Feb 21, 2024, Updated Oct 14, 2024
Quick, Easy Healthy Ground Turkey Recipes
Ground turkey is lean and tasty protein that is easy to work with and cooks quickly and without fuss. Check out some of my favorite succulent, delicious, healthy ground turkey recipes. From mild and kid-friendly to spiced and robust, this mid-week recipe round-up will give you tons of flavor directions. Most of them can be made in under an hour. Let’s go!
1. Tasty Ground Turkey Soup
My hearty ground turkey soup is busting with veggies, potatoes and butternut squash. This is the perfect winter warmer. This is one of my favorite healthy ground turkey recipes. It will be on the table in 30 minutes – perfect for a mid-week meal.
2. The BEST Air Fryer Turkey Burgers
Sink your teeth into these succulent ground turkey meat burgers. This Air Fryer turkey burger is healthy and juicy (or try my original ultimate Turkey Burger recipe for the stove or grill!). I’ve added panko crumbs to the ground turkey mixture, and the result is moist and light. It’s one of my favorite lowfat ground turkey recipes.
3. 20-Minute Lettuce Cups
These dainty lettuce cups from Cooking Classy are the perfect speedy appetizer or light lunch. They are deliciously flavored with soy sauce, hoisin, and sriracha. I love the addition of water chestnuts! You could also turn these into lettuce wraps – just as an idea!
4. Indian-style Meatballs
Check out this sassy recipe from 40 Aprons. The tender and gently spiced meatballs get steeped in a creamy sauce. This recipe is dairy and gluten-free and inspired by a butter chicken recipe.
5. Rice and Ground Turkey (In 30 Minutes)
Homemade Mastery brings us this satisfying and dead-easy rice and ground turkey dish. This recipe features lip-smacking spices and flavors like cumin, mint, and olives. This is another brilliant mid-week meal, especially if you cook and cool the rice the day before. You could even use this to fill tacos!
6. Turkey and Zucchini Skillet
Here’s a recipe from The Whole Cook: A one-pot healthy ground turkey skillet for busy weeknights. Who doesn’t love a one-skillet meal? I really like the turkey to veggie ratio in this recipe. It also uses really simple and cost-effective ingredients and flavors like onions, zucchini, bell peppers, garlic powder etc. Nothing fancy but totally yum. It’s one the lowfat ground turkey recipes I can’t wait to try.
7. Turkey Meatballs In Lemon-Butter Garlic Sauce
Eek, this recipe from Eat Well 101 is a dream. The homemade ground turkey meatballs are cheesy and herby. They get served up in a lemony-garlic butter sauce. Have them with a light salad and creamy mashed potatoes for the most delicious and easy meal.
8. Ground Turkey Korean Rice Bowls
What about this stylish recipe from Oleander and Palm? This easy turkey dish is light and bright. The turkey can be served with tons of crunchy and healthy sides. The post includes a spicy cucumber salad for extra sass.
9. Thai Turkey Meatballs
I’m loving this ground turkey meatball recipe from Foodie Crush. These baked meatballs get slathered in a rich Thai-style coconut sauce. You can dial the heat up or down with this one, as you like.
10. Ground Turkey and Sweet Potato Skillet
The Recipe Well delivers this awesome turkey and sweet potato skillet recipe. Another day, another AMAZING skillet recipe to add to your repertoire. I love that this quick and simple dinner recipe includes black beans. It can be made in 30 minutes – give it a try!
11. Ground Turkey + Black Bean Enchiladas
Diethood gives us this recipe for healthy and tasty ground turkey enchiladas. Looking for a healthy, tasty recipe for enchiladas? Swap classic ground beef with turkey, as with this easy-going recipe.
12. Peppers Stuffed with Ground Turkey
Grab this fun recipe for turkey-stuffed peppers from Recipe Rebel. Stuffed peppers and veggies are always so impressive. They are simple to make yet present as a full-effort meal. This is a great summer recipe to serve with a loaded salad.
