Meal prepping can be a pain when you're following a restrictive diet like Paleo/AIP, Whole 30 and it can get overwhelming with all the complicated recipes out there. I've found that the simpler it is, the better the odds of sticking with it. This Meal Prep Ground Turkey is easy, quick, and very versatile.
It comes together in just 15 minutes and is ready to use for a bunch of different meals throughout the week. It is Paleo/AIP and Whole 30 compliant, gluten-free, dairy-free, and low carb.
This stuff is just full of flavor- no more boring turkey! It almost tastes a little bit like breakfast sausage crumbles.
A Few Simple Ingredients
Ground Turkey- You can use chicken or pork for this recipe as well. You can use whatever fat percentage you choose. I usually go with 7% or 15% depending on what's available. If there is enough fat that some grease builds up in the pan, you'll want to drain it off before adding all the seasonings.
Coconut Aminos- This by far one of my favorite AIP condiments. It adds a little sweetness and ton of flavor to the meat. It's usually used as an AIP soy sauce alternative but it's a little sweet and tastes almost like a teriyaki sauce to me.
Apple Cider Vinegar- I use this in so many dishes because it really adds another dimension to the flavor just by adding the right amount of tang.
Italian Seasoning,Onion Powder,
Garlic Powder, and
Pink Himalayan Sea Salt- These, in the correct amounts, round out the dish and produce just the right flavor.
That's it! Super easy and so tasty.
Ground Turkey Meal Ideas
The beauty of this recipe is you can use it for so many things. Whether it's breakfast, lunch, dinner, or something in between, there is an easy way to incorporate it. Here are a few examples:
Make a Breakfast Bowl
Mix ground turkey, avocado, leftover veggies from the night before. You could also use cauliflower rice for this.
Make Wraps or Tacos
Fill a jicama wrap, lettuce wrap (or other AIP friendly wrap/tortilla) with ground turkey, avocado (can you tell I like avocado!), and veggies or roasted sweet potatoes (these can also be cooked in advance and stored in the fridge).
I just recently discovered Jicama wraps from Trader's Joe's thanks to my sister-in-law. As I've mentioned before, I don't have a Trader Joe's close to my house but occasionally I'll make the 30-minute drive into Nashville for special items.
I was curious about these and already in Nashville so I picked them up! It's literally just raw sliced jicama- very refreshing, light, and low carb.
Make a salad
The salad pictured below is mix ground turkey mixed with raw sliced brussels sprouts, finely chopped kale, and ripe avocado (this basically acts as a dressing). I like to drizzle a little extra coconut aminos over the top. It's fantastic.
Make a Soup
Heat some bone broth and coconut milk, add a little salt, garlic powder, lemon juice, then add some veggies and add the cooked ground turkey at the end to heat it. My Creamy Mushroom and Brussels Sprouts Soup (pictured below) is made with turkey and is a good example of this strategy.
Make a Skillet
Saute some veggies and add the ground turkey at the very end just to reheat it. To save additional time, you could precut some veggies ahead of time so that they can be cooked immediately. This works great for busy weeknights.
Serve Over Baked Sweet Potatoes or Spaghetti Squash
Add veggies and AIP BBQ sauce (homemade or store-bought), guacamole, or coconut aminos.
Make a Casserole
Most casseroles require meat to be cooked first anyway so this recipe works perfectly to give you a head start for a quick casserole. This Creamy Garlic Spaghetti Squash Casserole is pretty simple and would work with precooked turkey.
Make Spaghetti with Meat Sauce
Just mix the cooked turkey with a "no-mato" sauce. There is a store-bought version or you can make your own in bulk and freeze it. Serve over sweet potato glass noodles or zucchini noodles.
Make a Pasta Salad
You can use my Simple Chicken Bacon Pasta Salad recipe (pictured below) which uses sweet potato glass noodles as well, and just swap out the diced chicken for ground turkey.
Can You Freeze Cooked Ground Turkey?
Yes! This is a great way to stock up and prepare for later meals. Just be sure to cool the turkey in the fridge completely before freezing it. Then, distribute the meat evenly in an airtight container or zip lock bag and freeze. Be sure to label them so you know what's what when you go back to get them later.
When you use it later, you can just reheat it in the microwave or on the stove. Make sure the internal temp reaches at least 160 degrees F.
How Long Does Cooked Ground Turkey Last in the Fridge?
Cooked ground turkey will stay good in the fridge for 3-4 days in an airtight container.
If you like this recipe, you may also like:
7 Day AIP Meal Plan for Busy People
Beginner's Guide to the Autoimmune Protocol
AIP Creamy Mushroom and Brussels Sprouts Soup
Conclusion
I hope you love this recipe. If you made it, leave a comment below and let me know what you thought. I'd love to hear from you.
Also, don't forget to follow me on Instagram @foodcourage for the latest AIP/Paleo recipes and Food Courage happenings!
Below are some of the kitchen tools and food items that are mentioned or pictured in this post and/or that I use frequently in general and recommend. They are affiliate links which means that when you click and purchase a product, I may receive a small commission at no additional cost to you. These earnings help to buffer the costs associated with maintaining the site.
Meal Prep Ground Turkey Recipe (AIP, Paleo, Whole 30)
Ingredients
- 1 tbsp olive oil or avocado oil, for greasing the pan
- 2 pounds ground turkey
- 3 tbsp apple cider vinegar
- 3 tbsp coconut aminos
- 1 tsp italian seasoning
- 2 tsp garlic powder
- 2 tsp onion powder
- 1.5 tsp sea salt
Instructions
- Heat 1-2 tbsp of oil in a large pan over medium-high heat.
- Add the ground turkey and break it up, distributing it evenly throughout the pan. Continue cooking and stirring it for about 10 minutes or until it is almost fully cooked.
- Add the vinegar, coconut aminos, and seasonings. Cook for 2-3 more minutes or until turkey is fully cooked.
Jessica says
Very tasty!! Thank you!
Arika | FoodCourage says
Hey Jessica! I'm so glad you liked it!
Rebecca says
Delicious! My family loved this turkey. I added zucchini, mushrooms and kale and served over roasted cauliflower.
Arika | FoodCourage says
Hey Rebecca! That's wonderful to hear- thanks so much for the feedback!
Candace G. says
Why onion and garlic powder instead of fresh?
Arika | FoodCourage says
Hi Candace! No particular reason other than for sake of ease. You can use fresh if you prefer.