Homemade Ground Turkey Recipe (Steps + Video) | How To Cook.Recipes (2024)

One day I was searching for healthy ground turkey recipes and I was surprised to really not find much. So after a little research for ground turkey dinner ideas I came up with this. A quick and healthy weeknight meal, this ground turkey recipe is something my family adores. It’s super-simple to throw together and is a healthy, wholesome way to get dinner on the table quick.

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Best Ground Turkey Recipe

Not sure how to cook ground turkey? This is the best ground turkey recipe with simple and fresh ingredients that will help you break out of your dinner rut tonight.

Easy Ground Turkey Recipe

With this easy ground turkey recipe, you can have dinner on the table in 25 minutes flat. It’s easy to make your way too, serving it as you wish to get the family engaged in a healthy meal.

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Homemade Ground Turkey Ingredients

  • Ground turkey – Grab a pound of it.
  • Chopped veggies – Yellow onion, scallions, and red bell peppers add more colors and flavor.
  • Garlic – Mince it for that lovely pungent flavor for any ground turkey meals.
  • Chili powder – An excellent ground turkey seasoning that gives this dish a nice kick without being too hot.
  • Cilantro – Finishes off the flavor beautifully.

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How do you Make Ground Turkey from Scratch

You’ll heat olive oil in a skillet then add the chopped onions and peppers. After that, the garlic goes in. Move those things to the edge and add more oil before adding the ground turkey in. Add the chili powder, brown the turkey, and mix the veggies in with it. The spices and seasonings help give a flavor boost. Once it’s cooked through, add the cilantro.

Talk turkey to me.
Anonymous

Expert Tips and Tricks for the Perfect Ground Turkey Every Time

  • Choose quality ground turkey. Avoid any that has fillers and it will make your ground turkey recipes taste so much better.
  • Make sure it’s cooked through. Cooking ground turkey should take about 15 minutes and have a nice even brown hue with no pink.
  • Feel free to add more spice. I love this dish because you can customize the spice. I’ll take some out of the pan for the kids first and then I’ll add more chili powder for my husband and me.

How to Cook Ground Turkey

Ground turkey is the best cooked on the stovetop. This recipe is almost like a ground turkey stir fry. When you cook aromatic veggies with it, it gives it plenty of flavor. And because ground turkey is so good for you, you’ll have a delicious and nutritious low carb meal everyone will love!

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Do you Season ground turkey before cooking?

Yes, you season it first as it goes in the pan. The salt, pepper, and chili powder will give it flavor along with the fresh veggies in this recipe.

What is the best way to season ground turkey?

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.

How do you make ground turkey tender?

The key is not to cook it too long while cooking it through. At 15 minutes, it should be just right without drying out.

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Does ground turkey cook faster than hamburger?

Ground turkey and ground beef cook about the same in time. However, turkey tends to dry out faster so you might think it’s ready first. You can use a thermometer to help you keep the turkey temperature at 165F.

Why is ground turkey better for you than ground beef?

Because ground turkey has lower saturated fat content than beef, it is a better choice for your health. This is especially true if you’re trying to take care of your heart.

What can I add to ground turkey for flavor?

In this recipe, you’ll be adding onions, scallions, bell pepper, salt, garlic, and chili powder which will give this ground turkey tons of flavor.

How do you make ground turkey more moist?

Don’t overcook your ground turkey and it will stay moist. It should take no more than 15 minutes to cook. Anything beyond that will dry it out.

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How long to cook ground turkey?

Once your prep work is done, it will be roughly 15 minutes until your ground turkey has been cooked through. It will register as 165F when safely cooked.

Do you drain ground turkey?

Because your ground turkey is so lean, there is no need to drain it. You can simply enjoy it as-is.

Can you put raw ground turkey in a slow cooker?

Yes, though you will want to be sure it cooks long enough. However, it might not have the flavor you’re hoping for if you don’t brown it first.

