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–+ servings

How to Cook Ground Turkey

This easy guide will teach you everything on how to cook Ground Turkey in a pan in 15 minutes. My technique makes ground turkey juicy, moist and flavorful. It's a healthy and versatile protein source for tacos, burgers, and weekly dinners.
4servings
  • 156 kcal
  • P 27g
  • F 6g
https://mattsfitchef.com/ground-turkey/

Ingredients

  • 1 lb (450 g) ground turkey 5% - 7% fat content
  • 1 tbsp cooking oil I recommend canola oil and avocado oil, or butter
  • ⅓ tsp salt or to taste

Optional Seasonings

  • ⅛ tsp ground black pepper
  • 1 tsp Italian seasoning
  • 1 tsp smoked paprika
  • ½ tsp onion powder
  • ½ tsp garlic powder

Additional Ingredients for Bolognese Sauce

  • 1 onion finely chopped
  • 2 ½ garlic cloves finely minced
  • 1 ½ can (22 oz/630 g) tomato sauce
  • 1 tomato diced
  • 1 tbsp white wine
  • 1 tsp dried oregano
  • ¾ tsp dried basil
  • ¼ tsp ground black pepper or to taste
  • salt to taste

Instructions

  1. Preheat a large non-stick stainless steel pan over high heat with 1 tablespoon of cooking oil.
  2. Once the pan is hot, add the ground turkey and break it apart with a spatula, a fork, or tongs. Season the meat with salt, pepper and seasonings of choice. Let the ground turkey cook over medium heat undisturbed for 5 minutes, until the bottom has browned and caramelized.
  3. Break the ground turkey into crumbles, using either a spatula or tongs. Cook for 5 to 7 minutes more, until the meat is no more pink. A food thermometer should read 165°F (74°C). Do not overcook, or the turkey will get dry.
  4. Serve ground turkey immediately, or let it cool and store in a food container for a maximum of 4 days.

Bolognese Sauce Recipe with Ground Turkey

  1. In a large skillet, heat 1 tablespoon of olive oil over medium heat. Add chopped onion, minced garlic and sauté until soft and translucent, about 3-5 minutes.
    Sautéed onion and garlic in skillet
  2. Add the ground turkey and break it apart with a spatula, a fork, or tongs. Season the meat with salt and pepper and let cook for about 5 minutes.
    Brown ground turkey in skillet
  3. Add to the skillet tomato sauce, diced tomato, white wine and all the seasonings. Cook on medium heat until the turkey is ready and no more pink. If necessary, adjust with salt, pepper and seasonings.
    Cooked ground turkey in marinara sauce

Notes

Storage directions

  • To store leftovers. Let the cooked meat cool completely first, then transfer to an airtight container. Close it tightly with a lid and refrigerate, it will last for up to 4 days.
  • To freeze leftovers. Once it has cooled down completely, place it in zipper bags or in a freezer safe container and freeze ground turkey (cooked) for a maximum of 6 months.
  • To reheat leftovers. If you start with frozen ground turkey, remove it from the freezer the day before and allow the meat to thaw in the fridge overnight. Reheat in a hot skillet greased with cooking oil or butter until it is warm, making sure not to overcook it.
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