What to make with ground turkey
With ground turkey you can make turkey meatballs, turkey taco bowls, turkey chili, Asian lettuce wraps, turkey burgers, stuffed peppers or a turkey bolognese. Because it is lean, add moisture with grated onion or zucchini and a little oil, and cook it to 165°F.
ground turkey
9 easy ideas with ground turkey
Family-tested favorites. Tap one to get the full recipe, scaled for your table.
Baked Turkey Meatballs
35 minTender meatballs with grated zucchini and parmesan, baked and simmered in marinara.
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Turkey Taco Bowls
25 minSeasoned turkey over rice with beans, corn, cheese and salsa.
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Turkey and Bean Chili
45 minA hearty, mild chili that freezes well and gets better overnight.
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Asian Turkey Lettuce Wraps
20 minTurkey with water chestnuts in a sweet-savory sauce, spooned into crisp lettuce cups.
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Juicy Turkey Burgers
25 minGrated onion and a little Worcestershire keep these burgers moist.
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Turkey Stuffed Peppers
50 minPeppers filled with turkey, rice and tomato, baked with cheese on top.
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Turkey Bolognese
40 minA lighter meat sauce with carrots and celery simmered in tomatoes.
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Turkey Sweet Potato Skillet
30 minTurkey, diced sweet potato and peppers cooked in one pan.
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Turkey Sloppy Joes
25 minThe classic, made a little lighter with turkey and hidden vegetables.
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Kitchen notes on ground turkey
Cook to 165°F
Ground turkey is poultry, so it needs to reach 165°F, higher than the 160°F for ground beef.
Keep it moist
Mix in grated onion or zucchini, a spoonful of oil or a panade (bread soaked in milk). Do not overwork meatballs and burgers, which makes them tough.
Season boldly
Turkey is milder than beef. Be generous with salt, garlic, smoked paprika, soy sauce or Worcestershire.
Storage
Raw ground turkey keeps 1 to 2 days in the fridge and 3 to 4 months frozen. Cooked turkey keeps 3 to 4 days.
Questions about ground turkey
Is ground turkey healthier than ground beef?
Lean ground turkey (93/7) has less saturated fat than most ground beef, but 85/15 turkey is similar to 90/10 beef. Check the lean-to-fat ratio on the label.
How do you know ground turkey is cooked?
Use a thermometer: it should read 165°F. The meat will be opaque with no pink, and juices will run clear, but color alone is not reliable.
Why does ground turkey taste bland?
It has less fat than beef, and fat carries flavor. Brown it well, and season more generously than you would beef.
