40 Simple Ground Turkey Dinner Recipes

That ground turkey in your freezer is calling your name! Answer it with one of these recipes!

No matter which weight-loss program you’re following, chances are good that you’re trying to bulk up on lean, healthy proteins. You know, the ones that give you plenty of energy and fill you up without weighing you down with excess fat. Poultry is always a good option, but most people think of turkey as a Thanksgiving meal. That’s where ground turkey comes in. You can use it for any recipe that calls for ground beef, and these ground turkey dinner recipes are also pretty simple to throw together. Most are done in fewer than 30 minutes, making them perfect for weeknight meals

Ground turkey is such a great option because it’s easy to cook and it takes on flavors exceptionally well. Season it with taco seasoning, and it makes perfect Mexican food, or toss it with Italian seasoning to use instead of fatty pork sausage in pasta dishes. You won’t be disappointed by switching to turkey for these ground turkey dinner recipes, especially considering the extra health benefits involved. In addition to being low-fat and high-protein, turkey is a great source of iron, vitamin B6, and potassium. Studies even show that it can aid in lowering bad cholesterol levels!

If you need some inspiration for how to use ground turkey, check out these 40 simple ground turkey dinner recipes. You’re sure to fall in love with a few of them (I know I did!).

1. White Turkey Chili with Avocado

One of the first things that comes to mind when I hear the words, “ground turkey” is chili! Ground turkey allows us to enjoy our favorite beef-inspired dishes with less fat and more lean protein! Trust us, once you try this tasty white turkey chili with avocado from PureWow, you’ll never go back to those boring old chili recipes you used to make.

2. Greek Turkey Burgers with Tzatziki Sauce

Would you consider yourself a burger lover? If not, this light and flavorful Greek turkey burger with tzatziki sauce is bound to change that! Not only is this tasty sandwich loaded with protein, but it’s a recipe that the entire family is sure to love!

3. Paleo Thai Meatballs

I would like to personally thank Lexi’s Clean Kitchen for creating this recipe because these meatballs are delicious! They only take twenty minutes to cook (30 minutes total when you add the 10 minute prep time), and I eat them a couple of different ways.

When I’m craving a sandwich, I like to throw a couple of these meatballs on a multi-grain roll (which makes for a great lunch, as well). When I’m craving something that makes me feel like I’m back home at my parents’ house, I throw them on a plate with a baked sweet potato and some veggies, and voila! A delicious, easy, protein-packed, home-cooked meal!

4. Ground Turkey and Sweet Potato Skillet

I’ll say it over and over again…sweet potatoes are one of the best foods EVER. They’re so warm, and comforting, and yummy, and good for you! This recipe of ours is a great go-to simple ground turkey dinner recipe–especially on those chilly winter nights!

5. Quinoa Taco Bowls

Here’s another 30-minute recipe that makes ground turkey the perfect weeknight meal ingredient! Want to know what makes this recipe even better?

The Pretty Bee calls for quinoa in it! I LOVE QUINOA. It’s honestly one of my absolute favorite foods. It’s high in fiber, gluten-free, promotes strong bones, is a good source of protein (especially for a grain), can aid in weight loss, is good for gut health, is full of nutrients, and tastes amazing! Hello to my new Taco Tuesday dinner recipe featuring all of the ground turkey in my freezer!

Try out some of our recipes that feature the super grain:

6. Ground Turkey and Spinach Stuffed Mushrooms

My boyfriend swore that he didn’t like mushrooms until he tried this 25-minute recipe by Table for Two. So, that’s how you know it’s a ground turkey dinner-winner!

Since it’s usually just my boyfriend and me for dinner, whipping up two servings was enough for us. However, Table for Two works wonders and actually allows for you to type in how many people you’re serving. The ingredient amounts adjust accordingly! So, if you’re cooking for your family of four, don’t fret, Table for Two has you covered with this recipe!

7. Korean Rice Cakes with Spicy Turkey Ragu and Bok Choy

Yum, yum, yum! Table for Two does wonders again with this easy ground turkey dinner recipe!

If you try out this recipe and still can’t get enough bok choy, look at some of our scrumptious bok choy recipes, like as our Bok Choy Egg Drop Soup!

