10 Deliciously Easy Ground Turkey Recipes to Try Tonight

Ground turkey is one of my favorite ingredients to cook with. It’s so versatile, packed with protein, and relatively inexpensive compared to other types of ground meat. After scouring the web, testing recipes, and cooking with ground turkey for years, I’ve discovered some truly amazing and easy ground turkey recipes that have become regulars in my meal plan rotation.

In this article, I’ll share 10 of my tried-and-true favorite easy ground turkey recipes that you can make for dinner tonight. These recipes require minimal ingredients and take 30 minutes or less to prepare – perfect for busy weeknights!

Why Choose Ground Turkey?

Here are some of the biggest benefits of cooking with ground turkey:

• It’s lower in fat and calories compared to beef or pork. Ground turkey is usually 85-99% lean.

• High in protein – just one 4 oz serving provides 25g protein This makes it great for building and maintaining muscle,

• More budget-friendly than other ground meats like beef.

• Versatile – works great in recipes from tacos to burgers, pasta sauce, chili, meatballs, and more

• Mild in flavor so it takes on the flavors of whatever spices and ingredients you pair it with.

10 Quick and Easy Ground Turkey Recipes

1. Taco Turkey Lettuce Wraps

This recipe transforms ground turkey into deliciously seasoned taco meat that gets wrapped up in crisp lettuce leaves for a fun and fresh take on tacos. It comes together in just 20 minutes with pantry staple ingredients like taco seasoning, salsa, cheese, etc.

2. Easy Turkey Chili

Chili is one of my favorite meals because it’s so hearty and comforting. Made with ground turkey, this lighter version is packed with fiber, protein, and flavor. It comes together quickly with the help of canned beans and Rotel tomatoes. Top with shredded cheese, sour cream, and tortilla chips.

3. Simple Turkey Meatballs

These baked turkey meatballs are perfect to make ahead for quick meals or to take to a potluck. They have Italian seasoning, cheese, and breadcrumbs mixed right into the meat for lots of flavor. Serve them in subs or over pasta with marinara sauce.

4. Southwest Turkey Lettuce Cups

Similar to the taco turkey wraps but with a fun Southwest twist. The ground turkey gets seasoned with chili powder, cumin, and other spices. Load it up into lettuce cups along with beans, corn, avocado, salsa, and more for a fresh and healthy dinner.

5. Turkey Broccoli Alfredo Zoodles

Take your typical pasta Alfredo to the next level by swapping the heavy pasta for nutrient-packed zucchini noodles and using lean ground turkey instead of sausage. It makes for a lighter but still creamy and delicious meal the whole family will love.

6. Greek Turkey Burgers

Burgers are a family favorite, and these Greek-inspired turkey burgers are going to be on repeat in your house. They’re incredibly flavorful with herbs, feta cheese crumbles, and a yogurt-dill sauce. Serve in a lettuce wrap or bun.

7. Turkey Bolognese with Zucchini Noodles

My lighter take on classic Bolognese sauce uses lean ground turkey and packs a ton of veggies in with the zucchini noodles. It comes together quickly but is so satisfying. Top with Parmesan cheese and fresh basil.

8. Turkey Meatball Subs

Instead of heavy deli meat, try these homemade turkey meatballs piled high on a sub roll for your next sandwich night. They’re seasoned with Italian herbs and baked until perfectly tender. Add marinara sauce and melted mozzarella to take them over the top.

9. Cheesy Turkey and Broccoli Pasta

A simple skillet meal that has ground turkey, broccoli, and pasta all cooked together then finished off with creamy Havarti cheese. It’s ready in 25 minutes flat and makes for great leftovers too.

10. Buffalo Turkey Lettuce Wraps

For a fun game day appetizer or light dinner, try these Buffalo turkey wraps. The ground turkey gets mixed with hot sauce, ranch seasoning, and cheese to make it ultra flavorful. Stuff into lettuce cups and serve with extra ranch dressing for dipping.

Tips for Cooking with Ground Turkey

From my experience cooking with ground turkey on a regular basis, here are some tips to ensure it turns out juicy and flavorful every time:

• Buy the right fat percentage – I recommend sticking with 85-94% lean ground turkey so it doesn’t dry out during cooking. 99% can get too dry and crumbly.

• Season well – Ground turkey needs extra seasoning and spices since it has a mild flavor. Don’t be afraid to generously season with salt, pepper, garlic powder, etc.

• Avoid overcooking – Cook just until no longer pink in the middle or an instant read thermometer registers 165°F. Overcooking makes it dry.

• Add fat – Mixing in a tablespoon or two of olive oil or butter can help keep ground turkey moist as it cooks.

• Keep it chunky – When browning ground turkey, keep the meat in larger chunks rather than crumbling into very fine pieces to retain moisture.

More Satisfying Ground Turkey Meals

Some other favorite ground turkey meals include cauliflower turkey fried rice, stuffed peppers or zucchini boats, skillet enchiladas, egg roll in a bowl, and so many more. The options are endless.