You want to cook ground turkey but don’t know how to season it. Let’s look at two easy and tasty seasoning blends you can use for all your ground turkey needs. Plus, you probably already have all of these spices in your spice rack.
Ground turkey has risen in popularity as a leaner alternative to ground beef But getting the seasoning right can feel tricky When is the optimal time to add seasoning – before or after cooking ground turkey?
Below, I’ll share my tips on how and when to season ground turkey for the best, most flavorful results every time.
Why Seasoning Before Cooking is Usually Best
There are several good reasons to season raw ground turkey rather than waiting until after it’s cooked
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It distributes seasoning evenly throughout the meat, avoiding uneven flavor.
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Seasoning penetrates more deeply into the meat when added before cooking.
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Salting raw turkey helps retain moisture better during cooking for a juicier texture.
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Proper seasoning improves the texture by helping the proteins bind together.
So by seasoning ground turkey before cooking, you get meat that is more deeply flavored, tender and moist.
Tips for Flawless Seasoning
Follow these tips when seasoning raw ground turkey:
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Use kosher salt – it disperses better than regular table salt.
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Add plenty of freshly cracked black pepper.
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Incorporate spices like garlic powder, onion powder or paprika.
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Use measured amounts, not just eyeballed amounts, for consistency.
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Do a pre-cook taste test with a small patty.
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Handle the meat gently after adding seasonings to avoid toughening.
When to Avoid Pre-Seasoning
In some cases, holding off on seasoning until after cooking may be better:
Ground turkey taco seasoning
It’s time for taco night! Use this ground turkey taco seasoning. It’s surprisingly easy to make your own taco seasoning. You can also use it for nachos, burrito bowls, taco salads, or quesadillas. You can also use this spice mixture to taco-season any other meats, too.
- Garlic powder
- Onion powder
- Cumin
- Chili powder
- Paprika
- Salt
- Pepper
Ways to use ground turkey
- Add ground turkey to your favorite tomato, pesto, or Alfredo sauce and serve with whole grain pasta. Sprinkle Parmesan cheese on top.
- Ground turkey seasoned like taco meat is served in a salad with rice, black beans, salsa, avocado, cheese, sour cream, and tortilla chips.
- Ground turkey tacos: Top with sour cream, shredded lettuce, chopped tomato, and your favorite salsa. You can serve them on soft or hard shells.
- Ground turkey over couscous or bulgur, with feta cheese, cucumber, tomatoes, olives, and tzatziki sauce on top. This is called a Mediterranean Turkey Bowl.
- For quesadillas, put cooked ground turkey seasoned with taco seasoning, Mexican shredded cheese, and peppers and onions that have been sautéed between two tortillas. Cook in a pan until the cheese melts.
- Mixed greens, cucumbers, tomatoes, sliced red onion, cheddar cheese, and your favorite salad dressing are great things to put in a salad to get protein. You can also rebuild burger salad bowls with it as a source of protein.
- Ground turkey lettuce wraps: Put green onions, shredded carrots, and peanut sauce in lettuce wraps and serve them.
How to cook ground beef for maximum flavor | I bet you didn’t know this!
FAQ
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