Ground turkey...some new ideas plz

_SusieQ_
_SusieQ_ Posts: 2,964 Member
edited September 30 in Recipes
I have a pound of ground turkey, and I'm not afraid to use it! BUT, I need something new and creative. Give me some ideas that are NOT chili, taco meat or meatloaf. I love all those things, but trying to branch out a little.

That is unless you think you have the best, most wonderful way to make chili or meatloaf, then I might entertain those ideas as well. :) Thanks!
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Replies

  • natalie7015
    natalie7015 Posts: 55 Member
    I love to make mine into patties and grill them like a burger.Throw a little cajun seasoning on them or lawry's seasoning salt for my flavor or try Mrs. Dash if you don't want the salt. Very yummy. I also love ground turkey in lasagne.
  • Jade1964
    Jade1964 Posts: 111 Member
    I serve the Meatballs and Sauce over the Cauliflower Rice - it is really good!

    Hawaiian Meatballs in Sauce
    Meatballs
    1 lbs Lean ground turkey or chicken
    2/3 cup fine dry bread crumbs
    1 large egg
    2 tsp prepared mustard
    1 garlic clove minced
    1/2 tsp ground ginger
    1/2 tsp splenda sugar
    1/4 cup finely chopped green onion
    14 oz or 398 ml can of crushed pineapple with juice or just pineapple juice

    Sauce
    3 tbsp chilli sauce or chilli flakes (amount to your liking)
    2 tbsp low sodium soy sauce
    2 tbsp brown sugar splenda
    1 tbsp cornstarch
    1/4 cup water

    Meatballs: combine first 9 ingredients with 1/4 cup undrained pineapple until mixed well and evenly moist. Reserve remaining pineapple and juice. From chicken or turkey mixture into forty 1 inch balls. Place on greased baking sheet. Bake at 400 degrees F for 12 minutes until no longer pink. Makes 40 meatballs

    Sauce: Combine chilli, soy sauce, brown sugar, cornstarch, water and remaining pineapple with juice in small saucepan. Heat and stir on medium until boiling and slightly thickened. Combine with meatballs. Makes 1 1/3 cup sauce.

    Nutrition Info: 1 meatball with 1/2 tbsp of sauce
    34 calories, 0.4 Total Fat, 12 mg Cholesterol, 114 mg sodium, 3 g protein, 4g carbohydrate

    Cauliflower Rice with Fried Onions
    1 T olive oil
    1 small onion, diced small
    1/2 large head cauliflower, chopped in food processor or grated by hand so the texture resembles rice
    pepper for taste

    Heat olive oil in small but heavy frying pan, add onion, turn heat to medium and let onions cook, prepare cauliflower

    Cut cauliflower in half, remove leaves and most of the core from the half your using. cut into slices 1/2 inch thick put in food processor gently pulse.

    onions are brown (8-10 minutes) add cauliflower season with pepper turn heat to medium high. Cook turning often until lightly brown (4-5 minutes)
  • rmdemattia
    rmdemattia Posts: 26
    I like to make stuffed green peppers and instead of use ground beef, use ground turkey.
  • joytopp
    joytopp Posts: 5
    What about turkey burgers? I do ground turkey (spices) chopped onion, chopped celery, chopped red pepper and garlic. Mix it all together and I add a little hot sauce to make it spicy! Make on the grill with lettuce and tomato and a slice of avacado! Yummy
    I add the veggies in to "beef" it up a little so I am not packing too much turkey into one burger. Also you can use only half a roll with it.... :)
  • Ladymomo9
    Ladymomo9 Posts: 35 Member
    Do you like sloppy joes? I have a great recipe for that.

    It's a weight watchers one...let me go see if I can find the book brb
  • Jade1964
    Jade1964 Posts: 111 Member
    I also do turkey burgers where I mix in chopped jalapenos, onion, red pepper and cook. Really tasty!
  • fbmandy55
    fbmandy55 Posts: 5,263 Member
    Spaghetti or Lasagna... I also do the burgers and tacos.

    Also, I know the helper is processed and all but I've used it in Whole Grain Hamburger helper before.
  • _SusieQ_
    _SusieQ_ Posts: 2,964 Member
    wow Jade, loving the meatball idea. I made some a while back but they were just plain boring ones!

