These ground turkey recipes are great any night of the week. This versatile ingredient cooks up fast and can be used in anything from burgers to tacos to chili.
26 Ground Turkey Recipes to Add to Your Weeknight Meal Rotation
Updated on Sep. 12, 2024
1/26
Cheeseburger Bowl
Total Time
35 min
Servings
4 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
This recipe is a lighter way to enjoy an American summer staple. You can try a version of the dressing with 1 tablespoon of yellow mustard and 1 tablespoon of ketchup. —Laurie Rogerson, Ellington, Connecticut
2/26
Effortless Black Bean Chili
Total Time
6 hours 25 min
Servings
6 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
My mom found the inspiration for this chili in a slow-cooker cookbook. After a few updates, all of us love it (even those of us who steer clear of beans). We think it's even better served over rice. —Amelia Gormley, Ephrata, Pennsylvania
A good black bean chili warms the taste buds with smoky flavors, hearty beans and a kick of spice. This one is packed full of so much flavor, no one will notice you used ground turkey instead of beef!
3/26
Three-Cheese Turkey Manicotti
Total Time
1 hour 5 min
Servings
6 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
This is my husband’s favorite dish. He always requests it, even for holidays! You’ll love the variety of cheeses and spices that jazz it up. It’s restaurant-quality, but at a quarter of the price! —LuAnne Wallace Bennett, Powder Springs, Georgia
Manicotti translates to “little sleeves.” It refers to both the large, tube-shaped noodles and the Italian dish made by stuffing those noodles with ricotta cheese and other fillings. The end result is a savory casserole packed full of melty cheese and bold Italian spices.
4/26
Sloppy Joe Recipe
Total Time
30 min
Servings
4 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
You’ll love this quick, easy and economical dish. Brown sugar adds a touch of sweetness, both for traditional sandwiches on buns or as a down-home topping for rice, biscuits or baked potatoes. —Laurie Hauser, Rochester, New York
5/26
Turkey Feta Meatballs
Total Time
40 min
Servings
12 meatballs
From the Recipe Creator:
Baked turkey meatballs are a protein-packed dish that combines lean ground turkey with fresh spinach, garlic and the tangy punch of feta cheese. They pair well with various sauces from tzatziki to hummus. —Lauren Habermehl, Pewaukee, Wisconsin
Change up your meatball routine with these Mediterranean-inspired turkey meatballs. Made with feta and spinach, they’re a light and nutritious weeknight dinner.
6/26
Turkey-Stuffed Bell Peppers
Total Time
50 min
Servings
5 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
These well-seasoned ground-turkey-stuffed peppers are so tasty, you won’t even miss having real cheddar cheese. Round out the meal with a salad or a side of rice. —Judy Hand-Truitt, Birmingham, Alabama
We absolutely love stuffed bell peppers as an easy low-carb dinner option. The pepper maintains its tender-crisp texture, and the filling is rich and savory. To make the recipe gluten-free, swap in gluten-free bread crumbs.
7/26
Jalapeno-Swiss Turkey Burgers
Total Time
25 min
Servings
4 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
These easy turkey burgers are extra juicy and loaded with flavor. I think the spicy jalapenos give it just the right level of heat, but feel free to adjust the amount to amp it up or tone it down. —Wanda Allende, Orlando, Florida
These turkey burgers turn out surprisingly juicy, especially if you pick up the package labeled as “ground turkey” instead of “ground turkey breast.” Regular ground turkey is a mixture of white and dark meat, giving the patty the extra fat it needs to stay moist as it cooks. If you’re not a fan of Swiss cheese, pepper jack cheese works well on this burger too.
8/26
Turkey White Chili
Total Time
1 hour 25 min
Servings
6 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
Growing up in a Pennsylvania Dutch area, I was surrounded by excellent cooks and wonderful foods. I enjoy experimenting with new recipes like this change-of-pace chili. —Kaye Whiteman, Charleston, West Virginia
This bowl is stunning, and the chili tastes just as good as it looks. You can use any type of bean in white chili, but we love chickpeas because they maintain their chewy texture as the soup simmers. If you can’t find turkey breast, substitute chicken breast or use all ground turkey instead.
