Ground turkey is a versatile and healthy meat that can be used in a variety of delicious crockpot recipes. Crockpots are a convenient way to cook because you can prep the ingredients in the morning and let them simmer all day while you’re at work or running errands. The long, slow cooking process tenderizes the turkey and allows the flavors to meld together.

There are many reasons to cook with ground turkey instead of beef or other meats. Turkey is lower in fat and calories compared to beef making it a healthier choice. It also has less saturated fat than chicken or pork. Ground turkey provides a good source of protein B vitamins, zinc, and other important nutrients. It’s budget-friendly as well, costing less than ground beef.

If you’re looking for new ways to use ground turkey, check out these tasty crockpot recipes:

Turkey Chili

Chili is a classic crockpot meal that comes together easily with ground turkey. Sauté the turkey with onions and garlic then combine in the slow cooker with beans tomatoes, chili powder, cumin, and other spices. Top with shredded cheddar, avocado, or sour cream. The long cooking time allows the flavors to develop fully. Turkey chili makes a hearty weeknight dinner or game day food.

White Chicken Chili

For a fun twist on traditional chili, try this white turkey chili. Along with the ground turkey, it has white beans, chicken broth, onions, garlic, and green chiles for flavor. Top it off with Monterey jack cheese and cilantro. The creamy texture from the beans makes this chili rich and comforting.

Sloppy Joes

Messy but delicious sloppy joes are easy to make in the crockpot. Brown the ground turkey with onions, green peppers, and seasonings. Then add ketchup, mustard, brown sugar, and other sloppy joe ingredients. Serve spooned on hamburger buns. The flavor develops more over the long cooking time.

Tacos

Your next taco night can be prepped in the crockpot instead of slaving over the stove. Cook onions, garlic, ground turkey, taco seasoning, and tomatoes in the slow cooker. Then serve the taco meat in tortillas or taco shells with all your favorite toppings. The hands-off cooking makes this an easy meal.

Enchilada Casserole

All the flavors of enchiladas come together in this hearty casserole. Layer tortillas, enchilada sauce, beans, ground turkey, cheese, etc. in a crockpot and cook on low for 4-6 hours. The result is a Mexican-inspired dish packed with protein, fiber, and nutrients.

Meatballs

Tender, juicy meatballs can be made to perfection in the crockpot. Combine ground turkey with breadcrumbs, egg, Parmesan, herbs and roll into balls. Cook in your favorite sauce like marinara, barbecue, or sweet and sour. Meatballs are awesome in subs, over pasta, or eaten as appetizers.

Stuffed Peppers

Peppers stuffed with flavorful ground turkey make an easy, healthy dinner. Fill bell peppers with turkey, rice, tomatoes, spinach, cheese and whatever else you enjoy. Arrange the stuffed peppers in your slow cooker and cook until tender. Stuffing the peppers ahead of time makes this meal simple.

Lasagna

Yes, you can make lasagna in the crockpot! Layer lasagna noodles, ground turkey Bolognese sauce, ricotta, mozzarella and Parmesan. The noodles soften perfectly as it cooks. Making lasagna in the slow cooker saves you time and avoids a messy stove and oven.

Meatloaf

Crockpot meatloaf turns out moist and delicious every time. Mix together ground turkey, breadcrumbs, ketchup, egg, and any vegetables or seasonings. Shape into a loaf and place in the crockpot on top of sliced potatoes or onions. Cook for 6-8 hours until the meatloaf is cooked through and tender.

Lettuce Wraps

For a lighter take on ground turkey, cook it in the slow cooker with Asian flavors like ginger, garlic, soy sauce, sesame oil and red pepper flakes. Serve the mixture in crispy lettuce wraps along with shredded carrots, avocado, and other toppings. It’s a fresh, flavorful way to enjoy ground turkey.

Ziti or Baked Pasta

Your family will love this easy baked ziti or pasta dish. Cook ground turkey in the crockpot with your favorite marinara or Bolognese sauce. Stir in cooked ziti or pasta and top with mozzarella. As it cooks, the pasta soaks up the yummy flavors. Serve it with Parmesan and a leafy green salad.

Soup

Ground turkey mixes well into many different soups. Try it in minestrone, vegetable, tortellini, tomato basil, or other favorite soup recipes. The turkey adds protein and heartiness. Soups are a great way to use up leftover cooked ground turkey too. Just toss it in during the last 30 minutes of cooking.

Tips for Cooking Ground Turkey in the Crockpot

• Choose 93% lean or 99% lean ground turkey for the healthiest results. Fattier ground turkey can cause excess grease in the slow cooker.

• If needed, brown the ground turkey on the stovetop before adding to the crockpot. This helps remove excess fat and adds deeper flavor.

• Cut vegetables and other ingredients into small, uniform pieces so everything cooks at the same rate.

• Add tender vegetables like mushrooms, spinach, diced tomato during the last 30 minutes so they don’t overcook.

• Use a quick release or vent the lid at the end rather than slow release. This prevents overcooking.

• Shred or break up larger pieces of cooked turkey before serving so it’s not dry or chewy.

• Add liquid like broth or water if needed. Ground turkey can dry out without enough moisture.

Health Benefits of Ground Turkey

There are many health advantages to choosing ground turkey over other ground meats:

• It’s significantly lower in calories and fat compared to ground beef. Replacing beef with turkey can aid weight loss.

• Ground turkey contains less saturated fat, which improves heart health. Too much saturated fat raises cholesterol levels.

• You’ll get plenty of lean, low-fat protein from ground turkey to help build muscle and keep you full.

• It provides important nutrients like iron, zinc, potassium, phosphorus, selenium and B vitamins.

• Turkey contains tryptophan, which helps regulate sleep and mood.

• Preparing turkey instead of beef a few times per week can make a big impact on your overall nutrition and health goals.

Conclusion

Ground turkey cooked in the crockpot results in flavorful, healthy meals the whole family will love. It’s budget-friendly and easy to incorporate into many classic comfort foods like chili, sloppy joes, pasta dishes, soups, and more. Experiment with different herbs, spices, vegetables and sauces to keep your recipes exciting. Ground turkey is a nutritious and satisfying alternative to beef that works perfectly with the hands-off convenience of the crockpot.