by Shannon Crocker, RD
Turkey is for any day, not just holidays! If you limit turkey to special occasions, you’ll miss out on all the different ways to enjoy this delicious, nutrient-rich source of protein. Turkey is incredibly versatile and it pairs perfectly with so many cuisines and flavours.
Try these seven delicious recipes which showcase different ways to cook turkey.
Turkey Thighs: Sheet Pan Madras Turkey with Sweet Potato and Cauliflower
This easy weeknight meal combines flavourful curry paste with tangy lime. It also uses just one pan, so cleanup is quick. The recipe’s first step is marinating the turkey. For deeper flavour, marinate it overnight. To save time when making dinner, cut up the vegetables the day before too.
Nutrition Neat to Know: Dark meat is even richer in iron, zinc and selenium compared to white meat.
Ground Turkey: Turkey and Black Bean Tacos with Red Onion Salsa
You can swap ground turkey into any recipe that calls for ground meat. Turkey tacos are an easy family favourite. Your kids can help with meal prep, and everyone can make their tacos the way they like. Double the ingredients and make taco salad bowls for lunch the next day.
Don’t love raw onion? Don’t worry, the red onion salsa is sort of quick-pickled so it’s tangy without the bite of raw onion – and it is incredible with these turkey tacos.
Turkey Sausage: Turkey Sausage and Rapini Pasta
Save time on a busy weeknight by pre-cooking the turkey sausage and rapini and then freezing them. On the day you want to make this dish, thaw the ingredients in the fridge. Cook the pasta just before dinnertime, reheat the turkey and rapini, and combine.
Turkey Breast: Kung Pao Turkey
You already know that turkey breast is great on sandwiches, but there are so many more delicious ways to enjoy it! Turkey breast is totally tasty in this flavour-packed stir-fry, inspired by the popular Chinese takeout dish.
Turkey Wings: Smokey Maple Turkey Wings
If you enjoy wings, you’ll love this smokey maple turkey wings! These turkey wings are baked, not deep-fried, for crispy skin. They make a super snack for family games nights and movie nights too. Serve them with carrot and celery sticks and blue cheese dressing for dipping.
Turkey Drummettes: Sweet and Spicy Oven-Fried Turkey Drummettes
Have you ever cooked turkey drummettes? They’re super-simple to prepare and terrifically tasty, too. These ones are baked in the oven with a sweet and spicy glaze that will make your mouth water. Serve them with a tangy, crunchy slaw and a whole grain or pasta salad.
Make ahead tip: You’ll want to double up this recipe – the drummettes are also tasty cold, so leftovers are perfect for a picnic or packable lunch.
Whole Turkey: Spatchcock Lemon Rosemary Turkey
If a whole roasted turkey is something you reserve just for holidays, this recipe will change your mind! The turkey is cooked on a smoker, which gives it a wonderful flavour. With the leftovers, you can make easy weeknight meals such as sandwiches, salads and soups.
How do you spatchcock a turkey? Basically, you remove the backbone and flatten it. This helps to cook the meat evenly and quickly.
Now you have a few more ideas for cooking turkey any day of the week! If you don’t see the cut of turkey you want at the grocery store, ask at the butcher counter.
