Delicious and Nutritious Keto Recipes Using Ground Turkey

Cutting down on carbs doesn't have to be a culinary challenge. Ground turkey, a versatile and lean protein source, can be the star of many keto-friendly dishes. This article explores a variety of keto recipes using ground turkey, offering flavorful and satisfying options for breakfast, lunch, and dinner.

Quick and Easy Keto Ground Turkey Recipes

Italian Ground Turkey & Peppers Skillet

This 1-skillet wonder is ready in about 15 minutes, making it perfect for busy weeknights. It’s loaded with flavor, high in protein, and low in net carbs.

Ingredients:

• Lean ground turkey
• Avocado oil
• Red and green bell peppers
• Yellow onion
• Fresh garlic
• Italian seasoning without added sugar
• Fresh parsley
• Salt and pepper
• Red pepper flakes (optional)

Instructions:

1. Sauté thinly sliced onions in avocado oil until translucent, about 4-5 minutes. Add minced garlic for the last minute of cooking time until aromatic.
2. Brown the ground turkey in the remaining oil. Drain any juices from the pan.
3. Add Italian seasoning, salt, pepper, and red pepper flakes (optional). Mix well.
4. Add cubed peppers to the onions and garlic. Continue to cook for 2-3 minutes or until the peppers are tender crisp.
5. Combine the cooked turkey with the peppers and onions. Heat through. Serve and enjoy!

Tips:

• Use a good quality lean ground turkey.
• Add a pinch of red pepper flakes to add a pop of flavor.
• Use fresh peppers, not frozen.
• Don’t overcook the peppers; keep them tender-crisp.

Nutritional Information (approximate):

• Net carbs: 3g

This recipe is a great pick for a low-carb diet and is totally keto. You can limit the onion and garlic if you want to drop the carbs down even further. This 1 pound ground turkey recipe, plus the other ingredients, will make four servings.

Low Carb Turkey Taco Skillet

This super easy meal is full of wonderful Mexican flavors!

Ingredients:

• Ground turkey
• Onion powder
• Paprika
• Ground cumin
• Dried oregano
• Chopped red bell pepper
• Shredded cheese
• Oil

Instructions:

1. Heat some oil in a large skillet.
2. Add ground turkey and onion powder. Sauté until the meat has browned.
3. Add paprika, ground cumin, dried oregano, and chopped red bell pepper. Continue to cook until the pepper has softened.
4. Sprinkle over the shredded cheese and cook until the cheese has melted.
5. Serve with shredded lettuce, sour cream, and/or low carb wraps!

One Pan Ground Turkey and Zucchini Skillet with Tomatoes and Pesto

This delicious 30 minute low carb recipe will become your family’s favorite! Ground turkey and zucchini skillet with pesto is a summer or year round must-do!

Read also: Easy Low-Carb Cheese Crackers

Ingredients:

• 2 lbs of lean or extra lean ground turkey or even ground chicken
• 1 pint of sliced in half grape or cherry tomatoes
• Parmesan cheese
• 2 Zucchinis
• Pesto

Instructions:

1. Preheat large ceramic non-stick skillet on medium heat and swirl oil to coat.
2. Cook onion.
3. Add zucchini, stir and cook for another 3-4 minutes, stirring occasionally. Do not overcook and stop cooking before you think zucchini is done.
4. Turn off heat, add tomatoes and pesto, then stir.
5. Add freshly grated Parmesan

Tips:

• Instead of Parmesan cheese you can add slices of fresh mozzarella cheese and let them melt under the lid. Or even crumbled feta cheese or regular shredded Mozzarella cheese.
• Ground chicken, ground beef, venison or lamb will work as well.
• Stop cooking zucchini before they look ready: Zucchini contains 90% if not more water, so to avoid mushy veggies and ground turkey, cook as per recipe and do not overcook.

Serve this ground turkey and veggies on its own or over a bed of spring mix, shredded lettuce or kale. In the fall, I have served it over spaghetti squash as well for a low carb idea.

Keto Turkey Meatballs with Cheese and Tomato Sauce

These keto turkey meatballs are a comforting and satisfying meal.