8. Sloppy Tom Sandwich

Do you ever just crave a Sloppy Joe? You know, the kind you used to eat as a kid–the ones that got all over your face? Yeah, those!

My boyfriend seems to crave them all the time because I’m constantly making these Sloppy Tom Sandwiches by A Family Feast. These sandwiches taste a lot like Sloppy Joes and are just as sloppy…in a good way. The difference is that these are made with ground turkey, of course! They’re ready in half an hour and gobbled up in even less time.

9. Slow Cooker Stuffed Bell Peppers

This SkinnyMs recipe does not disappoint! It’s easy and a great ground turkey, homey dinner for the whole family. It’s even a great meal to have the kids help you make. Get those kiddies of yours eating AND filling peppers!

10. Zucchini Noodles with Turkey Meatballs

I know I’ve already included a ground turkey meatball recipe on this list, but who doesn’t love turkey meatballs?! The more recipes the merrier!

This recipe by Damn Delicious is seriously delicious. I also love, love, love the fact that it calls for spiralized zucchini as the noodles over normal noodles. Although I love whole grain pasta, sometimes I just want to nourish my body with some more veggies instead. Using zucchini noodles allows me to satisfy my pasta cravings while also getting in my recommended servings of vegetables!

We also have tons of zucchini noodle recipes such as:

11. Glazed Ground Turkey Meatloaf

Six Sisters Stuff created this meatloaf recipe and I am so glad they did. All you do is mix the ingredients together, form the meat into a meatloaf shape, bake it, and then brush the mouthwatering glaze over the top of it. That’s it!

If you’re like me, this is such a great way to use up some of that large amount of ground turkey in your freezer! My boyfriend is a huge fan of his momma’s meatloaf, so when I made this recipe for dinner, I was definitely nervous. To my surprise, he loved it! It’s not the same as his momma’s, but it’s still worth going back for seconds and even thirds in his book. So, take it from him: this recipe is GOOD.

12. Turkey Egg Roll Skillet

Craving Chinese food? Same!

“I can go for some Chinese food” is a phrase that comes out of my mouth way too often. Unfortunately, eating takeout every time I’m craving it wouldn’t be very good for my health.

Fortunately, there are recipes like this one (and our Turkey Sausage Egg Roll Bowl) that allow me to satisfy my Chinese food craving while also staying healthy! Plus, this recipe by Six Sisters Stuff is ready faster than Chinese food is (and that’s hard to beat)!

13. Italian Turkey and Tomato Basil Eggplant Roll Pasta Bake

I have so much love for eggplant. It’s so tasty, so nutrient dense, and can be used in so many different recipes and in so many different ways. Half Baked Harvest’s recipe, here, is one delectable meal that uses eggplant so well!

It may take a bit longer than other recipes on this list, but that doesn’t mean it’s harder! It’s just as easy to throw together and tastes just as yummy, too. This ground turkey dinner recipe is especially great for when you’re having people over. It’s sure to impress!

14. Sweet Potato Chili with Turkey

On the post for this recipe, A Saucy Kitchen wrote, “Easy, sweet potato chili with ground turkey = a hearty, healthy, and filling dinner.” I think I’ll just leave it at that.

If you’re looking for a vegetarian chili recipe, you definitely have to try out our Slow Cooker Vegetable Chili!

15. Turkey, Kale, Onion, and Sundried Tomato Frittata

If you’re a fan of breakfast for dinner, this recipe is for you! I am definitely a fan of breakfast for dinner, so this recipe by Table for Two is for me. Sometimes, I even make it for breakfast, put the leftovers in the fridge, and look forward to eating it for dinner either that same night, or the night after…or both!

It’s such a great, quick way to use up some ground turkey! Between the ground turkey and the eggs, you’re getting a lot of protein, and by mixing that with all of the veggies the recipe calls for, you’re getting TONS of nutrients!

16. Turkey Cauliflower Baked Ziti

This low-carb take on pasta is fantastic! Eating Bird Food clearly knows what she’s doing because using cauliflower instead of noodles in this recipe was a genius move.

The next time your family wants ziti for dinner, I highly recommend whipping up this low-carb ground turkey version!

17. Turkey Marinara Over Zucchini Noodles

All zoodle (zucchini noodles) lovers rejoice! Here’s another great recipe by Eating Bird Food that calls for ground turkey and takes away a ton of unnecessary carbs.

