Say Bye to Beef With 14 Ground Turkey Recipes (2024)

FAQs

Can you use ground turkey and ground beef 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.

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.

A 3.5-ounce turkey burger cooks in 3 to 4 minutes per side; a beef patty cooks in 6 to 8 minutes per side. In a microwave oven on full power, a pound of ground turkey cooks in just 5 to 6 minutes. On the other hand, ground turkey, unlike beef, should never be served rare.

Ground turkey requires more seasoning than ground beef

The same principle applies to ground turkey. eHow explains that it's much easier to disguise ground turkey in dishes where the beef isn't the main flavor profile like in a pasta sauce, for example.

Any raw meat that is mixed with poultry should be cooked to 165 °F which is the minimum temperature to cook poultry. Cross-contamination occurs when there is the transfer of harmful bacteria from raw foods to cooked or ready to-eat-food.

This means you can combine types of ground meats in order to influence the final texture. For example, add ground pork to your meatballs to give them a smoother, softer texture than just using ground beef alone. Or better yet, you could mix in diced bacon, pancetta, or prosciutto!

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.

The distinct game flavor of either birds or animals will be milder after soaking the meat overnight in the refrigerator in either a salt or vinegar solution. 2. Vinegar solution - 1 cup per quart of cold water. Use enough solution to cover the game completely.

Look & Color

Raw turkey meat should be light pink or beige, depending on the type of meat and its fat content. The meat color becomes dull as time passes, which is normal. However, if the meat has a brown, gray or yellow or green hue, you will want to part ways with it.

Should you let ground turkey sit out before cooking? ›

A package of frozen meat or poultry left thawing on the counter more than 2 hours is not at a safe temperature. Even though the center of the package may still be frozen, the outer layer of the food is in the "Danger Zone" between 40 and 140 °F — at a temperature where foodborne bacteria multiply rapidly.

It will be cooked when it is all browned evenly, juices run clear and when your thermometer is at least 165 degrees F.

How do you add flavor to ground turkey? Turkey meat can be flavored with easy ingredients like kosher salt and pepper, bell peppers, garlic powder, and olive oil. If you're cooking meat, specifically turkey taco meat, hot sauce and enchilada sauce are your best mates.

To keep it moist while cooking, you can either add a fat such as butter, or baste with a liquid like chicken stock.

Two types to look for are 93% lean ground turkey and 99% lean ground turkey. The biggest difference is that the 99% version is generally made with all breast meat and contains no saturated fat. However, because it has so little fat, it runs the risk of getting dry.

Ground beef, especially fattier options, is described as flavorful and moist. Its high-fat content contributes to its juicy, savory taste, which intensifies when grilled or browned in a pan. On the other hand, ground turkey is usually considered a lean meat and has a milder, slightly gamey flavor compared to beef.

Ground poultry may be substituted for ground beef or combined with ground beef in many recipes. The important thing is that it be cooked safely. Ground poultry patties, loaves or any combinations should be cooked to 165° F (73.9° C).

Of course, consider your taste buds. Lean ground turkey is milder in flavor. And while it can be dry when cooked alone as a burger, it is less likely to dry out when mixed with other ingredients—and more likely to take on the flavors of whatever herbs and spices you're using to season it with.

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. However, if your main goal is flavor, ground beef may outshine turkey in some dishes.