21 Anti-Inflammatory Ground Turkey Recipes
Ground turkey is a lean, versatile protein that is often easier to digest than red meat, making it a great choice for an anti-inflammatory diet. By incorporating anti-inflammatory powerhouses like turmeric, ginger, and a variety of colorful vegetables, you can create meals that support your health and satisfy your palate.
1. Turmeric Ginger Ground Turkey Bowls
These bowls are a nutritional powerhouse, featuring anti-inflammatory spices and fiber-rich vegetables.
Ingredients:
- 1 lb ground turkey
- 1 tbsp coconut oil
- 1 onion, diced
- 2 carrots, sliced
- 1 zucchini, diced
- 1 tsp ground turmeric
- 1 tbsp fresh ginger, grated
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 tbsp coconut aminos
- Fresh cilantro for garnish
Instructions:
- Heat coconut oil in a large skillet over medium heat.
- Add onion, carrots, and zucchini. Sauté for 5-7 minutes until softened.
- Add ground turkey and cook until browned, breaking it up with a spatula.
- Stir in turmeric, ginger, garlic, and coconut aminos. Cook for another 3-5 minutes.
- Serve over cauliflower rice or quinoa and garnish with cilantro.
2. Ground Turkey and Sweet Potato Skillet
Sweet potatoes provide antioxidants and beta-carotene, which help fight inflammation.
Ingredients:
- 1 lb ground turkey
- 2 medium sweet potatoes, peeled and diced
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 1 bell pepper, chopped
- 1 tsp smoked paprika
- 1/2 tsp cumin
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions:
- Heat olive oil in a skillet. Add sweet potatoes and cook for 8-10 minutes until tender.
- Add ground turkey and bell pepper. Cook until turkey is browned.
- Season with paprika, cumin, salt, and pepper.
- Cover and simmer for 5 minutes to let flavors meld.
3. Turkey Skillet with Italian Veggies
Italian herbs like oregano and basil are rich in antioxidants.
Ingredients:
- 1 lb ground turkey
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 1 cup broccoli florets
- 1 cup sliced mushrooms
- 1/2 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
- 1 tsp dried Italian seasoning
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
Instructions:
- Sauté ground turkey in olive oil until browned.
- Add broccoli, mushrooms, and tomatoes.
- Stir in garlic and Italian seasoning.
- Cook for 5-7 minutes until vegetables are tender-crisp.
4. Slow Cooked Turkey Ginger Turmeric Chili
A warming, anti-inflammatory twist on a classic comfort food.
Ingredients:
- 2 lbs ground turkey
- 1 onion, diced
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tbsp fresh ginger, grated
- 1 tbsp turmeric
- 2 cans diced tomatoes
- 4 cups chicken bone broth
- 2 cups chopped kale
Instructions:
- Brown the turkey in a skillet and transfer to a slow cooker.
- Add onion, garlic, ginger, turmeric, tomatoes, and broth.
- Cook on low for 6 hours or high for 3 hours.
- Stir in kale 15 minutes before serving until wilted.
5. Ground Turkey and Zucchini Skillet
Zucchini is low in calories and high in anti-inflammatory nutrients.
Ingredients:
- 1 lb ground turkey
- 2 medium zucchinis, diced
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 1/2 onion, chopped
- 1 tsp dried oregano
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
Instructions:
- Sauté onion and garlic in olive oil.
- Add ground turkey and cook until browned.
- Stir in zucchini and oregano.
- Cook for 5 minutes until zucchini is tender.
6. Turkey and Spinach Meatballs
Spinach adds a boost of iron and antioxidants to these lean meatballs.
Ingredients:
- 1 lb ground turkey
- 2 cups fresh spinach, finely chopped
- 1/4 cup almond flour
- 1 egg
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1 tsp onion powder
Instructions:
- Preheat oven to 375°F.
- Mix all ingredients in a bowl.
- Form into 1-inch balls and place on a baking sheet.
- Bake for 15-20 minutes until cooked through.
7. Turkey and Cauliflower Rice Stir-Fry
Ingredients: 1 lb ground turkey, 4 cups cauliflower rice, 1 tbsp ginger, 2 tbsp coconut aminos, 1 tbsp sesame oil.
Instructions: Sauté turkey in sesame oil. Add cauliflower rice and ginger. Stir in coconut aminos and cook for 5 minutes.
