We Have 18 Recipes for Ground Turkey That Are Easy and Full of Flavor (2024)

FAQs

What can I add to ground turkey to make it taste better? ›

With ground turkey, you need fresh aromatics to season it. Chopped yellow onions, scallions, cilantro, and red bell pepper all help add flavor. So too does the chili powder and minced garlic.

Without a good sprinkle of salt and pepper (or any other herbs and spices), ground turkey cooks up bland and flavorless. Follow this tip: Seasoning is especially important when the turkey is the star of the plate, like with burgers, meatballs, and meatloaf.

But as any poultry starts to go bad, it will start to turn an unpleasant shade of gray. If that pink hue starts to look slightly dull then it's time to use up your ground turkey immediately, and if it has a gray tint (even just a slight one), then it's time to toss it.

Enhance Flavor with Seasonings

While ground turkey has a mild flavor, adding the right seasonings can make it truly delicious. Experiment with a variety of herbs and spices like garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, cumin, or dried oregano. Don't be afraid to get creative and adjust the flavors to your liking!

Both chicken and turkey provide healthy protein. Generally, chicken tends to be higher in vitamin B6 and pantothenic acid, and turkey tends to be lower in calories, fat, and sodium while having more zinc, niacin, and vitamin B12.

Never pass up the opportunity to add flavor to turkey by stuffing the cavity with a simple aromatics mix. Fresh herbs like thyme, rosemary, and sage along with a half lemon go a long way to add flavor, and stuffing it into the bird takes almost no time at all.

Instead of filling your bird with stuffing, fill it with aromatics. (News flash: Cooking stuffing inside a turkey can be dangerous.) The basics, like onion, garlic, thyme, rosemary, and sage, help lend that traditional Thanksgiving flavor. Take your aromatics up a notch by adding halved lemons or oranges.

First, you'll want to preheat a pan with oil. Then, brown the ground turkey, add the seasoning, and continue cooking until the meat is cooked through.

Whether hosting a holiday cookout, serving up some stir-fry or tackling game meats, baking soda is the go-to meat tenderizer to help make your steak, chicken or turkey silkier, juicier and yummier.

What to season turkey with? ›

Stick with salt and pepper, put herbs like rosemary, thyme, and sage to work, or take spicy Cajun seasoning for a spin for some kick. Whatever blend you choose, spread it all over the turkey—on top, underneath, between the body and wings and legs, under the skin, and even in the cavity of the bird.

You can add more or less of any of the ground turkey seasonings. You might also want to try other spices that you enjoy. I have added Worcestershire sauce, rosemary, oregano, onion powder, garlic powder, chili powder, hot sauce, and Italian seasoning depending on what I'm using my ground meat for.

1. Start by mixing together some ground turkey with finely chopped onion, garlic, and bread crumbs. 2. Add an egg and season the mixture with salt, pepper, and dried herbs like thyme or rosemary for flavor.

Mushrooms add moisture, mouthfeel, and umami (beefy) flavor to the otherwise dry ground turkey. When mushrooms are chopped up into little bits, they easily and evenly mix with ground turkey making the protein so tender and flavorful while also giving the dish a veggie boost. And we all love that!

Shady Brook is hands down my favorite ground turkey brand. They are consistent and I always know I am going to get a high quality, good tasting product.

You don't need to season lean ground type of meat before cooking. However, you can marinate ground turkey for a turkey burger or turkey meatballs. What flavors go well with turkey? Since turkey meat makes an easy weeknight dinner recipe, it is best to throw in some brown sugar or maple syrup for a sweeter flavor.

Once the meat turns a darker brown or has a gray color, it's a sign that it's starting to go bad.

Using oil like olive oil is ideal for cooking ground turkey. "This helps cook the ground turkey more thoroughly, adds a bit of flavor and stops it from sticking to the pan," Dillard says.

Two types to look for are 93% lean ground turkey and 99% lean ground turkey. The biggest difference is that the 99% version is generally made with all breast meat and contains no saturated fat. However, because it has so little fat, it runs the risk of getting dry.

It will be cooked when it is all browned evenly, juices run clear and when your thermometer is at least 165 degrees F. The best method is to scoop some of your ground turkey into a small bowl and ensure your meat thermometer reaches 165 degrees.

Can I eat ground turkey every day? ›

Protein is a macronutrient, which means that your body needs a lot of it. Your body can't store protein, so you need to consume it every day. As long as you don't eat too much turkey, it is a healthy way to get the protein you need. It's also a good source of beneficial vitamins and minerals like magnesium and niacin.

The turkey meat, skin, and fat is taken off the bone and processed with additives. The final product has specific characteristics that appeal to customers, including a non pink color and non crumbly texture. The composition of ground turkey is driven by market demand, availability, and meat prices.

Healthiest: Skinless Turkey Meat

An excellent source of niacin and vitamin B6, skinless turkey, is one of the best lean proteins to add to your meals. The nutrients found in skinless turkey meat can help support heart health, energy levels, brain function, digestion, and other bodily processes.

Although fully cooked turkey breast is already seasoned, you can enhance its flavor by adding your favorite spices or marinades. Before cooking, try rubbing the turkey breast with a mixture of herbs, garlic, and olive oil.