36 Easy Ways To Serve Ground Turkey for Dinner

Updated February 14, 2019
Credit: Romulo Yanes

Flavorful, juicy, and easy to prepare, this budget-friendly protein is more versatile than you might think. Try some of our favorite ground turkey recipes for delicious weeknight meals. 

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Greek Turkey Burgers

Credit: Victor Protasio

Greek Turkey Burgers Recipe

Riffing off the flavor of a Greek gyro, these turkey burgers cook up fast in a cast-iron skillet or grill pan. Lemony, olive-studded yogurt sauce adds more Middle Eastern–inspired flavor and is a tasty alternative to ketchup and mustard. Piled high with arugula, cucumber, and red onion, these are filling enough to be called dinner. Or, round out the meal with roasted potato fries. For the juiciest burgers, go for 93% lean ground turkey (a combination of white and dark meat).

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Herby Lamb and Turkey Meatballs

Credit: Sara Tane

Herby Lamb and Turkey Meatballs Recipe

The possibilities are endless with these simple, baked meatballs. By combining lamb and turkey, the meatballs possess that signature, rich flavor of lamb, but don’t feel excessively indulgent. If lamb isn’t your cup of tea (in terms of price or flavor), feel free to substitute for more ground turkey. Alternatively, if you’d like a stronger lamb flavor, adjust your ratio of lamb to turkey accordingly. Once made, you can serve these flavor-packed meatballs any number of ways. Plate them atop a bed of sautéed kale and a smear of Greek yogurt, topped with toasted pine nuts and feta cheese. Add them into a brothy, vegetable-heavy soup for a meaty kick, or crumble them into Mediterranean-inspired salads and pitas. Stick them with a toothpick and serve them as an easy appetizer alongside a lemony, herby yogurt dip. The fresh herbs and bold cumin pair beautifully with plain yogurt, tangy cheeses, and creamy dressings and condiments, like tahini.

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Turkey and Mushroom Bolognese

Credit: Jennifer Causey; Styling: Missie Neville Crawford

Turkey and Mushroom Bolognese Recipe

A rich and hearty meat sauce gains even more robust umami body with the addition of mushrooms. Try serving over polenta as a change of pace from noodles.

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Italian Turkey and Orzo Soup

Credit: Randy Mayor; Styling: Lindsey Lower

Italian Turkey and Orzo Soup Recipe

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Spaghetti Squash Lasagna with Spinach

Credit: Jennifer Causey

Spaghetti Squash Lasagna with Spinach Recipe

Bake the squash in advance to shorten prep time; squeeze the noodles dry, and store in a zip-top plastic bag in the refrigerator until ready to use.

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Lamb and Turkey Vidalia Salad

Credit: Jennifer Causey; Styling: Claire Spollen

Lamb and Turkey Vidalia Salad Recipe

Make sure to have your stove's hood vent cranking--the onion will give off smoke as it chars. A hit of floral fresh oregano provides the perfect top note for the salad's Mediterranean flavors.

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Sweet and Sour Turkey Meatballs with Polenta

Credit: Jennifer Causey; Styling: Lindsey Lower

Sweet and Sour Turkey Meatballs with Polenta Recipe

This Asian twist on an Italian-style favorite just plain works. The four sauce ingredients create an instant, incredibly balanced barbecue-type lacquer, full of vinegar and chile punch, caramel notes, and umami richness.

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Chorizo and Kale-Stuffed Sweet Potatoes with Zucchini-Arugula Salad

Credit: Jennifer Causey Styling: Lindsey Lower

Chorizo and Kale-Stuffed Sweet Potatoes with Zucchini-Arugula Salad Recipe

A combo of superlean ground turkey and rich ground pork gives you the ideal mix of flavor and texture while staying nice and light.

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Lean Lasagna

Credit: Hector Sanchez; Styling: Karin Olsen

Lean Lasagna Recipe

Our favorite recipe from the Cooking Light column, this lightened-up lasagna tastes every bit as flavorful as the traditional version.

