is browned, about 5-7 minutes.

Turkey and Spinach Burgers

Turkey and spinach burgers are a healthy choice for any meal. They combine lean ground turkey with fresh spinach for added nutrition. These burgers are not only tasty but also simple to make.

To start, mix ground turkey, chopped spinach, garlic powder, and onion powder in a bowl. You can also add an egg and a splash of soy sauce for extra flavor. Form the mixture into patties.

Heat a grill or skillet over medium heat, around 350°F (175°C). Cook the patties for about 5-6 minutes on each side, until they are golden brown and fully cooked. Serve on buns or lettuce leaves with your favorite toppings.

Ingredients

• 1 lb (450 g) ground turkey
• 1 cup fresh spinach, chopped
• 1 egg
• 1 tbsp soy sauce
• 1 tsp garlic powder
• 1 tsp onion powder
• Salt and pepper to taste

Cooking Instructions

1. In a bowl, mix ground turkey, chopped spinach, garlic powder, and onion powder.
2. Add the egg and soy sauce; stir until combined.
3. Shape the mixture into patties.
4. Preheat your grill or skillet to medium heat (350°F or 175°C).
5. Cook the burgers for 5-6 minutes per side, until fully cooked.
6. Enjoy!