Ground Turkey: They Love It When They Don't Know It's Turkey

[Twinmama]

I am serious, I have been using ground turkey in 99% of my recipes that call for ground beef for about 4 years now and the ONLY times that my husband complains about the taste are when I've let it slip that I'm using ground turkey instead of ground beef. The rest of the time, he's blissfully unaware of all the fat I've cut out of his food.

It works really well, I think, in stuff like chili, taco soup, and even meatloaf and meatballs. What are your fooled-you-it's-really-turkey fave dishes?

[Mama Mangia]

Good for you!!! And you are keeping everyone healthier that way!

I like to "hide" chopped spinach in my ricotta filling for manicotti, ravioli, shells, lasagna, etc. Looks like parsley!! And no one knows the difference!

[Traciray]

I've found the same thing, I've been using ground turkey about 95% of the time and my husband can't tell the difference and really like the taste now.

I been making turkey sloppy joes recently and they are so yummy. A month ago and invited my parents over and my father raved about how good they were, that was before he knew he was eating turkey.

[Mrs. Chipotle]

I use ground turkey on and off, but I've decided I don't like it as well as I thought I did. I think maybe it's the color. It kind of turns me off while cooking it to see that almost white meat. I guess I would feel the same about ground chicken. I do agree that cooked in recipes, there's not really a discernible difference.

I did notice, however, that the fat content is actually less in the lowest-fat ground beef. Of course, that stuff is expensive.

[GregGraves]

I use lean ground turkey in meals like sloppy joes, stuffed peppers, lasagna, spaghetti, etc where there is a bit of seasoning and sauce, and it tastes great.

I also make a turkey burger by mixing together with the turkey some very finely diced onion, poultry seasoning, and craisins. Use 1/2 tsp of poultry seasoning, 1/4 cup diced onion, and 1 - 2 tbsp craisins per pound of turkey. Form into patties. Grill or pan fry, and serve on a hamburger bun with low sodium stove top stuffing and your favorite vegetable. You can also use poultry gravy instead of ketchup on these burgers.

[alice.b.toklas]

I like to use ground turkey and ground chicken in Mexican dishes like tacos and burritos. Turkey and chicken meats don't have much taste, so the seasoning in the Mexicans foods makes up for that lack of flavor. Chicken tacos are common, and the ones I've seen around are usually made with shredded cooked chicken. But it's a lot easier to make chicken tacos with a package of lean ground chicken.

[GregGraves]

Originally Posted by Mrs. Chipotle

.... I did notice, however, that the fat content is actually less in the lowest-fat ground beef. Of course, that stuff is expensive.

I always take a piece of good paper toweling like Viva and soak up all of the grease out of any ground meats when I cook. The meat companies are all out to make a buck, and there is always that temptation to make more. So instead of tossing out the fat, a lot of times it gets tossed in. I'd rather have them add water since that would just boil off (like you see with a lot of ground beef)

[r8rpwr]

I've been buying quite a bit of ground turkey lately. I discovered it in bulk at Sam's Club, so I will just buy a large amount and freeze it in one-pound sections. Then I can just thaw the exact amount I need.

I have to say we can't tell the difference in taste.

[Kaabi]

I guarentee I could tell the difference between ground turket and beef. I am like your husband though, as I will like something but then immediately discard it if I find out there's an ingredient in it I don't like.

[BagCSC]

I like ground turkey and ground beef. I use both and am able to tell the difference in things like burgers, but in dishes like cassaroles, etc, it is a little harder to tell. I cant remember what brand it was, but the store I go to has Turkey meatballs. I swear to you, they taste EXACTLY like the meatballs that Subway uses for their meatball sub. I make my own subs with them and save money.