Turkey

Turkey has long been relegated to holiday meals, especially Thanksgiving. But seriously, is there any reason why it can't be enjoyed year 'round?

Here are six turkey recipes that can be enjoyed any time, including Fajita Turkey Burger and Mexican Turkey Frittata. Enjoy!

MOROCCAN SPICED TURKEY BURGER

Recipe Yield: Makes 4 servings

Source: Jennie-O

View online at https://diabeticgourmet.com/diabetic-recipes/moroccan-spiced-turkey-burger.

Ingredients

2 cups red and yellow cherry tomatoes

oil for drizzling

1 small red onion, peeled and cut into 4 even circular slices

1 (16-ounce) package Jennie-O Extra Lean Ground Turkey Breast

1 teaspoon ground cumin

3 (6-inch) whole wheat pita bread rounds, halved and split

1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon

1 cup baby arugula

1 teaspoon paprika

3 cloves garlic, minced

1/2 cup fat-free plain yogurt

1 tablespoon chopped fresh cilantro

1 tablespoon chopped fresh parsley

1-1/2 tablespoons lemon juice

Directions

Preheat grill for medium-high heat. Heat oven to 450.

Place cherry tomatoes on parchment paper baking sheet and lightly drizzle with oil. Roast 6 minutes or until tomatoes blister. Grill onion 5 to 6 minutes or until slightly charred and tender turning once. Remove from grill and reserve.

In large bowl, combine turkey, cumin, paprika, cinnamon and garlic; mix well. Portion turkey into 4 patties. Cook burgers as specified on the package. Always cook to well-done, 165F as measured by a meat thermometer. Let burgers rest 5 minutes before cutting into quarters.

In small bowl, combine yogurt, cilantro, parsley and lemon juice; mix well. To serve, place burger inside pita bread half. Add onions, tomatoes and baby arugula. Drizzle yogurt sauce in each pita.

Always cook to an internal temperature of 165F. Learn how to safely handle turkey.

Nutritional Information Per Serving: Calories: 240; Fat: 2.5 g; Saturated Fat: 1 g; Fiber: 2 g; Sodium: 250 mg; Cholesterol: 60 mg; Protein: 32 g; Carbohydrates: 24 g; Sugars: 5 g

FAJITA TURKEY BURGER

Recipe Yield: Makes 5 servings

Source: Jennie-O

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

Ingredients

1/2 teaspoon ground cumin

1 teaspoon garlic powder

1 teaspoon chili powder

1 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes

1 teaspoon paprika

salt and freshly ground pepper, if desired

1 (16-ounce) package Jennie-O Extra Lean Ground Turkey Breast

1/4 cup salsa, drained

3/4 cup cilantro, divided

2 onions, sliced

1 green bell pepper, sliced

1 red bell pepper, sliced

Wholly Guacamole classic or spicy dip, if desired

Wholly Guacamole salsa, if desired

5 reduced-calorie hamburger buns, split

1/3 cup shredded reduced-fat Monterey Jack cheese

Directions

In small bowl, combine cumin, garlic powder, chili powder, red pepper flakes, paprika and salt and pepper, if desired.

Mix ground turkey, half of spice mixture, drained salsa, and 1/2 cup cilantro; form into 5 (1/2-inch thick) patties. Lightly spray patties with cooking spray. Place patties in skillet over medium-high heat. Cook 17 to 19 minutes, turning occasionally. Always cook to well done, 165F as measured by a meat thermometer.

Meanwhile, coat large skillet with cooking spray. Cook onions, bell peppers and remaining spice mixture over medium-high heat 5 to 7 minutes, stirring occasionally. Stir in remaining 1/4 cup cilantro.

To assemble burgers, spread guacamole and salsa, if desired, on buns. Place burgers, cheese and vegetable mixture on buns.

Always cook to an internal temperature of 165F.

Nutritional Information Per Serving: Calories: 260; Fat: 7 g; Saturated Fat: 3.5 g; Fiber: 4 g; Sodium: 410 mg; Cholesterol: 60 mg; Protein: 29 g; Carbohydrates: 23 g; Sugars: 5 g

BUFFALO TURKEY TACOS

Recipe Yield: Makes 8 servings

Source: Jennie-O

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

Ingredients

1 (16-ounce) package JENNIE-O Lean Ground Turkey

1/3 cup hot pepper wing sauce

8 hard corn taco shells, heated as specified on package

1 cup shredded lettuce

2 tomatoes, diced

1 avocado, sliced

1/2 cup blue cheese dressing

Directions

Cook turkey as specified on package. Always cook to well-done, 165F as measured by a meat thermometer.

Add hot pepper sauce. Stir to combine.

Fill tacos shells with lettuce, turkey mixture, tomatoes and avocado.

Drizzle with blue cheese dressing.

Nutritional Information Per Serving: Calories: 220; Fat: 13 g; Saturated Fat: 4 g; Fiber: 3 g; Sodium: 260 mg; Cholesterol: 45 mg; Protein: 14 g; Carbohydrates: 13 g; Sugars: 1 g

EGGPLANT LASAGNA

Recipe Yield: Yield: 8 servings

Source: Hunt’s

View online at https://diabeticgourmet.com/diabetic-recipes/eggplant-lasagna.

Ingredients

Pam Original No-Stick Cooking Spray

1 cup part-skim ricotta cheese

3/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese

3/4 teaspoon dried Italian seasoning

1 large eggplant (about 1 pound), cut into 1/4-inch thick lengthwise slices

1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil

1/2 teaspoon salt

1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper

1 package (20 ounces) ground turkey

3/4 cup chopped yellow onion

1 tablespoon finely chopped garlic

1 can (14.5 ounces) Hunt's Original Diced Tomatoes, No Salt Added, drained

1/4 cup Hunt's Tomato Paste (or Hunt's Organic)

1/4 cup thinly sliced fresh basil

1-1/2 cups shredded part-skim mozzarella cheese

Directions

Heat oven to 350F. Spray 8-by-8-inch glass baking dish with cooking spray.

