These Ground Turkey Recipes Are So Good, You'll Say Buh-Bye to Ground Beef (2024)

FAQs

Is it okay to mix ground beef and ground turkey together? ›

You may not have thought of doing it before, but combining ground beef and turkey into one burger patty creates a nice texture and flavor combination. The beef keeps the burger juicy, and the turkey adds a leaner meat to the mix while reducing the amount the cooked burger will shrink on the grill.

"Ground turkey contains less saturated fat than ground beef, giving it a more beneficial fat profile," says Beaver. "In its place, ground turkey instead contains more polyunsaturated fat, which is a protective, healthier type of fat."

When preparing healthier meals for you and your family, using ground turkey instead of ground beef is a simple way to lower saturated fat, calories, and also avoid the many health risks associated with red meat.

In a large bowl combine the ground chicken and turkey with the cooked shallots and parsley, mix with a spatula. Mix in the beaten egg. Gradually add in the ground almonds, if using, and then the breadcrumbs, a little at a time.

The Type Of Fat Affects The Texture

It creates a super tender, gelatinous structure. This means you can combine types of ground meats in order to influence the final texture.

When overcooked, ground turkey quickly gets dry and crumbly, and loses its flavor. Follow this tip: Keep on eye on the time as you cook, and keep an instant-read thermometer handy. To prevent dry meat, cook ground turkey until it reaches an internal temperature of 165°F.

Aim for about 6-8 ounces of mushrooms for every 1-1 ½ pounds of ground turkey. I use a food processor to get the mushrooms chopped super finely, so they incorporate into the meat mixture better. In addition to adding moisture, the mushrooms add depth of flavor and umami.

You may store uncooked ground poultry in the refrigerator 1 to 2 days. After cooking, you may keep it 3 to 4 days. Frozen raw poultry is best used in 3 to 4 months; cooked ground poultry, 2 to 3 months.

The bottom line is yes—it is okay to include ground turkey in your diet regularly, though as with any food, it's crucial to eat it in moderation and variety in your food choices. Eating a diverse range of nutrient sources helps ensure you obtain all of the essential nutrients needed for enhancing overall health.

While meat can be a part of a healthy diet, not all sources are created equal. The leanest and healthiest meats to eat include poultry, pork, fish, and seafood. Eating a balanced diet is one of the keys to a healthy lifestyle, which means choosing various foods from different food groups, like proteins.

Is turkey bad for cholesterol? ›

Skinless, lean, and ground chicken or turkey breast are good low-cholesterol choices. 100g of lean cuts of turkey breast contain around 104mg of cholesterol. While this seems like a lot, it only has 3g of saturated fat. 100g of skinless chicken breast contains 73mg of cholesterol and 0.5g of saturated fat.

There are plenty of easy ground turkey recipes out there. But, you will always need spices like olive oil, kosher salt and pepper, chili powder, and garlic powder. You can add minced garlic, and freshly chopped onions and peppers, for an extra edge.

Using oil like olive oil is ideal for cooking ground turkey. "This helps cook the ground turkey more thoroughly, adds a bit of flavor and stops it from sticking to the pan," Dillard says.

If the meat won't be used within a day or two, store it in the freezer and enjoy it within three to four months. If at any point, you notice discoloration, a foul smell or a slimy or tacky appearance to the ground turkey, do not consume it and throw it out.

Chopped up bacon (and/or bacon fat), pork or beef can all be added to ground chicken to enhance its fat content, moisture, and flavour.

If you feel inclined to mix your beef until it's a paste, resist the temptation, as too much handling can backfire when your burgers are fully cooked. Just like with bread dough or pancake batter, overmixed burger meat runs the risk of a chewy, tough end result rather than a tender one.