Category: Turkey


May
2023

Turkey Veggie Stir Fry

categories: Main Dishes, Turkey
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Turkey Veggie Stir Fry is an easy, low-fat meal, using ground turkey and veggies cooked in an Asian sauce, then served on top of white rice.
Turkey Veggie Stir Fry is an easy, low-fat meal, using ground turkey and veggies cooked in an Asian sauce, then served on top of white rice.

If you’re looking for a recipe for a low-calorie but great tasting main dish, may I suggest this turkey veggie stir fry? I think you will really enjoy it!

Occasionally I love reading through my cookbooks (I collect them) to find new ideas or recipes I have overlooked in the past. This recipe came from one of my older WW cookbooks from about 5 years ago.

The recipe sounded interesting to me, so I made it, and was pleasantly surprised at the results! This dish has ground turkey breast and several veggies in a delicious sauce, served on a bed of rice.

Turkey Veggie Stir Fry is a filling, colorful, healthy and hearty meal! Here’s how to make it.

Scroll Down For A Printable Recipe Card At The Bottom Of The Page

First Step – Cook Rice And Prep The Veggies!

TIP: Start the rice cooking (stovetop or rice cooker) before starting the recipe, so it is fully cooked and HOT when this dish is ready to be served.

It is helpful to prep the “add-in” veggies before beginning to cook this dish. That way, they’re ready to go as you make this dish, allowing you to make this meal in less time.

Thaw the frozen peas while you chop, mince or dice green onions, carrots, red bell peppers, garlic, fresh ginger, and cilantro. Once this step is done, you’re ready to go!

Scallions, carrots, red bell peppers, garlic, ginger, cilantro and peas are prepped and ready!

Cook Some Veggies

Heat 2 teaspoons of canola oil in a large skillet using Medium-High heat. When the oil is hot (but not smoking), stir in the diced red bell peppers and carrots.

Cook the bell peppers and carrots for 3 minutes, stirring often, until they have softened slightly in texture.

Stir in fresh grated ginger and minced garlic, and cook, stirring constantly for 30 seconds (don’t burn the garlic!) 

Red bell peppers and carrots are cooked in oil until softened, in a large skillet.Minced garlic and fresh grated ginger are stirred into the veggies in the skillet.

Cook The Ground Turkey

Add the ground turkey to the skillet and cook it on Medium-High heat, until the meat is fully cooked through and no longer pink in color. This will take about 4-5 minutes.

As the ground turkey cooks, break the meat up into small bite-sized pieces using a spoon, spatula or fork.  

Ground turkey breast is added to veggies in skillet and is cooked.A wooden spoon is used to break the ground turkey into small pieces while it cooks.

Add More Veggies To The Stir Fry

Once the ground turkey is fully cooked (and no longer pink), stir in the chopped scallions (green onions) until combined.

Cook everything, stirring often, for about 1 minute, or until the green onions have slightly softened.

Chopped scallions (green onions) are stirred into the turkey veggie stir fry.

Add the peas, soy sauce, sesame oil, salt, and red pepper flakes to the rest of the ingredients in the skillet.

Continue to cook the turkey veggie stir fry for 2 minutes, or until the peas are heated through with the rest of the ingredients.

Transfer the skillet OFF of the heat, and immediately stir in chopped cilantro until it has been incorporated into the dish. Serve immediately.

Peas and Asian sauce ingredients are added to the turkey veggie stir fry.Chopped cilantro is stirred into the stir fry, off of the heat.

Time To Serve The Turkey Veggie Stir Fry

Now it’s time to enjoy this delicious turkey veggie stir fry! The recipe makes enough for 4 main dish servings.

For each serving, place half a cup of hot cooked rice on a plate (or in a bowl), then top with about 1½ cups of the turkey and veggie mixture.

Sprinkle each portion with sesame seeds. Serve while hot, and enjoy this tasty, filling, low-calorie, and healthy meal.

The turkey veggie stir fry is served hot, on a bed of white rice.A serving of the turkey veggie stir fry, placed on top of white rice.

I hope you have the opportunity to try this simple recipe for turkey veggie stir fry! We enjoy it, and trust you will, as well.

Thanks for stopping by, and I invite you to come back again soon for more family-friendly recipes. Take care, may God bless you, and have a GREAT day!

Looking For More TURKEY Recipes?

You can find ALL of my recipes in the Recipe Index, which is located at the top of the page. I have some delicious turkey recipes to choose from, including:

Want More Recipes? Get My FREE Newsletter!

I publish a newsletter 2 times per month (1st and 15th) with lots of recipes, tips, etc..
Would you like to join our growing list of subscribers?

There is a Newsletter subscription box on the top right (or bottom) of each blog post, depending on the device you use.
You can submit your e-mail address there, to be added to my mailing list.

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Author's signature

Original recipe source: “The Essential WW Freestyle Cookbook”, page 49, published in 2018 by Weight Watchers, Int’l., Inc.

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Turkey Veggie Stir Fry
Prep Time
13 mins
Cook Time
12 mins
Total Time
25 mins
 

Turkey Veggie Stir Fry is an easy, low-fat meal, using ground turkey and veggies cooked in an Asian sauce, then served on top of white rice.

Category: Main Dish
Cuisine: American
Keyword: turkey veggie stir fry
Servings: 4 (each serving is ½ C. rice + 1½ C. turkey/veggies)
Calories Per Serving: 308 kcal
Author: JB @ The Grateful Girl Cooks!
Ingredients
  • 2 teaspoons canola oil
  • 1 medium red bell pepper seeded, diced
  • 1 large carrot peeled, diced
  • 2 cloves garlic minced
  • 1 Tablespoon fresh ginger peeled, finely grated
  • 1 pound ground skinless turkey breast
  • 4 scallions (green onions) thinly sliced (white and green parts)
  • 1 cup frozen green peas thawed
  • 2 Tablespoons soy sauce (low-sodium, if available)
  • 2 teaspoons dark sesame oil
  • ¼ teaspoon salt
  • ⅛ teaspoon red chili pepper flakes
  • ¼ cup chopped fresh cilantro
  • 1½ cups hot cooked white rice
  • 1 Tablespoon sesame seeds lightly toasted, if desired
US Customary - Metric
Instructions

  1. Heat canola oil on Medium-High in a large skillet. When oil is hot (but not smoking), stir in red bell peppers and carrots. Cook for 3 minutes, stirring often, until they've softened slightly. Stir in ginger and garlic; cook, stirring constantly for 30 seconds (don't burn the garlic). 

  2. Add ground turkey to the skillet; cook on Medium-High, until meat is cooked through and no longer pink in color (about 5 minutes). As turkey cooks, break the meat into small bite-sized pieces using a spoon, spatula or fork. 

  3. Stir in green onions until combined. Cook, stirring often, for 1 minute, or until green onions soften slightly.

  4. Add peas, soy sauce, sesame oil, salt, and red pepper flakes to skillet. Cook for 2 minutes, or until peas are heated through. Move skillet OFF the heat; immediately stir in chopped cilantro until incorporated. Serve immediately.

  5. For each serving, place ½ cup of rice on plate (or in bowl); top with 1½ cups of turkey/veggie mix. Sprinkle with sesame seeds. Serve hot, and enjoy!

Nutrition Facts
Turkey Veggie Stir Fry
Amount Per Serving (1 (½ cup rice, 1½ cups turkey/veggies))
Calories 308 Calories from Fat 72
% Daily Value*
Fat 8g12%
Saturated Fat 1g6%
Trans Fat 0.03g
Polyunsaturated Fat 3g
Monounsaturated Fat 3g
Cholesterol 62mg21%
Sodium 511mg22%
Potassium 654mg19%
Carbohydrates 28g9%
Fiber 4g17%
Sugar 5g6%
Protein 32g64%
Vitamin A 4450IU89%
Vitamin C 57mg69%
Calcium 61mg6%
Iron 2mg11%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.

Here’s one more to pin on your Pinterest boards!

Turkey Veggie Stir Fry is an easy, low-fat meal, using ground turkey and veggies cooked in an Asian sauce, then served on top of white rice.


Nov
2022

Classic Turkey Croquettes

categories: Holidays!, Main Dishes, Turkey
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Use leftover turkey to make Classic Turkey Croquettes! An old diner favorite, with turkey, potatoes and spices, baked and topped with gravy.
Use leftover turkey to make Classic Turkey Croquettes! An old diner favorite, with turkey, potatoes and spices, baked and topped with gravy.

After Thanksgiving has come and gone, and all the turkey sandwiches have been enjoyed, do you ever glance at the remaining turkey meat leftover and wonder what to do with the rest of it?

Well, today I want to share with you a recipe for classic turkey croquettes, that are a perfect solution for that leftover turkey!

What Is A CROQUETTE?

First let’s talk about what a “croquette” is, ok? Many countries have their own version, but the word “croquette” has French origins, and comes from the word “croquer” which means “to crunch”. There are recipes for croquettes that date back to the 17th century!

Croquettes typically contain meat, seafood or veggies, mixed with a thick “binder” to hold it all together, like potatoes, bread or sauces. They can be shaped into balls or oval disks, and are usually breaded and then deep fried. *Info source credit here.*

Apparently, croquettes started becoming popular in the U.S. in the early 1900’s and were a common, but popular diner meal.

I originally found this printed recipe taped onto an index card in an old recipe box. There was no mention on the card of the source, so I am grateful for whoever came up with this yummy recipe originally.

These turkey croquettes are good old comfort food at its best! Here’s how to make classic turkey croquettes.

Scroll Down For A Printable Recipe Card At The Bottom Of The Page

Prepare Potatoes For The Filling

The first thing I do when preparing this recipe is to preheat the oven to  350°F. and cook the potatoes. Now… if you just happen to have 2 cups of mashed potatoes lying around, by all means use them! I typically don’t, so I make them from scratch.

You’ll need 2 cups of mashed potatoes for this recipe, which is the equivalent of about 3 medium-sized russet potatoes. Peel the potatoes, then cut them into small chunks. Place them in a large saucepan and cover them with water.

Bring the water to a full boil on medium-high heat, and then cook the potatoes until they’re tender. This usually takes about 15 minutes, and you can check for tenderness by inserting a knife into a potato chunk. It should glide right into the potato, if tender.

Drain the potatoes, then mash them, without adding any butter or milk. Mash by hand or by using an electric mixer until the potatoes are lump-free. Set aside.

Peeled and cubed potatoes are boiled until tender.The cooked potatoes are mashed with an electric mixer until lump-free.

Prepare The Croquette Ingredients

Place the leftover pieces of turkey into a food processor and pulse about 6-8 times or until the meat become minced into very small pieces.

If you do not have access to a food processor, finely mince the turkey meat by hand with a sharp knife. Place 2 cups of the minced turkey in a large mixing bowl. 

Add chopped onions, Italian bread crumbs (reserving part for later), salt, pepper, tarragon, sage, Worcestershire sauce and an egg to the turkey.

Stir these ingredients well, to fully combine them. Once combined, add the mashed potatoes to the mixture, and fold (or gently stir) them in, until fully incorporated.