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What to Serve with Ground Turkey

With many of my easy ground turkey recipes, love putting out fresh Romaine leaves to wrap them in. I also serve rice and we like to wrap our ground turkey with the rice into the lettuce. You can use this to make a bowl too, another great way to use up any leftovers. Most ground turkey recipes can be swapped for ground beef, chicken, or pork.

What can you do with Ground Turkey?

Ground turkey is a healthy option that is very versatile. Here are some other great ways to use lean ground turkey to make some of the best ground turkey recipes you’ve ever had:

  • One of my favorites a healthy taco recipe using ground turkey, cheese, tomatoes, and beans!
  • Turkey meatloaf
  • Turkey meatballs and broccoli pasta
  • Turkey chili
  • Turkey and kale soup with carrots
  • Turkey lettuce wrap
  • Turkey burger patties
  • Spicy turkey sausage
  • Boil turkey soup

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How to Store Ground Turkey

Lean ground turkey shouldn’t be kept more than a day or two before cooking. After that, any leftovers should be refrigerated or frozen promptly.

How Long Does Ground Turkey Last?

Ground turkey will last about 3 to 4 days after cooking it. Make sure you keep it in an airtight container. And if you can’t finish it, there’s always the freezer!

Can You Freeze Ground Turkey?

You bet you can freeze it! Ground turkey is good for about 3 to 4 months in the freezer without compromising the flavor.

How to Reheat Ground Turkey?

Reheating ground turkey is easy on your stovetop. Just heat it up until it’s warmed through. Adding a little broth or water helps keep it from drying out.

Watch How To Make Ground Turkey (Video)

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Homemade Ground Turkey Recipe

5 from 3 votes

Prep Time 10 minutes minutes

Cook Time 15 minutes minutes

Total Time 25 minutes minutes

Servings 4 servings

Calories 284

This healthy ground turkey recipe is easy, fast, and delicious. Ground turkey is often overlooked but this easy recipe is something I make all the time. It only takes one pan and you can serve it over your favorite steamed rice for a well balanced healthy meal!

Ingredients

  • 4 tbsp extra virgin olive oil (separated)
  • 1 cup yellow onion (chopped)
  • 1/4 cup scallions (chopped)
  • 1 red bell pepper (chopped)
  • 4 garlic cloves (minced)
  • 1 tsp kosher salt
  • 1 lb ground turkey
  • 1 1/4 tsp chili powder
  • 2 1/2 tbsp cilantro (chopped)

Instructions

  • Heat two tablespoons of the olive oil in a large pan or skillet on medium high heat. Add in the chopped onions and peppers and cook until softened. Once softened, add the garlic and cook until fragrant. Then, push the vegetables to the edge of the pan and add the remaining oil to coat the empty part of the pan. Place chunks of the ground turkey in the pan and then sprinkle salt with chili powder and brown. Once the turkey is cooked through, stir in the onions and peppers and add more salt and chili powder to taste and remove from heat. Sprinkle with freshly chopped cilantro and serve immediately.

Calories: 284kcal

Course: Main Course

Cuisine: American

Nutrition

Calories: 284kcal | Carbohydrates: 7g | Protein: 28g | Fat: 16g | Saturated Fat: 3g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 62mg | Sodium: 654mg | Potassium: 499mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 3g | Vitamin A: 1225IU | Vitamin C: 43mg | Calcium: 27mg | Iron: 1mg

More ground turkey recipes:

Homemade Ground Turkey Recipe (Steps + Video) | How To Cook.Recipes (2024)

FAQs

How to make own ground turkey? ›

Feed the turkey meat through the grinder, using a plunger or pusher to guide the meat through the blades. If you're using a food processor, work in small batches to ensure even grinding, pulsing the machine until the turkey reaches the desired consistency.

