Leaner than ground beef and filled with protein, ground turkey is a great meat to keep in your fridge. I substitute ground turkey for beef in lots of recipes when I’m looking to lighten the calories. Some think it lacks flavor and they’re right. On its own ground turkey is pretty bland, but it’s perfect when adding spice to create a healthy and delicious meal.
I was looking around Just A Pinch for a bit of menu planning inspiration. These are a few ground turkey recipes that I think you should save to your recipe box.
“It took some experimenting, but I finally came up with a tasty, healthy way to replace sausage or bacon,” shares Roda Laser (Elwood, IN). “Just prepare ahead and microwave while you are getting ready for work.”
I really liked Roda’s Breakfast Patties. They are a terrific foundation recipe that can be easily peppered with different seasonings and flavors as your mood dictates. Ground turkey cuts back on the calories from pork. Roda also bumps up the health factor by including flaxseed. Flaxseed is packed with Omega-3 essential fatty acids that are supposed to support heart health.
Josee Lanzi (New Port Richey, FL) shared her Turkey & Potatoes Empanadas with Salsa Verde as a game day snack, but they’d be fantastic for a party or if you’re looking for something to munch on.
“I used what I had on hand for a snack that would be filling,” explains Josee. “Everyone loved them so I now always make these for game day.” The onion, cumin, and fennel mixed with the turkey add so much flavor to the stuffing. The crust is flaky. I really loved dipping these into the salsa verde. So yummy!
Packed with ground turkey, carrots, bacon, mushrooms and lots of seasoning, Taylor Simpkins’ (Grove City, OH) Kitchen Sink Soup is surprisingly flavorful.
“This is a very delicious healthy soup,” says Taylor. “I created this soup by looking into our fridge and finding lots of wonderful produce that I had no idea what to do with! The stars of this dish are the turkey and kale; the mushrooms add a great flavor as well.”
Kale and the mushrooms add a rich, earthy flavor. Bacon adds a bit of smoke and the carrots are sweet. The Creole seasoning gives the soup a slight kick. If you have leftovers, it’s even better the second day.
If someone says they aren’t a fan of turkey burgers, then they haven’t tried Lauren Perkins-Boyd’s (Portland, OR) Turkey Burgers with Rosemary “Aioli” – they’re fantastic!
“I say ‘aioli’ because it’s a fake out really, just store-bought mayo jazzed up a bit, for ease,” reveals Lauren. “You can use any herbs you like instead of rosemary if you wish like oregano, basil or parsley.”
Rosemary adds a woodsy flavor to the burger. I love the creaminess of the aioli. You taste the rosemary in the aioli, too, but it’s not overpowering. There’s a bit of zing from the vinegar. Topped with tomato, pickles, and onion, this is one tasty turkey burger.
Ashley Dawkins’ (Burrillville, RI) One-Pot Lasagna is quick and easy. Since you’re only dirtying one pot, it’s great to throw together on a busy night.
Cumin is an unusual spice, but it adds an earthy flavor and blends lovely with the other spices. The cream cheese makes the sauce super creamy. It’s so flavorful, I bet no one will even be able to tell this lasagna is made with ground turkey. Your whole crew is going to love this!
Next time you see ground turkey on sale at the grocery store, grab a few packages. It freezes wonderfully. Then, take out of the freezer when you want an easy, protein-packed meal. Happy Pinching!