Cooking with Fresh Ground Turkey: Seven Quick and Easy Meal Options

Turkey is a good source of protein, which is one of the building blocks of the human body. According to the World’s Healthiest Foods, turkey provides 65.1% of the daily value in a four ounce portion. WH Foods also states that turkey is an excellent source of selenium which has been found to help prevent cancer.

Ground turkey can be bought at any local grocery store at very reasonable prices. If you prefer an organic variety, try a health food store or farmer’s market in your area. Organic ground turkey will cost a little more than the ordinary version, but will also be free from antibiotics, synthetic hormones, and pesticides.

Use ground turkey in a variety of healthful lunch and dinner meals. Check out these suggested uses for ground turkey:

Ground Turkey Spaghetti

Use corn or vegetable oil to brown ground turkey in a pan with chopped bell peppers and onions. Season with Italian seasoning to taste and stir in favorite pasta sauce. Heat thoroughly and serve over freshly cooked spaghetti noodles.

Ground Turkey Tacos/Burritos

Brown chopped onions and green, yellow, or red bell peppers in a pan with corn or vegetable oil. Add ground turkey, taco seasoning and cook until no longer pink. Add a little of your favorite salsa and cook a minute or two longer. Use this turkey mixture for your next taco and burrito night!

Turkey Burgers

Add chopped onions, seasonings, flour, a well beaten egg, and spicy mustard to fresh ground turkey. Mix well. Shape into patties and cook on the grill. Serve on a bun with lettuce, tomato and your favorite dressings.

Soups, Stews, and Chili Using Ground Turkey

Brown ground turkey in a pan with corn or vegetable oil. Season it well and add to your favorite vegetable or minestrone soups, hearty vegetable and potato stew, or spicy, red bean chili.

Browned Turkey over Yellow Rice

Add tomato sauce, cauliflower chunks, and chopped onions to ground turkey that has already been browned in a pan. Sauté over medium heat and sprinkle a little of your favorite cheese over the top. Serve over steaming hot, yellow rice on this absolutely stunning piece of art: www.slateplate.com

Cheese Pizza Topped with Ground Turkey Crumbles

The next time you are ordering out or helping your children craft their very own cheese pizza try this idea. Brown some ground turkey in a pan with a little oregano or basil and use it as a fabulous and inexpensive topping for your pizza.

Creamy Shells and Cheese Mixed with Ground Turkey

Ground turkey can be added to your children’s favorite shells and cheese recipe for a meal that is jam packed with protein. Brown the turkey in a pan and mix in to the shells and cheese. Serve with steamed broccoli and you will be sure to please!

Ground turkey can be a wonderful alternative to ground beef. It is a healthy option for both you and the entire family and tastes great too! Start on the road to healthier eating today!