Pieces of leftover turkey are minced, using a food processor.Turkey, bread crumbs, egg, onions and spices are placed in large mixing bowl and combined.Mashed potatoes are added and folded in to the meat mixture for turkey croquettes.

Final Step

After folding in the mashed potatoes, the turkey croquette mixture will be mostly “bound together”, but might still be a bit crumbly. This is where you need to add a small amount of turkey or chicken stock, ONLY UNTIL THE MIXTURE BINDS TOGETHER.

The recipe calls for 1/2 cup of stock, but it usually does not take all of it to bind the ingredients together.

Add a little bit of the stock at a time, and stir after each addition. You need the meat mixture to easily be formed into a meatball shape, where the ingredients will hold together.

Potatoes have been added to the turkey croquette mixture and combined.A small amount of turkey or chicken stock is added to help bind the turkey mixture together.

Shape The Turkey Croquettes

Form the turkey croquettes into a meatball shape, by scooping out a generous heaping Tablespoon of the meat mixture and shape it into a ball using your hands to roll and form it.

Place each croquette onto wax paper, and continue until all the turkey mixture is used. The recipe, as written, will yield somewhere between 16-20 meatballs, but I usually get 19!

Place the reserved bread crumbs on a small plate, and roll each of the turkey croquettes around in it, until all sides are coated with the bread crumbs. 

Heaping Tablespoons of turkey mixture is shaped into round balls.Each of the classic turkey croquettes are rolled in Italian bread crumbs before baking.

Ready To Bake

Place the bread crumb-coated turkey croquettes onto an ungreased baking sheet, leaving a little space between each one.

Bake the croquettes at 350°F. for 28-30 minutes (mine usually take 30 minutes!) Please note that the baked croquettes will not brown a lot, so don’t expect that!

TIP: If you want to freeze some of the classic turkey croquettes for later use, do this BEFORE baking. Place the bread crumb-coated croquettes on a baking sheet and freeze for several hours until solidly frozen.

Remove them from the baking sheet and place them in a freezer bag, label with oven temps, etc., and save for another day!

Bread crumb-coated turkey croquettes are placed on baking sheet to cook in the oven.One of the baked classic turkey croquettes after coming out of the oven.

Serving Classic Turkey Croquettes

Classic turkey croquettes are always topped with hot chicken or turkey gravy to serve. Please note that I have not included a gravy recipe in the written recipe below.

You can use your own homemade chicken or turkey gravy, OR you can use purchased bottled gravy or mix at the grocery store. The type of gravy you use is entirely YOUR CHOICE, but just know that you really will want that delicious, hot gravy on top!

Place the hot croquettes on each plate, then spoon gravy over the top of each one, to serve. If you prefer store bought or making your own, by all means, use it! Whatever is the most convenient and the easiest for you, is the best plan! No judgement here.

We enjoy eating classic turkey croquettes served with fresh green beans (from our garden!), and Cranberry Caramel Apple Yams on the side. This meal “felt” like Thanksgiving, with all those great colors and flavors. YUM YUM!

Classic turkey croquettes are covered with gravy, and served with green beans and yams on the side.One of the classic turkey croquettes is cut in half to reveal the inside.

I hope you will consider trying these classic turkey croquettes, and trust you will enjoy them like we do! They can easily be reheated in the microwave, which makes perfect for a quick lunch the next day or two!

We eat part of them for dinner, have a few leftovers for lunch the next day or two, plus I freeze about half of them (before baking) to use for later meals. It’s really easy on the ol’ budget that way, too!

Thank you so much for stopping by, and I hope you will come back soon for more family-friendly recipes. Take care, may God bless you with much to be thankful for, and have a GREAT day!

Looking For More TURKEY Recipes?

You can find ALL of my recipes in the Recipe Index, which is located at the top of the page. I have some truly delicious recipes using turkey, including:

Want More Recipes? Get My FREE Newsletter!

I publish a newsletter 2 times per month (1st and 15th) with lots of recipes, tips, etc..
Would you like to join our growing list of subscribers?

There is a Newsletter subscription box on the top right (or bottom) of each blog post, depending on the device you use.
You can submit your e-mail address there, to be added to my mailing list.

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Facebook page: The Grateful Girl Cooks!
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Author's signature

Original recipe source: unknown

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Classic Turkey Croquettes
Prep Time
25 mins
Cook Time
30 mins
Total Time
55 mins
 

Use leftover turkey to make Classic Turkey Croquettes! An old diner favorite, with turkey, potatoes and spices, baked and topped with gravy.

Category: Main Course
Cuisine: American
Keyword: classic turkey croquettes
Servings: 6 (3 per serving)
Calories Per Serving: 277 kcal
Author: JB @ The Grateful Girl Cooks!
Ingredients
  • 2 cups cooked turkey meat minced
  • 1 cup yellow onions chopped
  • 2 cups Italian bread crumbs (or plain) DIVIDED USE!
  • 2 teaspoons Worcestershire sauce
  • ½ teaspoon poultry seasoning (or ground sage)
  • ½ teaspoon dried tarragon
  • 1 large egg lightly beaten
  • ¼ teaspoon salt and pepper (EACH)
  • 2 cups mashed russet potatoes approx. 3 medium
  • ½ cup turkey or chicken stock use only enough to bind meat
Top croquettes with your choice of homemade or purchased turkey or chicken gravy (heated)
    US Customary - Metric
    Instructions

    1. Preheat oven to  350°F.

    2. Peel potatoes; cut into small chunks; place them in a large saucepan/cover with water. Bring to full boil on medium-high heat. Cook until they're tender (approx. 15 min.). Check tenderness by inserting knife into potato (should glide right into potato). Drain potatoes, then mash, by hand or mixer until lump-free. Set aside.

    3. Place cooked turkey into food processor; pulse 6-8 times or until turkey is minced into small pieces, OR mince turkey by hand with a sharp knife. Put turkey in large bowl. Add onions, 1½ cups bread crumbs (reserving ½ cup for later), salt, pepper, tarragon, sage, Worcestershire and egg to bowl. Stir well, to combine. Add mashed potatoes; fold (or gently stir) them in, until fully incorporated.

    4. Add turkey/chicken stock a little bit at a time, stirring it into turkey mixture ONLY until turkey mixture binds together (usually doesn't take all of it to bind the ingredients together.

    5. Scoop a generous heaping Tablespoon of turkey mixture and shape it into a ball using hands to roll/form it. Place croquette onto wax paper; continue until all turkey mixture is gone. **Recipe (as written) yields between 16-20 croquettes.

    6. Place reserved ½ cup bread crumbs on a small plate. Roll each turkey croquette in it, until coated on all sides with bread crumbs.

    7. Put croquettes on ungreased baking sheet, leaving space between each one. Bake at 350°F. for 28-30 minutes. Note that baked croquettes will not brown a lot. **TIP: If you want to freeze some croquettes for later use, do this BEFORE baking. Place bread crumb-coated croquettes on foil-lined baking sheet. Freeze several hours until solidly frozen. Remove croquettes from foil; place in a freezer bag, label with oven temps, etc., and save for another day!

    8. To serve: Classic turkey croquettes should be topped with turkey or chicken gravy to serve. Use your own homemade or purchased gravy for this. Place baked croquettes on serving plates. Spoon hot gravy over each croquette to serve.

    Recipe Notes

    Caloric calculation was made using 3 croquettes per serving. Gravy to top croquettes was not included in the Caloric calculation, as different varieties may be used.

    Nutrition Facts
    Classic Turkey Croquettes
    Amount Per Serving (1 (3 croquettes))
    Calories 277 Calories from Fat 36
    % Daily Value*
    Fat 4g6%
    Saturated Fat 1g6%
    Trans Fat 0.01g
    Polyunsaturated Fat 1g
    Monounsaturated Fat 1g
    Cholesterol 63mg21%
    Sodium 756mg33%
    Potassium 504mg14%
    Carbohydrates 40g13%
    Fiber 3g13%
    Sugar 4g4%
    Protein 19g38%
    Vitamin A 151IU3%
    Vitamin C 6mg7%
    Calcium 102mg10%
    Iron 3mg17%
    * Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.

    Here’s one more to pin on your Pinterest boards!Use leftover turkey to make Classic Turkey Croquettes! An old diner favorite, with turkey, potatoes and spices, baked and topped with gravy.


    Sep
    2022

    Smoked Whole Turkey

    categories: Main Dishes, Traeger Grill Recipes, Turkey
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    Make a delicious 20 lb. smoked whole turkey (with butter and a variety of dried spices) in about 6 hours, using a pellet grill or smoker.
    Make a delicious 20 lb. Smoked Whole Turkey (with butter and a variety of dried spices) in about 6 hours, using a pellet grill or smoker.

    The first time I ever cooked a whole turkey was a LONG TIME ago (I was 20 years old). I won’t bore you with the details, but I’ll just say my husband and I had some single friends over for Thanksgiving and it wasn’t pretty! It ended with a turkey that was cooked and pretty on the “outside”, but the middle/insides of that bird were an entirely different story. UGH.

    True story- and we all ended up having a good time, and lived to tell the tale… ha ha! After that disaster I learned how to perfectly roast a turkey in our oven, and have never had a problem since, thank goodness. 

    My husband and I received a FREE 20 lb. turkey last Christmas, and decided to smoke it on our pellet grill, and this is the “recipe” we used. The finished turkey, covered with melted butter and lots of spices, had great seasoning and smoky flavor! Here’s how we make a smoked whole turkey on our pellet grill. We enjoy making smoked turkey outside, because it doesn’t heat up our kitchen cooking it all day, especially during our Summer heat!

    Scroll Down For A Printable Recipe Card At The Bottom Of The Page

    Preheat The Smoker

    The prep time to get the turkey ready to cook is minimal, so the first thing you need to do is preheat your smoker or pellet grill according to the manufacturers instructions. Once preheated, set the temperature for 250°F. This is the temperature you will smoke the turkey at for the first half of the cooking time (low and slow!). 

    While the smoker preheats, make the spice mix and prep the turkey (it only takes a few minutes). You can use whatever type smoker pellets you prefer, but we love using mesquite or applewood.

    Make The Spice Mix For the Turkey

    The ingredients for the seasoning mix are simple to prepare. Measure dried Cajun seasoning, Italian seasoning, basil, oregano, rosemary, salt, pepper, rosemary, celery seed and garlic powder in a small bowl. Stir to combine these ingredients, and your spice mix is done. See how easy that is?

    Melt a stick of butter in a saucepan, and then stir in the seasoning mix until completely combined. Remove the pan from the heat.

    A variety of spices used to season a whole turkey are combined in a bowl.Spice mix is combined with melted butter in a saucepan, before basting the turkey.

    Remove the giblets from the inside cavity of the turkey. Pat the turkey dry on all sides, using paper towels to absorb the moisture, then set it on a small wire rack (to slightly elevate the turkey) in a large roasting pan.

    Brush the butter seasoning mixture over the entire surface of the turkey, including inside the turkey cavity. Try to get some seasoning under the skin of the breast, as well. Use ALL of the seasoning mixture on the turkey. 