In small bowl, combine ricotta cheese, Parmesan cheese and Italian seasoning; set aside.

Heat grill pan over medium-high heat. Brush eggplant slices with oil; sprinkle both sides with salt and pepper.

In batches, place eggplant on grill pan. Cook each side 1-2 minutes or until lightly browned and tender. Remove and place on baking sheet lined with paper towels; pat to remove excess moisture.

Spray large skillet with cooking spray; heat over medium-high heat. Add turkey and cook 3 minutes, stirring occasionally. Add onion and garlic; cook 2-3 minutes more or until onion is tender and turkey is crumbled and no longer pink. Drain.

Add drained tomatoes, tomato paste and basil to skillet; stir to combine. Reduce heat and simmer 2 minutes more.

Assemble lasagna by spreading 3/4 cup meat mixture over bottom of dish. Place 3 eggplant slices over meat mixture, top with 3/4 cup meat mixture, half of ricotta cheese mixture and 1/2 cup mozzarella cheese.

Repeat layers, ending with a layer of eggplant slices topped with meat mixture and remaining mozzarella cheese.

Spray underside of aluminum foil with cooking spray; cover dish tightly with foil. Bake 30 minutes. Let stand 10 minutes before serving.

Notes:

An extra set of hands from a little helper can shave minutes off the assembly of this Eggplant Lasagna, while getting a youngster excited about digging into a veggie-centric dinner.

Nutritional Information Per Serving: Calories: 318; Fat: 19 g; Saturated Fat: 7 g; Fiber: 3 g; Sodium: 363 mg; Cholesterol: 72 mg; Protein: 22 g; Carbohydrates: 13 g

MEXICAN TURKEY FRITTATA

Recipe Yield: Makes 9 servings

Source: Jennie-O

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

Ingredients

1 (16-ounce) package JENNIE-O Extra Lean Ground Turkey Breast

1/4 teaspoon cumin

1 tablespoon vegetable oil

1 green bell pepper, chopped

2 cups sliced small mushrooms

1 tablespoon chipotle peppers in adobo sauce, finely chopped

3 cups egg substitute or 12 eggs

1/2 cup milk

1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro

1 cup shredded low-fat Mexican blend cheese

1/3 cup sliced green onions

Directions

Heat oven to 350F.

Mist 8 x 8-inch baking dish with cooking spray.

Cook ground turkey as specified on the package. Always cook to well-done, 165F as measured by a meat thermometer.

Sprinkle with cumin; stir to mix.

In large skillet over medium-high heat, add oil, green pepper, mushrooms and chipotle peppers.

Cook 5 minutes, stirring occasionally, until mushrooms are cooked.

In large bowl, whisk eggs, milk and cilantro until well mixed.

Stir in turkey, cheese, mushroom mixture and green onions.

Spoon mixture into baking dish.

Bake 30 to 40 minutes or until set. Always cook to an internal temperature of 165F.

Notes:

This flavorful egg and turkey frittata recipe will wake up your taste buds.

Nutritional Information Per Serving: Calories: 170; Fat: 6 g; Saturated Fat: 3 g; Sodium: 300 mg; Cholesterol: 40 mg; Protein: 24 g; Carbohydrates: 4 g; Sugars: 3 g

TOMATILLO TURKEY CHILI

Recipe Yield: Makes 6 servings.

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

Ingredients

1 Tbsp. canola oil

1 cup chopped onion

2 medium green bell peppers, seeded and chopped

1 large red, orange or yellow bell pepper, seeded and chopped

1 lb. lean ground turkey meat

4 cloves garlic, minced

1-2 fresh Fresno or jalapeno peppers, seeded and finely sliced

1 Tbsp. coriander

1 Tbsp. oregano

1 tsp. chili powder, or to taste

1 tsp. cumin

Salt and freshly ground black pepper

2 cups diced tomatillos or 2 (11 oz.) cans

1 cup frozen yellow corn

1 (15 oz.) can no salt added pinto beans, rinsed and drained

2 cups low-fat, reduced-sodium chicken broth

1/3 cup finely chopped cilantro

1/3 cup chopped green onions

Lime wedges for garnish

1/2 cup non-fat, plain, Greek yogurt, optional

Directions

Quick cooking directions

In large pot, heat oil over medium-high heat. Add onion and bell peppers and saute until onion is translucent, about 5 minutes. Add turkey and saute until meat begins to brown, about 5 minutes. Stir in garlic, Fresno or jalapeno peppers, coriander, oregano, chili powder and cumin. Salt and pepper to taste. Saute 2 minutes, stirring often.

Add tomatillos, corn, beans and broth. Reduce heat, cover and simmer for a minimum of 20 minutes, stirring occasionally.

Divide chili among six serving bowls. Garnish with cilantro, green onions, lime wedges and yogurt, optional.

Slow cooking directions

In medium skillet, heat oil over medium-high heat. Saute onion and turkey until turkey almost cooked through, but still slightly pink, about 5 minutes.

In slow cooker, add turkey-onion mixture and remaining ingredients except cilantro, green onions, lime and yogurt. Stir until combined. Cook on low for 6 hours or on high for 4 hours, stirring occasionally.

Divide chili among six serving bowls. Garnish with cilantro, green onions, lime wedges and yogurt, optional.

Nutritional Information Per Serving: Calories: 256; Fat: 9 g; Saturated Fat: 2 g; Fiber: 8 g; Sodium: 75 mg; Protein: 19 g; Carbohydrates: 29 g