This ground turkey taco skillet has so much going for it! It’s incredibly tasty – we’ve got classic taco flavors, a healthy dose of cheese, and even a few veggies thrown in there. It’s a 15-minute meal, making this easy taco skillet dinner a great option for busy weeknights. AND! It is a nutritious meal that is a great source of protein, fiber, and veggies.
You can read more about my nutrition philosophy here, but to sum it up – I love adding nutrition INTO meals, but it has to be in a delicious way. This meal does just that with a hefty dose of protein, fiber, and vegetables – all in a delicious, cheesy way. If you find yourself with any leftovers, stuff them into crispy baked quesadillas for a delicious meal with a double dose of cheese.
Ground turkey breast is a versatile and healthy lean protein that can be used in a variety of delicious dishes. It cooks quickly making it an ideal choice for busy weeknight meals. The mild flavor of ground turkey breast also allows it to easily take on the flavors of whatever sauce or seasoning you pair it with.
In this article, I’ll share 18 of my favorite healthy and tasty recipes made with ground turkey breast. These recipes range from classic comfort foods like meatballs, chili, and stuffed peppers to more creative dishes like lettuce wraps, zoodles, and burgers. Many of the recipes contain 300 calories or less per serving, making them waistline-friendly as well.
I tested all of these recipes in my own kitchen and can personally vouch for how delicious they are! Keep reading for lots of weekday dinner inspiration using ground turkey breast.
Why Choose Ground Turkey Breast?
There are a few key benefits that make ground turkey breast a smart choice compared to other ground meats
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It’s lean – Ground turkey breast is 99% fat free, while standard ground turkey can contain up to 20% fat. Going with the breast meat eliminates a lot of unwanted saturated fat and calories.
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It’s versatile – Ground turkey breast works well in place of recipes that call for ground beef or ground chicken. The mild flavor lets the seasonings and sauces shine
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It cooks quickly – Ground turkey breast cooks fast in a skillet, making it ideal for speedy weeknight meals on busy nights.
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It’s budget-friendly – Buying turkey in bulk when it’s on sale and freezing ground turkey breast in 1 pound packages helps keep costs low compared to other ground meats.
Tips for Cooking with Ground Turkey Breast
To get the best results when cooking with ground turkey breast, keep these tips in mind:
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Don’t overcook it – Ground turkey breast dries out easily. Cook just until no longer pink and juices run clear.
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Add some fat – The extra lean meat benefits from a small amount of oil or butter when cooking to prevent sticking.
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Season well – Ground turkey breast needs added flavor. Use spices, herbs, sauces and marinades liberally.
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Use a meat thermometer – This guarantees the turkey reaches a safe internal temperature of 165°F without overcooking.
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Chill thoroughly before cooking – Formed patties and meatballs hold together better when the ground meat is cold.
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Mix with bold ingredients – Pair ground turkey breast with strongly flavored ingredients like chili paste, bbq sauce or blue cheese.
Now let’s get to the recipes! Here are 18 of my favorite healthy ground turkey breast recipes to add to your regular dinner rotation:
1. Italian Turkey Meatballs
These turkey meatballs are seasoned with traditional Italian herbs and parmesan cheese. They have a tender texture from mixing the ground turkey with breadcrumbs and egg. Simmer the cooked meatballs in pasta sauce for a fast, family-friendly meal.
Get the recipe: Italian Turkey Meatballs
2. Turkey Taco Stuffed Peppers
Enjoy all of your favorite Tex-Mex flavors baked into a pepper. These turkey-stuffed peppers are filled with seasoned ground turkey, black beans, corn, and cheese. They make a fun (and healthy) family dinner.
Get the recipe: Turkey Taco Stuffed Peppers
3. Cheesy Turkey and Broccoli Pasta
Comfort food doesn’t get much easier than this 4-ingredient turkey pasta skillet. Quick-cooking turkey breast, broccoli and mozzarella get tossed with pasta and seasonings for a fast 500 calorie dinner.
Get the recipe: Cheesy Turkey and Broccoli Pasta
4. Turkey Larb Lettuce Wraps
Skip the takeout and make your own quick and healthy larb at home. Ground turkey stands in for ground pork or chicken and gets flavored with lime, chili and fresh herbs. Serve in crunchy lettuce cups for portion control.
Get the recipe: Turkey Larb Lettuce Wraps
5. Buffalo Turkey Meatballs
Give boring turkey meatballs an upgrade with the addictive flavors of Buffalo chicken wings – hot sauce, blue cheese and ranch dressing. These game day appetizers will be a touchdown with any sports fan.
