Delicious and Nutritious Keto Turkey Dinner Recipes

For those following a ketogenic diet, finding satisfying and compliant meals can sometimes be a challenge. Turkey, being naturally low in carbohydrates and high in protein, is an excellent choice for keto-friendly dishes. This article explores a variety of keto turkey dinner recipes, from ground turkey creations to a show-stopping roasted turkey, perfect for any occasion.

Ground Turkey Recipes

Ground turkey is a versatile and budget-friendly ingredient that can be used in numerous keto recipes. It's a fantastic alternative to ground beef, offering a leaner protein source without sacrificing flavor.

Keto Ground Turkey Casserole

A comforting and customizable dish, the Keto Ground Turkey Casserole is a family favorite. This recipe utilizes cauliflower rice to keep the carb count low while delivering a satisfying and flavorful meal.

Ingredients:

• Ground turkey
• Cauliflower rice
• Marinara sauce
• Green onions
• Baby spinach
• Parmesan cheese
• Everything bagel seasoning

Instructions:

1. Brown the ground turkey in a skillet.
2. Add diced bell pepper and sliced scallions until softened.
3. Stir in cauliflower rice, spinach, marinara sauce, and seasonings.
4. Incorporate cream cheese until melted and well combined.
5. Transfer to a casserole dish, top with mozzarella, parmesan, and everything bagel spice.
6. Bake until the cheese is melted and bubbly.

Variations include using ground beef or leftover chicken, adding cheddar cheese, or swapping bagel seasoning for taco seasoning.

Taco Stuffed Peppers

Taco Stuffed Peppers offer a flavorful and visually appealing meal. By using ground turkey as the base, you can enjoy a lighter take on this classic dish.

Read also: Easy Low-Carb Cheese Crackers

Ground Turkey Meatloaf Muffins

These Cheesy Ground Turkey Meatloaf Muffins are a fun and portion-controlled way to enjoy meatloaf. They are sure to be a hit with both kids and adults.

Taco Empanadas

For those craving a savory pastry, Taco Empanadas are a delicious option. Ground turkey seasoned with taco spices fills a keto-friendly dough, creating a satisfying and portable meal.

Lazy White Lasagna

Inspired by the popular THM Cookbook recipe, this Lazy White Lasagna uses ground turkey to create a lighter version of the classic dish.

BBQ Mini Meatloaf

BBQ Mini Meatloaf is perfect for a weeknight dinner or a special occasion. These mini meatloaves are packed with flavor and offer a convenient portion size.

Garlic Zucchini Turkey Burgers

Adding zucchini to lean ground turkey helps to keep these Garlic Zucchini Turkey Burgers moist and flavorful. These burgers are a great way to incorporate more vegetables into your diet.

Read also: Keto Calorie Counting: A Detailed Guide

Instant Pot Turkey Chili

For a comforting and warm meal, Instant Pot Turkey Chili is a perfect choice. This chili is packed with flavor and can be made quickly and easily in an Instant Pot.

Stuffed Pepper Casserole

When you're craving stuffed peppers but short on time, Stuffed Pepper Casserole is the way to go. This quick and easy casserole delivers all the flavors of stuffed peppers in a fraction of the time.

Layered Taco Dip

Layered Taco Dip is a crowd-pleasing appetizer that is always a hit at parties and gatherings. Using ground turkey as the base makes this dip a lighter and healthier option.

Italian Meatloaf Recipe

For a taste of comfort food, try this Italian Meatloaf Recipe. Ground turkey is combined with Italian seasonings and vegetables to create a flavorful and satisfying meal.

Lovin’ Tex Mex Skillet

The Lovin’ Tex Mex Skillet is a simple yet flavorful dish that is perfect for a quick weeknight meal. Ground turkey is combined with Tex-Mex spices and vegetables to create a satisfying and delicious skillet.

Read also: Magnesium Supplements for Keto

Baked Turkey Meatballs

Baked Turkey Meatballs are a versatile and easy-to-make dinner option. They can be served with marinara sauce, pesto, or any other keto-friendly sauce. They are also great for meal prepping and freezing.

Stuffed Turkey Burgers

Stuffing turkey burgers with spinach and cheese takes them to the next level. These burgers are packed with flavor and are a great way to add more nutrients to your diet.

Taco Salad Crunch

Taco Salad Crunch is a fun and flavorful twist on the traditional taco salad. Ground turkey is combined with taco seasonings, vegetables, and crunchy toppings to create a satisfying and delicious salad.

Blue Cheese Turkey Burgers

For a unique burger experience, try these Blue Cheese Turkey Burgers. The combination of turkey and blue cheese creates a flavorful and satisfying burger.

Low Carb Turkey Taco Skillet

This Low Carb Turkey Taco Skillet is a super easy meal full of wonderful Mexican flavors. With ground turkey, onion powder, paprika, ground cumin, dried oregano, and chopped red bell pepper you can create something so tasty!

Roasted Turkey Recipes

Roasting a whole turkey can seem daunting, but with the right techniques, it can be a simple and rewarding experience. A perfectly roasted turkey is a centerpiece-worthy dish, ideal for holidays or special gatherings.