Ingredients:

• Ground turkey
• Egg
• Almond flour
• Parmesan cheese
• Onions
• Garlic
• Chili flakes
• Sea salt
• Freshly ground black pepper
• Oregano
• Marinara sauce
• Olive oil

Instructions:

1. Preheat the oven to 390F (200C).
2. Heat the olive oil in a large non-stick skillet over a medium-high heat.
3. Add the onions, garlic, and chili flakes, then season with salt and black pepper. Cook for a couple of minutes or until golden brown. Remove from the skillet and set aside.
4. In a mixing bowl, add the ground turkey, egg, almond flour, parmesan cheese, and previously cooked onions with garlic and chili flakes. Season everything with sea salt, freshly ground black pepper, and oregano; combine well, using hands.
5. Form 14 even meatballs.
6. Heat the same non-stick skillet over a medium-high heat again and add extra olive oil. When hot, add the meatballs and cook for 6-9 minutes, rotating every 2-3 minutes or until golden brown on each side.
7. Then, add the marinara sauce and bring to a light simmer. Cook for 5 minutes.
8. After, remove from the heat and transfer the meatballs with sauce into a 7x10-inch (18x25cm) baking dish (if you used an oven-safe non-stick skillet, you can bake it in that!).
9. Bake for 15-20 minutes or until bubbly.

These keto turkey meatballs with cheese and tomato sauce will go well with many keto side dishes.

They will last in the fridge for up to 3 days. Reheat in the microwave before serving.

You can freeze uncooked or cooked turkey meatballs for up to 2 months. If you want to cook them before freezing, fry them until cooked through, cool down at room temperature, and freeze. Thaw in the fridge overnight, and bake with the sauce and cheese to finish.

Read also: Keto Calorie Counting: A Detailed Guide

The best way to freeze uncooked meatballs is to roll the balls and place them on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper and freeze. This way, they won't stick to each other. When solid, place the turkey meatballs into a ziplock freezer bag and store them in the freezer. Thaw overnight in the fridge before frying.

Nutritional Information (approximate):

• Net carbs: 7g per serving (2-3 meatballs with some sauce)

Hearty and Flavorful Keto Ground Turkey Meals

Low Carb Casseroles with Ground Turkey

This low carb casseroles with ground turkey recipe is the kind of meal that makes you feel good about what you’re eating, while still delivering all the golden bubbly cheese, savory turkey, vegetables and of course a special twist-crunchy everything bagel spice topping.

Ingredients:

• 1 pound ground turkey
• Diced bell pepper
• Sliced scallions
• Cauliflower rice
• Spinach
• Marinara sauce
• Garlic powder
• Onion powder
• Kosher salt
• Black pepper
• Cream cheese
• Shredded mozzarella cheese
• Grated parmesan
• Everything bagel spice
• Olive oil

Instructions:

1. Heat oven to 375°F.
2. Heat olive oil in a large (14-inch) skillet over medium-high heat. Add ground turkey and cook, breaking up with a spoon, for 3-4 minutes until mostly browned.
3. Add diced bell pepper and sliced scallions and cook for 3-4 minutes until softened.
4. Stir in cauliflower rice, spinach, marinara sauce, garlic powder, onion powder, kosher salt, and black pepper. Cook, stirring, until veggies are tender, spinach is wilted.
5. Reduce heat to low. Stir in cream cheese until melted and well combined.
6. Spoon turkey mixture into a 3 quart (medium) casserole dish (not a 9×13).
7. Combine shredded mozzarella cheese, grated parmesan, and everything bagel spice in a small bowl. Sprinkle over the top of the casserole.
8. Bake for 18-20 minutes, or until cheese is melted and bubbly. Let cool 5-10 minutes before serving.

Tips:

• You can make your own riced cauliflower by chopping fresh cauliflower in a food processor.
• Check the ingredients in the bagel seasoning. If it contains salt (some do, some don’t) use the 1/2 teaspoon salt the recipe calls for.
• Use store-bought marinara sauce or make your own.
• Try adding cheddar cheese, swap the bagel seasoning for taco seasoning for a Mexican casserole twist.
• Ground beef works perfectly. Leftover rotisserie chicken or even extra leftover turkey from the holidays are great additions and make this a fantastic leftover turkey casserole recipe. You could even try ground chicken for a lighter option.
• Sprinkle on some red pepper flakes for a little heat. And don’t forget: this is a great way to use up whatever you have in your fridge. Got a little bit of leftover chicken, some black olives, or extra cheddar cheese? Toss them in!

Pennsylvania Dutch Chili

This change-of-pace chili offers a delightful twist on a classic comfort food.

