Turkey

For many of us the idea of turkey conjures up thoughts of holiday meals. But it can definitely be an anytime meal. Here are six diabetic-friendly turkey recipes to help you through the day, including Turkey Meatloaf and Italian Meatball Soup. Enjoy!

TURKEY CASSEROLE

Recipe Yield: Serves: 4

Source: Light and Easy Diabetes Cuisine

Book Title: Light and Easy Diabetes Cuisine

View online at https://diabeticgourmet.com/diabetic-recipes/turkey-casserole.

Ingredients

4 ounces vegetale elbow or shell macaroni

1/2 pound ground turkey

1/4 cup chopped onion

1 garlic clove, minced

1/2 cup tomato sauce

1/2 teaspoon dried leaf thyme

1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon

1/4 teaspoon salt

Pepper to Taste

1/2 cup shredded part-skim mozzarella cheese

Directions

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Cook macaroni until al dente, being careful not to overcook. Drain and rinse under cold water. Coat an 8-inch square baking pan or casserole dish with non-stick cooking spray.

In a large non-stick skillet, cook turkey, onion and garlic until meat is browned. Drain off fat. Stir in macaroni, tomato sauce, thyme, cinnamon, salt and pepper. Spoon into casserole dish and top with cheese. Bake 30 minutes.

Nutritional Information Per Serving: Calories: 241, Fat: 11 g, Sodium: 253 mg, Cholesterol: 40 mg; Protein: 17 g, Carbohydrates: 20 g

Diabetic Exchanges: 2 Meat, 1 Starch/Bread, 1 Vegetable

ITALIAN MEATBALL SOUP

Recipe Yield: Yield: 8 servings (about 2 cups each)

Source: 1,001 Recipes For People with Diabetes

Book Title: 1,001 Recipes For People with Diabetes

View this online at https://diabeticgourmet.com/diabetic-recipes/italian-meatball-soup

Ingredients

1-1/2 pounds ground turkey

2 egg whites

1/4 cup seasoned dry bread crumbs

4 cloves garlic, minced, divided

3 tablespoons Italian seasoning, divided

Olive oil cooking spray

4 cans (15 ounces each) reduced-sodium chicken broth

3 cups water

2 cups green beans, diagonally cut into 1/2-inch pieces

4 medium carrots, sliced

2 medium onions, coarsely chopped

8 ounces thin spaghetti, uncooked, broken into 2-to 3-inch pieces

2 medium plum tomatoes, coarsely chopped

Salt and pepper, to taste

Directions

Mix ground turkey, egg whites, bread crumbs, 2 cloves of garlic, and 2 tablespoons of Italian seasoning until well blended; shape mixture into 32 meatballs. Spray large saucepan with cooking spray; heat over medium heat until hot. Cook meatballs until browned on all sides, 5 to 7 minutes.

Add chicken broth, water, green beans, carrots, onions, remaining 2 cloves garlic, and remaining 1 tablespoon Italian seasoning to saucepan; heat to boiling. Reduce heat and simmer, covered until vegetables are almost tender, about 8 minutes.

Heat soup to boiling; add pasta and tomatoes. Reduce heat and simmer, uncovered, until pasta is al dente, about 10 minutes. Season to taste with salt and pepper.

Nutritional Information Per Serving: Calories: 270; Fat: 8.7 g; Sodium: 174 mg; Cholesterol: 31.7 mg; Protein: 19 g; Carbohydrates: 30 g

Diabetic Exchanges: 1-1/2 Bread, 2 Meat, 1/2 Fat

WARM TURKEY AND WHITE BEAN SALAD

Recipe Yield: Yield: 4 servings

Source: Express Lane Diabetic Cooking

Book Title: Express Lane Diabetic Cooking

View online at https://diabeticgourmet.com/diabetic-recipes/warm-turkey-and-white-bean-salad

Ingredients

1 tablespoon olive oil

2 cloves garlic, crushed (used to flavor pan)

1 cup sliced mushrooms

1/2 pound cooked turkey breast, cubed

1 cup sliced roasted red peppers from jar

1/2 cup sliced green onions

1 cup frozen cut green beans, thawed

1 (15.5 ounce) can cannellini or navy beans, drained and rinsed

2 tablespoons red wine vinegar

2 tablespoons prepared pesto

1 small head romaine lettuce, torn into small pieces

Directions

In a skillet over medium-high heat, heat oil. Add crushed garlic and saute 1 minute. Remove the garlic from the skillet and discard.

