It takes a lot of thought to create a delicious yet healthy meal, one that everyone in the family will enjoy. Lightening up the old Southern Classics is an obvious choice, but lean ground turkey, which contains less saturated fat and cholesterol than lean ground beef, is a smart choice when it comes to cooking the family favorites such as burgers, chili, and enchiladas. This selection of ground turkey recipes will enable you to enjoy a hearty and tasty dinner tonight without worrying about excessive fat and cholesterol. And while turkey has gotten a bad reputation over the years for being dry and tasteless, simply follow the easy recipe instructions and you will see how flavorful and juicy ground turkey can be. Shoppers note: turkey breast is lean, but dark meat is not, and some packages of ground turkey contain both. Be sure to read the label so you can buy exactly what you need. Need more options for cutting back on fat and calories? Main Dish Salads are a great option for satisfying meals.
Lean Lasagna
Recipe: Lean Lasagna
This may be a lightened version of the traditional Italian dish but, we promise, this recipe is so full of flavor you won’t miss a thing.
Slow-Cooker Turkey Chili
Recipe: Slow-Cooker Turkey Chili
Cooking the meat, along with the onion, garlic, and spices, before adding it to the slow-cooker helps to bring out the rich flavor of the dish.
Tex-Mex Turkey Burgers
Recipe: Tex-Mex Turkey Burgers
Fire up the grill and make a pitcher of margaritas. These turkey burgers feature summer’s best Tex-Mex flavors.
Pickled Onion-Chutney Burgers
Recipe: Pickled Onion-Chutney Burgers
Recipe: Red Onion Relish
Recipe: Homemade Hamburger Buns
Mango chutney and a homemade red-onion relish move these turkey burgers from good to great.
Smoky Turkey-and-Sweet Potato Chili
Recipe: Smoky Turkey-and-Sweet Potato Chili
Lima beans and sweet potatoes give this smoky chili a decidedly Southern spin.
Greek Turkey Burgers
Recipe: Greek Turkey Burgers
Perfect for a summer meal, these burgers showcase light ground turkey and the Greek flavors like mint, yogurt, feta, red onion, and cucumbers.
Muffuletta Burgers
Recipe: Muffuletta Burgers
Recipe: Homemade Hamburger Buns
The popular New Orleans sandwich is reinvented as a lean turkey burger.
Slow-Cooker Turkey Chili with Quinoa
Recipe: Slow-Cooker Turkey Chili with Quinoa
Recipe: Cilantro Sauce
Perfect for game-day festivities, let the slow cooker do the work while you enjoy the fun.
Green Tomato-Feta Burgers
Recipe: Green Tomato-Feta Burgers
Recipe: Homemade Hamburger Buns
Red tomatoes may go well with a beef burger, but the green ones are perfect for topping a lean turkey burger.
Italian Turkey Meatloaves
Recipe: Italian Turkey Meatloaves
The traditional Sunday meal gets a healthy makeover with the use of lean ground turkey.
Turkey Cheeseburgers with Rosemary Onions
Recipe: Turkey Cheeseburgers with Rosemary Onions
The Rosemary Onions add an unexpected flavor profile to these burgers. Round out the meal with sweet potato fries.
Quick Turkey Chili
Recipe: Quick Turkey Chili
This flavor-filled chili, ready in under 45 minutes, should be called Pantry Chili, since you probably already have all the ingredients.
Easy Enchiladas
Recipe: Easy Enchiladas
Made with ground turkey sausage, this dish has all the pop and flavor of the traditional version.
Toasted Pecan, Cranberry, and Gorgonzola Turkey Burgers
Recipe: Toasted Pecan, Cranberry, and Gorgonzola Turkey Burgers
Recipe: Cranberry Mustard
This recipe is so full of favorite holiday flavors, like pecans, cranberry and turkey, it almost sounds like a Thanksgiving meal.
Turkey Burger Patty Melts
Recipe: Turkey Burger Patty Melts
Cranberry sauce and toasted pecans lends unexpected taste and texture to these ground turkey sandwiches.
Breakfast Pizza Cups
Recipe: Breakfast Pizza Cups
We made this weekend favorite a bit healthier by using ground turkey sausage and egg substitute.
Tasty Turkey Burgers
Recipe: Tasty Turkey Burgers
Recipe: Fresh Herb Marinade
Recipe: Herb-Grilled Onion Rings
These turkey burgers explode with unexpected flavor. Top with Herb-Grilled Onion Rings and this will become your family’s favorite burger recipe.
Better-for-You Turkey Meatloaf
Recipe: Better-for-You Turkey Meatloaf
This traditional meatloaf recipe, using quick-cooking oats and Worcestershire sauce, is made a bit lighter by substituting lean ground turkey for fattier beef.
Slow-Cooker Turkey Chili
Recipe: Slow-Cooker Turkey Chili
This top-rated recipe is a reader favorite. It uses lean ground turkey, the traditional chili components, and a convenient slow cooker. What could be better?
Crispy Ginger-and-Garlic Asian Turkey Lettuce Wraps
Recipe: Crispy Ginger-and-Garlic Asian Turkey Lettuce Wraps
No need to go out for dinner when you can make your favorite lettuce wraps, featuring lean ground turkey, in your own kitchen.
