12 Delicious Non-Thanksgiving Turkey Recipes to Try

While turkey is a staple for many Thanksgiving dinners, there are so many other delicious ways to enjoy turkey year-round. From grilled turkey burgers to jerk turkey legs, these non-Thanksgiving turkey recipes will add variety to your dinner rotation.

Grilled Turkey Burgers

Burgers don’t have to be boring! Mix ground turkey with spices, herbs, and Asian flavors like ginger, sesame oil, soy sauce, and chili-garlic sauce. Form patties and grill to perfection. Top with creamy avocado and serve on brioche buns. The Thai-inspired turkey burgers are packed with so much more flavor than beef.

Jerk Turkey Legs

Transport your tastebuds to the Caribbean with jerk-spiced turkey legs. The wet jerk marinade features spices like allspice cloves, cinnamon nutmeg, garlic, and scotch bonnets for authentic heat. Roast or grill the legs until the skin gets crispy.

Thai Turkey Lettuce Wraps

For a lighter take on turkey, try ground turkey lettuce wraps. Sauté the turkey with classic Thai flavors like fish sauce, lime, cilantro, chili-garlic sauce, and lemongrass. Wrap in crisp lettuce leaves and top with peanuts and scallions. Fresh and delicious!

Turkey Meatballs

Homemade turkey meatballs are simple to make and so versatile. Mix ground turkey with breadcrumbs, egg, and Italian herbs and spices. Bake or pan fry until browned and cooked through. Serve them over zoodles, on sandwiches, or with your favorite pasta and sauce.

Turkey Chili

With less fat than beef, turkey makes a healthier, lighter chili Brown ground turkey with onions, garlic, and chili powder Simmer with beans, diced tomatoes, chicken broth, and beer. Top with avocado, cheese, and cilantro. It’s super bowl-worthy!

BBQ Turkey Sliders

Shredded BBQ turkey makes for amazing sliders, Rub turkey breasts with your favorite BBQ rub and roast until tender, Shred the meat and toss with BBQ sauce Pile high on Hawaiian slider buns with pickles and coleslaw Easy game day food!

Turkey Piccata

For an elegant dinner, try turkey piccata. Dredge turkey cutlets in flour then pan-fry. Make a lemony pan sauce with chicken broth, butter, capers, and white wine. Pour the bright, briny sauce over the turkey and serve with pasta or mashed potatoes.

Turkey Sausage Patties

DIY turkey sausage is a cinch. Mix ground turkey with fennel, sage, garlic, pepper and red wine vinegar. Form into patties and cook in a skillet until browned. Use them crumbled in recipes or serve as breakfast sausage with eggs and biscuits.

Turkey Pot Pie

Comfort food at its best! Sauté vegetables like carrots, peas and celery. Add cooked turkey, chicken broth, cream and herbs. Pour into a pie dish, top with biscuit dough and bake until golden. The ultimate cold weather dinner.

Turkey Carnitas

Traditionally made with pork, carnitas also work deliciously with turkey! Rub turkey thighs with spices and braise in orange juice until fall-apart tender. Shred the meat and pan fry until crispy. Pile high on tortillas and top with all the fixings for amazing tacos.

Thai Turkey Lettuce Cups

Whip up a lighter, healthier version of takeout with easy Thai turkey lettuce cups. Stir fry ground turkey in ginger, garlic, fish sauce and Thai basil. Spoon into lettuce leaves and top with peanuts, scallions and lime wedges. Refreshing and full of flavor!

Turkish Stuffed Peppers

Bake peppers stuffed with a savory turkey and rice filling called içli köfte in Turkish. Mix ground turkey with onion, spices like cumin and mint, and bulgur wheat. Stuff into halved bell peppers and bake until tender. Serve with creamy yogurt.

With endless possibilities like burgers, chili, BBQ and more, you can enjoy tasty turkey meals all year long. Break out of the Thanksgiving turkey rut and give these creative global recipes a try!

FAQ about Non-Thanksgiving Turkey Dishes

What can I make with leftover turkey besides sandwiches?

Get creative with leftovers! Shred and stir into pasta, soup, fried rice or tacos. Make turkey pot pie, casserole, soup, salad, dip, or turkey hash for breakfast. The possibilities are endless.

