23 Ground Turkey Recipes to Add to Your Dinner Rotation

greek turkey burgers recipe plate
Photo: Sidney Bensimon

Ground turkey is one of the most versatile and healthy proteins you can cook with. By using this leaner protein, you can turn some of your favorite meals into better-for-you dishes without giving up an ounce of flavor. We're sharing our best ground turkey recipes for weeknight meals and more.

Yes, there are meatballs, burgers, chili, and stellar versions of other recipes you'd expect to find in our collection. We've also got some less well-known ways to use ground turkey for weeknight meals, including takes on the stir fry, pasta dishes, pot pie, and hand pies. We're sure you're going to love these ground turkey recipes so much that you'll be adding them to your regular dinner rotation.

01 of 23

Creamy Baked Tortellini with Spinach

creamy baked tortellini with spinach
Nico Schinco

Here's a pasta casserole you'll want to make on repeat! Store-bought fresh or frozen cheese tortellini are the base of the dish but it's the super-quick turkey ragu that's the real star of this pasta bake.

02 of 23

Turkey-Mushroom Patty Melts

Turkey-Mushroom Patty Melts
Frank Frances

Juicy and full of umami, these patties combine the taste of mild ground turkey with button mushrooms. To make it a proper melt, we griddle slices of rye bread until toasted then top them with the patties, Havarti cheese, and lemon-dressed shredded lettuce.

03 of 23

Turkey Meatballs in Apricot Sauce with Mint and Almonds

Turkey Meatballs in Apricot Sauce with Mint and Almonds recipe
Marcus Nilsson

They're just so good! These meatballs have a soft, almost fluffy consistency since they don't get seared. The dried apricots steep with cinnamon and chicken broth, then gets puréed with onion, melding into a bubbling sauce with a subtle spice and a sweetness that kids will love.

04 of 23

Greek Turkey Burger

greek turkey burgers recipe plate
Sidney Bensimon

Much as we love a big turkey patty in a burger bun, we also adore this refreshing and different take. These petit burgers are steamed so they don't dry out, then they get a quick post-steam sear, and are served atop pita, along with hummus, cucumber spears, arugula, and lemony yogurt sauce.

05 of 23

Turkey and Mushroom Bolognese

Turkey-and-Mushroom Bolognese recipe
Chris Simpson

Not only is this a lighter version of the classic Italian recipe, but it only requires 35 minutes of prep. Ground turkey, assorted mushrooms, carrots, and onion round out this delicious dish.

06 of 23

Ginger-Peanut Turkey Stir-Fry

Ginger-Peanut Turkey Stir-Fry
Justin Walker

As easy to make as it is satisfying, this ground turkey stir-fry comes together in a flash. With an ingredient list packed with peanut butter, fresh ginger, tender lettuce, sugar, and lime juice, everyone will be asking for seconds of this tasty creation.

07 of 23

Whole Stuffed Cabbage

whole stuffed cabbage served on a white plate
Marcus Nilsson

Our take on the Eastern European classic uses ground turkey, kasha (roasted buckwheat kernels), cabbage, finely chopped onions, and fresh herbs for a spectacular dish.

08 of 23

Turkey-Pesto Meatball Soup

turkey pesto meatballs
Lennart Weibull

Ground turkey is mixed with panko breadcrumbs, lightly whisked egg, Parmigiano-Reggiano, salt, and freshly ground pepper to make these light meatballs. And to make prep even easier, the meatballs can be refrigerated for up to one day ahead of time.

09 of 23

Turkey Meatloaf with Hoisin Glaze

turkey meatloaf with hoisin glaze plated with lettuce carrots and herbs
Lennart Weibull

Meatloaf has long been a dinner staple. Our version, made with ground turkey, is a lightened up take on the classic. It's topped with a homemade hoisin glaze for a sweet and tangy taste.

10 of 23

Instant Pot Turkey Chili

instant-pot turkey chili and add-ins
Bryan Gardner

The multicooker is especially well-suited to making dishes like chili. A number of vegetables and plenty of herbs and spices come together to create a dish full of heady aromas.

11 of 23

Roasted Garlic Turkey Burgers

Roasted-Garlic Turkey Burgers

Aged provolone cheese and fresh sage are mixed with ground turkey for these burgers. It's a combination that ensures the burgers will stay tender when they're cooked over the heat of an outdoor grill.

12 of 23

Italian Wedding Soup with Turkey Meatballs

italian-wedding-soup-2-286-d112670.jpg
Bryan Gardner

This delicious dish comes together in only 25 minutes, but the flavors will fool your family—they'll think you spend the whole day cooking. We also like that this recipe can be made ahead of time and frozen for up to three months.

13 of 23

Turkey Chili

Turkey Chili
Yuki Sugiura

This version of turkey chili uses both ground and shredded turkey meat for a protein-packed dish. Pink beans, white onion, ancho chiles, and garlic round out the flavor profile.

14 of 23

One-Pot Thai Turkey and Rice

Ont-Pot Thai Turkey and Rice
Anna Williams

Here's a one-skillet meal that is sure to please. Lime juice, garlic, ginger, and coconut milk bring a new level of flavor to ground turkey. Another bonus: this recipe is quick to prep and fast to cleanup.

15 of 23

Honey-Chipotle Turkey Meatballs

Honey-chipotle turkey meatballs recipe

Ground turkey, garlic cloves, chopped chipotle chiles in adobo sauce, honey, and cider vinegar bring the flavor in this mouthwatering recipe.

16 of 23

Turkey-Meatloaf Burgers

turkey-burger-001-d113019.jpg
Linda Pugliese

This recipe combines two of our favorite uses for ground turkey: meatloaf and burgers. Best of all, it makes enough for eight, so it's the perfect addition to your next cookout.

17 of 23

Chipotle-Glazed Meatloaf with Sweet Potatoes

memeatloaf-plated-208-d111528-1014.jpg
Bryan Gardner

Instead of classic mashed potatoes, this recipe uses the nutrient-rich sweet potato for a sweet side, while a chipotle glaze turns out to be the finishing touch turkey meatloaf needs.

18 of 23

Zucchini-Ribbon "Lasagna"

Zucchini-ribbon "lasagna" recipe

Nutrient-rich zucchini is substituted for the pasta while ground turkey replaces the beef in this healthy version of the Italian classic lasagna.

19 of 23

One-Pot Turkey Skillet Pie

turkey biscuit skillet
Christina Holmes

A savory pie is made from ground turkey topped with cheddar biscuits, what could be better? This rich, filling meal is guaranteed to become a new family favorite. And since it comes together in less than an hour, you can enjoy it any night of the week.

20 of 23

Spinach-and-Turkey Hand Pies

spinach-turkey hand pies recipe
Romolo Yanes

Leftover turkey meatloaf made from our Greek-Style Meatloaf is used as the filling for these savory hand pies.

21 of 23

Mustard Turkey Burgers

bbq-burger-cvr-m108613.jpg

The simple patty is made with ground turkey, minced red onion, Dijon mustard, and salt, and is served atop a whole wheat bun with avocado for a satisfying and easy dinner.

22 of 23

Ground Turkey Tacos

turkey-tacos-mhlb2044.jpg

Here's a lighter take on the classic taco and it's all thanks to the lean ground turkey. Our recipe makes eight servings, so there's plenty for everyone.

23 of 23

Pot Sticker Dumplings and Soy-Vinegar Sauce

Pot Sticker Dumplings

The crispy-yet-soft texture of these dumplings explodes with ground turkey. There's a hint of punchy flavor from the soy-vinegar dipping sauce.

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