18. Taco Pasta

Ground turkey, black beans, pasta, and veggies–what more could you ask for from Rachel Cooks?! Oh, cheese? Add it in! Oh, avocado? Add it in! Oh, sour cream (I love opting for greek yogurt instead of sour cream)? Add it in!

One of the great aspects of this simple ground turkey dinner recipe is that you can add whatever you want! Whatever you would put on a taco, you can put on this pasta!

19. Turkey Burger with Sun-Dried Tomatoes and Feta Cheese

SkinnyMs has created these easy-peasy burgers made from ground turkey for those busy people who want a healthy and nutritious dinner quickly! Dinner can be thrown together in just 20 minutes with this recipe!

20. Turkey and Spinach Veggie Lasagna

This lasagna recipe created by Damn Delicious includes so many nutritious vegetables such as:

Zucchini
Carrots
Tomatoes
Spinach
Onion

These ingredients along with the others in this recipe do most of the work. Well, the ingredients and the oven do most of the work–making this dinner recipe super easy and perfect for weeknights!

21. Easy Turkey Burrito Skillet

This recipe of ours is the perfect way to satisfy those burrito cravings. Yes, even your Chipotle burrito cravings. This ground turkey burrito recipe is unmatchable.

22. Apple Berry Brie Turkey Burger Sliders

Peas and Crayons has these ground turkey burgers listed under appetizer recipes, but I find myself eating them for dinner all the time! They’re ready in just 15 minutes and I’m telling you, adding the fig preserves on top is just magical.

23. Clean Eating Turkey Taco Salad

The grilled veggies on this flavorful taco salad from Eating Bird Food really add an extra BANG to the dinner dish. This is such a great light, yet filling, ground turkey dinner! It’s super easy, too, so it’s a go-to recipe of mine on weeknights.

24. Honey Sriracha Turkey Meatballs

Please don’t hate me for including another ground turkey meatball recipe. I just don’t think you can ever have enough! They make for such a great dinner, they’re easy and fun to make, and there are so many different ways to make them!

These honey sriracha ones by A Saucy Kitchen are so sweet and spicy at the same time–AKA holy yum!

25. Jalapeño Cheddar Guacamole Turkey Burgers

I’m so grateful that I came across this recipe on Half Baked Harvest’s blog. I’m not a fan of red meat. It’s just not my thing. I don’t eat it…ever. However, my boyfriend does…all the time. He actually gets a burger every time we go out to eat (I guess opposites attract!).

Since burgers aren’t exactly the healthiest (sorry all you burger lovers out there!), I was overjoyed when I found out that these burgers are boyfriend-approved! Making burgers out of ground turkey not only allows for a meal that we can both eat, but also a meal that’s a lot healthier!

26. Crockpot Turkey Pumpkin Chili

Crockpots may take a long time to cook food, but they take all of that time off of my hands. That’s why I absolutely love turning to them when I want something simple for dinner. I just throw everything into it and before I know it, dinner is ready!

And that’s not the only reason why I love this recipe by Table for Two. I also love it because, well, PUMPKIN. I love pumpkin everything all the time! I mean, yes, I go for anything and everything pumpkin during the fall, but if you were to ask me if I wanted this turkey pumpkin chili in the dead of summer, you better believe I’d say yes! Pumpkin is always in season in my world.

27. Turkey Larb Lettuce Wraps

I love eating lettuce wraps for dinner when I just want something light yet filling. These lettuce wraps by What’s Gabby Cooking give me that light, yet filling, meal! These Thai food flavored wraps are great for weeknight meals!

28. 20-Minute Taco Soup

If I’m going to make soup on a Tuesday, you better believe it’s going to be this taco soup by Live Eat Learn. Why? Because you can’t not celebrate Taco Tuesday!

29. One-Pot Penne Pasta with Turkey and Spinach

This recipe courtesy of Foodie Crush is a one-pot meal, which means that it’s a super simple meal! And, let’s be real, we’re all looking for super simple ground turkey dinners here, so this recipe is on point!

30. Zucchini Boats Italian Style

I, personally, think zucchini boats are so fun! The zucchini in this recipe by Well Plated really just adds a pop of color and definitely creates a great holder for some delicious ground turkey and veggies.

