14 Ground Turkey Recipes to Try on a Busy Weeknight

This inexpensive, low-fat protein stars in soup, salad, chili, and more.

Turkey-Pumpkin Chili Recipe
Photo: Caitlin Bensel

Turkey isn't just for Thanksgiving, and to prove it, we compiled easy recipes that use ground turkey. With less fat than beef and less pricey than lamb, ground turkey is also fast-cooking and versatile. Use ground turkey to lighten up a bowl of comforting chili, whip up some scrumptious meatballs, fill dumplings, or make a savory pie. Whichever you choose, you'll end up with a simple, satisfying meal that makes your weeknights easier.

01 of 14

Turkey Rosemary Bolognese

Dish of turkey bolognese displayed on a table
Brie Passano

This tasty pasta dish requires scant hands-on time, but the sauce simmers low and slow until it's rich and flavorful. The recipe calls for finely chopped cooked turkey meat, but cooked ground turkey works great, too. Don't forget to serve with a baguette for sopping up extra sauce!

02 of 14

Turkey Lasagna Rolls

Turkey Lasagna Rolls
MELISSA KRAVITZ HOEFFNER

What we love about this recipe is you can use cooked turkey in any form: ground, shredded, or diced. It's joined by other Thanksgiving stars—namely gravy, creamed spinach, and mashed potatoes—or whatever leftovers are in your fridge after the big meal. Add a jar of marinara sauce and sprinkle some cheese on top, and you're good to go.

03 of 14

Turkey-and-Rice Meatballs

Turkey-and-Rice Meatballs Recipe
Caitlin Bensel

These tasty meatballs make a fast and easy weeknight meal, so make at least two batches: one for tonight and the other to freeze for later. This recipe pairs them with a crunchy kale and apple salad and a creamy lemony tahini dressing. Plus, you'll only need half an hour till dinner is served.

04 of 14

Pasta With Turkey and Broccoli

Dish of pasta with turkey and broccoli
Raymond Hom

A quick sauté of ground turkey in a splash of olive oil with garlic, fennel seed, and red pepper flakes creates a pasta sauce that's every bit as savory and satisfying as many that require twice as much effort. Another trick? Streamline cooking and cleanup by cooking the broccoli in the same pot as your pasta.

05 of 14

Smoky Turkey Chili

Smoky Turkey Chili Recipe
Caitlin Bensel

While chili is usually made with ground beef, this healthier version calls for ground turkey, along with tomatillos, poblano peppers, and a pinch of cinnamon. Top this comforting dish—also packed with beans, corn, and sweet potato—with sour cream, sliced pickled jalapeños, and grated pepper jack cheese. Dinner is served!

06 of 14

Turkey Burgers With Lime Mayo and Crispy Oven Fries

Turkey Burgers With Lime Mayo and Avocado
Greg DuPree

This recipe uses ground turkey seasoned with garlic powder, oregano, and dried chilis to whip up flavorful burgers for the whole family. If you can handle even more deliciousness, top each with lime mayo and ripe avocado slices. We serve it all with a side of perfectly cooked potato wedges.

07 of 14

Turkey Sloppy Joes With Coleslaw

Turkey sloppy joes with coleslaw served on a plate.
Raymond Hom

Ground turkey has a reputation for being too dry, but this recipe puts an end to that bad rap. A mix of tomato sauce, barbecue sauce, and Worcestershire ensures this turkey sandwich is juicy and flavorful. A quick and light red wine-vinegar-tossed slaw complements the hearty Sloppy Joes perfectly.

08 of 14

Turkey-Barley Vegetable Soup

Bowl of turkey-barley vegetable soup
Raymond Hom

Warm and satisfying yet light and healthful, this soup is a well-balanced meal in a bowl. For the perfect accompaniment, add a crusty loaf, a pan of cornbread, or fluffy homemade biscuits. You'll need just 15 minutes of hands-on time before you allow the soup to simmer.

09 of 14

Turkey Taco Salad

Turkey Taco Salad
Alexandra Grablewski

For a lighter take on a classic taco, give this ground turkey salad a whirl. Along with ground turkey, you'll find the usual taco components: beans, store-bought salsa, sour cream, and grated cheese. Sprinkle some tortilla chip pieces on top for a satisfying crunch.

10 of 14

Grilled Turkey-Zucchini Burgers

Open-face Grilled Turkey-Zucchini Burgers with chips on the side on a white plate
Caitlin Bensel

Dry turkey isn't a concern with these burgers, thanks to moisture-packed zucchini. Garlic powder and cumin bring extra flavor to the patties, while a schmear of honey mustard and mayo adds irresistible creaminess. We serve the burgers with sweet potato chips, but feel free to go for fries or another chip of your choice.

11 of 14

Turkey and Scallion Dumplings

Turkey and Scallion Dumplings
Brie Passano

This recipe calls for leftover chopped cooked turkey, but ground turkey works great, too. Serve these dumplings with a simple tamari-based dipping sauce, or drop them into a miso broth for a satisfying meal. Either way, this dish is an easy copy of your favorite take-out appetizer.

12 of 14

Ricotta Meatballs

Ricotta Meatballs
Marcus Nilsson

Combine ground turkey with ground beef for these easy-to-make meatballs that also include ricotta, bread crumbs, and grated Parmesan cheese. It takes just 25 minutes in total for a whopping 30 meatballs. For a complete meal, serve over pasta, zucchini noodles, or polenta.

13 of 14

Turkey-Pumpkin Chili

Turkey-Pumpkin Chili Recipe
Caitlin Bensel

This dish is the epitome of fall flavors—chili, pumpkin, and turkey—in a warm, nourishing bowl with a couple of twists from traditional chili. It features cannellini beans (instead of pintos) and is seasoned with just coriander and paprika (instead of chili powder and cumin), but goes great with tortilla chips just the same.

14 of 14

Turkey and Cheese Pupusas

Turkey Pupusas
Brie Passano

Ever tried pupusas? It's a Central American dish made with corn flour and filled with meat, cheese, or beans. This one is stuffed with mozzarella and cooked turkey, which can be ground, shredded, or chopped. Pan-fry them to a golden brown, top with salsa verde and sour cream, and you'll know why El Salvador adopted it as their national dish.

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