6 Easy Dinners With Ground Turkey and Veggies
Ground turkey is lean, cheap and takes on any flavor you give it. These six pack in vegetables and most are ready in 20 to 30 minutes.
1. Ground turkey stir-fry
Time: 20 min · Also need: frozen stir-fry vegetables, soy sauce, garlic, rice
A fast, healthy dinner with a takeout-style sauce.
Cook rice. Brown 1 lb ground turkey with 2 garlic cloves.
Add a 1 lb bag of frozen stir-fry vegetables and cook 5 minutes.
Stir in ¼ cup soy sauce, 1 tbsp honey and 1 tsp cornstarch mixed with ¼ cup water. Cook until glossy and serve over rice.
Use any fresh vegetables you have instead of frozen.
2. Turkey and zucchini skillet
Time: 25 min · Also need: zucchini, onion, a can of diced tomatoes, Italian seasoning, parmesan
Light, colorful and great for using up summer zucchini.
Brown 1 lb ground turkey with a diced onion.
Add 2 diced zucchini and cook 5 minutes.
Stir in a can of diced tomatoes and Italian seasoning. Simmer 5 minutes and top with parmesan.
Serve over rice or pasta to make it heartier.
3. Turkey taco bowls
Time: 25 min · Also need: taco seasoning, rice, corn, black beans, lettuce
Taco night, made lighter.
Cook rice. Brown 1 lb ground turkey and stir in taco seasoning with ¼ cup water.
Warm corn and black beans.
Build bowls with rice, turkey, beans, corn, lettuce and salsa.
Ground turkey is mild, so a little extra seasoning helps.
4. One-pot turkey chili
Time: 35 min · Also need: onion, bell pepper, 2 cans beans, a can of diced tomatoes, chili powder
A big pot that feeds the family with leftovers.
Brown 1 lb ground turkey with a diced onion and pepper.
Add 2 tbsp chili powder, 1 tsp cumin, beans, tomatoes and 1 cup broth.
Simmer 20 minutes. Top with cheese and sour cream.
Freezes well for up to 3 months.
5. Turkey lettuce wraps
Time: 20 min · Also need: soy sauce, garlic, water chestnuts or carrots, butter lettuce
Crunchy, fresh and fun to eat with your hands.
Brown 1 lb ground turkey with 2 garlic cloves.
Add diced water chestnuts or shredded carrots, 3 tbsp soy sauce and 1 tbsp hoisin or honey.
Spoon into lettuce cups.
Serve with rice for bigger appetites.
6. Turkey and veggie pasta
Time: 25 min · Also need: pasta, pasta sauce, spinach or zucchini
A meat sauce that sneaks in extra vegetables.
Cook 12 oz pasta.
Brown 1 lb ground turkey, then add diced zucchini or a few handfuls of spinach.
Add a 24 oz jar of sauce, simmer 5 minutes and toss with the pasta.
Grate the zucchini and picky eaters will never notice it.
Quick answers
What temperature should ground turkey be cooked to?
The USDA recommends 165°F (74°C). Without a thermometer, cook it until no pink remains and the juices run clear.
Why is my ground turkey bland?
Turkey is milder than beef. Brown it well, and use a little more salt and seasoning than you would with beef.
93% or 99% lean?
93% lean has a bit more flavor and stays moister. 99% lean can dry out quickly.
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