Turkey

Many of us tend to think of Turkey as a holiday mainstay. But it can be enjoyed at any time of the year. Here are six diabetic-friendly turkey recipes, including a Avocado Turkey Burger and Baja Turkey Chili. Enjoy!

TURKEY BACON BURGERS

This recipe begins, “If you're a fan of The Biggest Loser show, then you may have watched host Bob Harper teach contestants how to make Turkey Bacon Burgers. The contestants loved their Turkey Bacon Burgers and now we're sharing the recipe for you to try...”

Makes 10 servings

Print Friendly: http://diabeticgourmet.com/recipes/bin/print.cgi?ID=1323

View recipe with photo: http://diabeticgourmet.com/recipes/html/1323.shtml

Ingredients

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

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

15 slices of chopped, uncooked Jennie-O Turkey Bacon

1/2 cup minced onion

1 tablespoon chopped garlic

1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

10 lettuce leaves

10 tomato slices

20 sweet onion slices

avocado slices, if desired

pickled jalapeno slices, if desired

mustard, if desired

Directions

In large mixing bowl, combine ground turkey,onion, garlic and pepper*.

Add 15 slices of chopped, uncooked Jennie-O Turkey Bacon to the meat mixture. For ease of chopping, place bacon slices in freezer for 15 minutes. Chop finely while still firm.

Form into 10 patties. Ideally, make this mixture at least 8 hours before cooking so that the turkey can marinate with the other ingredients. Freeze any extra formed patties to thaw later.

Heat grill to medium-high heat. Grill turkey burgers approximately 14 to 16 minutes. Always cook to well-done, 165F as measured by a meat thermometer.

Layer lettuce, tomato, turkey burger and onion. Top with avocado, pickled jalapeno and mustard, if desired.

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

Nutritional Information Per Serving: Calories: 140; Protein: 20 g; Fat: 4 g; Sodium: 65 mg; Cholesterol: 55 mg; Saturated Fat: 4 g; Dietary Fiber: 1 g; Sugars: 4 g; Carbohydrates: 6 g

TERIYAKI TURKEY BURGERS

Recipe Yield: Yield: 6 servings

Source: The Complete Diabetes Prevention Plan

Book Title: The Complete Diabetes Prevention Plan

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

Ingredients

Burger Mixture:

1-1/4 cups sliced fresh mushrooms

1/2 cup sliced scallions

1/2 cup chopped red bell pepper

1-1/4 pounds 95% lean ground turkey

3 tablespoons light (reduced-sodium teriyaki sauce)

1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper

Rest of Recipe:

6 canned pineapple rings (optional)

1/4 cup plus 2 tablespoons nonfat or light mayonnaise

1 tablespoon Chinese or honey mustard

6 light wheat or multigrain burger buns

6 slices red onion

6 lettuce leaves

Directions

Place the mushrooms, scallions, and red bell pepper in the bowl of a food processor and process until the vegetables are finely chopped.

Place the vegetables, ground turkey, teriyaki sauce, and black pepper in a medium bowl and mix thoroughly. Shape the mixture into six 4-inch patties.

Grill the burgers over medium coals or cook under a broiler for about 6 minutes on each side, until the internal temperature of the patties reaches 165 degrees and the meat is no longer pink inside. (To retain moisture, avoid pressing down on the patties as they cook.) Alternatively, coat a large nonstick skillet or griddle with nonstick cooking spray and cook the burgers over medium heat for about 5 minutes per side.

If desired, brush the pineapple slices with a little teriyaki sauce and grill or broil for a minute or two on each side, until lightly browned.

To assemble the burgers, place the mayonnaise and mustard in a small bowl and stir to mix well. Spread some of the mayonnaise mixture on each bun.

Place each burger in a bun and top with some of the onion, lettuce, and if desired, a pineapple slice. Serve hot.

Nutritional Information Per Serving: Calories: 243; Fat: 5 g; Fiber: 6.6 g; Sodium: 594 mg; Cholesterol: 50 mg; Protein: 24 g; Carbohydrates: 29 g

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

BAJA TURKEY CHILI

Recipe Yield: Yield: 24 servings

Source: NDOP

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

Ingredients

2 tablespoons: olive oil

2 cups: chopped onion

2 cups: chopped celery

2 quarts: pulled or cooked turkey breast, chopped

50 ounces: white kidney beans, rinsed and well drained

44 ounces: white shoepeg corn, undrained

8 ounces: green chilies, chopped

2 quarts: turkey broth

2 teaspoons: ground cumin

3 cups: shredded monterey jack cheese

1 bunch: fresh cilantro sprigs

As needed: tortilla chips

Directions

In a medium stock pot, heat oil over medium heat.

