Have you historically steered clear of meal prepping with ground turkey because you were worried about it tasting bland or dry? This is a common concern, but did you know that with the right recipe, ground turkey can actually be a delicious and healthy lean protein option?
We love cooking with ground turkey because it is versatile, affordable, low in fat, and delicious if cooked the right way.
Let’s dive into some meal prepping basics and a few things to consider when meal prepping with ground turkey.
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 allows you to utilize fresh, healthy ingredients and control portion sizes, leading to a more balanced diet.
- Reduced food waste: Meal planning and prepping helps you use up fresh ingredients before they spoil, minimizing food waste which results in saving money.
- Saved time: Dedicating a couple of hours on the weekend to plan and prep your meals for the week will surely save you time and help 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 less trips to the grocery store which likely results in less 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.
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 a little lower in fat than ground chicken. Some people find that ground chicken has a bit more of a mild flavor than ground turkey, which tends to be a bit gamier. We recommend testing them both out and seeing which you prefer, or just purchasing whichever is on sale.
Pro tip: we recommend choosing ground turkey that is labeled 93% lean (or leaner) for the most heart-healthy option whenver possible.
Top Ground Turkey Meal Prep Recipe Picks
Now let’s get to the fun part! Below are 9 recipe ideas for tasty, easy 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 will love this Ground Turkey and Black Bean Taco Skillet by Christina Laboni – 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 and easy to throw together and under 30 minutes
Conclusion
As you can see, meal prepping is a one of the best ways to save time and money as well as increase variety and healthy nutrients in your diet. Ground turkey is a quick, cost-effective and healthy protein source to use when meal prepping.
Make sure to check out our round-up post featuring chickpea recipes if you are also looking to incorporate some delicious, plant-based meals into your meal prepping routine.