9/26
Mexican Turkey Meat Loaf
Total Time
3 hours 25 min
Servings
1 loaf (6 servings)
From the Recipe Creator:
Here's a zesty, flavorful meat loaf you can really sink your teeth into! Pair this with black beans, rice, green salad with lime vinaigrette or any of your favorite Tex-Mex sides. —Kristen Miller, Glendale, Wisconsin
Meat loaf is one of our favorite ground turkey recipes. This particular recipe gets a flavor boost from all the Mexican flavors. If you end up with leftovers, slice the loaf into individual portions and use it to make meat loaf gyros.
10/26
Turkey Sausage Cabbage Rolls
Total Time
7 hours 50 min
Servings
12 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
I practically grew up in my Polish grandmother's kitchen, watching Babci cook and listening to her stories. I made her cabbage roll recipe healthier with whole grains and turkey, but kept the same rich flavors I remember. —Fay Moreland, Wichita Falls, Texas
Cabbage rolls sound like a lot of work, but everything for this ground turkey recipe can be prepped in advance. Prepare the filling and soften the cabbage leaves the night before. In the morning, roll them up and pop ’em in the slow cooker so dinner will be ready when you come home.
11/26
One-Dish Ground Turkey Sweet Potato Skillet
Total Time
30 min
Servings
4 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
This quick one-dish dinner helped keep my husband and me on track throughout the week while we were still learning to balance our busy schedules. — Shannon Barden, Alpharetta, Georgia
This is one of those ground turkey recipes you should probably double, because the leftovers taste even better the next day. It’s a perfect option for meal prepping because the whole thing cooks in a single skillet. If you’re not a fan of sweet potatoes, try using butternut squash instead.
12/26
Black Bean Turkey Enchiladas
Total Time
50 min
Servings
14 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
My best friend and I created this recipe together because we wanted a meal that’s easy to prepare, affordable and nutritious. We both have hectic schedules, so when we’re feeling crunched for time, it’s a relief to have these wholesome enchiladas waiting for us in the freezer. —Holly Baber, Seattle, Washington
Ground turkey enchiladas happen to be one of our favorite Mexican recipes under 400 calories, but that doesn’t mean it’s not packed full of flavor! Between the bold sauce and all that cheese, it will be impossible to know you made a skinny version.
13/26
Asian Turkey Lettuce Cups
Total Time
30 min
Servings
4 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
Such a cool idea for a light lunch or even an appetizer simply served in small lettuce leaves. When I want to make it easier for my kids to eat, I mix it all up with shredded lettuce and serve in a bowl. —Diana Rios, Lytle, Texas
Lettuce cups can be used as a fancy appetizer, but they’re also a great ground turkey recipe when you’re looking for a light lunch. To make the dish more substantial, you can eat the filling over noodles or rice instead of lettuce.
14/26
Crispy Baked Wontons
Total Time
40 min
Servings
about 4 dozen
From the Recipe Creator:
These quick, versatile wontons are great for a savory snack or paired with a bowl of soothing soup on a cold day. I usually make a large batch, freeze half on a floured baking sheet, then store in an airtight container. —Brianna Shade, Beaverton, Oregon
We’re all about skipping the drive-thru and making copycat takeout recipes instead. We also like passing on the fryer oil with these crispy wontons and baking them in the oven so they’re not as greasy.
15/26
Quinoa Turkey Chili
Total Time
1 hour 15 min
Servings
9 servings (2-1/4 quarts)
From the Recipe Creator:
This heart-healthy turkey quinoa chili is not only tasty, it's a vitamin and protein powerhouse! —Sharon Giljum, San Diego, California
The combination of earthy quinoa and spiced ground turkey is divine. Add in black beans, corn, zucchini and tomatoes, and this ground turkey recipe becomes hearty, filling and delicious.
16/26
Turkey Sausage Zucchini Boats
Total Time
1 hour 5 min
Servings
6 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
When I worked in the school library, my co-workers were my taste testers. They approved this healthy and happy spin on stuffed zucchini. —Stephanie Cotterman, West Alexandria, Ohio
This is one of those ground turkey recipes that’s completely customizable. Feel free to make the recipe your own by adjusting the seasonings. We like the combination of Italian seasoning, salt, cayenne pepper and paprika, but it would also taste great with taco seasoning or other popular spice blends.
17/26
Tangy Turkey Tostadas
Total Time
25 min
Servings
8 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
I'm a health fitness specialist and personal trainer, so I know how important it is to make smart food choices to fuel my day. These fast and filling tostadas are packed with lean protein, fiber and a good dose of veggies. Have them any night of the week. —Julie Huntington, Memphis, Tennessee
These tostadas will be a hit with the whole family! The turkey mixture can be made in advance (and even frozen), so all you need to do is reheat it when you’re ready to eat. It tastes fantastic on crispy tostada shells, but you can spoon the mixture into soft tortillas or crispy taco shells if you prefer.
