Skip to Content

33 Easy Ground Turkey Recipes to Switch up Your Weeknight Dinner Routine

Over chicken and beef? Ground turkey has limitless potential for epic flavor combos.

By
ground turkey recipes  savory thai turkey lettuce wraps
DANIELLE OCCHIOGROSSO Daly

These ground turkey recipes offer dozens of delicious lunch and dinner picks if you're looking for a healthier take on your favorite comfort foods, need a quick-cooking protein for busy weeknights, or if you're just taking a break from beef. We rounded up our best ground turkey recipes ever that boast fantastic flavor with plenty of crowd-pleasing stunners as well as quick and easy dinner ideas.

Versatile and inexpensive, ground turkey is a blank canvas for sauces, spices, add-ins, and extras. In the mood for pasta? Try flavorful ground turkey meatballs that’ll fill you up without weighing you down. Or maybe you’re experimenting with a keto (or paleo!) diet and need to ditch the carbs: Add ground turkey to Thai lettuce cups for a kicked-up dinner that delights any diet. What about ground turkey burgers? We have a Mediterranean take on this American classic for a light meal that comes together faster than you can say feta. If you’re craving Tex-Mex, you’re in luck. We mix ground turkey into game-worthy chili and genius taco cups that the whole family will love. Don’t think we forgot about good ol’ fashioned meatloaf — and we gave it a new-school twist for even better flavor.

These colorful, crave-worthy recipes show that there's so much you can do with a package of ground turkey, making it the perfect easy protein to keep on hand (and in your freezer!).

1

Turkey Tacos

turkey tacos
MIKE GARTEN

A saucy, ground turkey filling lightens up this family-favorite weeknight dinner without compromising flavor. Yep, #TacoTuesday just got better.

Get the recipe for Turkey Tacos »

RELATED: 21 Easy Taco Recipes for Cinco de Mayo (or Any Day)

2

Best Glazed Meatloaf

best glazed meatloaf
Anna Williams

We use ground turkey and oats to give a healthy twist on this old-fashioned recipe. Just don't tell Grandma.

Get the recipe for Best Glazed Meatloaf »

Advertisement - Continue Reading Below
3

Smoky Maple Turkey Chili

smoky maple turkey chili
MIKE GARTEN

Sweet and smoky chili tastes even better out of an edible corn tortilla bowl.

Get the recipe for Smoky Maple Turkey Chili »

RELATED: 30 Best Kids' Dinner Ideas for When Your Picky Eater Just Won’t Try Anything

4

Savory Thai Turkey Lettuce Wraps

savory thai turkey lettuce wraps
DANIELLE OCCHIOGROSSO

Healthy turkey Thai lettuce wraps get kicked-up with fresh mint, cilantro, and lime juice. Pass the Sriracha!

Get the recipe for Savory Thai Turkey Lettuce Wraps »

Advertisement - Continue Reading Below
5

Mozzarella-Stuffed Turkey Meatballs

mozzarella stuffed turkey meatballs
Mike Garten

Melty mozzarella makes these turkey meatballs over-the-top. It's the best kind of surprise inside.

Get the recipe for Mozzarella-Stuffed Turkey Meatballs »

RELATED: 40 Easy, Delicious Family Dinner Ideas For Any Day of the Week

6

Turkey-Bean Chili

turkey bean chili
Kate Mathis

Hearty ground turkey chili, loaded with beans, peppers, and tomatoes, is a healthier, full-flavored take on your go-to recipe.

Get the recipe for Turkey-Bean Chili »

RELATED: 40 Super Easy Chili Recipes That Are Perfect for Cold Winter Days

Advertisement - Continue Reading Below
7

"Spaghetti" and Meatballs

"spaghetti" and meatballs
Con Poulos

Cooked spaghetti squash creates vegetable "strands" that mimic the real thing! Paired with homemade turkey meatballs and an eggplant-tomato sauce, it's a veggie-packed dinner winner.

Get the recipe for "Spaghetti" and Meatballs »

8

Mini Meatloaves With Veggies

mini meatloaves with veggies
Kate Sears

Mini loaves aren't just an adorable way to serve traditional meatloaf- they also cut the cooking time in half! Roasted cherry tomatoes and fingerling potatoes complete the meal.

