How Do You Add Flavor To Ground Turkey
You can add flavor to ground turkey by adding spices such as garlic powder, salt, pepper, cumin, chili powder, paprika, oregano, basil, thyme, sage, rosemary, parsley, mustard, cinnamon, nutmeg, curry, ginger, bay leaves, and lemon juice. These ingredients can be added directly to the meat or mixed into marinades.
The Best Ground Turkey Dinner Recipes
- Turkey-Stuffed Peppers. Spiced with fresh jalapeños and taco seasoning, and sprinkled with pepper jack cheese, turkey-stuffed peppers are a protein-packed, veggie-laden, hassle-free meal that everyone will love.
- Turkey Quinoa Meatloaf. A double dose of protein plus fiber and good fats, this easy ground turkey meatloaf recipe is a true blue keeper.
- Turkey Shepherd’s Pie. A rich and satisfying shepherd’s pie, but made just a bit healthier by swapping ground turkey for the traditional beef or lamb.
- Turkey Lasagna. Give Ina Garten some ground turkey, and of course she makes dinnertime magic with it. This lasagna recipe is a classic for a reason.
Turkey Burrito Bowls With Cilantro Lime Rice
Bring 2 cups water to a boil in a medium saucepan over medium heat. Add 1 cup short-grain white rice. Return to a simmer, reduce heat to low, and cover. Cook until rice has absorbed all of the water, 16 to 18 minutes. Remove from heat, uncover, fluff rice with a fork, and stir in the juice of 1 medium lime and 2 tablespoons chopped fresh cilantro. Cover again and set aside. Heat 1 tablespoon olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat until shimmering. Add 1 pound ground turkey and 1 taco seasoning packet and cook until browned and cooked through, 4 to 6 minutes. Remove from heat and stir in 1 can drained and rinsed black beans. Serve turkey over rice, topped with salsa, shredded cheddar cheese, sliced avocado, and shredded romaine lettuce.
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Easy Meatball Cooking Method
Whereas most meatball recipes require that the meatballs be browned in a pan on the stoveundoubtedly delicious but also messy and a bit of a painthis streamlined version skips the stove altogether.
- Instead of browning the meatballs in oil on the stove, arrange them on a baking sheet lined with aluminum foil for easy cleanup.
- Brushing with olive oil ensures the meatballs become nicely golden on the outside and juicy on the inside, no messy frying required.
Save the stovetop method for when youre looking to prepare a meatball recipe for a slow evening or special occasion .
For fast, less-fuss weeknights, baked meatballs are the move.
How To Cook Ground Turkey Using Your Oven
Step OneHeat your canola or olive oil in a skillet on medium-high heat. Once the oil gets hot, you can add your carrots, onions, and garlic before sauteeing until the vegetables get soft.
Step TwoAdd the sauteed vegetables, parsley, ground turkey, eggs, bread crumbs, or egg substitute and pepper into your mixing bowl and mix them to combine everything.
Step ThreeSpray your loaf pan with a light coating of vegetable oil before spooning your turkey mixture in. Pat the meat with a spoon to gently pack it into the pan and run the spoon around the edges of the pan to create a small space.
Step FourPreheat your oven to 350-degrees Fahrenheit and bake your ground turkey meatloaf for 40 minutes. Insert a meat thermometer to test for doneness into the meatloafs center. It should read at least 140-degrees Fahrenheit.
Step FiveRemove the pan from your oven and allow it to rest for five minutes before getting a spatula and using it to remove the meatloaf from the pan and put it on your serving plate.
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Freezing And Storing Easy Baked Meatballs
I love meatballs! Did I say that already?! They are so easy to store and freeze for a later time. I love to make a double batch and freeze the leftovers for a night when Im really scrapped for time. Its a double winner for dinner!
- Store: Store leftovers in an airtight container or even a zip lock bag and keep in the fridge for up to 5 days. Reheat in the microwave or you can even warm them up in a sauce you plan to eat them with.
- Freeze: Let the meatballs cool to almost room temperature. Place on a cookie tray and cover loosely with plastic wrap. Freeze for 2 hours. Transfer the partially frozen meatballs to a freezer safe gallon zip lock bag. Freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator or warm them straight from the freezer in the microwave at 50% power till heated through. Enjoy in your favorite dishes.
Why Youll Love Ground Turkey Pasta Bake
- Delicious and flavorful. Ground turkey is a great protein to cook with because it’s lean and a healthier alternative to beef. Plus, it soaks up flavors really well, and does not disappoint. Here it is made flavorful with veggies like onions and mushrooms, tossed in tomato sauce, well-seasoned, and topped with cheese.