8. Mediterranean Turkey Bowls
Ingredients: 1 lb ground turkey, 1 cup cucumbers (diced), 1 cup tomatoes (diced), 1/4 cup Kalamata olives, 2 tbsp olive oil, lemon juice.
Instructions: Cook turkey with oregano. Serve in bowls topped with fresh veggies, olives, oil, and lemon.
9. Turkey and Cabbage “Egg Roll in a Bowl”
Ingredients: 1 lb ground turkey, 1 bag coleslaw mix, 1 tbsp ginger, 2 tbsp coconut aminos, 1 tbsp sesame oil.
Instructions: Brown turkey. Add coleslaw mix and ginger. Sauté until cabbage is wilted. Stir in coconut aminos.
10. Turkey and Pumpkin Chili
Ingredients: 1 lb ground turkey, 1 can pumpkin puree, 1 can diced tomatoes, 1 tbsp chili powder, 1 tsp cinnamon.
Instructions: Brown turkey. Add pumpkin, tomatoes, and spices. Simmer for 20 minutes. Pumpkin is rich in beta-carotene.
11. Turkey and Bell Pepper Fajita Skillet
Ingredients: 1 lb ground turkey, 3 bell peppers (sliced), 1 onion (sliced), 1 tsp cumin, 1 tsp chili powder.
Instructions: Sauté turkey and veggies with spices until tender. Serve in lettuce wraps.
12. Turkey and Kale Soup with Bone Broth
Ingredients: 1 lb ground turkey, 4 cups kale, 6 cups chicken bone broth, 2 carrots (sliced), 1 tsp turmeric.
Instructions: Brown turkey. Add broth, carrots, and turmeric. Simmer for 15 minutes. Stir in kale at the end.
13. Turkey and Mushroom Burger Patties
Ingredients: 1 lb ground turkey, 1 cup finely chopped mushrooms, 1 tsp garlic powder, 1 tbsp olive oil.
Instructions: Mix turkey and mushrooms. Form into patties and pan-fry in olive oil until cooked through.
14. Turkey and Asparagus Stir-Fry
Ingredients: 1 lb ground turkey, 1 bunch asparagus (cut into 1-inch pieces), 1 tbsp ginger, 2 tbsp coconut aminos.
Instructions: Sauté turkey. Add asparagus and ginger. Cook until asparagus is tender. Stir in coconut aminos.
15. Turkey and Quinoa Stuffed Peppers
Ingredients: 1 lb ground turkey, 1 cup cooked quinoa, 4 bell peppers, 1 cup tomato sauce.
Instructions: Mix turkey and quinoa. Stuff into peppers. Top with sauce and bake at 375°F for 30 minutes.
16. Turkey and Avocado Breakfast Hash
Ingredients: 1/2 lb ground turkey, 1 sweet potato (diced), 1 avocado (sliced), 1 tbsp olive oil.
Instructions: Sauté sweet potato until tender. Add turkey and cook until browned. Top with avocado slices.
17. Turkey and Bok Choy Skillet
Ingredients: 1 lb ground turkey, 2 heads bok choy (chopped), 1 tbsp ginger, 1 tbsp sesame oil.
Instructions: Sauté turkey in sesame oil. Add bok choy and ginger. Cook until bok choy is wilted.
18. Turkey and Lentil Stew
Ingredients: 1 lb ground turkey, 1 cup dry lentils, 4 cups vegetable broth, 1 onion, 1 tsp turmeric.
Instructions: Brown turkey. Add lentils, broth, onion, and turmeric. Simmer for 30-40 minutes until lentils are soft.
19. Turkey and Walnut Meatloaf
Ingredients: 1 lb ground turkey, 1/2 cup crushed walnuts, 1 egg, 1/4 cup tomato paste, 1 tsp dried thyme.
Instructions: Mix ingredients. Bake in a loaf pan at 350°F for 45-50 minutes. Walnuts add omega-3s.
20. Turkey and Broccoli Curry
Ingredients: 1 lb ground turkey, 3 cups broccoli, 1 can coconut milk, 1 tbsp red curry paste.
Instructions: Brown turkey. Add broccoli, coconut milk, and curry paste. Simmer for 10 minutes.
21. Turkey and Apple Skillet with Sage
Ingredients: 1 lb ground turkey, 2 apples (diced), 1 tbsp fresh sage (chopped), 1 tbsp olive oil.
Instructions: Sauté apples in oil. Add turkey and sage. Cook until turkey is browned. Apples provide quercetin.