    A 20 lb. turkey is patted dry, then placed on wire rack in a roasting pan.Butter and spice mixture is brushed over the surface of the turkey before it is cooked.

    Time To Smoke The Turkey!

    Once the smoker grill has reached 250°F. and the turkey has been seasoned, it’s ready to cook! Place the roasting pan in the smoker, then insert a temperature probe into the thickest part of the turkey.

    Let the turkey cook UNCOVERED until it reaches an internal temperature of 100 – 110°F. Once it begins cooking, don’t open the grill… just be patient, and let it smoke away. It typically takes about 3 hours to reach this temperature for a turkey this size, but keep an eye on the temp, because we know the temps in various smokers can vary quite a bit!

    The seasoned whole turkey is now ready to go on a pellet grill or into a smoker.Temperature probe is inserted into thickest part of the turkey before cooking.

    Halfway Point

    Once the turkey reaches an internal temp of 100 – 110°F., remove the turkey pan from the grill. Baste the turkey with any accumulated juice on the bottom of the pan. Add 3 Tablespoons of additional butter to the pan. Cover the pan with aluminum foil, then place the pan back on the grill.

    TURN THE HEAT UP TO 300°F. and continue cooking the turkey (covered) for another 2-3 hours, OR until the internal temperature reaches 165°F. We have found that on our smoker (a Traeger), this second half of the cooking time usually takes somewhere between 2½ – 3 hours.

    Obviously if you are cooking a much smaller weight turkey, your cooking time will be considerably less. Remember- your cooking time might vary, depending on the size turkey you’re using, model of smoker you’re using (and other conditions), so keep an eye on that internal temperature! The temperature probe is your friend!

    Halfway through cooking time, turkey is basted with juices from pan, then covered with foil.

    Smoked whole turkey rests after being removed from grill, before slicing.

    Serving The Smoked Whole Turkey

    Once the turkey is done, remove it from the smoker, and let it rest (covered) for 25-30 minutes before carving. The turkey will continue to cook slightly as it rests. This resting time allows the juices time to redistribute inside the turkey. After the turkey has rested, baste it again with the accumulated juices from the bottom of the pan, then slice and serve.

    We enjoyed the smoky flavor of the well-seasoned meat, and served our turkey slices with steamed broccoli and a delicious Sweet Potato Apple Bake, which complimented the meat well.

    The smoked whole turkey is cut into slices and served.Turkey slices, along with broccoli and a sweet potato apple side dish are served on a white plate.

    I hope you have the opportunity to make a smoked whole turkey for yourself and those you love. We really enjoy having lots of leftovers when we cook a large turkey, which we use for sandwiches, Turkey Fiesta Casserole, and Turkey Tortilla Soup!

    Thank you for stopping by, and I invite you to come back soon for more family-friendly recipes. Take care, and have a great day!

    Looking For More SMOKER GRILL Recipes?

    You can find ALL of my recipes in the Recipe Index, located at the top of the page. I have a variety of Smoker Grill Recipes, including:

    Interested In More Recipes?

    Thank you for visiting this website. I appreciate you using some of your valuable time to do so.  If you’re interested, I publish a newsletter 2 times per month (1st and 15th) with all the latest recipes, and other fun info. I would be honored to have you join our growing list of subscribers, so you never miss a great recipe!
    There is a Newsletter subscription box on the top right side (or bottom) of each blog post, depending on the device you use, where you can easily submit your e-mail address (only) to be included in my mailing list.

    You Can Also Find Me On Social Media:

    Facebook page: The Grateful Girl Cooks!
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    Author's signature

    Recipe adapted from: https://anaffairfromtheheart.com

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    Smoked Whole Turkey
    Prep Time
    10 mins
    Cook Time
    6 hrs
    Total Time
    6 hrs 10 mins
     

    Make a delicious 20 lb. Smoked Whole Turkey (with butter and a variety of dried spices) in about 6 hours, using a pellet grill or smoker.

    Category: Main Dish
    Cuisine: American
    Keyword: smoked whole turkey
    Servings: 16 (8 oz. servings) approx.
    Calories Per Serving: 328 kcal
    Author: JB @ The Grateful Girl Cooks!
    Ingredients
    • 20 pound turkey giblets removed
    • ½ cup butter = ½ cup or 8 T.
    • 2 teaspoons Cajun seasoning or Creole seasoning
    • 1½ teaspoons salt
    • 1 teaspoon dried basil
    • 1 teaspoon dried rosemary
    • 1 teaspoon dried oregano
    • 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
    • 1 teaspoon celery seed
    • ½ teaspoon black pepper
    • ½ teaspoon garlic powder
    • 3 Tablespoons butter additional to be added later
    US Customary - Metric
    Instructions

    1. Preheat smoker or pellet grill according to manufacturer instructions. Once preheated, set temperature for 250°F.

    2. Combine Cajun seasoning, salt, basil, rosemary, oregano, Italian seasoning, celery seed, black pepper, and garlic powder in a small bowl. Melt a stick of butter in saucepan; add seasoning mix; stir until combined. Remove pan from heat.

    3. Pat turkey dry, using paper towels. Set turkey on small wire rack (to slightly elevate turkey) in a large roasting pan. Brush butter mixture over surface of turkey (all sides), including turkey cavity. Put some seasoning under skin of the breast, as well. Use ALL of the seasoning mixture.

    4. Place roasting pan in smoker; insert temperature probe into thickest part of turkey. Cook UNCOVERED until it reaches an internal temp. of 100° - 110°F. It typically takes about 3 hours to reach temperature. Keep an eye on the temp, because smoker temps can vary! When turkey reaches an internal temp of 100° - 110°F., remove pan from grill. Baste turkey with any accumulated juices in bottom of the pan. Add 3 Tablespoons more butter to the pan. Cover pan with aluminum foil; place pan back on the grill.

    5. TURN THE HEAT UP TO 300°F. and continue cooking turkey (covered) another 2-3 hours, OR until internal temp. reaches 165°F. Remember- your cooking time might vary, depending on the model of smoker (and other conditions), so keep an eye on that internal temperature! 

    6. Once done, remove pan from the smoker; let turkey rest (covered) for 25-30 minutes before carving. Turkey will continue to cook slightly as it rests. Resting time allows juices to redistribute in turkey. After resting, baste turkey again with juices from pan, then slice and serve.

    Recipe Notes

    NOTE: A 20 pound turkey will yield approximately 8½ - 9 pounds of white and dark meat after cooking. The caloric calculation listed is an approximation that uses both dark and white meat in the total per serving. Your caloric amount will vary depending on portion size, and type of turkey meat consumed (white or dark meat).

    Nutrition Facts
    Smoked Whole Turkey
    Amount Per Serving (1 (8 oz. portion))
    Calories 328 Calories from Fat 162
    % Daily Value*
    Fat 18g28%
    Saturated Fat 8g50%
    Trans Fat 0.4g
    Polyunsaturated Fat 3g
    Monounsaturated Fat 5g
    Cholesterol 151mg50%
    Sodium 484mg21%
    Potassium 422mg12%
    Carbohydrates 1g0%
    Fiber 0.3g1%
    Sugar 0.2g0%
    Protein 39g78%
    Vitamin A 473IU9%
    Vitamin C 0.04mg0%
    Calcium 31mg3%
    Iron 2mg11%
    * Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.

    Here’s one more to pin on your Pinterest boards!Make a delicious 20 lb. Smoked Whole Turkey (with butter and a variety of dried spices) in about 6 hours, using a pellet grill or smoker.


    Aug
    2022

    Turkey, Feta and Spinach Burgers

    categories: Main Dishes, Turkey
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    Yummy Turkey, Feta and Spinach Burgers are easy to make, and can be pan-seared or grilled on a BBQ. They’re delicious, with or without a bun!
    Yummy Turkey, Feta and Spinach Burgers are easy to make, and can be pan-seared or grilled on a BBQ. They're delicious, with or without a bun!

    If you’re looking for an alternative, “lighter” type of burger to try, may I suggest this recipe for Turkey, Feta and Spinach Burgers? These “healthy” burgers (made with ground turkey) are filled with spinach, and flavored with garlic and crumbled feta cheese. They really taste great! You can decide whether you want to serve them on a bun (with tzatziki sauce on them is good), or serve them as is, with other side dishes.

    The best part is how quickly you can prepare 4 burger patties with only a few ingredients! Before you know it, you can pan-sear them in a skillet, cook under a broiler, OR cook them on a BBQ grill outside! Let me show you how easy the turkey burgers are to make.

    Scroll Down For A Printable Recipe Card At The Bottom Of The Page

    Prepare The Ingredients For The Turkey Burgers

    The ingredients you will need for these burgers are ground turkey, well-drained frozen (but thawed) spinach, egg, garlic, onion powder, pepper, and crumbled feta cheese. You can add a little bit of salt if desired, but usually find the feta cheese makes the patties salty enough.

    Place all the ingredients into a large mixing bowl, and mix them, using a fork or your own clean hands. Mix only until all ingredients are thoroughly combined.

    The ingredients for the turkey burgers are placed in a large bowl for mixing.After ingredients for turkey burgers are combined, they are ready to shape into patties.

    Forming The Patties

    Divide the mixture into four equal-sized portions and then shape them into a ball. If you have a kitchen scale, that makes it easy to weigh each portion to ensure similar sizes, but it’s really not necessary. I usually just “eyeball it”.

    Place each portion of meat onto a piece of wax paper (or aluminum foil), then gently press the mixture out with your hands to make a round, flat turkey patty. Now you’re ready to cook… see how easy that was? If you’re making these ahead of time for later in the day, simply stack the patties (with the wax paper) on a plate. Cover the plate with plastic wrap and refrigerate until you’re ready for them!

    A large ball of the meat mixture is placed in the palm of my hand.Four turkey, feta and spinach burgers are shaped into patties and placed on waxed paper.

    Different Ways To Cook Turkey, Feta and Spinach Burgers

    Cooking the turkey, feta and spinach burgers couldn’t be easier! You can broil them in your oven (approx. 6 ” from heating element) until done, turning them over halfway.

    If you’re pan-searing them, place them in a lightly oiled large skillet. Heat the skillet on medium-high heat until hot, but not smoking. Lay the patties in the hot skillet in a single layer. They should sizzle a bit when they hit the hot skillet. Cook them for a total time of about 13-15 minutes, or until they’re cooked through and no longer pink inside. About halfway through the cooking time (about 6 minutes), flip the burgers over to brown the other side, and continue cooking until done.

    If you’re going to grill them on a BBQ, lightly grease the grill grate. Preheat the grill or make sure the briquets are red hot and ready to go. Cook until well browned on the bottom, then carefully flip the burgers over. When the patties are cooked through and no longer pink inside, they are ready (approx. 13-15 minutes or less).

    Turkey burgers cooking in a lightly oiled large skillet.When the bottom of the turkey burgers is browned, they are flipped over to cook other side.Turkey, feta and spinach burgers can also be cooked on a BBQ grill.

    Ready To Serve

    How you choose to serve the turkey, feta and spinach burgers is your choice. You can go all in and serve them on buns with lots of fixin’s, or you can serve them “bun-less” with side dishes. Several times we have had them with salads on the side for a light meal. We’ve also enjoyed them, served with roasted sweet potato fries! These burgers have really nice flavor, no matter how you choose to serve them!