- Its afamily-friendly meal. Quick, easy, and simple meals are what we are good at. This recipe takes 45 minutes from start to finish, but most of that time the pasta bake is in the oven. It takes just a few simple steps and a couple of pans for this well-rounded meal. Perfect for a lazy dinner that the whole family with love.
- A filling wholesome meal. Theres nothing better than being full after a meal, and this ground turkey pasta bake sure does the job. It has pasta, nutritious veggies, and a clean protein, leaving no one hungry.
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How Do You Make Ground Turkey Last Longer
Even though ground turkey is a leaner alternative to traditional ground beef, you can easily make it last longer by freezing it first. This works because the ground turkey will then turn from a loaf-like texture to a burger-like texture. However, the turkey needs to be frozen first, so you can thaw it in the refrigerator or in a microwave. Thawing it in the microwave allows you to use less energy and be less wasteful. If you do freeze the turkey, be sure to remove any ice pockets that form during freezing. This will help to make the turkey easier to slice.
Bake The Ground Turkey Meat
Before placing the pan inside, preheat the oven to about 360 degrees Fahrenheit. After that, youll need to bake the ground turkey meat for about 40 minutes.
Before taking out the pan, test the doneness of the meat by inserting your meat thermometer. Make sure the temperature at the center of the meatloaf is at least 170 degrees Fahrenheit.
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Let Us Look At A Detailed Guide To Cooking Ground Turkey Meat Into A Meatloaf In The Oven:
Ground turkey is a lean cut of meat, but if cooked correctly, it can be used in many different dishes. It is very versatile because it can be used in place of beef, pork, lamb, veal, or even chicken. In order to turn ground turkey into a delicious meatloaf, you need to follow these steps: 1) Preheat oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit 2) Mix together ground turkey, breadcrumbs, eggs, milk, salt, pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, and Worcestershire sauce 3) Form mixture into a loaf shape 4) Place loaf onto a baking sheet 5) Bake for 30 minutes 6) Remove from oven 7) Allow to cool 8) Slice and serve 9) Enjoy!
What Are Some Tips To Cook A Ground Turkey
To comprehend how to cook a ground turkey without using a stove, its necessary to first grasp how it varies from regular ground beef. The biggest difference between the two is the amount of fat in each. Ground turkey is lean meat that has little fat, whereas beef is heavy in fat.
Even while eating turkey in big numbers is excellent for your health, preparing it may be time-consuming and tough to master. Keep in mind that the thinner the turkey meat is, the greater the number of health benefits it delivers.
However, youll need to be extra cautious to prevent serving a tasteless and dry meal to your friends and family. This is especially true if you plan to prepare ground turkey breast that is 99 percent lean and flavorful.
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Cheesy Turkey Meatball Skillet
You had me at cheesy!
I love that this entire dish gets cooked in one skillet. So not only is it easy, you have fewer dishes to wash up after dinner!
The combination of garlic and rosemary is one of my favorites, and it really enhances the turkey and tomato sauce.
And any dish that I can cover with cheese is a hit in my house.
Im always on the lookout for simple and delicious meals.
So when I came across this recipe, I got excited.
Capers and olives are incredible together, but I often overlook the jars in the fridge and reach for something else more familiar.
This might just look like rice and ground turkey, but its bursting with salty goodness, and its extra special when served with fried plantains.
Other Faqs About Turkey Which You May Be Interested In
Turkey is a bird that is native to North America. It was domesticated from wild turkeys found in Central Asia. In the United States, turkey is raised commercially for meat production. Turkey is a popular poultry species because of its low cost, ease of care, and ability to produce large quantities of eggs and meat. Turkey is a member of the Phasianidae family within the order Galliformes.
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Turkey & Spinach Lasagne
For fans of Italian food, this turkey and spinach lasagne is a delicious alternative to the traditional beef recipe, and is a great bulk dish that can be shared with family and friends.
Perfect for those seeking to eat less red meat, this is a good way of trying something healthier and different without having to go veggie.
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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Ingredients For Turkey Meatballs
The same ingredients that make beef meatballs are the same that will make up these baked turkey meatballs. Ingredients that you can find in your pantry or at your local grocery store. Have them on hand and ready to go for a quick and easy dinner!
- Ground Turkey: This can be found near the ground beef.
- Italian Bread Crumbs: I love these bread crumbs are already seasoned.
- Onion: small chopped.
- Eggs: This acts as the binder.
- Milk: Adds a bit of moisture and helps keep it all together.
- Garlic: Minced or finely chopped.
- Salt and Pepper: Add to taste
How To Tell If A Turkey Is Done Without A Thermometer
If you dont have a meat thermometer on hand to test the internal temperature of your turkey, you want to get a knife and pierce the turkeys thigh.