13. Healthy Turkey Chili
Ambitious Kitchen shares their recipe for a healthy turkey chili. This recipe has all the winning ingredients – kidney beans and corn. It features avocado (of course) and is wonderful with cheese and fresh cilantro. Make this your new crowd pleaser!
14. Healthy Turkey Sloppy Joes
The Cooking Duo shares this (totally yummy) recipe for sloppy Joe. With this recipe, the American classic undergoes a healthy transformation. Loaded with all the saucy goodness you’d expect from a regular Sloppy Joe, you’ve got to try it.
15. Greek Turkey Rice Bowls
How fun is this recipe for Greek turkey rice bowls from Greens and Chocolate? I adore Greek flavors, gosh. This recipe over-delivers on yum – it has all the lemony, garlicky tastiness I crave from Greek food. This is another meal-prep dish to add to your rotation, filled with healthy protein and bright tomatoes. This is what lowfat turkey recipes should be, amirite?
16. Swedish Turkey Meatballs
Grab this recipe for Swedish meatball recipe from Platings and Pairings. This turkey meatball recipe in a creamy sauce is perfect spooned over mashed potatoes or steamed rice. Make it the night before and let the flavors meld…
17. Sticky Asian-glazed Turkey Meatballs
Modern Meal Makeover shares this sticky, sweet, and sour turkey recipe on their site. Still on the meatball trend – here is another beautiful way to make them. This recipe pairs sticky glazed turkey meatballs with fresh herbs and noodles.
18. Cheesy Ground Turkey Quesadillas
Download this easy and fun lunch recipe from Girl Heart Food. You can use this as a base recipe to add to or just as is. These are great for kids and can be prepared in advance. What a winner!
19. Garlic Butter Meatballs and Zucchini Noodles
Here’s another delicious recipe from Eat Well 101. I love that this gets served in one pan – and it’s made with zoodles! This is the perfect gluten-free diner to make in under 30 minutes.
20. Teriyaki Turkey
Sneak a bunch of veggies into your meal with this Teriyaki turkey recipe from Yellow Bliss Road. You can make it with ground turkey and serve it with steamed brown rice and fresh herbs. You could also turn these into lettuce cups!
21. Ground Turkey Veggie Bowls
Clean Healthy Meals is a site full of fresh and fun recipes, including this one! This is another healthy and wise gluten-free recipe to try. You can switch up the veggies and make it with cauliflower instead.
22. Ground Turkey Pizza
Eek, this ground turkey pizza recipe from Just Short of Crazy is SO good. This is a pretty easy recipe that is definitely a party-pleaser. Serve it with a happy summer salad, and you’ve got a balanced meal in front of you.
23. Ground Turkey Empanadas
Skinny Taste has the cutest turkey empanada recipe on their site. This recipe uses homemade pizza dough, lean ground turkey, and a handful of other basic ingredients.
24. Ground Turkey Flatbreads
I love these easy and tasty flatbreads from Whitney Bond. Honestly, this recipe is so simple, but they look incredibly pretty. Loaded with busty buffalo and blue cheese flavors; you’ve got to try them.
25. Turkey Puttanesca
The Reluctant Entertainer brings you this healthy Puttanesca recipe made with ground turkey. Olives, garlic, and tomatoes are the key ingredients in this dish. Serve it with lots of herbs and sliced bread.
26. Ground Turkey Tacos
Ground turkey tacos with a quick slaw from Sip and Sanity is a crowdpleaser of note. I love the tasty crema this recipe gets served with – they look really pretty, too.
27. Turkey Goulash
Make this turkey goulash recipe from Fake Ginger in 20 minutes or so. This turkey goulash recipe is light and cozy all at once. I love how quick it is and how much my kids love this recipe.
28. White Bean and Turkey Chili
Download this gorgeous recipe from Flavor of the Moments. Here’s a second turkey chili recipe for you to try. This one is loaded with white beans, which I love. This recipe has all the qualities of a slow-cooker turkey chili, except it gets made in less than an hour.
29. Turkey Spaghetti
Easy Healthy Recipes delivers this wonderful recipe for Turkey Spaghetti. This is a lighter version of the classic spaghetti recipe. It is a low-effort, high-pleasure meal. You can sneak veggies into this recipe, like spinach, zucchini, or carrots.
