Ground Turkey Recipes

Alicante is the name of the city in Spain where this recipe originates. Served with turkey meatballs, this soup is filling, healthy, and a delightful dish to serve to company.

This sandwich combines two deli favorites—the hearty meatball sub and zesty Reuben sandwich. Flavorful turkey meatballs are high in protein without all that saturated fat, and they pair well with your favorite packaged coleslaw of choice, creamy Thousand Island dressing and mild Swiss cheese. Make these for dinner for a satiating sandwich that the kids will love, and pack the leftovers for lunch tomorrow. If you're in a rush, make the meatballs ahead of time, and assemble the sandwich when it's time to eat. Use a small cookie scoop to form meatballs quickly. Use the extra hollowed out center of bread for a casserole, bread crumbs, or croutons.

This French-inspired turkey soup gets its rich flavor from dried herbes de Provence and features ground turkey breast and a variety of vegetables. This soup is an easy and delicious way to use up cans of Cannellini beans and canned tomatoes. If your greens are about to go bad, throwing them in a soup is a great way to cook them before they're no longer good. Unlike other soups that require a lengthy process, all the elements of this soup come together in minutes. Serve it for a hearty dinner on a cold night, or pack it for lunch tomorrow. Packed with over 40 grams of protein, this simple, broth-based soup will keep you satiated and fuller longer.

This Latin-inspired meal is traditionally made with ground beef, but ground turkey proves to be a healthier substitute without sacrificing any flavor. Picadillo is popular in both Spain and Cuba. Traditionally, raisins are added for sweetness, and olives are added for a salty and savory kick. Instead, we've traded olives for salty capers and opted for golden raisins for a vibrant flavor. Quick and easy to make, in just under 30 minutes, this exotic dish is sure to become a dinnertime favorite. The family won't be missing out on red meat, as the ground turkey is loaded with protein for that same hearty, beefy flavor.

Perfect and easy to make in large quantities, Midwestern-inspired chili is what you should make for your next casual dinner party or football gathering. Typical Cincinnati-style chili is spiced meat sauce served atop spaghetti noodles that results in a soup-like consistency that's not as dense and heavy as a traditional bowl of chili. With flavorful toppings like shredded cheese and onions, this dinner dish is a show stopper that you won't be able to stop ladling into your bowl. We even snuck semisweet chocolate in the mix for a surprise kick of sweetness that plays of the array of spices and herbs in the meat sauce

With a twist on the classic turkey burger, this Southwestern version provides a spicy surprise and is full of succulent flavors. For the family that loves grilling hamburgers and cheeseburgers, switch things up for a protein-packed, flavorful summer dinner that's leaner than your normal grilling fare. If you're looking for a burger that doesn't pack as much spice for a sensitive palate, simply lessen the amount of peppers, or serve them on the side as a topping. Tip: Dark green poblano chiles have mild to moderate heat; the darker the chile, the more fiery it will be.

Use a box grater to shred the ginger after you've peeled away the brown outer layer. Jasmine rice has a pleasant aroma that underscores the other Asian ingredients, but any long-grain white rice will work to help keep the meatballs moist and add a bit of texture. The added rice mixes perfectly with these scrumptious and healthy turkey meatballs that the whole family will be asking for. Chopped bok choy can substitute for whole baby bok choy. The baby bok choy wilts ever so slightly, creating a softy, palatable texture that still has a slight crisp with each bite.

Don’t waste your time or money waiting for unhealthy take-out food. Instead, head to your pantry for some fish sauce and sesame and prepare these cabbage cups for dinner. Cool, crisp napa cabbage leaves cradle a hot and spicy herbed filling in this dish that is quick and easy to make. Greens make for an excellent ground turkey medley-carrying vessel, and you'll be surprised just how sturdy they hold up. Topped with crunchy roasted peanuts, this dish balances all those signature Asian flavors we love so much with the use of herbs, veggies, lean meat, and nuts.

Although many cooks consider sauce a condiment or an afterthought, Lisa Richardson developed this recipe around her homemade sauce based on store-bought tahini. Richardson enjoys creating recipes and encourages her 8-year-old daughter to get involved in cooking. "She has her own recipe cards on which she jots down her new dishes," she says. Tahini is condiment that is made from hulled sesame seeds, and it's used in a lot of Mediterranean cooking, as well as traditional hummus. Here, whole wheat pitas hold together a hearty greens, mini turkey burger patties and a creamy, tahini sauce. Think all those delicious, savory flavors of a gyro meet lean protein and sesame spread.

Spice up sandwich night with this Tex-Mex inspired favorite packed with ground turkey, fresh veggies, and spicy salsa. Thin-crust pizza dough serves as a blanket to wrap around your ground turkey scramble and keep all the delicious flavors in one enclosed bite. Serve immediately with sour cream on the side, or toss a few in the freezer to defrost the next time you're close on time. With 26 grams of protein, this calzone makes for a well-balanced, hearty option for dinner or lunch the next day. For an added kick, add jalapeños or poblano peppers to the filling and enjoy the heat.

