8 Easy Ground Turkey Recipes (in 30 minutes or less!) (2024)

Jan 4, 2023 / by Laney Schwartz / 4 Comments(updated Aug 17, 2023)

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★★★★★from 2 reviews

The search stops here! I’m sharing 8 easy ground turkey recipe ideas that’ll make weeknight cooking a breeze. Here you’ll find lots of dinner inspiration using my favorite protein, ground turkey, to make delicious, hearty, healthy 30-minute meals. With everything from chili, to soup, pasta sauce and more, there’s no shortage of tasty ways to cook with ground turkey at home.

8 Easy Ground Turkey Recipes (in 30 minutes or less!) (1)

It’s the time of year where all I want are quick, easy, healthy and comforting meals. Let’s be honest, I always want that! I love using ground turkey in my recipes because it’s lean, mild and takes on whatever flavor you choose. It can be used in soups, stews, pasta bakes, tacos and more! It’s just so versatile!

Keep scrolling for some of my favorite ground turkey recipes that can all be made in 30 minutes or less, for real! People always ask me what to do with ground turkey to keep it from being boring and dry. I’ve got some great options for you! I promise it doesn’t need to be bland.

If you’re ready to try something outside of the 30 minute meal window, you gotta try my Slow Cooker Turkey Meatballs or my Turkey Taco Bake. Both are fan favorites!

Feeling excited and ready for even more? Check out all my dinner recipes here! There’s lots more inspiration to get you through those busy weeknights.

I hope you love these recipes as much as I do!

Don’t forget THE most important ingredient when it comes to seasoning your food properly and making it taste amazing…SALT. My all time favorite salt is Redmond Real Salt and you can use code lifeisbutadish for 15% off! Check out my post all about salt to learn more.

20-MINUTE TURKEY TACO SKILLET

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20-Minute Instant Pot Tortellini Soup

This easy, delicious Tortellini Soup is hearty and satisfying. It comes together in less than 20 minutes and is packed with flavorful ground turkey, diced tomatoes, cheese tortellini, coconut milk, lemon and parmesan. Cozy up with a bowl of your new favorite easy weeknight meal.

30 Minute Ground Turkey & White Bean Chili

This easy ground turkey chili is a hearty, filling 30-minute dinner recipe. It’s made stove top with canned white beans, diced veggies, and uncooked quinoa for simplicity and ease. But don’t be fooled by how fast it comes together—this turkey chili is packed with fantastic flavor!

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20-Minute Instant Pot Pasta (start to finish!)

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25-Minute One Pan Picadillo (so flavorful!)

This easy one-pan recipe for Picadillo combines ground beef and turkey with spices and olives to create a simple dinner with bold, satisfying flavors!

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30-Minute Ground Turkey Bolognese Sauce

Easy quick dinner recipes are my speciality and this ground turkey bolognese fits the bill! The pasta sauce tastes like it has been simmering for hours but is ready in just 30 minutes! Serve with thick fettuccine noodles, enjoy!

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Ground Taco Meat w/ Homemade Seasoning

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30-MINUTE MEATBALL SUB SANDWICHES RECIPES

This recipe for quick and easy homemade meatball subs is made with tender meatballs, tangy marinara sauce, and melted white cheddar cheese. The perfect weeknight meal, ready in just 30 minutes!

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8 Easy Ground Turkey Recipes (in 30 minutes or less!) (10)

8 Easy Ground Turkey Recipes (in 30 minutes or less!) Turkey Taco Skillet

★★★★★5 from 2 reviews

  • Author: Laney Schwartz
  • Prep Time: 5
  • Cook Time: 15
  • Total Time: 20 minutes
  • Yield: 4 1x
  • Category: Dinner
  • Method: Stove Top
  • Cuisine: Mexican Inspired
Print Recipe

Description

Seasoned, savory turkey, melty cheese, and your favorite salsa all make this Turkey Taco Skillet an incredible, hearty weeknight meal!

Ingredients

Scale

  • 1 tablespoonolive oil
  • 1small red bell pepper, diced
  • 1pound ground turkey
  • ½ teaspoonsalt
  • ½ teaspoongarlic powder
  • ½ teaspooncumin
  • 1(12oz) jar salsa
  • 1 cupblack beans, rinsed and drained
  • 1 cupshredded Mexican cheese
  • 1avocado, sliced
  • 2 tablespoonscilantro, roughly chopped
  • 1lime
  • Tortilla chips

Instructions

  1. Preheat a skillet over medium/high heat. Add the oil, bell pepper and pinch of salt. Cook for 3-5 minutes until peppers are tender.
  2. Add the ground turkey, salt, garlic powder and cumin. Cook for about 5-7 minutes until turkey is cooked through.
  3. Add salsa and beans and heat through. Sprinkle cheese on top and put under the broiler for 2-3 minutes until the cheese is melted and bubbly.
  4. Serve topped with sliced avocado, cilantro and a big squeeze of fresh lime juice. Serve with tortilla chips and enjoy.

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    Comments

  1. Kim

    My husband and 4 teens all loved this dinner. It was so quick to pull together and only used one pan! That’s my kind of meal! I added some frozen corn, an onion, and fresh spinach because I had some that I wanted to use up, but I think it would have been just as good without them. I served it with tortilla chips, and my daughter said it was “like nachos, but better!”