    One of the turkey, feta and spinach burgers served with green salad on the side.Roasted sweet potato fries are served with one of the turkey, feta and spinach burgers.

    I hope you have the opportunity to try these tasty turkey burgers, and trust you’ll enjoy them as we do. If you’re looking for another “alternative” type burger or don’t eat meat, you might want to check out my recipe for Black Bean Burgers. They’re yummy, too! Thank you for stopping by today, and I hope you’ll come back soon. Take care, and have a wonderful day!

    Looking For More Recipes Using TURKEY?

    You can find ALL of my recipes in the Recipe Index, which is located at the top of the page. I have some delicious turkey recipes for you to enjoy, including:

    Interested In More Recipes?

    Thank you for visiting this website. I appreciate you using some of your valuable time to do so.  If you’re interested, I publish a newsletter 2 times per month (1st and 15th) with all the latest recipes, and other fun info. I would be honored to have you join our growing list of subscribers, so you never miss a great recipe!
    There is a Newsletter subscription box on the top right side (or bottom) of each blog post, depending on the device you use, where you can easily submit your e-mail address (only) to be included in my mailing list.

    You Can Also Find Me On Social Media:

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    Author's signature

    Recipe adapted from: allrecipes.com/recipe/158968/spinach-and-feta-turkey-burgers/

    ↓↓ PRINTABLE RECIPE BELOW ↓↓

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    Turkey, Feta and Spinach Burgers
    Prep Time
    10 mins
    Cook Time
    13 mins
    Total Time
    23 mins
     

    Yummy Turkey, Feta and Spinach Burgers are easy to make, and can be pan-seared or grilled on a BBQ. They're delicious, with or without a bun!

    Category: Main Dish
    Cuisine: American
    Keyword: turkey feta and spinach burgers
    Servings: 4 patties
    Calories Per Serving: 195 kcal
    Author: JB @ The Grateful Girl Cooks!
    Ingredients
    • 1 pound ground turkey
    • 1 large egg slightly beaten
    • 5 ounces frozen spinach thawed and well-drained
    • 1½ cloves minced garlic
    • 2 ounces feta cheese crumbled
    • ½ teaspoon black pepper
    • ¼ teaspoon onion powder
    • ¼ teaspoon salt (optional) if desired... feta cheese is slightly salty
    US Customary - Metric
    Instructions

    1. Place all ingredients into a large mixing bowl, and mix, using a fork or hands. Mix only until well-combined.

    2. Divide into four equal portions; shape each into a ball. Place each portion of meat onto a piece of wax paper (or foil). Gently press them out with your hands, to make a round, flat turkey patty. TIP: If making these ahead of time for later in the day, stack patties (with the wax paper) on a plate. Cover with plastic wrap; refrigerate until ready to cook!

    Ways To Cook Turkey, Feta and Spinach Burgers:

    1. ** Pan-Sear: Lightly oil a large skillet. Heat on medium-high heat until hot, but not smoking. Lay patties in hot skillet in a single layer. They should sizzle when they hit hot skillet. About halfway through cooking time (about 6 minutes), flip burgers over to brown other side, then continue cooking until done. Cook a total of 13-15 minutes, or until cooked through and no longer pink inside.

    2. ** Grill On BBQ: Lightly grease grill grate. Preheat grill or make sure charcoal briquets are red hot. Cook in single layer until well browned on bottom, then carefully flip burgers over. When patties are cooked through and no longer pink inside, they're ready (approx. 13-15 minutes or less). 

    3. ** Broil: Broil them in oven (approx. 6 " from heating element) until done, flipping them over halfway.

    4. Serve with or without a bun, and with your favorite condiments or side dishes.

    Nutrition Facts
    Turkey, Feta and Spinach Burgers
    Amount Per Serving (1 patty)
    Calories 195 Calories from Fat 63
    % Daily Value*
    Fat 7g11%
    Saturated Fat 3g19%
    Trans Fat 0.03g
    Polyunsaturated Fat 1g
    Monounsaturated Fat 2g
    Cholesterol 121mg40%
    Sodium 264mg11%
    Potassium 491mg14%
    Carbohydrates 3g1%
    Fiber 1g4%
    Sugar 0.3g0%
    Protein 32g64%
    Vitamin A 4312IU86%
    Vitamin C 2mg2%
    Calcium 129mg13%
    Iron 2mg11%
    * Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.

    Here’s one more to pin on your Pinterest boards!Yummy Turkey, Feta and Spinach Burgers are easy to make, and can be pan-seared or grilled on a BBQ. They're delicious, with or without a bun!


    Jun
    2022

    Turkey Tortilla Soup

    categories: Soups, Turkey
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    Have leftover roast turkey? Make a pot of yummy Turkey Tortilla Soup, garnished with cheese, tomato, cilantro and baked tortilla strips!
    Have leftover roast turkey? Make a pot of yummy Turkey Tortilla Soup, garnished with cheese, tomato, cilantro and baked tortilla strips!

    If you enjoy the flavor of Southwestern-style soups or chilis, then I believe you will really love this turkey tortilla soup! The soup can be made quite simply, and features cooked turkey, so it’s a perfect soup to use any leftover cooked turkey you might have!

    Typically once Thanksgiving is over, or any time we cook a whole turkey or turkey breast, we have leftover turkey. I usually make turkey noodle soup with leftover turkey, but this tortilla soup is now (also) an option. You only need 2 cups of cooked turkey to make this soup, and it is so yummy!

    Corn tortillas are used  in two ways for this soup. They are used uncooked IN the soup and used (baked ’til crispy) ON TOP of the soup, adding flavor and texture.

    The turkey tortilla soup is garnished with crispy tortilla strips, and then can be topped with cheese, tomatoes, sour cream, avocado and cilantro, if desired! YUM! Turkey tortilla soup not only LOOKS great… it tastes great, too. Here’s how to make it:

    Scroll Down For A Printable Recipe Card At The Bottom Of The Page

    Prep The Corn Tortillas

    Preheat your oven to 450°F. Place the corn tortillas in two piles of 5 each, stacking 5 tortillas on top of each other. Slice the tortillas into ½” wide strips. Reserve and set aside one stack of strips from 5 tortillas until later.

    The reserved stack of tortilla strips will go (uncooked) into the soup, and the remaining strips will be baked until crispy to garnish the finished soup.

    Take the remaining stack of strips (from 5 tortillas) and place them on a large baking sheet, in a single layer. Lightly coat the strips with non-stick cooking spray, then turn them over and spray the other side.

    Bake the tortilla strips at 450°F for 9-10 minutes, turning them over once, halfway through the cooking time. Once crispy and browned, remove them from the oven, let cool, then place in an airtight container, plastic wrap or bag until you’re ready to serve the soup.

    Corn tortillas are sliced into 1/2" strips for the soup.Half of the tortilla strips are sprayed with oil, then baked until crispy, for garnishing soup.

    Let’s Make Some Turkey Tortilla Soup!

    Now you’re ready to make some delicious turkey tortilla soup! TIP: If you start the soup while the tortilla strips are baking, you will save time! Heat olive oil on MEDIUM in a large soup pot or Dutch oven.

    Once oil is hot, add chopped onion, minced garlic and jalapeño. Cook for 5-6 minutes, stirring often (so garlic doesn’t burn), until onions are softened and slightly browned.

    Pour in the chicken broth, then add the reserved (unbaked) tortilla strips to the soup pot. Stir to combine, and cook on MEDIUM heat for 3-5 minutes. This cooking time will soften the tortilla strips which helps to slightly thicken the broth.

    Chopped onion, jalapeno and minced garlic are lightly browned in olive oil in soup pot.Unbaked corn tortilla strips are added to chicken broth and sauteed onion mixture in soup pan.

    The next step is to add canned (mild-flavored) enchilada sauce, chopped turkey and ground cumin to the soup.

    Stir these ingredients in, then cook the turkey tortilla soup for 7-8 more minutes on Medium heat. Do NOT let the soup boil. The soup is done when the turkey and the soup is fully heated through.

    NOTE: If you feel the soup is too spicy (depending on the brand of enchilada sauce you used), simply add a little more water or chicken broth to even it out a bit.

    Chopped turkey, enchilada sauce and ground cumin are added to the turkey tortilla soup.A ladle full of the turkey tortilla soup, ready to be served.

    Serving Turkey Tortilla Soup

    To serve the turkey tortilla soup, ladle the hot soup into serving bowls. Place several baked tortilla strips on top of each serving of soup. At this point, the soup is ready to serve, unless you want to add optional toppings (which I recommend!).

    OPTIONAL, BUT GOOD: If desired, garnish each serving with shredded cheddar cheese, chopped tomatoes, and cilantro leaves. A dollop of sour cream or avocado chunks can also add to the presentation and taste of this dish, too.

    These extra toppings are completely OPTIONAL, but they really do add additional flavor and color to the soup.  Serve immediately, and enjoy this delicious soup!

    Bowl of turkey tortilla soup is garnished with tomatoes, cheese, baked tortilla strips and cilantro.Shredded cheese, tomatoes, cilantro and baked tortilla strips top the soup.

    I truly hope you enjoy this tasty soup… we LOVE it, and trust you will, too! This soup is such a wonderful way to use up turkey leftovers!

    Thanks for stopping by today, and I hope you will come back again for more delicious recipes. Take care, may God bless you, and have a GREAT day!

    Looking For More SOUP Recipes?

    You can find ALL of my recipes in the Recipe Index, located at the top of the page. I have many delicious soup recipes for you to enjoy, including:

    Want More Recipes? Get My FREE Newsletter!

    I publish a newsletter 2 times per month (1st and 15th) with lots of recipes, tips, etc..
    Would you like to join our growing list of subscribers?

    There is a Newsletter subscription box on the top right (or bottom) of each blog post, depending on the device you use.
    You can submit your e-mail address there, to be added to my mailing list.

    Find Me On Social Media:

    Facebook page: The Grateful Girl Cooks!
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    Author's signature

    Original recipe source: “Southern Living Best-Loved Christmas Classics”, page 242, published 2013 by Time Home Entertainment, Inc./ Oxmoor House

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    Turkey Tortilla Soup
    Prep Time
    15 mins
    Cook Time
    20 mins
    Total Time
    35 mins
     

    Have leftover roast turkey? Make a pot of yummy Turkey Tortilla Soup, garnished with cheese, tomato, cilantro and baked tortilla strips!