What goes good with turkey besides the usual Thanksgiving sides?

Think globally! Try turkey with Mexican flavors like avocado, peppers, beans, rice and salsa. Or Italian pasta, pesto and veggies. Middle Eastern stuffed peppers or Greek salad pita pockets also pair well with turkey.

How can I use turkey in place of beef or pork in recipes?

Turkey works great in many dishes that typically use other meats. Use ground turkey to make burgers, meatballs, chili, Bolognese sauce and more. Turkey cutlets can sub for pork in stir fries, kebabs and piccata. Get creative!

What’s an easy way to infuse more flavor into turkey?

It’s easy to make turkey tasty! Brine it overnight before cooking, or rub the turkey all over with bold spices, citrus and herbs. You can also place flavorful ingredients like fruit, garlic, and woody herbs under the skin before roasting.

Tips for Cooking Flavorful Turkey

• Brine turkey in saltwater overnight to infuse moisture and flavor
• Coat turkey in spice rubs, citrus zest, fresh herbs before cooking
• Stuff aromatics like lemon, garlic, onions inside the cavity
• Roast turkey over root vegetables to get delicious pan juices
• Grill turkey over wood chips or plank for smoky flavor
• Fry turkey for crispy, juicy meat with lots of seasoning
• Cook turkey thighs and legs for more fat/flavor than breast
• Use flavor bases like broth, wine, soy sauce in ground turkey
• Add robust spices and herbs like garlic, chili, cumin, and basil
• Finish with tangy glazes, chimichurri or flavorful sauces

With a few easy tricks, you can transform mild turkey into a mouthwatering centerpiece for meals all year long. Think beyond the basics and incorporate global flavors into non-Thanksgiving turkey entrees, sandwiches, salads and more!

Top 10 Non-Thanksgiving Turkey Recipes

Here are some of the most delicious and creative recipes for enjoying turkey outside of the typical Thanksgiving feast:

1. BBQ Turkey Sliders – Shredded turkey mixed with sticky sweet BBQ sauce piles high on mini buns.

2. Buffalo Turkey Lettuce Wraps – Shredded turkey tossed in Buffalo hot sauce and served in cool, crisp lettuce cups.

3. Turkey Pot Pie – Comfort food classic with turkey, veggies and creamy sauce baked under a flaky crust.

4. Thai Turkey Burgers – Flavorful turkey patties with ginger, lemongrass and a peanut dipping sauce.

5. Turkey Meatloaf – Ground turkey mixed with onions, herbs and ketchup glaze, then baked into a family-friendly meatloaf.

6. Turkey Chili – Spicy chili with bold Tex-Mex flavors from chili powder, cumin and hot sauce.

7. Turkey Carnitas Tacos – Braised and crispy shredded turkey tacos with lime and avocado.

8. Jerk Turkey Kebabs – Turkey seasoned with Jamaican jerk spices and grilled on skewers.

9. Turkey Sausage Patties – DIY breakfast sausage with apple, sage and other bold seasoning.

10. Greek Turkey Gyros – Thin turkey slices piled high with tzatziki, feta, tomatoes and more.

With endless flavor possibilities, turkey can be so much more than a big roasted bird on Thanksgiving. Try these creative recipes to enjoy turkey in delicious new ways all year long. What non-traditional turkey dish will you cook up next?

Top Budget-Friendly Turkey Dishes

With the price of groceries soaring, affordable meals are more important than ever. Luckily, turkey is a versatile and often economical option. Here are some of the top budget-friendly turkey recipes:

Ground Turkey Tacos

Seasoned ground turkey sautéed with onions and peppers, then loaded into soft corn tortillas with your favorite taco toppings.

Turkey & Black Bean Chili

Hearty chili made with budget-friendly veggies like canned tomatoes, onions, celery, beans and shredded turkey.

Turkey Sausage Pasta

Pan-fried homemade turkey sausage crumbles tossed with pasta, olive oil, Parmesan and spinach for a fast weeknight dinner.

Turkey Banh Mi

Crispy turkey slices on crusty baguette with quick pickled carrots, cucumber, cilantro and sriracha mayo.

Turkey & Quinoa Stuffed Peppers

Bell peppers stuffed with tomato-sauced quinoa, ground turkey, onions, garlic and Parmesan cheese then bake