18/26
Mediterranean Turkey Skillet
Total Time
30 min
Servings
6 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
I've always heard that it’s important to eat a rainbow of colors to get all of the nutrients we need. Thanks to my garden-grown veggies, this dish certainly fits the bill. —Nicole Ehlert, Burlington, Wisconsin
This ground turkey recipe reminds us of minestrone soup but without the pasta and broth. It’s packed full of flavor but has a light, refreshing character—perfect for a hot summer day! As a bonus, you can make it in a single pan, so cleanup is a breeze.
19/26
Upside-Down Frito Pie
Total Time
2 hours 20 min
Servings
6 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
Using ground turkey is a smart way to lighten this hearty family pleaser! —Mary Berg, Lake Elmo, Minnesota
Frito pie is a Southwestern-style casserole that combines chili, cheese and corn chips. In a restaurant, the chili is often served directly into an open bag of Fritos. We turn the dish upside-down, garnishing this ground turkey chili with the chips instead.
20/26
Chili-Stuffed Poblano Peppers
Total Time
30 min
Servings
4 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
While exploring Mexican restaurants, I tasted chiles rellenos and wanted to make them at home. My husband and I teamed up to create this new favorite recipe, stuffed poblano peppers. —Lorrie Grabczynski, Commerce Township, Michigan
Chile rellenos are delicious, but they sure are a lot of work! This ground turkey recipe skips the battering and frying step, producing a lightened-up version that tastes just as great. Poblano peppers aren’t that spicy, but you can substitute bell peppers or sweet banana peppers if you’re sensitive to heat.
21/26
Buffalo Sloppy Joes
Total Time
30 min
Servings
8 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
Lean ground turkey makes this a lighter sloppy joe than the standard ground beef version. A hefty splash of hot sauce and optional blue cheese provide an authentic Buffalo-style flavor. —Maria Regakis, Saugus, Massachusetts
22/26
Ketolicious Cheesy Biscuits with Turkey Sausage
Total Time
40 min
Servings
8 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
If you're craving serious comfort food, this sammy is for you. The keto-friendly breakfast of homemade biscuits and turkey sausage checks all the boxes! —Trisha Kruse, Eagle, ID
You don’t have to be on the keto diet to enjoy this comforting breakfast recipe. The sausage tastes fantastic on homemade biscuits, but it also stands on its own. Use this recipe anytime you’re looking to lighten up breakfast without sacrificing flavor.
23/26
Taco Noodle Dish
Total Time
30 min
Servings
6 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
I got creative while we were housebound during a snowstorm one winter...and used ingredients I had on hand to come up with this hearty casserole. Later, I modified it so it has less fat and fewer calories. —Judy Munger, Warren, Minnesota
Looking for ground turkey recipes that can feed a crowd? This is one of those! It captures the essence of tacos but turns it into a healthy casserole, so you don’t have to assemble each one individually.
24/26
Turkey Stroganoff
Total Time
6 hours 20 min
Servings
6 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
I have been making this tasty dish for 30 plus years. Of all the turkey dishes we have, this is the family favorite. I can put it in my slow cooker before leaving for work and come home to a hot, delicious dinner. Serve it over cooked noodles, rice, mashed potatoes—or for a surprise, polenta. —Cindy Adams, Tracy, California
25/26
Southwest Turkey Patties with Beans
Total Time
30 min
Servings
4 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
These turkey patties are delicious and low in calories. Skip the rice if you're looking to cut carbs. —Dot Carpenter, Washington, Pennsylvania
We love this healthy recipe for busy weeknight dinners because it comes together in only 30 minutes. If the weather is nice outside, feel free to take the patties out to the grill instead of cooking them under the broiler.
26/26
Enchilada Stuffed Shells
Total Time
50 min
Servings
5 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
I served this entree to my husband, my sister and my brother-in-law, who is a hard-to-please eater. He said he liked it and even took leftovers for lunch the next day—I was thrilled! —Rebecca Stout, Conroe, Texas
This fun twist on a classic dish is sure to surprise your guests. It looks like an Italian pasta, but the shells are bursting with Mexican flavors from the enchilada sauce.