    Category: Main Course, Soup
    Cuisine: Southwestern
    Keyword: turkey tortilla soup
    Servings: 8 cups
    Calories Per Serving: 105 kcal
    Author: JB @ The Grateful Girl Cooks!
    Ingredients
    • 10 6" corn tortillas cut in ½" strips, divided use
    • vegetable cooking spray as needed
    • 1 Tablespoon olive oil
    • 1 small yellow onion chopped
    • 1 small jalapeño pepper , seeded and minced
    • 2 garlic cloves minced
    • 32 ounces chicken broth
    • 2 cups chopped cooked turkey breast meat used in caloric calculation
    • 10 ounce can MILD enchilada sauce
    • 1 teaspoon ground cumin
    Additional Garnishes (optional): shredded cheddar cheese, cilantro, chopped tomatoes, avocado, sour cream
      US Customary - Metric
      Instructions

      1. Preheat oven to 450°F.

      2. Place tortillas in two piles of 5 each, stacking 5 tortillas on top of each other. Slice tortillas into ½" wide strips. Reserve/set aside one stack of strips from 5 tortillas until later. Take remaining strips (from 5 tortillas) and place them on a large baking sheet in a single layer. Spray strips with cooking spray; turn and spray other side. Bake strips at 450°F for 9-10 minutes, turning them over once halfway through cooking time. Once crispy/browned, remove them from oven, let cool, then place in airtight container, plastic wrap or bag until ready to serve soup. TIP: If you start soup while tortilla strips are baking, you'll save time!

      3. Heat olive oil on MEDIUM heat in large soup pot or Dutch oven. Once oil is hot, add onion, garlic and jalapeño. Cook 5-6 minutes, stirring often (so garlic doesn't burn) until onions are softened/slightly brown.

      4. Add chicken broth and reserved (unbaked) tortilla strips to soup pot. Stir to combine; turn heat down to MEDIUM; cook 3-5 minutes. This will soften the tortilla strips which help to slightly thicken broth.

      5. Add turkey, enchilada sauce, and cumin to soup. Stir well, then cook 7-8 minutes on MEDIUM heat until soup is fully heated through. Do NOT let soup boil.

      6. To serve, ladle soup into serving bowls. Place several baked tortilla strips on top. OPTIONAL: If desired, also garnish with cheese, tomatoes, cilantro, avocado or sour cream. Serve immediately, and enjoy this delicious soup!

      Recipe Notes

      NOTE: Caloric calculation made using a serving size of 1 cup, and using turkey breast meat. It does NOT include optional garnishes of cheese, avocado, cilantro, tomato or sour cream, but DOES include baked tortilla strips.

      Nutrition Facts
      Turkey Tortilla Soup
      Amount Per Serving (1 cup (8 oz.))
      Calories 105 Calories from Fat 27
      % Daily Value*
      Fat 3g5%
      Saturated Fat 1g6%
      Trans Fat 1g
      Polyunsaturated Fat 1g
      Monounsaturated Fat 2g
      Cholesterol 34mg11%
      Sodium 851mg37%
      Potassium 190mg5%
      Carbohydrates 5g2%
      Fiber 1g4%
      Sugar 3g3%
      Protein 14g28%
      Vitamin A 273IU5%
      Vitamin C 4mg5%
      Calcium 20mg2%
      Iron 1mg6%
      * Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.

      Here’s one more to pin on your Pinterest boards!Have leftover roast turkey? Make a pot of yummy Turkey Tortilla Soup, garnished with cheese, tomato, cilantro and baked tortilla strips!


      Mar
      2022

      Smothered Turkey Patties

      categories: Main Dishes, Turkey
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      Smothered Turkey Patties are pan-seared, then cooked in an easy to make sauce with onions, bell peppers, tomatoes and celery.
      Smothered Turkey Patties are pan-seared, then cooked in an easy to make sauce with onions, bell peppers, tomatoes and celery.

      Many, many years ago (at least 15), I scribbled down a recipe for turkey patties that I found on the back of a package of ground turkey. The meat patties are pan-cooked, then finish cooking covered in sauce and veggies, and it sounded good to me.

      I first made this recipe at least 15 years ago, but have made it quite a number of times since then. When I decided to make this dish again, I photographed the process so I could add the recipe to my blog.

      Smothered turkey patties are quite simple to make. Stir a sauce together, cut up some veggies, form/cook turkey patties, then cook it all in that delicious sauce.

      That’s the basic info on this recipe, and the result is a yummy main dish I am confident you (and those you love) will enjoy! Here’s how to make it:

      Scroll Down For A Printable Recipe Card At The Bottom Of The Page

      Prepare The Sauce And Veggies

      The turkey patties will eventually be “smothered” in a simple to make sauce. To make the sauce, all you need to do is combine chicken broth, soy sauce, cornstarch, sugar, vinegar and black pepper in a small bowl.

      Give the sauce a good stir to fully incorporate the ingredients, then set aside.

      Prepare the veggies by slicing and chopping up celery, onion, green bell pepper, and two medium tomatoes (cut into 8 wedges each). Set the vegetables aside until you are ready to add them to the sauce later.

      Sauce is mixed together to pour over cooked turkey patties.Celery, green bell pepper, onions and tomatoes are prepped for the smothered turkey patties.

      Make And Cook The Turkey Patties

      Mix together one pound of ground turkey, bread crumbs, an egg and garlic salt in a large bowl. Once all the ingredients have been fully combined, form the meat into 4 round (burger-like) patties.

      Place the turkey patties on wax or parchment paper after they are formed. Continue until all patties have been made.

      Ground turkey, egg, bread crumbs and garlic salt are combined in large bowl.Four patties are made out of the ground turkey mixture.

      Heat a Tablespoon of oil in a large non-stick skillet on medium-high heat, until very hot, but not smoking. Carefully add the turkey patties to the skillet.

      They should sizzle when they hit the hot oil. Cook the patties (without moving them) for about 3 minutes.

      After cooking for 3 minutes, the bottom of the patties should be nicely browned. Carefully turn the patties over and let the other side cook an additional 3 minutes.

      The turkey patties are pan-seared in hot oil in a large skillet.After searing the bottom of the turkey patties, they are flipped to cook the other side.

      Finishing The Smothered Turkey Patties

      Give the reserved sauce a quick stir to re-mix the ingredients, then pour it over the turkey patties. Bring the sauce to a boil, stirring often. The sauce will thicken slightly, similar to a gravy.

      Reduce the heat to LOW, then add the celery, onion, and green pepper to the skillet. Stir to combine the ingredients and cover the patties with sauce. Do not add the tomatoes at this time!

      Cover the skillet, and allow the smothered turkey patties to simmer on low heat for 6 minutes. The veggies will cook and soften during this time.

      Sauce is poured over the top of the patties.Celery, onion, and green bell pepper are added to the smothered turkey patties.

      Finishing Touch Before Enjoying The Smothered Turkey Patties

      Remove the lid from the skillet. Taste the sauce, and season with salt and black pepper to suit your own taste. Add the tomato wedges and stir gently to incorporate them into the sauce.

      Let the smothered turkey patties simmer on low heat for 2-3 minutes OR until heated through.

      Fresh tomato wedges are added to the smothered turkey patties and heated through.

      To serve, place each of the smothered turkey patties onto individual plates. Be sure to spoon some of the sauce and veggies over the top of the patties for presentation.

      We enjoy this dish served with steamed rice (or mashed potatoes) and vegetables on the side.

      One of the smothered turkey patties topped with sauce and veggies, served with rice on the side.

      I really hope you enjoy this simple, but yummy dish! It really taste great, and I think you will enjoy it.

      Thank you for stopping by, and I sincerely hope you will come back again soon for more family-friendly recipes. Take care, and have a GREAT day!

      Looking For More Recipes Featuring TURKEY?

      You can find ALL of my recipes in the Recipe Index, located at the top of the page. I have some delicious recipes featuring turkey you might enjoy, including:

      Want More Recipes? Get My FREE Newsletter!

      I publish a newsletter 2 times per month (1st and 15th) with lots of recipes, tips, etc..
      Would you like to join our growing list of subscribers?

      There is a Newsletter subscription box on the top right (or bottom) of each blog post, depending on the device you use.
      You can submit your e-mail address there, to be added to my mailing list.

      Find Me On Social Media:

      Facebook page: The Grateful Girl Cooks!
      Pinterest:       The Grateful Girl Cooks!
      Instagram:       jbatthegratefulgirlcooks

      Author's signature

      Original Recipe Source: found on the back of a package of ground turkey at least 15 years ago (don’t remember which brand).

      ↓↓ PRINTABLE RECIPE BELOW ↓↓

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      Smothered Turkey Patties
      Prep Time
      15 mins
      Cook Time
      15 mins
      Total Time
      30 mins
       

      Smothered Turkey Patties are pan-seared, then cooked in an easy to make sauce with onions, bell peppers, tomatoes and celery.

      Category: Main Course
      Cuisine: American
      Keyword: smothered turkey patties
      Servings: 4
      Calories Per Serving: 256 kcal
      Author: JB @ The Grateful Girl Cooks!
      Ingredients
      For Sauce:
      • 1 cup chicken broth low sodium recommended
      • 1½ Tablespoons soy sauce low sodium recommended
      • 2 teaspoons cornstarch
      • 1 teaspoon granulated sugar
      • 1 teaspoon white vinegar
      • 1 dash ground black pepper
      For Remainder:
      • 1 pound ground turkey
      • ⅓ cup dried bread crumbs
      • 1 large egg
      • ¾ teaspoon garlic salt
      • 1 Tablespoon vegetable oil
      • 2 stalks celery sliced
      • 1 medium yellow onion chopped
      • 1 medium green bell pepper seeded/chopped in bite sized pieces
      • 2 medium tomatoes each tomato sliced into 8 wedges
      • salt and pepper, to taste
      US Customary - Metric
      Instructions

      1. Place chicken broth, soy sauce, cornstarch, sugar, vinegar and pepper in a small bowl. Stir to fully incorporate ingredients; set aside.

      2. Mix turkey, bread crumbs, egg and garlic salt in a large bowl. Once combined, form mixture into 4 round patties. Place patties on wax or parchment paper.

      3. Heat oil in large non-stick skillet on medium-high heat, until very hot, but not smoking. Carefully add turkey patties. They should sizzle when they hit the hot oil. Cook patties (without moving them) for 3 minutes. The bottom of the patties should be well browned. Carefully turn patties over; cook additional 3 minutes.

      4. Give the reserved sauce a quick stir; pour it over turkey patties. Bring sauce to a boil, stirring often; sauce will thicken slightly. Reduce heat to LOW. Add celery, onion, and green pepper. Stir to combine, covering patties with sauce. Cover the skillet; let patties simmer on low heat for 6 minutes.

      5. Remove lid from skillet. Taste sauce; season with salt and black pepper to taste. Add tomato wedges; stir gently to incorporate into the sauce. Simmer on low heat (uncovered) for 2-3 minutes, until heated through.

      6. Serve turkey patties hot, topped with the sauce and veggies. Enjoy!

      Nutrition Facts
      Smothered Turkey Patties
      Amount Per Serving (1 patty + sauce)
      Calories 256 Calories from Fat 72
      % Daily Value*
      Fat 8g12%
      Saturated Fat 2g13%
      Trans Fat 1g
      Polyunsaturated Fat 3g
      Monounsaturated Fat 2g
      Cholesterol 109mg36%
      Sodium 1014mg44%
      Potassium 718mg21%
      Carbohydrates 16g5%
      Fiber 3g13%
      Sugar 6g7%
      Protein 31g62%
      Vitamin A 810IU16%
      Vitamin C 39mg47%
      Calcium 55mg6%
      Iron 2mg11%
      * Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.

