Choose ground turkey over ground beef to save fat and/or avoid red meat. You’ll likely cut a few dollars off your grocery bill, too. To enjoy the most benefits go lean. Ground turkey breast is a better option than turkey ground from dark meat, which has nearly as much fat as ground beef. These recipe ideas help you make the transition without sacrificing taste.
Turkey loaf
Give your meatloaf a makeover with ground turkey. Ground turkey breast can be dry if not handled properly, but don’t let that discourage you. Celebrated chef Ina Garten offers a recipe for a moist loaf that will earn ground turkey a regular place on your table. Her five-star rated recipe uses 5-lbs of ground turkey breast so you’ll have leftovers for sandwiches. Ground turkey is also a perfect stand in for ground beef in spaghetti, meatballs and burgers.
Turkey-barley vegetable soup
This easy to make meal doubles the feel good feeling of soup by adding turkey instead of beef. Barley and spinach also help to make this a bowl of goodness. Recipe by Real Simple.
Ingredients
1 tablespoon olive oil
1/2 pound ground turkey
1 onion, chopped
1 carrot, sliced
1 stalk celery, chopped
6 cups chicken broth
1/2 cup pearl barley
Kosher salt and black pepper
3 cups baby spinach, chopped
Steps
1. Heat the oil in a large saucepan over medium-high heat. Add the turkey and cook, breaking it up with a spoon, until browned, 3 to 5 minutes; transfer to a plate.
2. Add the onion, carrot, and celery to the saucepan and cook, stirring often, until softened, 3 to 5 minutes.
3. Return the turkey to the pan and add the broth and barley; season with ¾ teaspoon salt and ¼ teaspoon pepper. Reduce heat and simmer until the barley is tender, 25 to 30 minutes. Stir in the spinach.
Turkey Tacos
Make turkey tacos for family fun night. Prepare ground turkey just as you would ground beef and enjoy. If you’re feeling nervous about how the switch will go over with the gang, offer variety. Try a taco bar with a variety of fixings, including ground turkey, and watch the smiles spread. After you get the green light for your turkey culinary adventures try other things like turkey enchiladas, burritos and nachos.
Turkey chili
Allrecipes contributor Amanda Ingraham gets 4.5 stars for this simple turkey chili recipe
Ingredients
1 ½ teaspoons olive oil
1 pound ground turkey
1 onion, chopped
2 cups water OR chicken broth
1 (28 ounce) can canned crushed tomatoes with roasted garlic
1 (16 ounce) can canned kidney beans – drained, rinsed, and mashed
1 tablespoon garlic, minced
2 tablespoons chili powder
½ teaspoon paprika
½ teaspoon dried oregano
½ teaspoon ground cayenne pepper
½ teaspoon ground cumin
½ teaspoon salt
½ teaspoon ground black pepper
Steps
1. Heat the oil in a large pot over medium heat. Place turkey in the pot, and cook until evenly brown. Stir in onion, and cook until tender.
2. Pour water into the pot. Mix in tomatoes, kidney beans, and garlic. Season chili powder, paprika, oregano, cayenne pepper, cumin, salt, and pepper. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer 30 minutes.
Turkey Stuffed Peppers
If you love stuffed peppers you’re sure to love them more when you enjoy all the taste and only a fraction of the fat. Ditch the ground beef and add turkey to your favorite stuffed pepper recipe. Skinny taste offers a gluten free recipe with only 221 calories and 3g of fat.
You can use ground turkey in just about any recipe that calls for ground beef. Remember to go lean to enjoy fat savings. Why not try a new turkey recipe today?
