How do you make all your favorite meals healthier and awesomely easy? Answer: Make them with ground turkey.
Ground turkey is a great source of protein and a much healthier alternative to ground beef. For a quick and easy dinner in 30 minutes or less, try one of these ground turkey recipes.
1. Turkey Lasagna
When I make my lasagna, my go-to is usually a mix of beef and sausage. And I have to be honest, I would be pretty tempted to throw some sausage in here, too!
The turkey on its own is super tasty, but I just love that little something extra you get from sausage.
2. Turkey Teriyaki Rice Bowl
This turkey teriyaki rice bowl is such a star among ground turkey recipes.
It features a wonderful combination of veggies, ground turkey, and that sweet teriyaki glaze. It comes together in just 30 minutes, and even though it’s so simple, it tastes like a gourmet meal!
3. Turkey Stuffed Bell Peppers
Stuffed bell peppers are just one of those perfect little dishes to bring to a potluck. They’re also a super colorful and quick meal for dinner or lunch.
Plus, they travel so well and have a serving of veggies built right in! I really like using brown rice to bulk them out, but you could totally use diced sweet potatoes or even quinoa for a gluten-free option.
4. Ground Turkey Black Bean Enchiladas
These ground turkey black bean enchiladas are the ideal mix of light and satisfying. They’re such an easy and flavorful way to make a family favorite using things you probably already have in your pantry.
Perfect for a quick weeknight meal, and the leftovers are just as delicious the next day. It’s a healthy, filling option that absolutely doesn’t skimp on flavor.
5. Turkey Meatloaf
Just like the turkey meatballs, this meatloaf is a lighter take on the classic beef and pork versions.
One super important thing to remember is that most ground turkey is very lean, which means you have to add some moisture to keep it from getting dry.
This recipe uses broth or milk with eggs, plus Worcestershire sauce and ketchup, to make sure every bite is perfectly tender and soft.
6. Egg Roll in a Bowl
Egg roll in a bowl is another awesome healthy twist on a classic dish.
It brings together ground turkey with a coleslaw mix and coconut aminos, and wow, it’s so good. It really captures all the flavors of a traditional egg roll without the fried wrapper!
It’s super quick to throw together and is bursting with taste. This bowl is a home run for both health and flavor.
7. Healthy Taco Salad
I’ve mentioned before that for me to really love a salad, it has to be loaded with flavor and texture. And let me tell you, this recipe does not disappoint.
It’s packed with all those great taco flavors and a satisfying crunch from the corn, tomatoes, and baked tortillas. Every single bite is better than the last.
8. Turkey Picadillo
I am always searching for meals that are both simple and delicious. So you can imagine my excitement when I found this recipe.
It might look like just rice and ground turkey, but it’s absolutely bursting with salty goodness. It’s extra, extra special when you serve it with some fried plantains.
9. Ground Turkey Shepherd’s Pie
Say hello to this incredible blend of savory turkey and vegetables, all tucked under a layer of creamy mashed potatoes.
This healthy spin on the classic recipe is a true standout when it comes to turkey dinners.
10. Ground Turkey Tacos Recipe
Once you add that taco seasoning, most ground meats end up tasting pretty similar. So why not go with turkey and save those extra calories for another scoop of guacamole? It just makes sense!
Just be sure to add a little oil to your pan when you’re cooking the meat. Since turkey has so little fat, it will definitely need that extra moisture while it cooks.
11. Baked Turkey Meatballs
Meatballs are just so versatile, and I always, always make extra to freeze for multiple meals.
On Monday, serve them with some marinara and oven-roasted spaghetti squash. Then on Tuesday, you can whip up some Danish meatball gravy and serve them with mashed potatoes.
And really, who can ever resist a good meatball sub for lunch?
12. Best-Ever Turkey Bolognese
Turkey bolognese is such a standout recipe. The sauce gets simmered with veggies, wine, and tomatoes, making it so hearty and decadent.
Just toss it with your favorite pasta, and you’ve got a satisfying homemade Italian dinner that’s perfect for any night.
13. Quick and Easy Ground Turkey Stir-Fry
Meal planning can sometimes feel a little daunting, but when you have recipes like this one in your back pocket, it becomes so much easier than you think!
This colorful and tasty dish keeps really well in the fridge and reheats like a dream. I do suggest adding a little extra sauce when you reheat it, just to keep things from drying out in the microwave.
14. Sweet & Spicy BBQ Turkey Burgers
These sweet and spicy BBQ turkey burgers are a total game-changer with their perfect flavor combination. You get juicy turkey patties paired with spicy BBQ sauce and melty pepper jack cheese.
Then, you add in pineapple and salty turkey bacon for a truly mouthwatering experience. It’s such a delicious twist that you might just forget about beef burgers entirely.
