You’re in luck if you want to know how to cook ground turkey that tastes good! This recipe will help you make healthy, tasty ground turkey meat in just 15 minutes. That way, you can have your weeknight meal ready in no time. You can cook ground turkey as taco meat, a topping for salads, chilli, gyro bowls, and more!.
Ground turkey can be a lean, protein-packed substitute for recipes calling for ground beef. However, with less fat content, extra care must be taken when cooking ground turkey to prevent it from drying out. Follow these tips to learn how to cook moist, delicious ground turkey every time.
Choosing the Right Ground Turkey
Not all ground turkey is created equal, Pay attention to the fat percentage when purchasing Ground turkey labeled “80/20” contains 80% lean turkey meat and 20% fat, This has enough fat to keep the turkey moist during cooking
Ground turkey breast contains only white meat so it is very lean with only 1-2% fat. While lower in calories, ground turkey breast dries out more easily. If using breast meat utilize the tips below to retain moisture.
For basic recipes, 80/20 ground turkey provides the best texture and flavor. Turkey breast works well for dishes where you’ll add sauce or mix in lots of vegetables
Cook Turkey Thoroughly to Proper Temperature
Safely cooking ground turkey to an internal temperature of 165°F kills any potentially harmful bacteria. Investing in a meat thermometer helps eliminate guessing.
Don’t rely on turkey’s color alone to gauge doneness. Cook until it reaches the proper temp, even if the inside no longer looks pink.
Start with a Very Hot Pan or Skillet
Use a heavy skillet or pan and heat your choice of oil over high heat until very hot. Common options are olive, avocado or canola oil. Butter can also provide rich flavor.
The hot pan helps the turkey begin browning quickly before releasing juices. This caramelization adds lots of flavor.
Don’t Overcrowd the Pan
Cook ground turkey in batches if needed to avoid overcrowding. Too much turkey steams rather than sears, resulting in dry, mushy meat.
Give the turkey room to brown properly. Use a spoon to break up large clumps as it cooks.
Leave Turkey Undisturbed at First
Initially letting the turkey sit untouched allows the bottom to crisp and brown. Avoid stirring or breaking it up during the first 3-5 minutes.
Once nicely browned, use a spoon to break turkey into smaller crumbles. Continue cooking until fully cooked through.
Add Mushrooms for Moisture
An easy trick – stir in some minced mushrooms about halfway through cooking. They add moisture and great umami flavor.
Aim for about 8 oz. of mushrooms for 1 lb. of ground turkey. Cremini or white buttons work well.
Mix in Flavorful Ingredients
Incorporate various seasonings, herbs, onions, garlic and more into your ground turkey. Saute chopped aromatics right in the pan.
Get creative with spices like cumin, chili powder or jerk seasoning. Fresh herbs are also fantastic.
Use Small Amounts of Liquid
For extra insurance against dry turkey, sprinkle with a touch of broth, wine or water during cooking. Too much liquid will cause boiling though.
Two to three tablespoons at most for one pound of meat should suffice. Let it evaporate and absorb.
Keep an Eye on Temperature
If concerned about dryness, use an instant-read thermometer periodically to monitor temperature. This prevents overcooking.
Remove from heat shortly before reaching 165° since temperature will continue rising off the burner.
Allow Turkey to Rest After Cooking
As with all meats, let ground turkey rest for 5-10 minutes post cooking. This allows juices to reabsorb back into the meat.
Slice into cooking turkey too soon results in dryness from the escaping juices. A little patience pays off.
Add Some Fat After Cooking
Stir a spoonful or two of olive oil, butter or cream into cooked ground turkey to make it extra moist.
The small amount of added fat won’t hugely impact overall nutrition but makes a difference in taste and texture.
Utilize Ground Turkey’s Versatility
Get creative with ways to use your perfectly cooked ground turkey. It shines in chili, tacos, pasta sauce, burgers, meatballs and so much more.
Cook a big batch and freeze extras in recipe-sized portions. Thaw as needed for effortless meals.
With a bit of technique, you can achieve fantastic results cooking with lean ground turkey. Follow these easy tips for moist, flavorful meat every time.
What are your favorite recipes using ground turkey? Share how you like to prepare it for easy weeknight dinners!
How to make ground turkey the best
- Use rapeseed or canola oil to coat a large nonstick frying pan and heat it over high heat.
- Put the ground turkey in the pan and use a spatula to break it up into small pieces.
3. Leave to brown on a high heat for five minutes. Season with salt and pepper ( 3).
4. After this time, the ground turkey should have taken on some nice colour. Break apart properly now with your spatula and stir ( 4).
5. Once you’ve reached the third minute mark, add the seasoning and another large pinch of salt to the pan. Reduce the heat to medium now and continue to cook for a further 2 minutes ( 5).
6. Serve up with a crack of black pepper and enjoy! ( 6).
Tips for the best results
Using a stainless steel pan over high heat to brown the food will work best because of how well the heat spreads over stainless steel.
Season the turkey with the spices you like. This is the most important step in making ground turkey taste good. Be sure to use spices/seasonings that you enjoy. If you like a bold flavor, add more seasonings and vice versa.
Get a good brand of ground turkey. Since ground turkey is the main ingredient, I suggest getting a good turkey brand. You’ll notice a difference in flavour when using lower-quality meat versus higher quality.
Now that you know how to cook ground turkey, you may be wondering what to use turkey for. You can use ground turkey to make soup, chili, tacos, stir-fry, pasta meat sauce, egg rolls in a bowl, meatloaf, burgers, or meatballs. Essentially, you can use ground turkey anywhere you would normally use other types of ground meat.
Serve with my delicious : Mexican Street Corn Off the Cob
How To Cook Ground Turkey
FAQ
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