These Ground Turkey Recipes Are So Good, You'll Say Buh-Bye to Ground Beef (2024)

FAQs

Is ground beef and ground turkey good together? ›

Love the taste of beef burgers, but not the saturated fat? Try doing what smart cooks do: Mix ground turkey breast with lean ground beef to improve the taste and limit the saturated fat.

The Bottom Line

If you're eating for a healthy heart, lean ground turkey—which is lower in saturated fat—is the better pick for you. Of course, you can still enjoy ground beef from time to time, but choosing lean ground turkey more often will help your heart in the long run.

Foodborne illness occurs when you eat something contaminated with an infectious organism like a parasite, bacteria or virus, according to the Mayo Clinic. Raw or undercooked turkey or turkey left at room temperature for too long may allow these disease-causing organisms to flourish.

The bottom line is yes—it is okay to include ground turkey in your diet regularly, though as with any food, it's crucial to eat it in moderation and variety in your food choices. Eating a diverse range of nutrient sources helps ensure you obtain all of the essential nutrients needed for enhancing overall health.

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.

The dark meat has better flavor and more fat, which means it will be less dry when cooked. You'll never make it taste like beef, because it's not beef, it's turkey. You can dose it with spices, chopped sautéed veggies, and other seasonings to give it more flavor, but nothing will make it taste like beef.

What is the best way to season ground turkey? With ground turkey, you need fresh aromatics to season it. Chopped yellow onions, scallions, cilantro, and red bell pepper all help add flavor.

As far as a difference in taste, Hueschen says it's only slight, and depending on how you use it, you might not even notice – meaning it's possible to make ground turkey taste like beef.

Eating spoiled ground turkey may lead to foodborne illness, with symptoms such as vomiting, nausea and diarrhea. People with weakened immune systems may experience more severe symptoms. If you're hesitant about your ground turkey, it's best to throw it out and play it safe.

When should you not eat ground turkey? ›

But as any poultry starts to go bad, it will start to turn an unpleasant shade of gray. If that pink hue starts to look slightly dull then it's time to use up your ground turkey immediately, and if it has a gray tint (even just a slight one), then it's time to toss it.

"Ground turkey contains less saturated fat than ground beef, giving it a more beneficial fat profile," says Beaver. "In its place, ground turkey instead contains more polyunsaturated fat, which is a protective, healthier type of fat."

The Type Of Fat Affects The Texture

It creates a super tender, gelatinous structure. This means you can combine types of ground meats in order to influence the final texture.

Chopped up bacon (and/or bacon fat), pork or beef can all be added to ground chicken to enhance its fat content, moisture, and flavour.

As far as a difference in taste, Hueschen says it's only slight, and depending on how you use it, you might not even notice – meaning it's possible to make ground turkey taste like beef.

In a large bowl combine the ground chicken and turkey with the cooked shallots and parsley, mix with a spatula. Mix in the beaten egg. Gradually add in the ground almonds, if using, and then the breadcrumbs, a little at a time.