How do you cook ground turkey? ›

Ground turkey typically will need to cook for about 5-8 minutes over medium heat in a pan on the stovetop. Once all of the ground turkey meat turns from pink to white it's done. Just keep in mind that you'll want to pull it from the heat pretty quickly after the meat turns white - if can easily dry out if you do.

Do you season ground turkey before or during cooking? ›

Before you start cooking, be sure to season the ground turkey well with salt and pepper. Also consider including dried herbs and spices for additional flavor. If you're cooking meatballs or meatloaf, pinch off some of the seasoned mixture and cook it in a skillet to taste. Adjust seasoning accordingly.

What is good seasoning for ground turkey? ›

Add 4 teaspoons chili powder, ½ teaspoon garlic powder, ½ teaspoon onion powder, 1 large pinch crushed red pepper flakes, ½ teaspoon ground cumin, 2 teaspoons kosher salt, and ½ teaspoon freshly cracked black pepper to small mixing bowl. Stir spices together until well blended.

How to make ground turkey taste better? ›

What is the best way to season ground turkey? With ground turkey, you need fresh aromatics to season it. Chopped yellow onions, scallions, cilantro, and red bell pepper all help add flavor.

How is ground turkey meat made? ›

Ground turkey, or minced turkey, is a mixture of dark and light turkey meat with remaining skin and visible fat processed together until a "ground" form emerges. The turkey meat, skin, and fat is taken off the bone and processed with additives.

Do I need to add water when cooking ground turkey? ›

How do you cook ground turkey so it is moist? Add Fat: Use a bit of oil or butter to the pan to prevent drying. Don't Overcook: Cook until no longer pink, but avoid overcooking, as it can lead to dryness. Add Moisture: Incorporate broth, sauce, or vegetables with high water content to keep the meat moist.

When not to cook ground turkey? ›

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.

How do you keep ground turkey moist when cooking? ›

Even 93 percent lean ground turkey—often the fattiest preground turkey you can buy—can still taste too lean and can easily dry out during cooking. To temper those effects, we added 2 tablespoons of melted butter to the meat, along with a panade of milk and panko.

What adds flavor to turkey? ›

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.

What is the best fat to add to ground turkey? ›

Cook with a fat

Most ground turkey is “lean ground turkey”, meaning it has a low fat content. While it makes for a great leaner alternative when you're choosing meat, it also means it can be a little dry. Make sure to add a good source of cooking fat like olive oil or avocado oil.

What spice is turkey known for? ›

Cumin. The Intense aromatic flavour of cumin is an indispensable spice in Turkish cuisine and is used a lot in the popular dishes of köfte (meatballs) and meat dishes. Turkish locals prefer their cumin in powder form and it is hardly ever used in its seed form.

Can you make your own ground meat? ›

How to Make Homemade Ground Beef. Cut the cuts of beef into 1-inch chunks and place them on a plate or into a bowl, cover them, and put them in the freezer or refrigerator to chill for 15-20 minutes. Run the cold cubed beef through the meat grinder using the medium size dye into another pan.

How do you ground raw turkey? ›

  1. Step 1: Prepare the Turkey Breast Roast. Start by trimming any excess fat and sinew from the raw turkey breast roast. ...
  2. Step 2: Chill the Equipment. ...
  3. Step 3: Set Up the Grinder or Food Processor. ...
  4. Step 4: Grind the Turkey Breast Roast. ...
  5. Step 5: Collect the Ground Turkey. ...
  6. Step 6: Chill and Store.

How to grind your own turkey burgers? ›

Directions
  1. Lay out the 1-inch cubed chunks of wild turkey breast on a large cutting board or counter. ...
  2. Pull the slice of bread into large pieces and put into the food processor. ...
  3. Using a meat grinder or a food processor, grind the turkey chunks. ...
  4. Place the ground meat and zucchini mixture into the large mixing bowl.
Feb 11, 2022

Can I make ground turkey in a food processor? ›

We use a food processor to grind all types of meat. The key is to make sure it's boneless and skinless, and to cut it into chunks before processing.

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