Easy Keto Roasted Turkey with Herb Butter

This Easy Keto Roasted Turkey with Herb Butter recipe is a foolproof way to achieve a tender and juicy turkey. Roasting the turkey upside down for the first hour helps to keep the breast meat moist and flavorful.

Ingredients:

• Whole turkey
• Herb butter (recipe follows)
• Lemons
• Apples
• Fresh herbs (rosemary, thyme, sage, bay leaves)
• Olive oil
• Parma ham
• Onion, carrot, celery, garlic, water (for gravy trivet)

Herb Butter:

• Softened butter
• Fresh herbs (minced)
• Garlic (minced)
• Salt
• Pepper

Instructions:

1. Preheat oven to 400 degrees F (200 degrees C).
2. Remove the neck and giblets from the turkey and rinse the bird inside and out.
3. Prepare the herb butter by combining softened butter with minced herbs, garlic, salt, and pepper.
4. Push the flavored butter under the skin of the turkey, covering all of the meat. Do the same with the tops of the drumsticks, being careful not to pierce the skin.
5. Stuff the quartered lemons and apples into the cavity of the bird.
6. Place the turkey on a roasting rack in a roasting pan.
7. Roast the turkey upside down for one hour.
8. Flip the turkey and roast it upright for another hour or so, until it's done.
9. Test with a meat thermometer for 165 degrees F (74 degrees C) at the thickest part of the thigh.
10. Let the turkey rest for at least half an hour before carving.
11. While the turkey is resting, pour the pan juices into a measuring cup to prepare gravy.

Tips for a Perfect Roasted Turkey:

• Roast the turkey upside down for the first hour to keep the breast meat moist.
• Use a roasting rack to prevent the turkey from sticking to the bottom of the pan.
• Let the turkey rest for at least half an hour before carving to allow the juices to redistribute.

Additional Tips:

• Fresh or Frozen? Buy the best turkey you can afford.
• Thawing: Defrost a frozen turkey in the fridge (24 hours for every 1.5-2 kg).
• Room Temperature: Allow the turkey to come to room temperature before roasting (about 2 hours).
• Cooking Time: Cook a high welfare bird for 25 - 30 mins per kilo and a standard turkey 35 - 40 mins per kilo.
• Checking for Doneness: Pierce into the thick part of the turkey breast or thigh with a knife or skewer. If the juices run clear, it's done. Use a meat thermometer; the temperature should be 75 Celsius (165 F).

Keto Turkey Casserole

This Keto Turkey Casserole is filling without being too heavy, making it perfect for a post-holiday dinner. It is a great way to use up leftover turkey.

Ingredients:

• Olive oil
• Minced garlic
• Cooked turkey
• Onion
• Celery
• Mushrooms
• Eggs
• Heavy cream
• Sage
• Cayenne pepper
• Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions:

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
2. Heat oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add onion, celery, and mushrooms. Cook for 10 minutes, until the onion is tender and the mushrooms have released their liquid.
3. Stir in garlic and sage. Sprinkle with cayenne pepper and season to taste with salt and pepper. Cook for 1 more minute. Stir in turkey and transfer the mixture to a 9 x 9 casserole dish.
4. In a small bowl, combine the eggs and heavy cream.

Keto Turkey Meatballs

These keto turkey meatballs with cheese and tomato sauce will go well with many keto side dishes. This dish has around 7g net carbs per serving (2-3 meatballs with some sauce), which is low enough to be included in a keto meal plan.

Ingredients:

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

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. When hot, 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.

Italian Ground Turkey & Peppers

This recipe is ready in about 15 minutes, this super quick ground turkey recipe is one the whole family will love! It has only 3 net grams of carbs and no high carb ingredients, making it a great pick for a low-carb diet.

Ingredients:

• Avocado oil
• Ground turkey
• Peppers (red and green)
• Onion
• Garlic
• Italian seasoning
• Fresh parsley
• Salt and pepper
• Red pepper flakes (optional)

Instructions:

1. Sauté the onions in 1 tbsp of the avocado oil until soft and translucent, about 4-5 minutes. Add the garlic and sauté until aromatic, about 1 minute.
2. Add the cubed peppers to the onions and garlic. Continue to cook for 2-3 minutes or until the peppers are tender crisp. Remove the pepper and onion mixture from the pan.
3. Brown the ground turkey in the remaining oil. Drain any juices from the pan.
4. Add the Italian seasoning, salt and pepper, and red pepper flakes (optional). Mix well.
5. Add the peppers and onions back to the pan and heat through.

Sides and Desserts

No keto turkey dinner is complete without complementary side dishes and desserts. Here are a few ideas:

• Keto Roasted Vegetables: A simple and versatile side dish that can be customized with your favorite vegetables.
• Keto Mushroom Gravy: An easy way to elevate any meal. It works well with beef, chicken, or turkey.
• Low Carb Christmas Pudding or Sugar-Free Christmas Cake: Perfect for festive occasions.

Is Turkey Good for Keto?

Yes! Turkey contains no carbs and is rich in proteins and nutrients. The dark meat is higher in fat and calories, while the breast is higher in protein.

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