    I'm liking everything already....and now I'm hungry. ;)

    Thanks, and keep'em coming!
  • bethvandenberg
    bethvandenberg Posts: 1,496 Member
    lettuce wraps, sloppy joes, sweedish meatballs, etc. Look up some recipes on here and other places for some new ideas. :)
  • alwaysenl
    alwaysenl Posts: 197 Member
    How about Asian Lettuce Wraps? I tried this recipe I got from Whole Foods & it was good! I too wanted something different to do with my ground turkey. To reduce some sodium you can use less sauce.

    1 tablespoon olive, peanut or sesame oil
    1 pound ground turkey or chicken
    2 tablespoons minced garlic
    2 tablespoons finely minced ginger
    2/3 cup Teriyaki Sauce
    Vegetables for filling: grated carrots, mung bean sprouts, sliced Radish, julienned cucumber
    Boston lettuce leaves, rinsed and dried
    Hoisin Sauce

    Heat oil in a large skillet and brown ground turkey. Add garlic and ginger and saute briefly. Add teriyaki sauce and simmer for 10 minutes while preparing vegetables. Place filling and vegetables in center of a large platter, then surround with lettuce leaves. Serve with Hoisin sauce for dipping. Each person can wrap leaf with their choice of fillings, then dip in the sweet and spicy Hoisin sauce. Serves 4.
  • poesch77
    poesch77 Posts: 1,005 Member
    Okay....I know you said no meatloaf recipes BUT even kids love these....

    Mini BBQ Meatloafs

    Mix ground turkey with bbq sauce and cracker or breadcrumbs....shape into balls

    Spray muffin tin with Pam or Canola oil spray and put a ball into each muffin tin hole.....top with shredded cheddar

    Bake at 350 degrees for 40-60min depending on your oven....just keep checking it! Yum!



    Also your could use in place of beef to make Burger Bundles.....just shape meat into logs and brown them....
    put in crockpot with cream of mushroom soup....very good with mashed potatoes!!
  • Ladymomo9
    Ladymomo9 Posts: 35 Member
    Ok- this was 8 points per serving with the old way and it serves 4

    Southwestern Sloppy Joes

    1 tbsp canola oil
    1 onion, chopped
    1 garlic clove, minced
    1 jalpeno, seeded and chopped
    1 tsp chili powder
    1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
    3/4 lb lean turkey breast
    1 7-ounce can mexican style corn
    1 1/2 cups mild chunky salsa
    1 tbsp dark brown sugar packed
    4 hamburger rolls

    heat the skillet over medium heat. Swirl in the oil and add the onion, garlic and jalapeno. Cook, stirring until soft- about 4 minutes. Add the chili powder and oregano and cook 1 more minute. Add the turkey and corn and cook until mixture is nearly dry about 4 minutes. Stir in the salsa and brown sugar and cook stirring until thick and the turkey is cooked about 4-5 minutes. Serve on the rolls.


    ENJOY!! I hope you like it.
  • AshCain
    AshCain Posts: 13
    Turkey burger! Add onion and garlic to the meat. Top with a low fat slice of chese, some avacado and even salsa!
  • anything you can do with ground beef you can do with ground turkey, its just the healthier option.. but my mom just cooks it with seasoning any kind you like and we put over shredded lettuce and eat that for lunch.. its really good and isnt heavy which is why its good for lunch cause you dont feel tired after..
  • johcum43
    johcum43 Posts: 4
    You can make small to medium meatballs with the ground turkey and use in dishes such as the following:
    - brown the turkey meatballs in olive oil in a frying pan. When brown add rinsed and drained sauerkraut, 2-3 cups to 1 lb of turkey (sprinkle with caraway seed, cover and steam for 20-30 minutes). You can add chopped garlic and onion to the browning turkey.
    - make curried turkey meatballs and serve over quinoa or brown rice (you can make your own curry with cumin, turmeric, coriander, ginger, paprika and chili pepper powder - leave out the chili pepper powder if you want a "sweet" curry). You can add plain yogurt to the curry sauce just before serving (stirring in gently); if refrigerating before serving leave out the yogurt until you heat the sauce before serving. Many curried lamb recipes give you the proportions for the spices, although about 1/2 tsp each is fine, except 2 tsps for the coriander (ground seed).
  • Dtrmnd86
    Dtrmnd86 Posts: 406 Member
    I use mine to make turkey burgers. They are delicious! Other than that, we usually do tacos with it.
  • craftylatvian
    craftylatvian Posts: 599 Member
    Turkey Burgers: mix in some fresh chopped cilantro and fresh chopped garlic (I love these and am not a big cilantro fan)
    Lasagna: Use the ground turkey in place of beef/sausage. Replace some of the noodles with zucchini ribbons.
  • rishonb
    rishonb Posts: 232
    i don't have an idea for you as to what you can do with ground turkey but i really like your comment about anything you can do with ground beef u can do with ground turkey .. that is so true.
  • I just brown a pound of turkey... throw in some chili powder, 1 can of whole kernel corn and 1 can of unsalted diced tomatoes... its so simple but for some reason I love this turkey tex mex dish. Then I eat it on a tostada.. yum!
  • _SusieQ_
    _SusieQ_ Posts: 2,964 Member
    Okay....I know you said no meatloaf recipes BUT even kids love these....