Get the recipe for Mini Meatloaves with Veggies »

Advertisement - Continue Reading Below
9

Spicy Szechuan Noodles

spicy szechuan noodles
Kate Sears

Using everyday ingredients like noodles, soy sauce, lime juice, and ginger make this adaptation of a popular Chinese dish easy (and delicious!) to make at home.

Get the recipe for Spicy Szechuan Noodles »

10

Linguine With Carrot-Turkey Ragu

linguine with carrot turkey ragu
Kate Mathis

This tasty pasta packs a nutritious punch: ground turkey boosts collagen growth, carrots keep the heart healthy, and cinnamon inhibits inflammation. Seconds, please!

Get the recipe for Linguine with Carrot-Turkey Ragu »

RELATED: 30 Healthy Pasta Recipes That Will Keep You Full All Night

Advertisement - Continue Reading Below
11

Meatball Lettuce Wraps

meatball lettuce wraps
Kate Mathis

Garlic, mint, and fish sauce give these turkey meatballs a savory zing. Tucked into lettuce cups with shredded carrots, every bite boasts a satisfying crunch.

Get the recipe for Meatball Lettuce Wraps »

12

Turkey Spaghetti Bolognese

turkey spaghetti bolognese
Con Poulos

A spicy tomato sauce is the perfect pairing to lean ground turkey, whole wheat spaghetti ... and plenty of Parmesan cheese.

Get the recipe for Turkey Spaghetti Bolognese »

Advertisement - Continue Reading Below
13

Gingery Asian Noodle Salad With Turkey and Cucumbers

ground turkey recipes  gingery asian noodle salad with turkey and cucumbers
CON POULOS

A pile of rice noodles topped with gingery ground turkey and fresh crunchy veggies is the quick and healthy dinner every Monday night needs.

Get the recipe from Woman's Day »

RELATED: 81 Best Healthy Dinner Ideas You'll Want to Make Tonight

14

Turkey Meatball Stroganoff

ground turkey recipes  turkey meatball stroganoff
Con Poulos

You won't even notice that we swapped ground turkey for the usual beef in this recipe ... especially when it's smothered with cream sauce.

Get the recipe from Woman's Day »

Advertisement - Continue Reading Below
15

Quick Turkey Chili

ground turkey recipes  quick turkey chili
IAIN BAGWELL

You'll thank yourself now (and later!) for this stovetop chili that's ready in 25 minutes and freezable for up to 3 months.

Get the recipe from Woman's Day »

16

Turkey Taco Cups

ground turkey recipes  turkey taco cups
Kate Sears

Ground turkey filling, spiced with paprika and cumin, stuffed into taco "cups" is the most fun you'll have at dinner.

Get the recipe from Woman's Day »

Advertisement - Continue Reading Below
17

Turkey Burgers and Slaw With Sweet Potato Chips

ground turkey recipes  turkey burgers and slaw with sweet potato chips
RYAN DAUSCH

These juicy burgers are a fave of Woman's Day contributor Ayesha Curry's daughter. With that addictive smoky mayo and jalapeño slaw, they'll be a new favorite of yours, too.

Get the recipe from Woman's Day »

18

Turkey Chili With Wheat Berries and Beans

ground turkey recipes  turkey chili with wheat berries and beans
Mike Garten

This rich and filling stew with ground turkey, wheat berries, and tomatoes gets a kick from cumin and coriander. It'll warm you up from the inside out!

Get the recipe from Woman's Day »

Advertisement - Continue Reading Below
19

Smothered Swiss Turkey Burger

ground turkey recipes  smothered swiss turkey burger
Kate Sears

Shallots and mushrooms sneak extra flavor into these turkey burger patties. The creamy sauce and melty cheese topping makes them irresistible.

Get the recipe from Woman's Day »

20

Turkey Meatball and Kale Soup

ground turkey recipes  turkey meatball and kale soup
Mike Garten

Ayesha Curry makes a double batch of these herbed turkey Parmesan meatballs and freezes them for later. On your next busy weeknight, just defrost and simmer into this creamy kale soup!

Get the recipe from Woman's Day »

Watch Next 
ground turkey recipes  savory thai turkey lettuce wraps
Advertisement - Continue Reading Below