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Even though Thanksgiving has come and gone, ground turkey recipes make it possible to enjoy that big, juicy bird flavor all year long. Leaner than ground beef and more flavorful than ground chicken—and just as inexpensive as either—it’s a great option when you’re in the mood to switch up your usual protein source, but don’t want to sink in additional effort or money.
Ground turkey is also quick and easy. Unlike the Butterballs of the holidays, ground turkey is ready to cook the moment you bring it home—no need for the lengthy process of defrosting, brining, cooking for hours, and carving that those seasonal showpieces require. But ground turkey still retains the best elements of the bird—including that tender dark meat that you might usually have to fight for at festive gatherings.
You can get away with simply subbing in ground turkey in just about any recipe you’d normally make with ground beef or chicken and expect similar results. There are a handful of minor precautions you’ll need to take to ensure that this lean protein source doesn’t become dry and desiccated—like cooking it at a slightly lower temperature and using a touch more oil than you normally would. (Of course, make sure that you still cook the meat to the recommended internal temperature of 165 degrees Fahrenheit.) But after just a bit of experimentation, you’ll quickly realize that the cooking processes for everything from sloppy joes to crunchy, cheesy tacos is almost identical with ground turkey.
If you’re still not confident enough to take the leap into cooking ground turkey without a recipe that specifically calls for the ingredient, though—we get it, and we got you. These 35 easy ground turkey recipes will light your way. From stews to burgers, there’s almost nowhere that our feathered friend doesn’t shine. Whatever you’re craving, these ideas will show you that there’s always a way to make your favorite meaty dish with ground turkey.
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Shanika via Orchids and Sweet Tea1 Jerk Turkey Burgers With Candied Bacon from Orchids and Sweet Tea
Crispy and chewy candied bacon makes up for some of the fat that ground turkey is lacking in this tantalizing burger recipe. Feel free to use a store-bought jerk sauce if you don’t have all the spices to make your own.
Get the recipe here.
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Erin Clarke via Well Plated2 Moroccan Turkey Meatballs from Well Plated
Spices like cumin and cinnamon, as well as fresh ginger and plenty of minced garlic, make this meatball dish so fragrant and warming. Serve it over a bed of steamed couscous as pictured above, or try it with another grain like rice or farro. You can even use the leftover meatballs to make a Moroccan-inspired meatball sub.
Get the recipe here.
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Lindsay Ostrom via Pinch of Yum3 Breakfast Enchiladas With Roasted Poblano Sauce from Pinch of Yum
Packed with soft scrambled eggs and spiced meat crumbles, and topped with plenty of cheese, this ground turkey casserole recipe is great for weekend brunches and weekday breakfasts alike. Make your life easier by freezing it ahead of time so all you have to do is pop it in the oven in the morning.
Get the recipe here.
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Danae Halliday via Recipe Runner4 Southwest Turkey Vegetable and Rice Skillet from Recipe Runner
This is just one of many ground turkey and rice recipes that showcase how great the two ingredients are together. Made in just one pan and with a number of ready-to-go pantry staples (like canned corn), this dinner or lunch will be ready in just 30 minutes.
Get the recipe here.
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Denise Bustard via Sweet Peas and Saffron5 Ground Turkey Pasta in Romesco Sauce from Sweet Peas and Saffron
Romesco is a Spanish sauce that’s typically made with roasted red peppers and almonds, and it is often used in meaty dishes like this ground turkey pasta recipe. Swap in a store-bought red pepper pesto for a similar effect and less effort on your part.
Get the recipe here.
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Taylor Kiser via Food Faith Fitness6 Strawberry Balsamic Turkey Skillet from Food Faith Fitness
When it’s impossible to track down fresh strawberries at the supermarket, you can still make this quick and refreshing meal with frozen berries. Eat it alongside a source of carbs like rice or quinoa for a full and satisfying meal.
Get the recipe here.
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Laura Fuentes via Laura Fuentes7 Ground Turkey Shepherd’s Pie from Laura Fuentes
Though shepherd’s pie is often overlooked in favor of pot pie, this recipe is making a strong argument for the former. After all, what could be better than a hearty base topped with mashed potatoes?
Get the recipe here.
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Chelsea Lords via Chelsea’s Messy Apron8 Turkey Bolognese from Chelsea’s Messy Apron
This ground turkey pasta recipe tastes surprisingly beefy thanks to a little help from a bit of powdered beef bouillon and umami-packed Worcestershire sauce. Opt for fire-roasted canned tomatoes for even more flavor.
Get the recipe here.