      Here’s one more to pin on your Pinterest boards!Smothered Turkey Patties are pan-seared, then cooked in an easy to make sauce with onions, bell peppers, tomatoes and celery.


      Feb
      2022

      Tasty Turkey Chili

      categories: Main Dishes, Soups, Turkey
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      Make a pot of tasty turkey chili with fresh veggies, spices, pinto beans and black beans. Chili is easy to make, filling, and tastes great!
      Make a pot of tasty turkey chili with fresh veggies, spices, pinto beans and black beans. Chili is easy to make, filling, and tastes great!

      I don’t know about where you live, but it has been cold here the past few weeks in Oregon. It’s been so cold each morning while walking our dog that I leave our house bundled up, from head to toe. My husband and I have been craving hot, comfort food meals lately due to the cold of Winter. We’ve enjoyed eating LOTS of tasty turkey chili in the past month or two!

      This is a simple soup to make, and the end result is a delicious, wonderfully spiced turkey chili I think you will enjoy. Ground turkey and black and pinto beans provide protein and fiber, so it is a filling soup. Lots of fresh veggies such as tomatoes, celery, onions, and bell peppers contribute to the texture and taste of this chili, as well.

      I came up with this this soup recipe after looking at lots of different recipes (including my Mom’s- a family favorite), added some new ingredients or spices here and there, and ended up with this tasty turkey chili! It’s delicious! Here’s how to make it:

      Scroll Down For A Printable Recipe Card At The Bottom Of The Page

      Prepare The Spice Mix

      Place the chili powder, cumin, paprika, oregano, and cayenne pepper in a small bowl. Stir to fully combine these spices, then set aside. This will be the spice mix you will use to season the chili.

      Chili powder, cumin, paprika, cayenne pepper and oregano are used to make spice mix for chili.

      Cook The Turkey

      Spray a large saucepan generously with non-stick spray.  Add one pound of ground turkey. Stir and cook on high heat until the meat has turned light brown in color and is cooked through. This usually takes about 5 minutes. Drain and discard any grease, then transfer the turkey to a bowl or plate, and cover.

      Ground turkey is cooked until lightly browned and cooked through, in large saucepan.

      Okay- Let’s Make Some Tasty Turkey Chili

      Add a teaspoon of butter to the saucepan, and allow to melt over low heat. Stir in chopped onion, celery and red bell pepper. Cook  on LOW heat for 4 -5 minutes, stirring the veggies often until the onions are translucent. Add minced garlic to the pan and cook for an additional 30 seconds, stirring so the garlic doesn’t burn. Note: You can substitute green bell peppers for the red OR use a combination of red and green.

      Chopped onion, red bell peppers and celery are cooked until softened in saucepan.Minced garlic is added to the cooked vegetables during the last minute of cooking.

      Pour the spice mixture into the pan of cooked veggies. Stir to cover the veggies with the spices. Add fresh chopped tomatoes (or canned, if using), chicken broth, and 3 cups of water to the pan. Stir well, to combine ingredients. Bring this mixture to a boil, then let it simmer (uncovered) for about 20 minutes.

      NOTE: If you don’t have access to enough fresh tomatoes (2½ cups chopped), you can substitute a 28 oz. can of diced tomatoes (+ juice), and it will taste great in this chili, too! I do this often, as well.

      Homemade seasoning mix is added to the sautéed veggies in the saucepan.Chopped fresh tomatoes are added to the saucepan with cooked veggies and spices.

      Final Steps Before Serving

      Now it’s time to finish cooking this tasty turkey chili! Add the cooked turkey back into the pan, followed by the drained black beans and pinto beans. Stir well, to combine all ingredients. Take a taste, and add additional salt at this point, if desired.

      Cook the tasty turkey chili for about 10 more minutes on MEDIUM heat to ensure it is fully heated through.

      Cooked ground turkey is added to the chili.

      Pinto and black beans are added, to finish the tasty turkey chili.

      Time For A Bowl Of Tasty Turkey Chili!

      Once the tasty turkey chili is hot, it’s time to serve it up and ENJOY! It tastes delicious as is, but feel free to top it with grated cheese or a dollop of sour cream if you want! Yum!

      A soup mug holds a serving of the hot and tasty turkey chili, ready to eat.

      I really hope you enjoy this tasty turkey chili. We love the leftovers for quick lunches, too! For us, it is a nice change from beef chili, and is a bit more healthy, thanks to the use of turkey. Thanks for stopping by, and I hope you’ll come back again soon for more delicious, family-friendly recipes. Have a GREAT day!

      Looking For More SOUP Recipes?

      You can find ALL of my recipes in the Recipe Index, located at the top of the page. I have a broad variety of soup recipes for you to enjoy, including:

      Interested In More Recipes?

      Thank you for visiting this website. I appreciate you using some of your valuable time to do so.  If you’re interested, I publish a newsletter 2 times per month (1st and 15th) with all the latest recipes, and other fun info. I would be honored to have you join our growing list of subscribers, so you never miss a great recipe!
      There is a Newsletter subscription box on the top right side (or bottom) of each blog post, depending on the device you use, where you can easily submit your e-mail address (only) to be included in my mailing list.

      You Can Also Find Me On Social Media:

      Facebook page: The Grateful Girl Cooks!
      Pinterest:       The Grateful Girl Cooks!
      Instagram:       jbatthegratefulgirlcooks

      Author's signature

      ↓↓ PRINTABLE RECIPE BELOW ↓↓

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      Tasty Turkey Chili
      Prep Time
      10 mins
      Cook Time
      35 mins
      Total Time
      45 mins
       

      Make a pot of tasty turkey chili with fresh veggies, spices, pinto beans and black beans. Chili is easy to make, filling, and tastes great!

      Category: Main Dish, Soup
      Cuisine: Mexican
      Keyword: tasty turkey chili
      Servings: 6
      Calories Per Serving: 264 kcal
      Author: JB @ The Grateful Girl Cooks!
      Ingredients
      For Spice Mix:
      • 2 teaspoons chili powder
      • 1¼ teaspoons ground cumin
      • 1 teaspoon paprika
      • ½ teaspoon dried oregano
      • ⅛ teaspoon cayenne pepper
      For Rest Of Chili:
      • 1 pound ground turkey
      • salt/pepper for seasoning turkey, to taste
      • 1 teaspoon butter
      • 1 cup chopped yellow onion
      • 1 cup chopped red bell pepper or combo of red/green
      • ½ cup chopped celery
      • 1 Tablespoon minced garlic
      • 2½ cups fresh chopped tomatoes or 28 oz. can diced +juice
      • ½ cup low sodium chicken broth
      • 3 cups water
      • 15..25 ounce can black beans , rinsed/drained
      • 15.5 ounce can pinto beans rinsed/drained
      • additional salt if needed, to taste
      US Customary - Metric
      Instructions

      1. Place chili powder, cumin, paprika, oregano, and cayenne pepper in a small bowl. Stir to combine, then set aside.

      2. Spray large saucepan with non-stick spray.  Add ground turkey; stir/cook on high heat until it turns light brown in color and is cooked through (about 5 min.). Drain and discard any grease, then transfer turkey to a bowl or plate, and cover.

      3. Add butter to saucepan; melt over low heat. Stir in chopped onion, celery and red pepper. Cook  on LOW heat 4 -5 minutes, stirring often until onions are translucent. Add garlic; cook for 30 seconds, stirring so garlic doesn't burn.

      4. Add spices; stir to combine. Now add fresh tomatoes (or canned, if using), chicken broth, and 3 cups of water to pan. Stir well, to combine ingredients. Bring to a boil, then let simmer (uncovered) for about 20 minutes.

      5. Add cooked turkey back into pan, followed by black beans and pinto beans. Stir well, to combine. Taste; add additional salt, if desired. Cook chili about 10 more minutes on MEDIUM heat to ensure it's fully heated through. Serve, and enjoy!

      Recipe Notes

      NOTE: Approximately 1½ cups per serving. Salt was not calculated in the sodium percentage as amounts people use may vary greatly.

      Nutrition Facts
      Tasty Turkey Chili
      Amount Per Serving (1 (1/6 of total))
      Calories 264 Calories from Fat 27
      % Daily Value*
      Fat 3g5%
      Saturated Fat 1g6%
      Trans Fat 1g
      Polyunsaturated Fat 1g
      Monounsaturated Fat 1g
      Cholesterol 43mg14%
      Sodium 551mg24%
      Potassium 1048mg30%
      Carbohydrates 33g11%
      Fiber 11g46%
      Sugar 6g7%
      Protein 28g56%
      Vitamin A 2067IU41%
      Vitamin C 51mg62%
      Calcium 101mg10%
      Iron 4mg22%
      * Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.

      Here’s one more to pin on your Pinterest boards!Make a pot of tasty turkey chili with fresh veggies, spices, pinto beans and black beans. Chili is easy to make, filling, and tastes great!


      Jan
      2022

      TexMex Turkey Meatloaf

      categories: Main Dishes, Turkey
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      Make a yummy, cheese-topped TexMex Turkey Meatloaf, with onion, bell pepper, and Mexican spices. This EASY TO MAKE main dish has great FLAVOR!
      Make a yummy, cheese-topped TexMex Turkey Meatloaf, with onion, bell pepper, and Mexican spices. This EASY TO MAKE main dish has great FLAVOR!

      Today I want to share a recipe I created for TexMex turkey meatloaf. When I first made this dish, I had a pound of ground turkey I wanted to use up. I added ingredients I thought would enhance the flavor. My husband and I are the only ones still in our home, so I make this meatloaf with one pound of ground turkey, and it yields 4 servings. It’s a perfect meal for the two of us (and for leftovers). The meatloaf freezes very well, and can easily be doubled.

      Turkey tends to be very mild in flavor, so I add garlic powder, ground cumin, chili powder, oregano, salt, pepper, and taco sauce to season the meat. Several veggies are included (carrots, onion and red bell pepper) to add additional flavor. Egg and bread crumbs are also included to bind it all together. The meatloaf is topped with grated cheddar cheese, which melts during baking. The result is a delicious, Southwest-inspired meatloaf! YUM!

      With only about 10 minutes of prep work, this truly is a simple, quick dish to prepare and pop in the oven. TexMex meatloaf bakes for about 40 minutes, and then it’s ready to serve! Let me show you how easy it is to make this dish:

      Scroll Down For A Printable Recipe Card At The Bottom Of The Page

      Make The Meatloaf

      Preheat your oven to 350°F.  The meatloaf takes only a few minutes to prepare, so you want your oven hot and ready! Mix the ingredients for the meatloaf together in a large mixing bowl. To form the meatloaf you will need ground turkey, egg, shredded carrots, yellow onion, red bell pepper, bread crumbs, spices and taco sauce. The spices I use to season the ground turkey are garlic powder, chili powder, cumin, oregano, salt and pepper.

      Combine these ingredients together. I find it easiest to use my clean hands to do this. Once combined, realize you FORGOT to put in the taco sauce so add the taco sauce (forgot to add it before taking the first photo!). Yep, this meatloaf has taco sauce in it. You can use your favorite brand. Make sure the ingredients for the meatloaf have been thoroughly combined.