    Reply

    • Laney Schwartz

      Like nachos but better! I love it!!! Thanks so much for leaving a review.

  2. Sam

    The one pan picadillo is our favorite!!! So easy for busy weeknights, thank you!

    Reply

    • Laney Schwartz

      Yay! So glad you love it as much as we do!

8 Easy Ground Turkey Recipes (in 30 minutes or less!) (2024)

FAQs

How to jazz up ground turkey? ›

There are plenty of easy ground turkey recipes out there. But, you will always need spices like olive oil, kosher salt and pepper, chili powder, and garlic powder. You can add minced garlic, and freshly chopped onions and peppers, for an extra edge.

When not to cook ground turkey? ›

But as any poultry starts to go bad, it will start to turn an unpleasant shade of gray. If that pink hue starts to look slightly dull then it's time to use up your ground turkey immediately, and if it has a gray tint (even just a slight one), then it's time to toss it.

What can I add to ground turkey to keep it moist? ›

Mushrooms add moisture, mouthfeel, and umami (beefy) flavor to the otherwise dry ground turkey. When mushrooms are chopped up into little bits, they easily and evenly mix with ground turkey making the protein so tender and flavorful while also giving the dish a veggie boost. And we all love that!

How long does ground turkey take to cook? ›

Make sure it's cooked through.

Cooking ground turkey should take about 15 minutes and have a nice even brown hue with no pink.

How do you make ground turkey not taste bland? ›

Under-seasoning is one of the biggest mistakes people make with ground turkey. You'll find the meat bland and flavorless if you don't add a hefty serving of dried herbs and spices, as well as the unforgettable salt-and-pepper combo.

Is it better to season ground turkey before cooking? ›

Ground turkey is a great lean protein option, it's super versatile, and it cooks up really quickly. It's perfect for busy weeknights when you need an easy, delicious meal without the hassle. But, ground turkey can be a bit bland and dry if it's not seasoned or cooked well.

What is the danger zone for ground turkey? ›

The "Danger Zone" (40 °F-140 °F)

This range of temperatures is often called the "Danger Zone." That's why the Meat and Poultry Hotline advises consumers to never leave food out of refrigeration over 2 hours. If the temperature is above 90 °F, food should not be left out more than 1 hour.

When ground turkey is grey on the outside pink inside? ›

Freshly ground turkey or chicken will have a light pink hue and virtually no smell. Like raw beef, raw poultry may get slightly gray or brown as it ages but the contrast may not be as obvious, so it's important to sniff it and thoroughly look for any slick or slimy residue before you use it any recipe.

What does adding an egg to ground turkey do? ›

Since turkey burgers tend to be drier than their ground beef counterparts, we added an egg to ours to help it hold together and give it more moisture. We also use 94% lean ground turkey in our patties—we don't recommend any higher than that, or your burgers might not hold together.

What to season turkey with? ›

Stick with salt and pepper, put herbs like rosemary, thyme, and sage to work, or take spicy Cajun seasoning for a spin for some kick. Whatever blend you choose, spread it all over the turkey—on top, underneath, between the body and wings and legs, under the skin, and even in the cavity of the bird.

How do you tell when ground turkey is done? ›

Cook – Use a digital meat thermometer to verify ground turkey reaches a safe internal temperature of 165°F. To test burgers for doneness, insert the meat thermometer horizontally from the side. Always make sure to test the thickest burger as well!

What is the best oil to cook ground turkey in? ›

Use Oil. Using oil like olive oil is ideal for cooking ground turkey. "This helps cook the ground turkey more thoroughly, adds a bit of flavor and stops it from sticking to the pan," Dillard says.

Can you overcook ground turkey? ›

Because of its low fat content, ground turkey isn't very forgiving when it's cooked for a few minutes too long. When overcooked, ground turkey quickly gets dry and crumbly, and loses its flavor. Follow this tip: Keep on eye on the time as you cook, and keep an instant-read thermometer handy.

How can I improve my turkey flavor? ›

Fresh herbs like thyme, rosemary, and sage along with a half lemon go a long way to add flavor, and stuffing it into the bird takes almost no time at all. (While you're at it, season the cavity with a good amount of salt and pepper.) Brining is an essential step to ensure a juicy bird.

How to improve the texture of ground turkey? ›

Ensure Pleasing Texture and Richer Taste

Even 93 percent lean ground turkey—often the fattiest preground turkey you can buy—can still taste too lean and can easily dry out during cooking. To temper those effects, we added 2 tablespoons of melted butter to the meat, along with a panade of milk and panko.

How do you jazz up a pre cooked turkey? ›

No time to cook? No problem! Even if you buy a preroasted bird, you can still serve your guests a “homemade” Thanksgiving feast by doctoring up the turkey and the trimmings. Glaze a preroasted bird with olive oil and melted butter before reheating in a 375-degree oven for 15 minutes.

How do you jazz up store bought turkey burgers? ›

Try adding some salt, pepper, onion powder, garlic powder, thyme, maybe some rosemary. If you want to go with a bit of a spicier flavor try adding some cajun seasoning. Adding some white cheddar, mayo, cranberry sauce or even some gravy works great as well.

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