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Turkey Sliders with Crunchy Green Apple Slaw

Credit: Victor Protasio

Turkey Sliders with Crunchy Green Apple Slaw Recipe

Sliders make any burger night more fun, especially since you get double the patties and double the creamy, crunchy slaw. Look for ground turkey rather than ground turkey breast--the former has a bit more fat and flavor from dark meat while still keeping a lean profile.

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Slow-cooker Turkey Chili

Slow-cooker Turkey Chili Recipe

The most popular recipe for chili on our site, Slow-cooker Turkey Chili features lean ground turkey, black beans, onion, corn, and fresh bell pepper. With just 15 minutes of prep time, you can throw all of the ingredients into a slow cooker before leaving for work and return 8 hours later to a piping-hot, home-cooked meal. Serve with corn chips, shredded cheese (we prefer a cheese blend of Colby and Monterey Jack), chopped red onion, fresh avocado slices, and a dollop of sour cream.

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Italian-Style Hobo Bundles

Credit: Thomas J. Story

Italian-Style Hobo Bundles Recipe

The classic meal in a foil pouch gets a serious upgrade in this fresh version. For a head start, make the meatballs at home (see below). You'll need heavy-duty foil, long tongs, grilling gloves, and a firepit with a cooking grate. Watch us make this recipe: sunset.com/hobobundles. (For more uses for the pickled Calabrian chiles, see Note, below.)

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Rotini with Crumbled Turkey and Tomato Sauce

Credit: Hector Sanchez; Styling: Heather Chadduck Hillegas

Rotini with Crumbled Turkey and Tomato Sauce Recipe

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Turkey Sliders

Credit: Hector Sanchez Styling: Caroline Cunningham

Turkey Sliders Recipe

Light the grill for crowd-pleasing, mini turkey burgers — because size doesn't always have to matter. Patty on water rolls and top with pepperoncini peppers, if desired.

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Turkey Taco Burritos

Credit: Jennifer Causey; Styling: Claire Spollen

Turkey Taco Burritos Recipe

Speedy assembly and bold, familiar flavors earn these burritos a regular place in the dinner rotation. For an extra boost, char the tortillas on a stovetop burner before you assemble the burritos.

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Turkey Burger With Artichoke-Goat Cheese Spread

Credit: Marcus Nilsson; Styling: Robyn Glaser

Turkey Burger With Artichoke-Goat Cheese Spread Recipe

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Ultimate Spinach and Turkey Lasagna

Ultimate Spinach and Turkey Lasagna Recipe

This healthy lasagna recipe features ground turkey instead of beef,  reduced-fat cheese and vitamin-packed spinach. Using store-bought marinara sauce helps keep it easy.You can assemble this lasagna and freeze it, unbaked, for up to a month.  Let it thaw completely before baking. 

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Gnocchi with Turkey Ragù

Credit: Randy Mayor; Melanie J. Clarke

Gnocchi with Turkey Ragù Recipe

Gnocchi are Italian potato-based dumplings. They float to the top of the water when they're done. Serve with breadsticks.

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Turkey Enchilada Casserole

Credit: James Carrier

Turkey Enchilada Casserole Recipe

With more online raves than any other recipe on Sunset.com, this homey, comforting casserole summons up the past in the best possible way. Everything about it is familiar and easy: tortillas layered with ground turkey, enchilada sauce, and seasonings, plus lots of cheese. We love it with ground beef, too.

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Ground Turkey Laap

Credit: Petrina Tinslay

Ground Turkey Laap Recipe

In Laos, this laap (a ground meat dish) is usually made with duck and can be eaten alone or with sticky rice. The recipe here substitutes ground turkey, which is more readily available in the US and less expensive. But to make it the authentic way, use an equal amount of duck breast trimmed of fat, freeze it for 10 minutes and then finely chop by hand.