      Ingredients for the TexMex turkey meatloaf are combined in a mixing bowl.Taco sauce is added to the meatloaf mixture to enhance flavor.

      Bake The Meatloaf

      Lightly grease or spray an 8½” or 9″ loaf pan . Spoon the meatloaf mixture into the prepared pan and press it down slightly to fill the pan. NOTE:  You will notice the pan will only be filled about half way up the sides (this recipe will yield 4 servings).

      The meatloaf mixture is packed into a loaf pan for baking.

      Place the pan on a middle rack into your preheated oven.  Bake, UNCOVERED, at 350°F. for 40-45 minutes. NOTE: When the meatloaf has baked for 25 minutes, remove the pan from the oven. Sprinkle the top of the meatloaf with grated cheddar cheese. Return pan to the oven and finish baking the remaining 15 minutes (uncovered). When done, the meatloaf will be browned and the cheese on top will be melted.

      NOTE **If you double this recipe, bake the meatloaf for 55-60 minutes total, due to the increased volume. Add the grated cheese 15 minutes before it is finished baking.

      Grated cheddar cheese is added to the top of the meatloaf during baking time.

      Slice And Serve The TexMex Turkey Meatloaf

      Transfer the pan from the oven to a wire rack to cool for a couple of minutes. You can cut the meatloaf right in the pan OR you can remove the entire loaf from the pan after it cools a bit.  I typically remove the TexMex turkey meatloaf from the pan (with 2 spatulas), and find it easier to cut and serve that way.

      Slice the meatloaf into 4 equal-sized portions, and serve. We enjoy this meatloaf with creamy mashed potatoes and a green veggie on the side. It is a delicious comfort food style meal. The spices and taco sauce provide a nice twist, giving this meatloaf great TexMex flavor.

      Topped with melted cheddar cheese, the baked TexMex Turkey Meatloaf is ready to slice and eat.A slice of the TexMex turkey meatloaf, served on a plate with potatoes and green beans.

      I hope you have a chance to make this delicious turkey meatloaf for yourself and those you love. Thank you for stopping by today. Please come back again soon for more family-friendly recipes. Take care and have a great day.

      Looking For More MEATLOAF Recipes?

      You can find ALL of my recipes in the Recipe Index, which is located at the top of the page. I have a couple more meatloaf recipes you might enjoy, including Cheesy Italian Meatloaf and Really GOOD Meatloaf. If you enjoy meatloaf, you might also enjoy trying my recipe for Easy Beef Stuffed Rolls.

      Interested In More Recipes?

      Thank you for visiting this website. I appreciate you using some of your valuable time to do so.  If you’re interested, I publish a newsletter 2 times per month (1st and 15th) with all the latest recipes, and other fun info. I would be honored to have you join our growing list of subscribers, so you never miss a great recipe!
      There is a Newsletter subscription box on the top right side (or bottom) of each blog post, depending on the device you use, where you can easily submit your e-mail address (only) to be included in my mailing list.

      You Can Also Find Me On Social Media:

      Facebook page: The Grateful Girl Cooks!
      Pinterest:       The Grateful Girl Cooks!
      Instagram:       jbatthegratefulgirlcooks

      Author's signature

      ↓↓ PRINTABLE RECIPE BELOW ↓↓

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      TexMex Turkey Meatloaf
      Prep Time
      10 mins
      Cook Time
      40 mins
      Total Time
      50 mins
       

      Make a yummy, cheese-topped TexMex Turkey Meatloaf, with onion, bell pepper, and Mexican spices. This EASY TO MAKE main dish has great FLAVOR!

      Category: Main Dish
      Cuisine: American
      Keyword: TexMex turkey meatloaf
      Servings: 4
      Calories Per Serving: 250 kcal
      Author: JB @ The Grateful Girl Cooks!
      Ingredients
      • 1 pound ground turkey
      • ½ cup plain bread crumbs
      • 1 large egg
      • ¼ cup yellow onion ,chopped
      • ¼ cup red bell pepper , chopped
      • ¼ cup shredded carrot
      • ½ teaspoon chili powder
      • ¼ teaspoon garlic powder
      • ¼ teaspoon ground cumin
      • ½ teaspoon salt
      • ¼ teaspoon ground black pepper
      • ¼ teaspoon dried oregano
      • 2 Tablespoons taco sauce
      For Topping:
      • ⅓ cup shredded cheddar cheese
      US Customary - Metric
      Instructions

      1. Preheat oven to 350°F. Lightly grease or spray an 8½" or 9" loaf pan.

      2. In a large mixing bowl, combine all ingredients (EXCEPT cheese) together. I find it easiest to use my clean hands to do this.

      3. Spoon the meatloaf mixture into prepared pan; press mixture down slightly to fill the pan. NOTE:  Pan will only be filled about half way up the sides.

      4. Place pan on middle rack in oven.  Bake, UNCOVERED, at 350°F. for 40-45 minutes. **When meatloaf has baked for 25 minutes, remove pan from oven. Sprinkle top of meatloaf with grated cheese. Return pan to oven and finish baking the remaining 15 minutes (uncovered). When done, meatloaf will be browned and cheese will be melted.

      5. Transfer pan to wire rack to cool 2-3 minutes. Slice into 4 portions and serve.

      Recipe Notes

      NOTE: If you double this recipe, bake meatloaf for 55-60 minutes due to the increased volume. 

      Nutrition Facts
      TexMex Turkey Meatloaf
      Amount Per Serving (1 slice (1/4 of total))
      Calories 250 Calories from Fat 63
      % Daily Value*
      Fat 7g11%
      Saturated Fat 3g19%
      Trans Fat 1g
      Polyunsaturated Fat 1g
      Monounsaturated Fat 2g
      Cholesterol 119mg40%
      Sodium 563mg24%
      Potassium 470mg13%
      Carbohydrates 13g4%
      Fiber 1g4%
      Sugar 2g2%
      Protein 33g66%
      Vitamin A 1914IU38%
      Vitamin C 13mg16%
      Calcium 113mg11%
      Iron 2mg11%
      * Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.

      Here’s one more to pin on your Pinterest boards!Make a yummy, cheese-topped TexMex Turkey Meatloaf, with onion, bell pepper, and Mexican spices. This EASY TO MAKE main dish has great FLAVOR!


      Dec
      2019

      Turkey Fiesta Casserole

      categories: Casseroles, Main Dishes, Turkey
      29 Shares
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      Turkey Fiesta Casserole is a great way to use up cooked turkey (or chicken). This easy Mexican-style dish has turkey, corn chips, refried beans, cheese & salsa!
      Turkey Fiesta Casserole is a great way to use up cooked turkey. This easy Mexican-style dish has turkey, corn chips, refried beans, cheese & salsa!

      Every now and then I grab a few of my old cookbooks or cooking magazines and look back through them for “new” recipes. Recently I went through one of my OLD Taste of Home magazines from 2005 (yes, I saved them), and found this easy to prepare Mexican casserole recipe.

      I had some shredded turkey left over from Thanksgiving, and wanted to try a new way to use it besides SOUP (which I already made). This recipe was so easy to make, and while it baked I made the rest of our dinner. Chicken would be a perfect substitute, by the way, if you don’t have any cooked turkey on hand.

      The turkey fiesta casserole tastes delicious, especially if you enjoy Mexican-style seasoned dishes! YUM! Layers of crushed corn chips, refried beans, salsa, cheese, and shredded turkey (or can substitute chicken). The results are delicious! Here’s how to make it:

      Scroll Down for A Printable Recipe Card At The Bottom Of The Page

      Ingredients For Turkey Fiesta Casserole Are Layered In Baking Dish

      The first ingredient is crushed corn chips or tortilla chips. Place the crushed corn chips in the bottom of a greased (or sprayed) baking dish.

      Corn tortilla chips are crushed and placed in baking dish.

      In a saucepan, stir and cook the refried beans until smooth and heated through. If they are really thick, simply add about a Tablespoon of water. Once heated through, remove the pan from the heat.

      Immediately add 1 cup of grated jack cheese and the salsa. NOTE: Remember to only use 1 cup of cheese and reserve the rest for later!) Stir together, and then spoon and spread this bean mixture over the entire surface of the tortilla chips in the baking dish. Spread carefully, to cover.

      Refried beans are heated then mixed with salsa and jack cheese & added to top of corn chips.The refried bean mixture is placed on top of the corn chips in dish.

      Time For A Layer of Seasoned Turkey!

      Place the shredded turkey in a bowl, and add taco seasoning (or Mexican spice mix). Stir to incorporate the spices into the meat. Spread this mixture over the refried bean layer in the dish.

      Cooked, shredded turkey is seasoned with taco seasoning.Seasoned shredded turkey is placed on top of refried bean mixture in casserole dish.

      Final Step Before Baking

      The last layer is the Monterey jack cheese and green onions. Sprinkle grated jack cheese over the turkey layer, and then sprinkle with sliced green onions. Bake the turkey fiesta casserole uncovered, on the middle shelf in a preheated 400° F oven. The casserole needs to bake for 25 minutes OR until the cheese on top is completely melted.

      Turkey Fiesta Casserole is topped with jack cheese and green onions and then baked.

      Once the casserole is finished baking, remove it from the oven. Immediately sprinkle chopped tomatoes over the top. Let the HOT casserole sit for just a couple minutes before cutting into it, for serving.

      Once done baking, the turkey fiesta casserole is topped with chopped tomatoes before serving.

      Serve The Turkey Fiesta Casserole!

      When ready to cut and serve this dish, place a portion onto each serving plate, and garnish with a dollop of sour cream and/or chopped cilantro, if desired. Serve hot, and enjoy this tasty casserole. See- it wasn’t too hard to make after all, right?  We enjoyed it served it with a spinach salad, and Pistachio Pineapple Fluff Salad (leftover from Thanksgiving!).

      A dollop of sour cream garnishes this serving of turkey fiesta casserole.

      I really hope you will consider trying this easy to prepare turkey fiesta casserole, and hope you like it. We sure did, and enjoyed the leftovers, too! All in all, we got 5 servings from this recipe. The leftovers are good reheated in the microwave, also! Have a good day, friends.

      Looking For More CASSEROLE Recipes?

      You can find all of my recipes in the Recipe Index, located at the top of the page. A few favorites you might enjoy include:

      Interested In More Recipes?

      Thank you for visiting this website. I appreciate you using some of your valuable time to do so.  If you’re interested, I publish a newsletter 2 times per month (1st and 15th) with all the latest recipes, and other fun info. I would be honored to have you join our growing list of subscribers, so you never miss a great recipe!
      There is a Newsletter subscription box on the top right side (or bottom) of each blog post, depending on the device you use, where you can easily submit your e-mail address (only) to be included in my mailing list.

      You Can Also Find Me On Social Media:
      Facebook page: The Grateful Girl Cooks!
      Pinterest: The Grateful Girl Cooks!
      Instagram: jbatthegratefulgirlcooks

      Author's signature

      Original recipe source: Taste of Home Magazine, Dec/Jan 2005, page 48, published by Reiman Media Group Inc.