15. Healthy Instant Pot Turkey Cheeseburger Soup Recipe
This soup is absolutely loaded with turkey, potato, cauliflower, onion, carrot, and celery, so it will definitely fill you up. It’s wonderfully creamy, even though there’s no added cream!
The secret is pureeing the cauliflower, which helps to thicken everything up perfectly.
16. American Turkey Goulash Recipe
This pasta stew is incredibly filling and is typically made with beef. But I am all about this lightened-up version. It’s still a really hearty meal, just without feeling overly heavy.
The zucchini adds a lovely pop of green, but you could easily add in any veggies you happen to have on hand.
17. Baked Wontons Recipe
I have to say, I was a bit skeptical about this recipe at first. Wontons are supposed to be deep-fried until they’re super crispy and piping hot, right?
But I was so pleasantly surprised by the amazing crunch they got just from baking in the oven. I’m not a huge fan of water chestnuts, so I usually swap them for green onions and some diced carrot and celery for color and crunch.
Serve them hot with a generous amount of sweet chili sauce.
18. Ground Turkey Stuffed Shells
This might not be the quickest recipe on the list, but believe me, the result is totally worth it. There’s just something so impressive about bringing a big dish full of stuffed pasta shells to the table.
And if you’re looking for a meatless Monday idea, you can always swap the turkey for meat-free mince or even some spinach.
19. Greek Turkey Burgers
These incredible Greek burgers are anything but boring! They are packed with garlic, olives, feta, spinach, and oregano, making the meal amazing all on their own.
Of course, adding a few slices of red onion is never a bad idea. I love to serve these with some halloumi fries and plenty of ketchup.
20. 7 Layer Ground Turkey Taco Dip
This 7-layer ground turkey taco dip is a dairy-free and totally customizable delight. It features layers of turkey, refried beans, salsa, guacamole, lettuce, olives, and dairy-free queso. What a party of flavors!
It’s a fast, healthy take on the traditional taco dip that’s ready in under 30 minutes.
21. Turkey Santa Fe Zucchini Boats
This recipe has your daily veggie servings covered! I personally love zucchini, and these make for great snacks or even a full meal when served with a hearty salad.
If zucchini isn’t really your favorite, you could definitely try this with eggplant instead!
22. Spaghetti Squash Casserole
I am a massive fan of spaghetti squash. I definitely prefer it over other veggie noodles and will pair it with almost anything.
For this recipe, it’s baked with the ground turkey and veggie mixture to create a delicious faux-pasta bake.
23. Easy Inside Out Turkey Cheeseburgers
You have to be careful when you bite into these! Just one bite, and they will be gushing with melted, cheesy goodness.
The burger recipe itself is kept relatively simple, but I would be tempted to add some onions to the mix for a little extra flavor.
And since I’m not the biggest fan of American cheese, I’d probably use a mature cheddar or maybe something smoky instead.
24. Stuffed Pepper Soup
Whenever I find myself with a free afternoon, I love to make a huge batch of soup. It’s so comforting, filling, and just perfect for those cold winter days.
This recipe takes everything I love about stuffed peppers and turns it into a hearty soup that pairs perfectly with a grilled cheese sandwich. If you’re not a big fan of peppers, you could try adding some butternut squash and zucchini instead.
25. Healthy Turkey Lettuce Wraps
I’ve got to admit, lettuce wraps usually aren’t my first choice. But when it comes to gluten-free, flavorful meals, this one is a total winner.
The incredible flavors in the meat really make up for the lack of carbs and almost make you forget you’re eating something that’s practically healthy!
26. Turkey Sloppy Joes
Not only are these made with leaner turkey, but they also have a whole bunch of hidden veggies inside!
When everything is diced up small and smothered in that delicious sauce, no one will ever suspect they’re there. I love to make a double batch and serve the leftovers over baked sweet potatoes for a second speedy weeknight meal.
27. Turkey Cabbage Rolls
Some of us didn’t eat cabbage rolls growing up, so we don’t have that nostalgic feeling with the first bite. But there’s no better time to give them a try!
Using cabbage is a really affordable way to create a lasagna-like dish. You can even add a layer of mozzarella and ricotta before the meat mixture for an even creamier result.
28. Greek Turkey Meatball Gyro with Tzatziki
These Greek turkey meatball gyros with tzatziki are a healthy, protein-packed dinner dream. Seared meatballs tucked into warm flatbread with creamy tzatziki is just a heavenly combination.
It’s tasty, healthy, and easy, making it a win-win for both health-conscious eaters and those just looking for big flavor.
29. Quick Turkey Ragu
Since the ground turkey in this recipe is cooked with red wine and a rich tomato sauce, it will totally remind you of the beefy dish you had as a kid.
It’s absolutely delicious with pasta, spaghetti squash, or even zoodles! And because it’s so easy to whip up, why not make a batch of quick garlic bread to go with it?