Add mushrooms and saute 2-3 minutes. Add turkey and saute 2 minutes. Add peppers, onions, and beans and cook 2 minutes. Add vinegar and pesto and heat thoroughly. Serve salad over lettuce. Garnish with walnuts if desired.

Nutritional Information Per Serving: Calories: 256; Fat: 8 g; Cholesterol: 26 mg; Protein: 21 g; Carbohydrates: 28 g

Diabetic Exchanges: 1-1/2 Starch, 1 Vegetable, 2 Lean Meat

TURKEY BURGERS

Recipe Yield: 4 Servings

Source: Light and Easy Diabetes Cuisine

Book Title: Light and Easy Diabetes Cuisine

View this online at https://diabeticgourmet.com/diabetic-recipes/turkey-burgers

Ingredients

1 egg white

1 thin slice whole-wheat bread

1 small onion, grated

1 pound ground turkey

2 teaspoons ground coriander

Salt to taste

1 teaspoon pepper

1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg

2 teaspoons virgin olive oil

Directions

In a large bowl, lightly beat egg white.

Tear bread into small pieces; soak in egg white 1 minute. Add remaining ingredients, except oil and thoroughly mix. Shape into four patties.

In a large non-stick skillet, heat oil. Cook patties over medium heat about 10 minutes on each side until cooked through.

Nutritional Information Per Serving: Calories: 208; Fat: 14 g; Sodium: 195 mg; Cholesterol: 48 mg; Protein: 17 g; Carbohydrates: 5 g

Diabetic Exchanges: 3 Meat

SMOKED TURKEY WALDORF SALAD

Recipe Yield: Yield: 2 servings

Source: Mix 'N Match Meals in Minutes for People with Diabetes

Book Title: Mix 'N Match Meals in Minutes for People with Diabetes

View this online at https://diabeticgourmet.com/diabetic-recipes/smoked-turkey-waldorf-salad

Ingredients

2 tablespoons reduced-fat mayonnaise

2 tablespoons lemon juice

Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste

2 celery stalks, sliced (1 cup)

2 small red apples, cored and cut into 1/2-inch cubes (2 cups)

1 tablespoon broken walnuts (1/4 ounce)

1/2 pound smoked turkey breast cut into 1/2-inch cubes

Several romaine lettuce leaves, washed and dried

2 slices whole-wheat bread

Directions

Mix mayonnaise and lemon juice together in a medium bowl. Add salt and pepper.

Toss celery, apples, walnuts, and turkey in the mayonnaise. Taste for seasoning and add more salt and pepper, if needed.

Place lettuce leaves on 2 dinner plates and spoon salad onto leaves. Toast bread and serve with salad.

Nutritional Information Per Serving: Calories: 354; Fat: 10 g; Sodium: 1427 mg; Cholesterol: 65 mg; Protein: 27 g; Carbohydrates: 40 g

Diabetic Exchanges: 1 Starch, 3 Very Lean Meat, 1-1/2 Fruit, 1-1/2 Fat

TURKEY MEATLOAF

View online at https://diabeticgourmet.com/diabetic-recipes/turkey-meatloaf

Ingredients

1/2 lb.ground turkey breast

1/2 lb. ground turkey

1/3 cup ketchup

1 cup unseasoned whole-wheat breadcrumbs

3/4 cup finely chopped onion

1 tsp. dried basil

2 tsp. dried oregano

2 garlic cloves, minced

1 large egg

1/2 cup shredded carrots

1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley

1/4 cup green bell pepper, minced

1/4 cup red bell pepper, minced

Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste

3 Tbsp. ketchup (optional, to use as a topping)

Directions

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

Combine all ingredients except 3 tablespoons of ketchup in a large bowl. Transfer mixture to a 9x5-inch non-stick loaf pan. Bake 1 hour, uncovered.

Remove from oven. Spread the 3 tablespoons ketchup on top, if desired. Cover lightly with foil and let meatloaf rest 10 minutes. Cut into slices and serve.

Nutritional Information Per Serving: Calories: 278; Fat: 10 g; Sodium: 420 mg; Protein: 24 g; Carbohydrates: 23 g

Diabetic Exchanges: 1 Bread/Starch, 3 Lean-Meat