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Georgia Johnson via The Comfort of Cooking9 Turkey Swedish Meatballs from The Comfort of Cooking
This traditionally beef- and pork-based recipe tastes just as comforting and cozy when made with ground turkey. Mixing the meat with eggs, milk, and breadcrumbs makes the final product moist and tender no matter what type of meat you use.
Get the recipe here.
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Marie Charlotte-Chatelain via Not Enough Cinnamon10 One-Pot Taco Pasta With Ground Turkey from Not Enough Cinnamon
The next time you’re struggling to choose between tacos and pasta (who hasn’t been there?), make this pantry staple-filled pasta and have them both at once! Filled with juicy ground turkey and a bit of extra protein from black beans, it’s sure to satisfy your hunger—and both of your cravings.
Get the recipe here.
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Lindsay Landis via Love and Olive Oil11 Greek Turkey Tacos from Love and Olive Oil
Save this recipe for when you have leftover pita bread that’s gone stale. Refresh it by popping it into a skillet with a bit of olive oil for a couple of minutes, and use it as the base for this filling taco recipe.
Get the recipe here.
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Cassie Johnston via Wholefully12 Turkey Florentine Calzones from Wholefully
This turkey-stuffed calzone is out to prove that the savory Italian hand pie is not just for cheese and sauce—though you will want to keep some tomato sauce close by for dipping.
Get the recipe here.
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Robyn Conley Downs via Real Food Whole Life13 Crockpot Mini Turkey Meatball Vegetable Soup from Real Food Whole Life
Sometimes things are just better when they’re mini, and that includes the turkey meatballs in this veggie-packed slow-cooker soup. Freeze what you can’t eat for later so that you always have a satisfying cold weather meal on hand.
Get the recipe here.
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Michelle Tam via Nom Nom Paleo14 Curry Turkey Bites and Apricot Sauce from Nom Nom Paleo
This quick appetizer is a great way to use up any ground turkey you have in the fridge. Make it even more festive (and reminiscent of Thanksgiving) by swapping the apricot jam for cranberry sauce.
Get the recipe here.
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Monique Volz via Ambitious Kitchen15 Turkey Lasagna from Ambitious Kitchen
The process of making this turkey lasagna is almost exactly the same as traditional lasagna. While the recipe calls for a homemade marinara sauce, your favorite store-bought option will work just as well.
Get the recipe here.
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Rebecca Hubbell via Sugar and Soul16 Turkey-Stuffed Acorn Squash from Sugar and Soul
Acorn squash is both delicious and an excellent vessel for healthy ground turkey recipes like this one. Forget about having to wash any serving dishes, because the squash doubles as a bowl!
Get the recipe here.
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Chrissa Benson via Physical Kitchness17 Mason Jar Sweet Potato and Ground Turkey Scramble from Physical Kitchness
It’s no secret that sweet potatoes and turkey go together like birds of a feather—and there’s no reason to only eat this magnificent combo once a year. In fact, these meal prep-friendly jarred breakfasts make it possible to enjoy every day.
Get the recipe here.
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Monique Volz via Ambitious Kitchen18 Turkey Picadillo from Ambitious Kitchen
This is another ground turkey and rice recipe that you’ll be happy to have in your back pocket on busy days. Adaptable to both slow-cookers and Instant Pots, you’ll have time to make it no matter what your schedule looks like.
Get the recipe here.
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Adrianna Adarme via A Cozy Kitchen19 Double Decker Turkey Tacos from A Cozy Kitchen
Made with two kinds of tortillas (soft and crunchy) along with refried beans and juicy ground turkey, these decadent tacos will satisfy your fast food cravings and then some.
Get the recipe here.
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Eric Jones via Dude That Cookz20 Cajun Turkey Meatballs and Dirty Rice from Dude That Cookz
These meatballs rely on a mix of both ground turkey and beef to deliver the most tender results. Save this recipe for a moment when you have a bit of both meats left over, but not quite enough of either to make into their own dishes.
Get the recipe here.
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Brittany Mullins via Eating Bird Food21 Turkey Stuffed Peppers from Eating Bird Food
Filled with brown rice, ground turkey, cheese, sauce, and plenty of spices, these peppers are a satisfying complete meal in their own right. Eat a couple of them to guarantee satiation.
Get the recipe here.
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Beth Moncel via Budget Bytes22 Mediterranean Turkey Burgers from Budget Bytes
This recipe combines ground turkey with sun-dried tomatoes, crumbled feta, red onion, and spinach to create an undeniably Mediterranean-inspired feast. Pair it with a fresh and crunchy tomato and cucumber salad for the full experience.