Ingredients: (Adjust quantities as needed)

• Ground turkey
• Your favorite chili spices
• Low-carb vegetables (e.g., bell peppers, onions, zucchini)

Instructions:

1. Brown the ground turkey in a pot.
2. Add your choice of low-carb vegetables and chili spices.
3. Simmer until the vegetables are tender and the flavors have melded.

Nutritional Information (per cup):

• Calories: 288
• Fat: 12g (2g saturated fat)
• Cholesterol: 73mg
• Sodium: 635mg
• Carbohydrate: 15g (3g sugars, 3g fiber)
• Protein: 29g

Keto Ground Turkey Wraps and Lettuce Wraps

Turkey Wraps with Jicama

This satisfying turkey wrap with jicama, a potato-like root veggie used in Mexican cooking, is a great post-workout meal.

Read also: Magnesium Supplements for Keto

Ingredients:

• Ground turkey
• Jicama
• Low-carb tortillas or lettuce wraps
• Your favorite keto-friendly toppings (e.g., avocado, cheese, salsa)

Instructions:

1. Cook the ground turkey and season to taste.
2. Fill low-carb tortillas or lettuce wraps with the cooked turkey, jicama, and your favorite toppings.

Nutritional Information (per 3 wraps):

• Calories: 212
• Fat: 9g (2g saturated fat)
• Cholesterol: 78mg
• Sodium: 655mg
• Carbohydrate: 9g (2g sugars, 3g fiber)
• Protein: 24g

Flavorful Lettuce Wraps

These lettuce wraps are a healthier and equally tasty alternative to those found in national restaurants.

Ingredients:

• Ground turkey
• Lettuce leaves
• Your favorite keto-friendly Asian-inspired sauce and toppings (e.g., soy sauce alternative, sesame oil, chopped vegetables)

Instructions:

1. Cook the ground turkey and season with an Asian-inspired sauce.
2. Spoon the mixture into lettuce leaves and top with your favorite toppings.

Nutritional Information (per 3 lettuce wraps):

• Calories: 259
• Fat: 12g (3g saturated fat)
• Cholesterol: 78mg
• Sodium: 503mg
• Carbohydrate: 12g (6g sugars, 3g fiber)
• Protein: 26g

Other Creative Keto Ground Turkey Recipes

Stuffed Zucchini

This healthy and happy spin on stuffed zucchini is a crowd-pleaser.

Ingredients:

• Ground turkey
• Zucchini halves
• Low-carb filling (e.g., cheese, vegetables, herbs)

Instructions:

1. Scoop out the zucchini halves and fill with a mixture of cooked ground turkey, cheese, vegetables, and herbs.
2. Bake until the zucchini is tender and the filling is heated through.

Nutritional Information (per 2 stuffed zucchini halves):

• Calories: 240
• Fat: 11g (4g saturated fat)
• Cholesterol: 63mg
• Sodium: 556mg
• Carbohydrate: 13g (5g sugars, 2g fiber)
• Protein: 23g

Turkey Meatloaf

This recipe is a nice substitute for the usual beef meat loaf, plenty moist and so flavorful with the sweet red pepper.

Ingredients:

• Ground turkey
• Sweet red pepper
• Low-carb binders and seasonings

Instructions:

1. Combine ground turkey with diced sweet red pepper, low-carb binders, and seasonings.
2. Bake until cooked through.

Nutritional Information (per piece):

• Calories: 299
• Fat: 18g (6g saturated fat)
• Cholesterol: 109mg
• Sodium: 291mg
• Carbohydrate: 11g (2g sugars, 1g fiber)
• Protein: 22g

Tips for Cooking Keto Ground Turkey Recipes

• Choose lean ground turkey: Opt for lean ground turkey to minimize fat content, but remember to add healthy fats like avocado oil or olive oil to keep the dishes keto-friendly.
• Season generously: Ground turkey can be bland, so don't be afraid to use plenty of herbs, spices, and seasonings to enhance the flavor.
• Get creative with vegetables: Incorporate a variety of low-carb vegetables like bell peppers, zucchini, spinach, and cauliflower to add nutrients and texture to your meals.
• Use low-carb alternatives: Substitute high-carb ingredients with low-carb options like almond flour, cauliflower rice, and low-carb tortillas.
• Meal prep: Ground turkey recipes are great for meal prepping. Cook a big batch and store it in the fridge or freezer for quick and easy meals throughout the week.

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