Mole (MOH-lay) is a rich, spicy, and slightly sweet sauce that is often served with poultry in many Mexican dishes. In this recipe it adds depth to a simple soup, and it can be found in the Hispanic ingredients section in your supermarket. Slowly cooked in a dutch oven, ground turkey, tomatoes, black beans, chiles, raisins, and spices come together for a flavorful soup that's anything but boring. It's not too heavy or thick like a chili, but doesn't leave you hungry and unsatisfied like a thin, broth-based soup. Freeze your leftovers or serve them over a bed of grains for tomorrow's lunch.

Take your palate for a twirl with this fiery meat loaf that is anything but boring. A sweet ketchup topping balances out the hearty, aromatic meat loaf that's packed with veggies and other exciting flavor profiles, like soy sauce and Worcestershire sauce. Turkey replaces beef in this meat loaf recipe, making it a healthier version of the traditional comfort food. The result is moist and flavorful (seriously, check out the great reviews). With just 184 calories per serving, this is your new favorite healthy family dinner. Freeze your leftovers, or throw them between slices of your favorite whole grain bread for a protein-packed, make-ahead lunch.

Everyone loves egg rolls; they're the quintessential Chinese side dish. Although traditional egg rolls are filled with meat or seafood and deep-fried, this recipe earns extra kudos for reducing the fat by substituting ground turkey and baking–not frying–the wraps. Jam-packed with cabbage, celery, and carrots, these rolls are a great, fun way to eat vegetables without even noticing. Whether you're making these cute finger foods for an entertaining appetizer or a hearty meal for dinner, they possess that signature Asian-inspired flavor that makes egg rolls so great without all of the added fat and sodium.

The traditional patty melt gets a makeover with ground turkey, but you can also substitute ground chicken or ground sirloin, if you prefer. Sweet, browned Vidalia onions top a cheesy pile of creamy ground turkey mixture. After a few minutes broiled in the oven, the open-faced sandwiches toast ever so slightly, creating the ultimate comfort food meal. Dijon mustard seals the deal and adds a flavorful kick to this elevated version of a deli sandwich classic. Pair sandwiches with zucchini oven chips, or your favorite homemade vegetable chip for a comforting crunch to eat alongside your sammie.

These savory meat, onion, and cabbage "pies" are also known as runzas. Bierocks originated in Eastern Europe and they are traditionally yeast dough pastry pocket sandwiches with various kinds of savory fillings. In this recipe, ground beef was substituted for a leaner, ground turkey filling, without compromising any flavor. Enclosed in a sturdy, convenient yeast dough, the portable snacks are great for school lunches, picnics, and long car trips. Make an extra batch to freeze for up to 3 months. To reheat, thaw in the refrigerator. Place foil-wrapped bierocks in a preheated 350° oven for 15 minutes.

These delicious mini meat loaves feature ground turkey breast, keeping each mini loaf to less than 200 calories and 2 grams of fat per serving. They’re the perfect, fun-sized meal for your family any night of the week. Plus, they're picky-eater approved. Using ingredients you already have in your pantry, this recipe takes meatloaf to the next level by scaling it down and adding it to adorable muffin tins. Feed six by doubling the ingredients and shaping the mixture into one eight by four-inch loaf. Bake time may increase to about 45 to 50 minutes; use a thermometer to check for an internal temperature of 165°.

Why settle for a greasy, fat-laden beef hamburger when you can try these delicious turkey burgers as a healthier alternative? Packing fresh herbs, shredded Parmesan cheese, and crunchy breadcrumbs, this burger has all your favorite savory fillings without the added sugars and fat that piles up in a fast food burger. And with almost 27 grams of protein, they're sure to keep you full and satisfied. Top with Chipotle Ketchup for a sweet and spicy kick, and serve on whole wheat buns with lettuce and burger toppings of your choice. These make for a great dinner menu item for a crowd, and they also freeze great if you're planning for dinners ahead.

The secret to this unique recipe is pomegranate molasses, which may be sold as concentrated pomegranate juice. Look for it in Middle Eastern markets, gourmet shops, and some large supermarkets. Its unique flavor makes it well worth seeking out, and a bottle lasts indefinitely in the refrigerator. If you can't find it, combine two tablespoons fresh lemon juice and two teaspoons honey, stirring until blended. Served atop a fresh pita and prepared with loads of fragrant spices and hearty vegetables, this Turkish-inspired pizza is a healthy alternative to whip up the next time you're craving a meat-lover's pizza.

This take on a classic Italian recipe will have everyone singing your praise. Traditional ragù is sauce that is served with pasta and prepared with ground meat. In this recipe, the turkey ragù sauce is the perfect topping for gnocchi, or potato-based dumplings, and is made into a complete Italian feast when served with breadsticks. While you can make your own homemade gnocchi, we decided to save you the time and energy and to use store bought gnocchi, which are just as delicious. By preparing the gnocchi without the added salt and fat, you can still enjoy that signature starchy flavor without all the added calories.