Add onion and celery, cook and stir until vegetables are tender.

Stir in turkey, beans, corn, chilies, broth and cumin. Combine well.

Cover and cook about 20-30 minutes, stirring occasionally until heated through.

Serve 8 ounces per serving and garnish with cheese and cilantro.

Serve with tortilla chips, if desired (not included in nutritional information).

Nutritional Information Per Serving: Calories: 259; Fat: 6 g; Sodium: 263 mg; Cholesterol: 37 mg; Protein: 21 g; Carbohydrates: 29 g

AVOCADO TURKEY BURGER

Recipe Yield: Makes 5 servings

Source: Jennie-O

You can view this online at https://diabeticgourmet.com/diabetic-recipes/avocado-turkey-burger.

Ingredients

1/2 cup unsweetened applesauce

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

2 teaspoons no-salt seasoning

5 small whole wheat buns

5 slices light Cheddar cheese

1 avocado, peeled and diced

Directions

Drain applesauce in a strainer to eliminate excess liquid. Mix ground turkey, applesauce and no-salt seasoning.

Form mixture into 5 patties. Cook patties according to package directions. Always cook to well-done, 165F as measured by a meat thermometer.

Place burgers on bun bottoms. Top with cheese and avocado. Cover with bun top.

Always cook to an internal temperature of 165F.

Nutritional Information Per Serving: Calories: 240; Fat: 6 g; Saturated Fat: 2.5 g; Fiber: 2 g; Sodium: 410 mg; Cholesterol: 50 mg; Protein: 30 g; Carbohydrates: 15 g; Sugars: 3 g

BUDGET-FRIENDLY PASTITSIO (GREEK LASAGNA)

This is from Diabetes Food Hub, and begins, “This version of Greek Lasagna is a great family meal that pairs well with a green salad topped with a little feta cheese and light Greek salad dressing.”

Prep Time: 30 minutes; Servings: 12; Serving Size: 1 slice

View this online at https://www.diabetesfoodhub.org/recipes/budget-friendly-pastitsio-greek-lasagna.html.

Ingredients

1 spray Nonstick cooking spray

1 medium onion (diced)

20 oz lean ground turkey (93% fat-free)

2 1/2 tsp ground cinnamon

1 tsp ground oregano

1/2 tsp salt (optional)

1/2 tsp black pepper

2 can tomato sauce (15 ounce, low-sodium)

1 tbsp fresh parsley (chopped)

1 lbs brown rice or quinoa penne pasta (or whole wheat penne pasta)

1 tbsp olive oil

2 tbsp whole wheat flour

2 cups skim milk

1/8 tsp ground nutmeg

1/3 cup Parmesan cheese (freshly grated)

1 egg

Time: 20 minutes; Servings: 8

Directions

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Coat a 9x13-inch baking sheet with cooking spray. Set aside.

Add cooking spray to a large nonstick sauté pan. Sauté onions for 4-5 minutes or until translucent. Add in ground turkey and sauté for 8-10 minutes, or until turkey is cooked through.

Add cinnamon, oregano, salt (optional), ground black pepper, and tomato sauce. Stir to combine and bring to a simmer for 5-7 minutes or until just starting to thicken.

Stir in parsley and set aside.

Cook pasta according to package directions, omitting salt. Drain and stir immediately into turkey mixture. Pour the pasta and turkey mixture into the baking sheet and press down so it is evenly spread in the pan.

Add the olive oil to a small sauce pan over medium heat. Stir in flour and cook the flour for 1-2 minutes, taking care not to brown it. Stir constantly.

Slowly whisk in the skim milk and bring to a boil, whisking constantly. Whisk in the nutmeg and parmesan cheese.

In a small bowl, whisk the egg and then slowly whisk in the hot milk mixture to temper the egg. Add the rest of the milk mixture to the egg and then pour over the top of the pasta, spreading to coat the entire thing.

Bake on the middle rack of the oven for 30 minutes or until bubbly and top is golden brown.

FAJITA TURKEY BURGER

Makes 5 servings

See the recipe with photo here: http://diabeticgourmet.com/recipes/html/1326.shtml

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; Protein: 29 g; Fat: 7 g; Sodium: 410 mg; Cholesterol: 60 mg; Saturated Fat: 3.5 g; Dietary Fiber: 4 g; Sugars: 5 g; Carbohydrates: 23 g