    Mini BBQ Meatloafs

    Mix ground turkey with bbq sauce and cracker or breadcrumbs....shape into balls

    Spray muffin tin with Pam or Canola oil spray and put a ball into each muffin tin hole.....top with shredded cheddar

    Bake at 350 degrees for 40-60min depending on your oven....just keep checking it! Yum!



    Also your could use in place of beef to make Burger Bundles.....just shape meat into logs and brown them....
    put in crockpot with cream of mushroom soup....very good with mashed potatoes!!

    Oooooooh, I like both of those! Seems simple, but never thought to put that together! Yay!!!!
  • osucristina
    osucristina Posts: 197
    Turkey pita burgers with red onion, feta and tzaziki sauce!
  • _SusieQ_
    _SusieQ_ Posts: 2,964 Member
    anything you can do with ground beef you can do with ground turkey, its just the healthier option.. but my mom just cooks it with seasoning any kind you like and we put over shredded lettuce and eat that for lunch.. its really good and isnt heavy which is why its good for lunch cause you dont feel tired after..

    Very true, I try to use ground turkey in place of beef when I can. I just wanted to get some more creative ideas instead of the rut I've been stuck in!!! You guys are doing great, I don't know what to try first!!!
  • ennaejay
    ennaejay Posts: 575
    I made these Sesame-Soy meatballs and they were phenomenal :

    http://www.myrecipes.com/recipe/sesame-soy-meatballs-50400000107425/

    I made a pot of basmati rice and steamed broccoli, and some sesame sauce cooked up on the stovetop (think sesame oil, soy sauce, some cornstarch, etc, you can find a recipe online. I forget what I used).
  • MDanielson24
    MDanielson24 Posts: 4 Member
    Turkey burgers. I add shredded zucchini and mashed up black beans to mine with red pepper, garlic and onion. Cook in a skillet approximately 5 minutes on each side. Very yummy. I put them on bread thins with laughing cow spreadable cheese.
  • nuviag
    nuviag Posts: 131 Member
    oh my lord...Cauliflower Rice ? I cant wait to try it
  • ratkins811
    ratkins811 Posts: 190 Member
    oh my lord...Cauliflower Rice ? I cant wait to try it
    [/quote

    same here.... I had to cut-n-paste that one :smile:
  • tweez8976
    tweez8976 Posts: 94 Member
    Stuffedd bell peppers - I prefer the yellow and orange. Cut off the tops of the bells and dice them along with fresh mushrooms, an onion, garlic. Saute the turkey and all of the diced veggies until the turkey is pretty much cooked. Stuff each bell pepper with the mixture and bake at 350 for about 30 minutes or until the bell pepper is to your liking. Make sure to spray the cookie sheet under the peppers or the bottoms will burn. I'll sometimes add breadcrumbs to the mixture if I have extra calories that day - really helps soak up all the extra juice and is super yummy! :)
  • karalynnroll
    karalynnroll Posts: 33 Member
    Turkey chili

    Brown turkey with diced onions and green peppers.

    Drain turkey.

    Add 1 big can of tomato juice and 2 small cans of light kidney beans

    Add chili powder and garlic powder to taste.
  • Laura_beau
    Laura_beau Posts: 1,029 Member
    I have copy & pasted these from my blog- they are yummy!!


    Indian Keema Mattar (Spicy minced (Ground) turkey with peas)

    This tastes best with whole roasted spices ground in a pestle & mortar/ food processor. Failing that, use the ready ground powdered variety.