When you do, you should pay close attention to the juices that run out. The juices will be clear if the turkey is done, and the juices will be reddish-pink if the turkey needs to cook a little longer.
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Individual Turkey Shepherd’s Pie
Our version of this rustic British classic transforms it into a quick, easy main for any night of the week. For an all-in-one meal in single servings, you can divide the filling among four 9-ounce ramekins before topping it with the mashed potatoes. Bake on a baking sheet until the filling is bubbly around the edges and the potatoes are lightly browned, about 15 minutes.
Get the Recipe: Individual Turkey Shepherd’s Pie
How To Serve Meatballs
While the turkey meatballs bake, you can prep anything youd like to serve with them.
- Sauce. Good-quality store bought marinara sauce is one of my more adored pantry staples. You can warm the sauce in a small pot on the stove, then spoon it over the cooked meatballs, or take our favorite approach: warm the sauce in a large skillet, then simmer the meatballs at the end to heat them through.
- Pasta. Whole wheat dry pasta is perfect for healthy dinners. You can use your favorite pasta shape, though when were feeling ultra traditional, I like to do the baked turkey Meatballs and spaghetti.
- Zucchini Noodles. A low carb and more keto-friendly option that sneaks in extra veggies. Try a blend of zoodles and spaghetti for a happy balance. Or add meatballs to Zucchini Pasta.
- Hoagie Bun. Perfect for a meatball sub!
- Appetizer Style. Place the meatballs on a plate with toothpicks and enjoy as an appetizer with a side of sauce for dipping.
- Fresh Basil. No matter how you are serving meatballs, if you have fresh basil or other herbs on hand, it makes a nice addition.
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Can Turkey Burgers Be Frozen
Make extra turkey burgers to freeze for later. Lay the unbaked patties in a single layer on a baking sheet and freeze for one to two hours before transferring to a freezer-safe container or bag. They’ll keep well for two to three months. Thaw in the refrigerator before baking turkey burgers can also be baked while still frozen, though you’ll need to extend the cooking time.
Why Is Sufficient Cook Time Important When You Cook Meat
Cooking meat is not difficult. It requires only two steps: 1) Heat the pan until it is hot enough to sear the surface of the meat 2) Sear the meat for about 3 minutes per side. This process takes approximately 5 minutes total. However, if you cook the meat for too long, it will dry out and toughen. To avoid this, you need to know how to tell if the meat is done. The easiest way to test is to insert a fork into the thickest part of the meat. If the meat easily slides off the fork, it is cooked properly. If the meat sticks to the fork, it needs to be cooked longer.
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Mom’s Ground Turkey And Peppers
The method given is my mother’s “one pan” approach, because she’s only cooking up one pound of ground turkey, enough for 4 people. If you are increasing this ground turkey recipe to serve more people, you may want to remove the vegetables after they’ve cooked and set them aside as you cook the turkey meat, or cook the meat and the vegetables in two separate skillets.
Why Is It So Important To Allow The Meat To Cook For An Extended Time
Meat must be fully cooked since it contains bacteria that can cause food poisoning if not properly prepared. Storage of meat at low temperatures is recommended due to the possibility of early deterioration if meat is kept at room temperature for an extended time. Therefore, meat-based items such as turkey, chicken, and beef have been identified as requiring particular consideration.
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To Cook Ground Turkey In The Oven:
Is Turkey More Nutritious Than Beef
Both turkey and beef are great sources of protein and a variety of vitamins and minerals. Turkey, however is generally lower in saturated fat than beef and so is a better choice for heart health. It can also be a great choice for weight loss as it is often lower in calories. Turkey can provide up to 24 grams of protein per a serving and is extremely high in niacin, B6, and B12. It also contains zinc, selenium and phosphorus. All of the health benefits of course depend on the cut and quality of turkey and whether you are eating it with the skin on or not. These turkey meatballs are light and tasty!
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Ground Turkey Enchilada Stir
An enchilada, by definition, is a corn tortilla filled with various ingredients and drenched in cheese and sauce. This recipe doesn’t involve any rolling of tortillas, nor does it require copious amounts of cheese. However, every bite will remind you of the flavors of this popular comfort food.
Get the Recipe: Ground Turkey Enchilada Stir-Fry with Couscous
Ground Turkey Pasta Bake
Ground turkey pasta bake is an easy yet impressive meal that is cozy, comforting, and satisfying. Delicious rigatoni pasta is tossed in a rich meaty sauce loaded with lean turkey and mushrooms, topped with melty cheese, and baked to perfection. This casserole dinner is filling, flavorful, and feeds a crowd. Ready in just 45 minutes, it’s a weeknight favorite that the whole family will love.
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