Our Pizza Zucchini Boats are also a fun, exciting, and healthy way to row your way to dinner!

31. Spaghetti Squash Casserole

Well Plated also created this recipe that just screams “comfort food”! Erin (creator of Well Plated) describes this recipe best, herself: “Easy, CHEESY, and a crowd-pleaser!”

32. One-Pot Chili Mac and Cheese

Yup, you read that right! Chili and Mac and Cheese TOGETHER! Yeah, and it tastes just as amazing as it sounds. It is quite possibly the ultimate comfort meal that’s made by Well Plated and calls for that special ingredient we’re all here for: ground turkey.

Here, at SkinnyMs, we also have some unbelievably good mac and cheese recipes. A couple of my favorites are Easy One-Skillet Mac and Cheese and Creamy Mac and Cheese with Butternut Squash.

33. Unstuffed Pepper Bowls

These Unstuffed Pepper Bowls by Cooking Classy call for some savory ingredients:

Ground turkey (duh)
Peppers (duh)
Cauliflower rice (YUM)
Cheddar cheese (Heck yes!)

34. Greens, Orzo, and Meatball Soup

Smitten Kitchen is giving us this recipe that is insanely perfect for a winter dinner. I would know–my boyfriend and I just enjoyed it during a recent snow day! There was nothing like coming in from playing outside in the snow (yes, we are adults and yes, we still play in the snow together) to eating a warm, cozy soup made out of ground turkey, orzo, and greens!

35. Slow Cooker Shepherd’s Pie

If you’ve always found it difficult to recreate that hearty shepherd’s pie your mother or grandmother always used to make, fear no more! This recipe of ours is so tasty and insanely easy to make. You really just throw some ground turkey, veggies, and liquids into your slow cooker and wait for dinner time to come around. It’s pretty amazing if I do say so myself.

36. Grilled Turkey Kofta Skewers with Yogurt Sauce

As amazing as these grilled turkey kofta skewers made out of ground turkey are, this yogurt sauce is even MORE amazing. It just gives the recipe by Foodie Crush an extra kick and leaves me insanely satisfied. In other words, this ground turkey dinner recipe is one for the books!

37. Sheet Pan Meatballs with Chickpeas, Turmeric, and Lemon

Chickpeas are one of my all-time favorite foods! They are SO good for you, SO tasty, and SO fun to cook with! I use them in a ton of recipes–even the ones that don’t call for them. I always find myself either adding them in or cooking them as a side dish.

With that being said, I love when I get to make this recipe by Smitten Kitchen. In case you haven’t noticed, I’m a fan of ground turkey, and I love making turkey meatballs. So, mix that with some chickpeas and some yummy spices and I’m sold!

Here are some of my favorite SkinnyMs chickpea recipes:

38. Moroccan Ground Turkey Bourekas Log

If you’ve had a Boureka before, you’ve probably had it stuffed with either ground beef or cheese. Well, prepare to fall in love with some stuffed with ground turkey! This recipe by Laa Loosh is not only simple. It’s also ready in less than an hour and tastes like it took two hours to make! Plus, each serving is fewer than 200 calories!

39. Slow Cooker Turkey Lasagna Soup

It seems as though ground turkey and comfort go hand in hand! This SkinnyMs recipe is yet another one that gives you both ground turkey and a cozy, comforting dinner.

I think soup is one of the easiest meals to make. You really just throw everything into a slow cooker or pot and BOOM, dinner is served! Talk about easy!

40. Turkey Tourtiere

Let the ground turkey-comfort food pairing continue! Pickled Yum created this healthier version of the French-Canadian classic, and it is definitely comforting. I’ve got to admit, the smell that this meal fills the house with will have you wanting to make it every night!

I started this post off by saying that my freezer is always filled with ground turkey because I didn’t have enough recipes to use the ground turkey up. Now, my freezer is filled with ground turkey because I always want to create one of these ground turkey dinner recipes.

Now that you have 40 simple ground turkey dinner recipes, you can have dinners filled with ground turkey, too!

On those rare nights when you’re either out of ground turkey or just craving something different, check out our Facebook page, Instagram, and Pinterest for more healthy recipes!