      ↓↓ PRINTABLE RECIPE BELOW ↓↓

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      Turkey Fiesta Casserole
      Prep Time
      15 mins
      Cook Time
      20 mins
      Total Time
      35 mins
       

      Turkey Fiesta Casserole is a great way to use up cooked turkey (or chicken). This easy Mexican-style dish has turkey, corn chips, refried beans, cheese & salsa!

      Category: Entree - Casserole
      Cuisine: Mexican
      Keyword: turkey fiesta casserole
      Servings: 5
      Calories Per Serving: 747 kcal
      Author: JB @ The Grateful Girl Cooks!
      Ingredients
      • 2 cups coarsely crushed corn chips
      • 16 ounces refried beans (1 can)
      • 2 cups grated Monterey Jack cheese , divided use
      • 1 cup salsa
      • 2 cups shredded cooked turkey (can substitute chicken)
      • 1 teaspoon taco seasoning
      • 1 green onion (scallion) , sliced (stem and bulb)
      • 1 medium tomato , chopped
      • sour cream and/or cilantro for garnish (optional)
      US Customary - Metric
      Instructions

      1. Preheat oven to 400° F. Spray a 2.5 quart baking dish with non-stick cooking spray.

      2. Spread crushed corn chips on the bottom of the greased dish. Cook refried beans in a saucepan until smooth/heated through. If really thick, add a Tablespoon of water. Once heated through, remove pan from heat. Immediately add 1 cup of grated jack cheese and salsa. NOTE: Remember to only use 1 cup of cheese and reserve the rest for later!) Stir to combine; spoon and spread bean mixture over tortilla chips. Place the shredded turkey in a bowl, and add taco seasoning (or Mexican spice mix). Stir to combine. Distribute seasoned turkey over refried bean layer. Sprinkle reserved jack cheese over turkey, and then sprinkle with sliced green onions.

      3. Bake casserole uncovered, on the middle shelf in preheated 400° F oven. Bake for 25 minutes OR until the cheese on top is completely melted. Remove from oven. and immediately sprinkle chopped tomatoes over the top. Let the HOT casserole sit for just a couple minutes before serving. When ready to serve, garnish each portion with a dollop of sour cream and/or chopped cilantro, if desired. Enjoy!

      Recipe Notes

      Note: to lower caloric calculation per serving, try using fat free refried beans and/or low-fat cheese.

      Nutrition Facts
      Turkey Fiesta Casserole
      Amount Per Serving (1 g)
      Calories 747 Calories from Fat 261
      % Daily Value*
      Fat 29g45%
      Saturated Fat 11g69%
      Cholesterol 209mg70%
      Sodium 1968mg86%
      Potassium 1046mg30%
      Carbohydrates 37g12%
      Fiber 7g29%
      Sugar 6g7%
      Protein 85g170%
      Vitamin A 964IU19%
      Vitamin C 5mg6%
      Calcium 487mg49%
      Iron 4mg22%
      * Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.

      Here’s one more to pin on your Pinterest boards!Turkey Fiesta Casserole is a great way to use up cooked turkey. This easy Mexican-style dish has turkey, corn chips, refried beans, cheese & salsa!

       


      Apr
      2019

      Traeger Roasted Turkey Breast

      categories: For The BBQ Grill, Main Dishes, Traeger Grill Recipes, Turkey
      3.2K Shares
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      Traeger roasted turkey breast is an easy way to cook a delicious, well seasoned turkey breast on the smoker/grill, without heating up the kitchen!
      Traeger roasted turkey breast is an easy way to cook a delicious, well seasoned turkey breast on the smoker/grill, without heating up the kitchen!

      Last summer we got a Traeger grill. I had saved and saved my money for a while, and purchased it for my husband’s birthday (and so I could use it for my blog, too!) We have enjoyed experimenting and learning how to grill and smoke meats, veggies and desserts on our grill!

      A couple of weeks ago we had what we fondly call a “Traegerpalooza”! We cooked this Traeger roasted turkey breast, grilled asparagus with lemon and Parmesan, 2 types of pork chops, turkey sausages, tri-tip, and brats (sausages). It was so good (and I didn’t have to cook dinner for almost a week)! Ha Ha!

      Scroll Down For A Printable Recipe Card At The Bottom Of The Page

      How To Make A Traeger Roasted Turkey Breast

      The roasted turkey breast turned out fantastic, so I wanted to share what we did with you today! We started out with an almost 5 pound turkey breast (bone in). The first thing I did was to rinse the turkey, and then pat it dry with paper towels.

      A whole turkey breast (bone-in) is rinsed, then patted dry before adding seasonings.

      Make The Spice Rub Mix In Under 5 MInutes!

      A dry rub spice mix was quickly mixed up.  It’s soooo easy to pull together, and I have used this same flavorful mix before on smoked pork loin roast , pork butt, and whole chickens that we have slow roasted on the Traeger.

      The spice mix is made with brown sugar, paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, cayenne pepper, cumin, salt, pepper, and dry mustard. It is a fantastic spice rub, and you will have some leftover for your next grilling project, too! The turkey breast is generously sprinkled with the spice rub on all sides. I rubbed the spices into the turkey, and even rubbed some of the mix inside the turkey breast.

      A dry rub spice mix is made to season the meat with, before cooking.

      Dry rub spices are applied to the entire piece of meat, before putting it on the grill.

      Cooking The Traeger Roasted Turkey Breast

      Turn the Traeger to the SMOKE setting with the lid open. After about 4-5 minutes, you should see lots of smoke coming from the grill, meaning the pellets have ignited. Turn the temperature to 325° F and close the grill cover. Let the Traeger preheat for about 15 minutes. TIP: Prepare the spice rub and the turkey WHILE the Traeger is preheating, to save time!

      Once the grill has preheated, place the seasoned turkey breast directly on the grill grate. Close the cover, and let the turkey breast cook for approximately 1 hour and 45 minutes. Cooking times will vary slightly because of varying weights of turkey breasts used. Check the internal temperature occasionally as it cooks, to ensure you don’t overcook or undercook the turkey breast.

      The Traeger roasted turkey breast is placed directly on the grill grate to cook.

      How Will I Know When The Traeger Roasted Turkey Breast Is Done?

      Continue to check the internal temperature using a probe inserted into the thickest part of the breast. When the turkey breast has reached an internal temperature of 165° F, pull it off the grill. Transfer the Traeger roasted turkey breast to a cutting board, and let it “rest” for about 15 minutes before slicing. This “resting time” helps the juices redistribute inside the meat.

      The turkey breast rests after cooking, and before slicing.

      Once the turkey breast has “rested”, it is ready to slice and eat! The turkey breast is juicy, and full of flavor, thanks in part to the dry rub spices, and the long smoking time! We LOVE having perfectly cooked slices of roasted turkey breast for quick dinners and sandwiches. It tastes so good! I froze half of the turkey breast to save for another time, too!

      The roasted turkey is juicy, and slices well, which is perfect for sandwiches!

      Hope you enjoy this recipe for Traeger roasted turkey breast. It’s awesome to be able to smoke a turkey breast and then have it around for easy dinners or a great tasting turkey sandwich throughout the week! If you are considering cooking an entire turkey on a pellet grill or smoker, be sure to check out my delicious recipe for Smoked Whole Turkey! Have a GREAT day!

      Looking For More TRAEGER Recipes?

      You can find ALL my recipes in the Recipe Index, located at the top of the page. I have some other delicious Traeger recipes you might be interested in, including:

      Interested In More Recipes?

      Thank you for visiting this website. I appreciate you using some of your valuable time to do so.  If you’re interested, I publish a newsletter 2 times per month (1st and 15th) with all the latest recipes, and other fun info. I would be honored to have you join our growing list of subscribers, so you never miss a great recipe!

      There is a Newsletter subscription box on the top right side (or bottom) of each blog post, depending on the device you use, where you can easily submit your e-mail address (only) to be included in my mailing list.

      You Can Also Find Me On Social Media:
      Facebook page: The Grateful Girl Cooks!
      Pinterest: The Grateful Girl Cooks!
      Instagram: jbatthegratefulgirlcooks

      Author's signature

      Recipe Adapted From Traeger Grill recipe booklet (that came with grill)

      ↓↓ PRINTABLE RECIPE BELOW ↓↓

      0 from 0 votes
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      Traeger Roasted Turkey Breast
      Prep Time
      15 mins
      Cook Time
      1 hr 45 mins
      Total Time
      2 hrs
       
      Traeger roasted turkey breast is an easy way to cook a delicious, well seasoned turkey breast on the smoker/grill, without heating up the kitchen!
      Category: Entree, Grill
      Cuisine: American
      Keyword: Traeger roasted turkey breast
      Servings: 10
      Calories Per Serving: 251 kcal
      Author: JB @ The Grateful Girl Cooks!
      Ingredients
      • 4.5 pound turkey breast (approx,) , bone in, skin on
      For Dry Rub Spice Mix (this will make MORE than you will use- enough for several uses)
      • 1/3 cup brown sugar
      • 1/2 cup paprika
      • 1/4 cup garlic powder
      • 1/4 cup salt
      • 2 Tablespoons pepper
      • 2 Tablespoons onion powder
      • 1 Tablespoon cayenne pepper
      • 1 Tablespoon ground cumin
      • 1 Tablespoon dry ground mustard
      US Customary - Metric
      Instructions

      1. Rinse the turkey, and pat it dry with paper towels.

      2. Mix ingredients for spice rub in a small bowl. Generously sprinkle turkey breast with spice rub on all sides (and inside, if desired). Store extra spice rub mix in covered container for additional uses.

      3. Turn the Traeger to SMOKE setting with the lid open. After about 4-5 minutes, you should see lots of smoke coming from the grill, meaning the pellets have ignited. Turn temperature to 325° F and close grill cover. Let the Traeger preheat for about 15 minutes. Once preheated, place seasoned turkey breast directly on grill grate. Close the cover, and let it cook for approx. 1 hour and 45 minutes. Cooking times will vary slightly because of differing weights of turkey breasts used. Continue to check the internal temperature using a probe inserted into the thickest part of the breast, to ensure you don't overcook or undercook the turkey breast.

      4. When the turkey breast has reached an internal temperature of 165° F, pull it off the grill. Transfer turkey breast to a cutting board, and let it "rest" for about 15 minutes before slicing. This "resting time" helps the juices redistribute inside the meat. Once turkey has "rested", slice, and enjoy!

      Recipe Notes

      NOTE: The spice mix was NOT calculated into the caloric calculations. The spice mix (as written) will make enough mix for several additional uses beyond that of the turkey breast, so it was not included.

      Nutrition Facts
      Traeger Roasted Turkey Breast
      Amount Per Serving (1 g)
      Calories 251 Calories from Fat 90
      % Daily Value*
      Fat 10g15%
      Saturated Fat 3g19%
      Cholesterol 108mg36%
      Sodium 368mg16%
      Carbohydrates 1g0%
      Protein 40g80%
      * Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.

      Here’s one more to pin on your Pinterest boards!Traeger roasted turkey breast is an easy way to cook a delicious, well seasoned turkey breast on the smoker/grill, without heating up the kitchen!