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

FAQs

Is ground turkey really better for you than ground beef? ›

Ground beef and turkey are both nutritious meats that provide protein, fat, and a variety of vitamins and minerals. Turkey is generally lower in saturated fat than beef. As such, it may be a better choice for heart health. Fat-free turkey is also the lowest calorie option if you're interested in weight loss.

Love the taste of beef burgers, but not the saturated fat? Try doing what smart cooks do: Mix ground turkey breast with lean ground beef to improve the taste and limit the saturated fat.

According to the American Heart Association, red meat has more saturated fat than turkey and skinless chicken, which can raise your cholesterol and increase your risk of heart disease.

Whenever I made turkey burgers, I would dissolve some beef bouillon in a little water and add it to the turkey with a little canola oil, then season and form the patties. The bouillon gave it some flavor and the water and oil helped with moisture. Just make sure not to overcook.

Protein is a macronutrient, which means that your body needs a lot of it. Your body can't store protein, so you need to consume it every day. As long as you don't eat too much turkey, it is a healthy way to get the protein you need. It's also a good source of beneficial vitamins and minerals like magnesium and niacin.

For those focused strictly on heart health or managing weight, ground turkey breast is likely the best bet. With just 140 calories and 1 gram of saturated fat per 4 ounce serving, ground turkey generally edges out beef in these departments.

Of course, just like with red meat, you want to stay away from highly processed poultry. Eating skinless, white meat is the healthiest way to go. Many professionals have classified white meat from chicken as the leanest and cleanest meat to eat.

Meats that fall under this category include chicken, turkey, goose, and duck. Poultry, especially white meat like breasts and wings, is a good source of lean protein. Poultry is also a source of vitamins like niacin, vitamin A, and magnesium. These are the leanest meats of the land animals.

Foodborne illness occurs when you eat something contaminated with an infectious organism like a parasite, bacteria or virus, according to the Mayo Clinic. Raw or undercooked turkey or turkey left at room temperature for too long may allow these disease-causing organisms to flourish.

Whether hosting a holiday cookout, serving up some stir-fry or tackling game meats, baking soda is the go-to meat tenderizer to help make your steak, chicken or turkey silkier, juicier and yummier.

What makes ground turkey juicy? ›

Process the Ground Meat for Juicier Texture

Instead of blending the mix with our hands, we reground the meat with seasonings in a food processor. Grinding meat develops myosin, a sticky meat protein that traps water and fat, keeping it juicy.

It will be cooked when it is all browned evenly, juices run clear and when your thermometer is at least 165 degrees F. The best method is to scoop some of your ground turkey into a small bowl and ensure your meat thermometer reaches 165 degrees.

Turkey and chicken are often recommended as healthy alternatives to red meat. But if they are preserved, they count as processed meats and are harmful. Roasted chicken and roasted turkey in deli meat packets or at the deli counter have likely had nitrates added. Turkey bacon does, too.

With 21g of protein and 17g of fat per serving, our 85% Lean Ground Turkey puts a healthy spin on your favorite recipes. From lasagna to burgers and tacos, Shady Brook Farms® ground turkey is a lean protein addition you can feel good about.

Turkey. Turkey is another great lean meat option for contributing to weight loss. It's low in calories and provides many of the same nutrients as chicken. Ground turkey is one of the best choices for eating turkey to lose weight, simply because it's lean.

Comparing the two, beef raised on grass is higher in omega-3 fatty acids than poultry because cows get more of these omega-3s from eating grass so there may be some additional anti-inflammatory benefits there. All meats have a different composition of nutrients so variety is really what's best. So is moderation.