Do you steer clear of meal prepping with ground turkey because you’re worried it will taste bland or dry? This is a common concern, but did you know that with the right recipe, ground turkey can actually be a delicious, healthy, and low-carb lean protein option?
I love cooking with ground turkey because it is versatile, affordable, low in fat, and delicious when cooked properly.
Let’s dive into a few things to consider when meal prepping with ground turkey, as well as some of my favorite ground turkey recipes.
Benefits of Meal Prepping
First, let’s take a step back and discuss why we should consider meal prepping in the first place. Meal prepping has many benefits, including:
- More positive and mindful food choices: Taking the time to prepare your meals can help you develop a more mindful relationship with food, which can help make you more aware of what, when, why, and how much you’re eating.
- Improved diet quality: Meal prepping enables you to utilize fresh, healthy ingredients and control portion sizes, resulting in a more balanced diet.
- Reduced food waste: Meal planning and preparation help you use up fresh ingredients before they spoil, minimizing food waste and resulting in savings.
- Saved time: Dedicate a couple of hours on the weekend to plan and prep your meals for the week, and you’ll surely save time, helping to get dinner on the table earlier during busy weekdays.
- Saved money: Cooking at home is generally much less expensive than frequently going out to eat. Meal prepping also helps you make fewer trips to the grocery store, which likely results in fewer impulse purchases.
- Peace of Mind: Having healthy meals ready saves you the stress of deciding what to eat on busy days. This can improve your mental well-being and free up time for other activities.
- Increased variety: Meal prepping encourages you to experiment with new recipe ideas and ingredients, which can help prevent boredom and ensure you’re getting a variety of nutrients.
How Long Does Ground Turkey Last in the Fridge or Freezer?
The USDA recommends storing uncooked ground turkey in the refrigerator for 1-2 days. After cooking, it may be stored in the refrigerator for 3-4 days.
You can also freeze ground turkey. Frozen, raw ground turkey should be used within 3-4 months. Frozen, cooked ground turkey should be used within 2-3 months for the best flavor and texture.
Be sure to check the date on the label of the ground turkey you purchase to ensure you use it before it spoils.
Ground Chicken vs Ground Turkey
Ground chicken and ground turkey are both great lean protein options that can be used interchangeably in some recipes such as burgers, meatballs, chili, and tacos.
Ground turkey is slightly higher in protein and iron, and generally contains a little less fat than ground chicken. Some people find that ground chicken has a slightly milder flavor than ground turkey, which tends to be gamier. I recommend testing both out and seeing which one you prefer, or simply purchasing the one on sale.
Aim to choose ground turkey that is labeled 93% lean (or leaner) for the most heart-healthy option whenever possible.
Ground Turkey Meal Prep Recipe Ideas
Now let’s get to the fun part! Below are nine recipe ideas for easy and delicious meals that would be great options to use for meal prepping:
- This Chunky Turkey Vegetable Soup by Craving Something Healthy is the perfect dinner option for a cold winter night
- These Air Fryer Turkey Meatballs by A Grateful Meal are a simple yet tasty, versatile protein option
- This Dairy Free Stroganoff by Eating With Food Allergies is a lightened-up version of a staple comfort food
- Even kids will enjoy this veggie-packed Old Fashioned Sloppy Joe recipe by Carrots and Cookies
- Craving tacos? You’ll love this Ground Turkey and Black Bean Taco Skillet by Christina Laboni – an added bonus, it can be made in one pan!
- This Ground Turkey Zucchini Lasagna Recipe by Haute and Healthy Living is a fantastic lower-carb dupe for the real thing
- The sweet potatoes help moisten and add flavor to these Ground Turkey Sweet Potato Burgers by Bucket List Tummy
- This Turkey Pumpkin White Bean Chili by Everyday Homemade is the ultimate one-pot fall comfort food
- These Deconstructed Stuffed Peppers by No Guilt Nutrition are full of fiber, easy to throw together, and take under 30 minutes to make
Conclusion
As you can see, meal prepping with ground turkey is one of the most effective ways to save time and money, while also increasing variety and incorporating healthy nutrients into your diet. Ground turkey is a healthy, cost-effective protein source.
Looking to reduce animal protein and incorporate more plant-based meals into your meal prepping routine? Make sure to check out my round-up post featuring chickpea recipes and make sure to join the Mama-Betes community to stay in the loop and receive our free monthly newsletter!