30. Turkey Pasta Bake
A classic recipe with a twist from Nourish and Fete. It’ll be on the table in under an hour, loaded with cheesy goodness. Serve it with a side salad and a light dressing.
31. Thai Turkey Coconut Curry
I love this colorful recipe for Thai Turkey Coconut Curry from Heart Bee Kitchen. The Thai flavors in this recipe burst, and it has a creamy yet light sauce. This is lovely to serve on a special occasion or just when you have friends around.
32. Curried Ground Turkey
Thank you, Simply Recipes, for this curried ground turkey recipe. It gets served up with potatoes and peas – so lovely and easy as a mid-week meal.
33. Ground Turkey Rigatoni
Kristine’s Kitchen Blog has this easy and totally delicious recipe for a ground turkey rigatoni. I mean – can anything be better? Serve it up with some extra veggies or your favorite salad. Enjoy any leftovers the next day.
34. Creamy Turkey Rigatoni
Honey Butter gives us this creamy, dreamy turkey rigatoni recipe. Sink your teeth into a bowl of this yummy rigatoni. I love how the arugula cuts through the creamy sauce.
35. Creamy Ground Turkey Pasta With Butternut And Spinach
This is one of the most veggie-loaded healthy ground turkey recipes of the bunch. A fun and family-friendly recipe from Julia’s Album that’s an easy-going meal. I love that the roasted butternut bulks up this pasta, adding extra fiber and color.
36. Ground Turkey Soup With Kale + Rice
Here’s another recipe from Yellow Bliss Road for you to try out. This 30-minute meal is brimming with goodness like kale, chicken broth, oregano, and ground turkey. It gets bulked up with rice so make a big pot and enjoy! Just skimming through? Here are some quick answers to the commonly-asked questions.
How healthy is ground turkey?
Ground turkey is generally healthy, especially if you choose a lean option. It’s lower in fat than many other meats, making it a good choice for a balanced diet.
How to season my ground turkey?
Season ground turkey with a mix of garlic powder, smoked paprika, cumin, salt, and pepper for a flavorful kick. I find ground turkey sweeter than ground chicken or other ground meats, so I like to include a bit of cayenne, too.
Is ground turkey better than ground beef for weight loss?
Yes, ground turkey is often better than ground beef for weight loss due to its lower fat and calorie content. It’s a leaner choice that can help manage calorie intake.
Is ground turkey healthier than chicken?
Ground turkey and chicken are both healthy options, each with its benefits. Turkey is slightly leaner, but chicken often provides a bit more protein.
Is it better to eat ground turkey or ground beef?
For those watching their fat intake, ground turkey is often a better choice than ground beef. It’s leaner, making it a healthier option for many people.
Can ground turkey replace ground beef in all recipes?
Yes, ground turkey can replace ground beef in most recipes. It’s particularly effective in dishes like chili, meatballs, and tacos, where spices and sauces add flavor.
How do I keep ground turkey from drying out when cooking?
To keep ground turkey from drying out when cooking, avoid overcooking it and consider adding a bit of olive oil or broth. Cooking it with moisture-rich ingredients also helps.
What are the best dishes to make with ground turkey?
Ground turkey shines in chili, meatballs, burgers, and tacos. Its mild flavor makes it a versatile ingredient in many recipes.
Does ground turkey need to be cooked differently than ground beef?
Ground turkey often requires slightly different cooking due to its lower fat content. It’s best cooked over medium heat to prevent drying out.
Is there a taste difference between ground turkey and ground beef?
Yes, there’s a taste difference. Ground turkey is milder and leaner, while ground beef is richer. Seasoning plays a key role in bridging taste gaps.
How long can I store ground turkey in the fridge?
According to the USDA, raw ground turkey should be used within 1-2 days of purchase. Cooked ground turkey can be stored in the fridge for up to 4 days. Next reading: Check out my 39+ best Healthy Ground Chicken Recipes + Ground Beef and Cabbage Recipes for even more lean protein inspiration!
