15 Ground Turkey Recipes for Leaner Flavor-Packed Meals (2024)

If you associate words like bland or boring with ground turkey, prepare for your mind to be changed for good. Our Test Kitchen does a great job creating the most flavorful dishes out of the lean meat. Here you'll find delicious ground turkey recipes in the form of burgers, wraps, meatballs, pasta dishes, and more.

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Italian Style Turkey and Penne Toss

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There's no need for the takeout menus when you've got an easy ground turkey recipe like this on hand. The healthy Italian-style pasta gets plenty of flavor thanks to smoked paprika, garlic, and dried herbs. An entire bag of spinach is also in the one-pot meal for an easy way to add some extra greens to your day.

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Air-Fryer Greek Turkey Burgers

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Grab your air fryer and some ground turkey; we're making turkey burgers. The homemade patties are well-seasoned with Greek-inspired flavors including oregano, red pepper, and garlic. Topped with tangy feta and a vinegar-dressed spinach mix, you'll enjoy every last bite. Don't forget the air-fryer french fries.

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Copycat Turkey Chili

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Once you make this ground turkey chili, you'll never want to try another recipe again. Inspired by the Panera version, this cozy chili is packed with veggies and gets a bit of heat from the spices. Enjoy with plenty of shredded cheese and sour cream.

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Turkey Lettuce Wraps with Spicy Peanut Sauce

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Mini Turkey Meat Loaves with Walnut-Parsley Gremolata

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Egg whites, mushrooms, tomatoes, and oats keep this ground turkey meat loaf moist and flavorful. The walnut-parsley gremolata has both shredded lemon peel and lemon juice in the mix to provide a bright finish to the plate.

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Turkey Meat Loaf Pockets with Peach-Barbecue Glaze

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When looking for interesting ideas on what to make with ground turkey, look no further than this creative recipe. Cheesy mixed veggies are neatly wrapped into ground turkey for a surprise-inside dinner that the kids and adults are going to enjoy. Bonus: You can freeze these for easy meals later.

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Broccoli Rice-Stuffed Peppers

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The meat is seasoned with a Mexican-inspired spice blend of cumin, coriander, cinnamon, and cayenne. Instead of the rice traditionally found in stuffed pepper recipes, we used riced broccoli or cauliflower.

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Turkey Meatball Shepherd's Pie

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Bet you've never had a shepherd's pie like this one. The from-scratch turkey meatballs are combined with Alfredo sauce and peas before being topped with layers of bright sweet potato slices. The result is thick, creamy, and oh-so comforting.

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Orzo, Pancetta, and Provolone Bake with Turkey Meatballs

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Forget the usual spaghetti and meatballs and serve a pasta bake for dinner tonight. Store-bought ground turkey meatballs make easy work of prepping the cheesy recipe. The herbed panko and parmesan topping adds a nice crunch to every bite.

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Thai Turkey Meat Loaf

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This ground turkey recipe is going to be your new favorite way to enjoy a cozy meat loaf dinner. The meat mixture is perfectly seasoned with a savory umami bomb of garlic, ginger, fish sauce, and soy sauce. Did we mention the Asian-inspired recipe comes together in your slow cooker?

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Italian-Herb Turkey Meatballs

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Fresh oregano and parsley are the Italian herbs that add bright flavor to these ground turkey meatballs. Ricotta and Grana Padano cheeses give the tiny bites a bit of tang and nuttiness. Covered in a sticky balsamic BBQ sauce, this easy appetizer will have everyone asking for the recipe.

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Turkey and Bean Burritos

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When you're trying to eat healthier but craving fast food, this ground turkey recipe really hits the spot. After sautéing the meat with onion and garlic, season it with your favorite salsa (go as hot or mild as you like). Fill them with lettuce, cheese, and sour cream before digging in.

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Veggie-Turkey Burgers

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Give your ground turkey burgers the veggie treatment. Incorporate shredded carrot and green onions into your patties. For a twist on toppings, we like adding some crunch (and pretty presentation) with spiralized zucchini noodles. A bit of curry powder added to mustard makes an easy, standout sauce.

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Turkey Salisbury Steaks with White Bean Mash

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Here's a leaner take on homemade Salisbury steak that's just as delicious as the beefy versions out there. The secret? A packet of onion soup mix and Worcestershire sauce make the delicious ground turkey recipe. For more fiber and plant-based protein, serve over a bed of our garlicky herb mashed white beans.

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Turkey-Carrot Goulash

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This ground turkey dinner idea is a healthier take on the traditional paprika-spiced Hungarian stew. Chopped dried plums (prunes) are added to the mix to give the dish some natural sweetness along with a healthy dose of fiber. An entire pound of carrots is also in this ground turkey recipe, adding extra vitamin A to your diet.