Turkey meatloaf is a favorite in our house! This healthy ground turkey meatloaf recipe is a staple in my home! Easy and delicious.
Ground turkey is a smart choice for healthy, family-friendly dinners. It’s lower in fat than ground beef and just as versatile in recipes. At Skinnytaste, ground turkey stars in many delicious, skinny recipes perfect for meal prep and busy weeknights. Keep reading for my favorite easy ground turkey meals from Skinnytaste.
Why Cook with Ground Turkey
Ground turkey is budget-friendly and packed with lean protein. Here’s why it’s a nutrition all-star:
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Lower in fat and calories: Ground turkey breast is leaner than ground beef with less saturated fat. This keeps calories in check.
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High in protein: A 3-ounce serving provides 25 grams of satisfying protein for muscle recovery and strength.
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Provides iron and zinc Ground turkey contains minerals that support immunity and energy levels
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Versatile ingredient: Ground turkey works great in chili, pasta sauce, burgers, meatballs, and more.
With smart seasoning, you can make flavorful, juicy ground turkey meals the whole family will love
Skinny Ground Turkey Recipes
Here are my top skinny ground turkey recipes perfect for meal prepping or quick dinners:
Ground Turkey Skillet
This one-pan turkey skillet with zucchini, corn, and black beans cooks in just 25 minutes. It’s like a healthier, simplified take on stuffed peppers.
- Prep time: 10 minutes
- Cook time: 15 minutes
- WW points: 7 points
This easy turkey and veggie skillet is endlessly customizable. Serve it over cauliflower rice for a low-carb option or add brown rice or quinoa to bulk it up.
Turkey Picadillo
Picadillo is a flavorful Latin American dish typically made with ground beef. This lighter turkey version is just as delicious.
- Prep time: 10 minutes
- Cook time: 20 minutes
- WW Points: 6 points
Inspired by Cuban cuisine, this picadillo gets its big flavor from garlic, cumin, oregano and tomatoes. Kidney beans and green olives add nutrition, color and texture. Serve it stuffed in peppers, over cauli rice or with chips for scooping.
Turkey Meatballs
These baked turkey meatballs are protein-packed and delicious. A touch of Parmesan and parsley adds tons of flavor.
- Prep time: 10 minutes
- Cook time: 20 minutes
- WW Points: 5 points for 4 meatballs
Make a batch on a Sunday to use all week for easy meals. These turkey meatballs work great in subs, over zucchini noodles or in a hearty marinara sauce with melted mozzarella.
Turkey-Stuffed Peppers
With protein-rich turkey, nutty brown rice, sharp cheddar and a tangy yogurt sauce, these stuffed peppers make a balanced meal.
- Prep time: 15 minutes
- Cook time: 35 minutes
- WW Points: 7 points per pepper
Roasted peppers stuffed with spiced ground turkey and brown rice make a satisfying, protein-packed dinner. These are also great for meal prepping.
Easy Turkey Chorizo
By blending ground turkey with smoky spices, you can make an easy, lean alternative to pork chorizo sausage.
- Prep time: 5 minutes
- Cook time: 5 minutes
- WW Points: The chorizo is 0 points. Calculate the points based on how you use it in recipes.
Use this turkey chorizo just like regular sausage in tacos, burrito bowls, eggs, soups or skillet meals. The flavor profile is spot on but with a lean nutrition profile.
More Helpful Tips for Cooking Ground Turkey
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Mix in flavor: Ground turkey tastes best when seasoned boldly. Add garlic, chili powder, paprika, herbs and spices.
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Don’t overcook: Cook just until no longer pink to prevent dryness. 165°F is the safe internal temperature.
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Use thigh meat: Ground turkey thigh has more fat, which keeps it juicier as it cooks.
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Make chili crisp: Crisping ground turkey in a skillet before simmering boosts flavor.
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Keep it moist: Adding veggies, tomatoes or broth as it cooks prevents dry turkey.
With creative seasoning and healthy prep methods, ground turkey makes for delicious, protein-packed meals the whole family will devour. Try out some of these top-rated skinny ground turkey recipes from Skinnytaste!
Turkey Meatloaf
My family loves turkey meatloaf so much, I have created so many meatloaf recipes on my site. If you like meatloaf as much as I do, you might also enjoy this Cheese Stuffed Turkey Meatloaf or this Bacon Topped BBQ Turkey Meatloaf. Serve it with garlic mashed potatoes or loaded cauliflower mash and a vegetable on the side and dinner is done!
What temperature should meatloaf be cooked to?
Meatloaf is best baked at 350 degrees F in a conventional oven, although I have also increased the temp to 400 degrees F to cook faster. You will know it’s ready when it’s cooked to an internal temperature of 160 degrees F. using an instant read thermometer.
Ground Turkey Skillet with Zucchini, Corn, Black Beans and Tomato
What are some easy ground turkey recipes?
From turkey meatloaf and turkey meatballs to ground turkey tacos and turkey burgers, these easy recipes are full of flavor. Add them to your weekly menu for hearty, protein-packed meals to fuel your day. Looking for some quick inspiration? These ground turkey recipes are the most popular ones on my site right now. Readers can’t stop making them!
What are the health benefits of ground turkey?
Ground turkey has multiple benefits. It is a good source of minerals, and B vitamins, rich in proteins, low in fat and it is lower in calories than common turkey.
Can you use ground turkey instead of beef?
Using ground turkey instead of beef makes it much leaner, and it’s packed with veggies like cauliflower, potatoes, onions, corn, and peas. Despite the abundance of vegetables, the flavors are far from bland. A variety of spices and a sprinkle of parmesan cheese elevate the taste.
What goes well with ground turkey?
Specifically, it has onions, garlic, tomatoes, bell peppers, and cheese. Once you cook them, the peppers are perfectly fork-tender. Not to mention, the ground turkey is hearty yet light enough to make this a lunch or a dinner. Top it with fresh herbs like parsley or chives! Want to save this recipe?
What can I substitute for ground turkey?
Switch the ground turkey for ground chicken or sirloin. Swap zucchini for yellow squash. Use canned diced tomatoes if you don’t have fresh or sub in cherry tomatoes. To make this skillet low-carb, omit the black beans and corn and replace with spinach and red bell pepper. To make this skillet spicy, keep the ribs and seeds in the jalapeño.
How long do you cook a ground turkey in a skillet?
This quick, one-pot Ground Turkey Skillet with zucchini, corn, tomatoes, and black beans is great for weeknight dinner or meal prep! Spray a large skillet over high heat with oil and brown the turkey, season with 1 teaspoon salt and 1 teaspoon cumin. Cook breaking the meat up until the turkey is cooked through, about 5 minutes.