Get the recipe here.
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Ali Ebright via Gimme Some Oven23 Turkey Cheeseburger Soup from Gimme Some Oven
Making a satisfying cheeseburger involves a lot of moving pieces, but this soup has all the same flavors and is made entirely in one pot. Speed up or slow down the process by cooking it in an Instant Pot or slow-cooker.
Get the recipe here.
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Lori Yates via Foxes Love Lemons24 Turkey Burger Salad from Foxes Love Lemons
Prep the turkey meatballs ahead of time so that you can throw this salad together without having to turn on your stove or oven. Take it even further by chopping and cleaning your vegetables in advance too.
Get the recipe here.
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Lee Hersh via Fit Foodie Finds25 Fajita Ground Turkey Lettuce Wraps from Fit Foodie Finds
Red bell peppers and onions are the secret ingredients behind the unmistakable fajita flavor of these lettuce wraps. Finish everything off the way you would traditional fajitas—with a healthy dollop of sour cream and some sliced avocado.
Get the recipe here.
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Jessica Merchant via How Sweet Eats26 Maple Turkey Chili from How Sweet Eats
Though we most commonly associate maple syrup with pancakes, that rich, sweet flavor can also be an excellent addition to savory dishes like this turkey chili.
Get the recipe here.
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ChihYu Smith via I Heart Umami27 Jiaozi Chinese Pan-Fried Potstickers from I Heart Umami
Though you’d never guess it based on looks alone, these wontons are actually a low-carb ground turkey recipe because the wrapper is made entirely from Daikon radish. If you’d prefer to keep it traditional, you can always use store-bought dumpling wrappers.
Get the recipe here.
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Olivia Ribas via Primavera Kitchen28 Ground Turkey Sweet Potato Skillet from Primavera Kitchen
File this sweet potato and ground turkey skillet away for busy days, because the whole thing takes just 30 minutes to cook. Chop the sweet potatoes ahead of time to speed up the process even more.
Get the recipe here.
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Meiko Drew via Meiko and the Dish29 Turkey Kefta With Grilled Peaches from Meiko and the Dish
Juicy peaches perfectly complement these Moroccan-style turkey skewers, but you can also use grilled apples or pears depending on what’s in season near you. Avoid using frozen fruit for this dish, as it will release too much extra moisture.
Get the recipe here.
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Sarah Nevins via A Saucy Kitchen30 Turkey Chorizo Breakfast Burritos from A Saucy Kitchen
If you can’t find the store-bought turkey chorizo needed to make these burritos, you can make your own with some spices that are probably already in your pantry. Add a mix of paprika, cumin, oregano, and onion and garlic powders to cooked ground turkey for a similar effect.
Get the recipe here.
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Stephanie Le via I Am a Food Blog31 Turkey Wontons in Turkey Mapo Sauce from I Am a Food Blog
In order to make a mapo sauce that tastes as it should, it’s 100% worth getting all the proper ingredients called for in the traditional Sichuan dish. For instance, pick up some doubanjiang (a spicy fermented bean paste) online or at your local Asian market.
Get the recipe here.
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Teri Lyn Fischer and Jenny Park via Spoon Fork Bacon32 Creamy Turkey Kale Skillet Lasagna from Spoon Fork Bacon
When you don’t have enough room in your fridge (or freezer) for an entire tray of lasagna, make these mini turkey versions instead. No tiny skillets? Use ramekins or any small baking dishes that you do have.
Get the recipe here.
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Andrew Purcell, Carrie Purcell33 Baked Sweet Potato With Ground Turkey, Kale, and Avocado from SELF
This recipe is especially well-suited to meal prep because all the elements can be made ahead of time and won’t go bad quickly if stored properly. It tastes great hot or cold, so you don’t even necessarily need to heat it up when it’s time to dig in.
Get the recipe here.
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Andrew Purcell, Carrie Purcell34 Turkey and Vegetable Chili With Farro from SELF
This turkey chili is even heartier than most thanks to the addition of nutty, chewy farro. But feel free to use rice or quinoa instead if you don’t have any farro on hand.
Get the recipe here.
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Dara Michalski via Cookin’ Canuck35 Turkey Sloppy Joe from Cookin’ Canuck
Sloppy joes are all about the punchy sauce you cook the protein in, which is why they taste great with just about any type of ground meat. A mix of barbecue, tomato, and Worcestershire sauce (plus some tomato paste and honey) is responsible for that iconic sweet and savory flavor.
Get the recipe here.
