40 Best Ground Turkey Recipes That Are Nice and Hearty for Dinner
Try it in salads, chili bowls, and casseroles.
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Ground turkey is a lean protein that checks off all of the boxes: It's healthy, it's easy to cook, and it's filling. And, just like our favorite ground chicken recipes, these ground turkey recipes are both affordable and family-friendly, too. Here, you'll find creative new ways to use ground turkey in casserole recipes, soup recipes, and skillet dinners. Of course, if grilling recipes are what you’re after, the signature turkey burger is always a hit. We've included plenty of variations, including Ree Drummond's turkey bagel burger and her Greek-style turkey burger that's served in a pita.
Whether you're looking for a healthy dinner idea or just a quick 30-minute meal that your family will love, you can’t go wrong with these crowd-pleasing ground turkey recipes. In fact, ground turkey can do just about anything that ground beef recipes can do. You can use it as a base ingredient for pasta sauce, chili, and meatballs. Or, turn it into a filling for your favorite type of tacos. We even have a turkey lettuce wrap that’s both flavorful and carb-free—perfect for when you want to eat something a little lighter. But don’t get us wrong, these ground turkey recipes are still so satisfying—even a steak-loving cowboy would have to agree!
Taco Salad
This satisfying salad is a great way to switch things up for Taco Tuesday! It's loaded with fun toppings like cheese, jalapeños, and seasoned ground taco meat. Swap out the beef for turkey to make it even healthier.
Get the Easy Taco Salad recipe.
Slow-Cooker Turkey Chili
Keep a batch of this easy turkey chili in your freezer at all times—it can be stored in an airtight container for up to 3 months. It's perfect for busy weeknights.
Get the Slow-Cooker Turkey Chili recipe.
Lasagna Rollups
Ree Drummond loves lasagna in all its forms—whether it's veggie, beef, or even turkey! She says you can easily sub ground turkey for the ground beef in this variation and if you're feeling extra daring, you can add diced pepperoni, too.
Get Ree's Lasagna Roll Ups recipe.
Turkey Swedish Meatballs with Cauliflower Mash
Here's a healthier take on two comfort food favorites: meatballs and mashed potatoes! Instead of ground beef, the meatballs are made with ground turkey and instead of the potatoes, it's cauliflower!
Get Ree's Turkey Swedish Meatballs with Cauliflower Mash recipe.
Sloppy Joe Casserole
To upgrade this childhood classic, we're making the whole thing in a casserole. Try subbing the ground beef for ground turkey for another fun twist.
Get the Sloppy Joe Casserole recipe.
Black Bean Chili
This chili recipe calls for both beans and ground turkey, so it's extra filling. Use a mixture of white and dark ground turkey meat to add even more flavor.
Get the Black Bean Chili recipe.
Spaghetti Sauce
You can make this hearty sauce in advance and keep it in your freezer. It's just as delicious on spaghetti as it is on garlic bread, ravioli, or even pizza. Just swap the ground beef for ground turkey–it's so easy!
Get Ree's Spaghetti Sauce recipe.
Cowboy Casserole
It doesn't matter if you use turkey or beef for this skillet dinner, it's really all about the crisp Tater Tot topping anyway!
Get the Cowboy Casserole recipe.
Turkey Taco Lettuce Wraps
Use your favorite lettuce as the base here—romaine, iceberg and butter lettuce all work well. Then, pile each wrap high with spiced turkey, cilantro, pico de gallo, queso fresco, corn, and avocado. Your family will thank you.
Get Ree's Turkey Taco Lettuce Wraps recipe.
Turkey Burgers
This back-pocket recipe is leaner than the traditional beef burger, but still incredibly flavorful. Pair with sweet potato fries to complete the meal.
Get the Turkey Burgers recipe.
Turkey Burger Soup
You're looking at the ultimate crowd-pleasing, one-pot dinner! Plus, this soup tastes great with all sorts of veggies.
Get Ree's Turkey Burger Soup recipe.
Ranch Turkey Burgers with Bacon and Cheddar
The best way to upgrade a turkey burger? Add a pretzel bun! A few pieces of crispy bacon certainly don't hurt, either.
Get Ree's Ranch Turkey Burgers with Bacon and Cheddar recipe.
Greek-Style Turkey Burgers
Dollops of tzatziki and a smattering of feta add flavor to every bite of this Greek-style dish.
Get Ree's Greek-Style Turkey Burgers recipe.
Spicy Whiskey BBQ Sliders
Decadent, drippy, diminutive, dreamy, and divine are just a few of the words we'd use to describe these out-of-this-world sliders.
Get Ree's Spicy Whiskey BBQ Sliders recipe.
Turkey Taco Skillet
It's all the things you love about tacos—in a skillet! This is just the sort of one-pan recipe we love.
Get Ree's Turkey Taco Skillet recipe.
Chipotle Bacon Turkey Sliders
There's just something so fun about miniature food! Adobo sauce and homemade avocado mayo make these sliders even more enticing.
Get the Chipotle Bacon Turkey Sliders recipe.
Spaghetti Pie
When you're tired of the same old dinner routine, whip this recipe up for a change. It's ground turkey mixed with onions, carrots, garlic, and crushed tomatoes, plus plenty of mozzarella and Parmesan cheese.
Get the Spaghetti Pie recipe.
Breakfast Sausage Patties
Lean ground turkey is a perfectly acceptable alternative for these breakfast sausage patties. In fact, it'd lighten them up nicely!
Get the Breakfast Sausage Patties recipe.
Turkey Bagel Burger
They key to these tasty burgers is to add plenty of delicious seasonings: not just salt and pepper, but also flavorful Worcestershire sauce! Egg yolk acts as a reliable binder.
Get Ree's Turkey Bagel Burger recipe.
Italian Meatloaf
Use a combination of ground beef and ground turkey for this delicious meatloaf recipe. It'll become a family favorite in no time.
Get Ree's Italian Meatloaf recipe.
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