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Asian Turkey Cabbage Cups

Credit: Randy Mayor; Styling: Kellie Gerber Kelley
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Turkey, Squash and Black Bean Chili

Credit: Hector Sanchez; Styling: Gerri Williams

Turkey, Squash and Black Bean Chili Recipe

Butternut squash adds additional nutrients, flavor, and bulk to Turkey, Squash and Black Bean Chili. Serve this easy one-dish dinner over brown rice, or with warm corn tortillas or cornbread on the side.

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Baked Ziti with Turkey and Pesto

Credit: Dominic Perri; Styling: Gerri Williams for James Reps

Baked Ziti with Turkey and Pesto Recipe

Layers of pasta and cheese combine with ground turkey and pesto for this lasagna-type casserole of Baked Ziti with Turkey and Pesto.

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Turkey and Cheese Stuffed Mushrooms

Credit: Dominic Perri; Styling: Gerri Williams for James Reps

Turkey and Cheese Stuffed Mushrooms Recipe

Bite-sized Turkey and Cheese Stuffed Mushrooms would work well as an appetizer or an easy weeknight dinner with a side salad.

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Lamb and Turkey Pita Burgers

Credit: Oxmoor House

Lamb and Turkey Pita Burgers Recipe

Cinnamon, ginger, and cumin give these burgers the warm, spicy flavor of the eastern Mediterranean. The burgers would pair nicely with a simple cucumber or cucumber-tomato salad.

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Turkey, Pine Nut, and Currant Meatballs

Credit: Quentin Bacon

Turkey, Pine Nut, and Currant Meatballs Recipe

Prep: 20 minutes; Cook: 16 minutes; Total time: 36 minutes.

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Crispy Ginger-and-Garlic Asian Turkey Lettuce Wraps

Crispy Ginger-and-Garlic Asian Turkey Lettuce Wraps Recipe

KIDS LOVE IT Finalist. JENNIE-O TURKEY STORE Brand Winner.

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Turkey Empanadas

Turkey Empanadas Recipe

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Slow-Cooker BBQ Turkey Meatballs

Credit: Ryan Benyi; Styling: Andrea Steinberg

Slow-Cooker BBQ Turkey Meatballs Recipe

These easy slow-cooker turkey meatballs are the perfect choice for busy weeknights.  Serve over mashed potatoes with a side of corn.

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Turkey-Basil Rolls

Credit: Oxmoor House

Turkey-Basil Rolls Recipe

Thai seasoning blend is packed with flavor, but isn't spicy. Look for it in the Asian section of your supermarket. Prepare the filling ahead, if desired, but assemble the rolls just before serving.

Prep: 10 minutes; Cook: 5 minutes

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Cincinnati Turkey Chili

Credit: Randy Mayor; Styling: Jan Gautro

Cincinnati Turkey Chili Recipe

Ladle bowlfuls of inspired Midwestern chili for your next casual dinner party or football gathering.

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Turkey Soup Provençal

Credit: Photography: Randy Mayor; Styling: Melanie J. Clarke

Turkey Soup Provençal Recipe

This French-inspired turkey soup gets its rich flavor from dried herbes de Provence and features ground turkey breast, canned beans and tomatoes, chicken broth, and fresh spinach. 

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Ground Turkey and Tofu

Credit: Jan Smith

Ground Turkey and Tofu Recipe

You can use chicken breast or lean pork instead of turkey. Cut chicken or pork into cubes, then grind it in a food processor.

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Tex-Mex Calzones

Credit: Randy Mayor; Styling: Jan Gautro

Tex-Mex Calzones Recipe

Spice up sandwich night with this Tex-Mex inspired favorite packed with ground turkey, fresh veggies, and spicy salsa.

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Turkey Mini Meat Loaves

Credit: Lee Harrelson; Styling: Cindy Barr

Turkey Mini Meat Loaves Recipe

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.