Get the recipe: Buffalo Turkey Meatballs
6. Turkey Banh Mi Lettuce Wraps
Experience the tastes of a Vietnamese banh mi sandwich using lettuce leaves instead of bread. Quick-cooking ground turkey breast stands in for traditional pork. Topped with Quick Pickled Carrots and Daikon, cilantro and Sriracha mayo.
Get the recipe: Turkey Banh Mi Lettuce Wraps
7. Easy Sloppy Joes
Made with lean ground turkey instead of greasy beef, these slimmed down sloppy joes deserve a permanent spot in your dinner rotation. Sweet, tangy and utterly delicious!
Get the recipe: [Easy Sloppy Joes](https://www. crusoevaquero.com/sloppy-joes/)
8. Lighter Turkey Alfredo Zoodles
Cut the carbs but keep the flavor in this skinny turkey Alfredo recipe. Quick-cooking zucchini noodles stand in for heavy pasta while protein-packed ground turkey breast replaces fatty ground beef.
Get the recipe: Lighter Turkey Alfredo Zoodles
9. Cajun Turkey Burgers
Burgers don’t have to be boring. These Cajun turkey burgers are seasoned with the flavors of New Orleans – garlic powder, paprika, thyme, cayenne and oregano. The creamy avocado salsa verde takes them over the top.
Get the recipe: Cajun Turkey Burgers
10. BBQ Turkey Shepherd’s Pie
Shepherd’s pie gets a healthier, more American makeover in this fun recipe. Ground turkey is combined with barbecue sauce, corn and mashed cauliflower instead of potatoes for the topping.
Get the recipe: BBQ Turkey Shepherd’s Pie
11. Turkey Kale Sweet Potato Skillet
This one-pan meal has everything – lean turkey breast, vitamin-packed kale, fiber-rich sweet potatoes, zesty salsa and melty cheese. Enjoy this easy 400 calorie skillet any night of the week.
Get the recipe: Turkey Kale Sweet Potato Skillet
12. Thai Turkey Burgers with Peanut Sauce
Wow your family with these fun, globally-inspired turkey burgers. They’re infused with the flavors of Thailand – ginger, lime, cilantro and red curry paste. Topped with an addictive sweet and creamy peanut sauce.
Get the recipe: Thai Turkey Burgers with Peanut Sauce
13. Turkey Sausage Pasta
Lean turkey sausage adds tons of savory flavor to this speedy pasta dish while keeping it light. With just 500 calories per serving, you can indulge in this comforting weeknight dinner guilt-free.
Get the recipe: Turkey Sausage Pasta
14. Spicy Turkey Lettuce Wraps
Recreate the fresh flavors of your favorite Asian lettuce wraps at home with this easy ground turkey recipe. It comes together quickly and packs a flavor punch from chili garlic sauce. Cooling lettuce leaves make the perfect low carb vessel.
Get the recipe: Spicy Turkey Lettuce Wraps
15. Turkey-Vegetable Stir Fry
Skip the carbs but keep the flavor with this quick turkey stir fry. Strips of ground turkey breast get tossed with fresh vegetables like broccoli, bell peppers,
Can you freeze this skillet taco recipe?
You can freeze leftovers in an airtight container for 1-2 months.
How to prep ahead
- Cut up onions and peppers that will be cooked
- Or cook the mixture up until adding the cheese, then you can simply reheat and stir in cheese
My favorite ground turkey bowls #mealprep #fruitbowls #mealprepsunday #fitness
FAQ
What can I use ground turkey breast for?
Ground turkey is one of those ingredients we always keep on hand. It cooks up quickly and is versatile enough to use in burgers, chili, meatloaf and more—which means a great, homemade meal is never out of reach.
Is ground turkey breast healthier than ground beef?
Ground turkey is healthier than ground beef. It contains less saturated fat, calories, and cholesterol than lean ground beef. Be sure to check the packaging though, some turkey is made with dark meat, which tends to have more fat in it than ground turkey breast.
How to jazz up ground turkey?
- Aromatics: Always add chopped onions, garlic, and peppers to your ground turkey for a base flavor.
- Herbs and Spices: Experiment with different combinations like chili powder, cumin, coriander, paprika, oregano, thyme, and rosemary depending on the dish you’re making.
- Acidic elements: A squeeze of lemon or lime juice, or a splash of vinegar can brighten the flavor.
- Moisture Boosters: Adding chopped mushrooms or zucchini can help keep the turkey moist.
- Sauces: A little Worcestershire sauce or soy sauce can add depth of flavor.
Why add eggs to ground turkey?
Add a spoonful of mayonnaise.
A spoonful or two of mayonnaise, mixed right in with the ground meat. Now hear me out. Most recipes use egg to bind ground turkey, helping the meat to form into cohesive, juicy patties.