11 Healthy Ground Turkey Recipes

As heart disease continues to rise in this country, cutting out high-fat, cholesterol-filled food can make a huge difference in a person’s quality of life.

An easy first step? Swap out ground beef with ground turkey. Ground turkey is leaner, full of essential B vitamins, and has much less saturated fat than beef.

Best of all, it tastes just as great in all of your favorite dishes.

If you’re looking for new dinner recipes that both taste great and have excellent health benefits, try these 10 healthy ground turkey recipes.

1. Spicy Ground Turkey Stir Fry

When you’re craving your favorite takeout Asian food, grab a pan and try this easy dinner recipe instead. Using lean ground turkey, green beans, and just a bit of olive oil results in a yummy dish with less fatty oil. You can load this recipe with whatever veggies you want and store it in the fridge for the perfect meal prep.

2. Turkey Meatloaf

If you’re like me and loved your grandma’s meatloaf recipe, you have to try this turkey version. The ingredients can easily be substituted to find the perfect flavor palate for you, such as a chipotle sauce or chili flakes to bring some heat. Additionally, use a breadcrumb alternative to make it gluten-free.

3. Asian Ground Turkey Lettuce Wraps

When you come home from a long day at work and have to take your kids to 7 different activities, you need a quick weeknight dinner recipe like this to keep everyone moving. This healthy recipe is light, crunchy, low-carb, and full of an array of flavors. Serve with brown rice or quinoa as a side and no one will complain that they’re hungry later.

4. Spinach Feta Turkey Burger

You wouldn’t believe that a burger packed with this much flavor could be healthy. Mixing in spinach with your lean ground turkey makes every bite burst with nutrients. The turkey absorbs the ingredients so the juices hold together and can end up right where they’re supposed to be -in your mouth. Sub the buns for a gluten-free or veggie-based bun for an even healthier dinner recipe.

5. Spinach Feta Turkey Burger

You wouldn’t believe that a burger packed with this much flavor could be healthy. Mixing in spinach with your lean ground turkey makes every bite burst with nutrients. The turkey absorbs the ingredients so the juices hold together and can end up right where they’re supposed to – your mouth. Sub the buns for a gluten-free or veggie-based bun for an even healthier dinner recipe.

6. Mediterranean Baked Ground Turkey Meatballs

These Lebanese inspired meatballs are so rich and tasty with cumin and cinnamon, you’ll feel like you traveled to another country the second you take a bite. This healthy dinner serves up flavors you may not find often in this country. Serve these with other Mediterranean ingredients like chickpeas, feta, and cucumbers for a low-carb, high-protein meal.

7. Cheesy Ground Turkey Taco Skillet

Say goodbye to the tortillas. Say hello to this healthy meal that tastes even better than a regular taco. Bell peppers, jalapenos, cilantro, taco seasoning – this recipe includes all of the taco staples without ruining your diet. The cook time is a little longer for this recipe, but it’s worth it when the rich, bubbly cheese meets your tastebuds.

8. Ground Turkey Chili

As the temperatures start to drop, the comfort food starts to make a comeback. This slow cooker turkey chili uses kidney beans and sweet corn for a high fiber meal to keep the blood sugar steady. Adjust the cumin and chili powder to your favorite level of heat and enjoy this hearty dish.

9. Avocado and Turkey Stuffed Sweet Potato

These three ingredients may not sound like they go together at first, but you’ll be pleasantly surprised once you try this recipe. Avocado replaces beef’s saturated fat with healthy fats, and sweet potatoes are full of essential vitamins and potassium. With a short cook time, you’ll be enjoying this sweet and savory dish in no time.

10. Turkey Bolognese

While we all love your Italian grandmother’s authentic Bolognese, try this recipe for a quicker, leaner pasta sauce that tastes just as satisfying. This recipe uses milk instead of heavy creamer and turkey instead of beef for a lighter sauce. But don’t worry, you still get to use the red wine (and drink as much as you want). Serve over whole wheat or gluten-free pasta to complete this delicious, healthy dinner.

11. Ground Turkey Skillet

A skillet tops the list of easy recipes when you don’t feel like getting fancy with your dinner ideas. With zucchini, corn, black beans, and tomato on the list of ingredients, this dish is nourishing, full of protein, and includes complex, yummy flavors. Add even more veggies like green onions or bell peppers for an easy dinner that tastes anything but.