    This is really quick but packed with flavour.

    Serve this with some bread- I reccomend a mini naan bread (I have included the calorie count of 1 mini naan per person) but can also be served with pitta, chappati or other ethnic flatbreads. Also, serve with a fresh indian style salad, made with sliced tomatoes, red onions and fresh coriander (Cilantro)

    220 calories per person- including mini naan bread

    Ingredients:

    1 pack lean minced (ground) Turkey- about 500g
    1 large onion, finely chopped
    2 cloves garlic, crushed
    Thumb sized piece of fresh ginger root, finely chopped.
    1 tsp ground turmeric
    2 tsp garam masala- or curry powder
    1 hot chilli pepper, chopped
    1 tin of garden peas
    4 mini naan breads
    2 beef or lamb stock (boullion)cubes, dissolved in water.
    1/4 cup chopped fresh coriander (Cilantro)

    Method:

    Brown the meat in a non stick pan withthe onion, garlic, ginger & chilli. Add the stock and stir, add the turmeric, garam masala & peas. Simmer for about 10 mins until most of the liquid has dissolved. Serve hot with the naan bread & salad

    AND

    Greek Meatball Stew.

    I love Greek flavours, the subtle spicing and herbs. I have made these Greek meatballs and tomato sauce before using lamb but they work very well with lean turkey mince (ground turkey).

    As Turkey has a tendancy to fall apart- these meatballs are baked in the oven in a dish with the sauce added halfway through.

    Serves 4: 265 cals per portion.

    Ingredients- for the meatballs

    500g (17.6 oz) Lean turkey mince (Ground Turkey)
    1 egg, beaten
    1 tsp Garlic Salt
    1 tsp Ground Cinnamon
    2 tsp oregano (Fresh, if you can get it- otherwise dried is fine).
    1 tsp mint (Ditto above)
    2 tsp grated lemon zest

    Ingredients- For the Sauce

    -1 large Jar tomato Passata, or 2 x cans chopped tomatoes (add extra cals if using these)
    -2 cloves garlic, crushed
    -1 tsp white sugar
    -1 tbsp dried mixed herbs/ oregano
    -Handful fresh flat leaf parsley (optional)
    -1 large red onion, cut into wedges
    -1 aubergine (Eggplant) cut into small wedges
    -2 x Courgettes (Zucchini) Cut into small wedges
    -80mls (1/3 cup) of red wine
    -60g (4 tbsp) Crumbled reduced fat feta cheese
    - 30 pitted black olives
    - 2 tbsp lemon juice.

    Method:

    Step 1- In a large bowl, mix the turkey, garlic powder, cinnamon, lemon zest, mint, oregano, S&P & egg together. Chill mixture in the fridge for at least 30 minutes to firm.

    Step 2: Heat the oven to 220 degrees celcius/ 425 degrees Farenheit. Meanwhile, shape the turkey mixture into meatballs- medium sized. Put the meatballs in a non stick, ovenproof casserole dish. Add the onion wedges, aubergine wedges (eggplant) and courgette wedges (Zucchini) in and around the meatballs & spray with 1 cal spray oil. Turn the oven down slightly and bake for 10 minutes.

    Step 3: Meanwhile, in a separate pan on top of the stove, sautee the garlic & add the passata/tomatoes & warm through. Season with S&P, the sugar, the herbs & lemon juice. Add the red wine and stir through.

    Step 4: Pour the tomato sauce over the meatballs & veggies. Continue baking for a further 15 minutes.

    Step 5: Sprinkle the top with the olives, parsley & Feta cheese.

    Serve with toasted wholemeal pitta & green salad (Not included in calorie count)


    Optional- Add chilli flakes/ cayenne pepper to the meatball mixture and/or sauce for a kick!
  • wackynunu
    wackynunu Posts: 103
    Greek Turkey Burgers

    You can eat them on a bun or flat bread. I mixed greek yogurt with salt and pepper as a sauce on top.

    1.25 lb ground turkey breast
    1/2 cup feduced fat Crumbled Feta
    1/4 cup seasoned bread crumbs
    1 egg white
    1 chopped jalapeno
    3 Tbs chopped banana peppers
    9 chopped Kalamata Olives
    Salt and Pepper

    Form into 5 patties and cook a few minutes on each side on Med High heat.

    THESE ARE DELICIOUS!
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