This 5-star ground turkey seasoning is the best way to add lots of flavor to lean ground turkey. It takes 2 minutes to make, and you can store extras for months. Here’s your guide on how to perfectly season ground turkey!
The best ground turkey seasoning
This is seriously the BEST ground turkey seasoning. It turns flavorless, bland ground turkey into a 5-star, flavor-packed, mouth-watering meal! Kids will love it, and it’s great for meal prep.
The seasoning itself is savory and made with chili powder, garlic powder, onion powder, oregano or paprika, ground cumin, salt, and pepper. If you like spicy food, I left an option for you to add cayenne pepper or red chili flakes.
Use this easy, 2-minute spice rub to season ground turkey to transform it into a flavorful meal. Ground turkey is a fantastic healthy, high-protein protein lean cut of meat. You can serve seasoned ground turkey in tacos, quesadillas, burritos, turkey chili, soups, or on its own with some rice and roasted broccoli.
Homemade spice blends like this easy turkey seasoning are so simple to make and really elevate simple dishes. We make a huge batch every few months and store extras in an airtight container. Homemade turkey seasoning will last up to 6 months!
Why you’ll love this recipe:
- Quick and Easy: The seasoning takes 2 minutes to make, and cooking ground turkey takes 8 minutes!
- Weeknight Dinner: Serve the ground turkey in tacos, burritos, chili, stuffed peppers, or with rice and broccoli for an easy weeknight dinner.
- Healthy Option: By using lean ground turkey, you can enjoy a healthier alternative to red meat.
- Budget-Friendly: Ground turkey is often more affordable than other meats, making this recipe budget-friendly.
- Family-Friendly: It’s a crowd-pleaser that both kids and adults will enjoy, and you can customize the toppings to suit everyone’s tastes.
- Make Ahead: Prepare the seasoning mix in advance and store it for even quicker meal prep on busy days.
- Freezer-Friendly: Cooked seasoned ground turkey can be frozen in portions for up to 3 months.
- Delicious Leftovers: Leftover seasoned turkey can be used in tacos, salads, turkey chili, and so many other dishes! I left a list below.
Turkey seasoning ingredients & substitutions
Here is a list of ingredients you’ll need to make the best ground turkey seasoning. Remember to read the recipe card below to get exact measurements:
The Turkey Seasoning:
- Chili powder
- Ground cumin
- Garlic powder
- Onion powder
- Paprika or dried oregano
- Salt & Black Pepper
- Optional: red pepper flakes or cayenne pepper or a little spice kick
Ground Turkey:
- One pound ground turkey (94% is preferred, but 99% lean works!)
- Olive oil
- Chicken broth, chicken stock, or water
Kitchen tools needed
Here is a simple list of kitchen tools you need to make this ground turkey seasoning.
- Whisk or Fork
- Small Mixing Bowl or Kitchen Bowl
- Saute Pan and Spatula (if cooking the turkey)
- Measuring Tools: 1/4 teaspoon, 1/2 teaspoon, 1 teaspoon, and 1 Tablespoon.
How to make the best ground turkey seasoning
This is the best ground turkey seasoning! It’s super flavorful and easy to make in under two minutes. Here are step-by-step instructions with pictures for any level cook:
Step 1:
First, combine all ingredients in a small bowl.
Step 2:
Whisk everything together and then store in an airtight container or use it to season ground turkey.
Rule of thumb: About 1.5 tablespoons of seasoning per 1 pound of ground turkey.
How to season ground turkey
Here are step-by-step instructions on how to season ground turkey:
- First, heat 1 tbsp of olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat.
- Then, add the ground turkey to the pan and cook for 5 minutes, breaking up the turkey as it cooks.
- When the turkey is no longer pink, reduce the heat to low, then add 1 ½ Tablespoons of the seasoning and stir to combine. Then mix 2 Tablespoons of the chicken broth or water (this ensures juicy ground turkey). Allow it to simmer for a few minutes until the liquid reduces. If you want it to be juicier, add up to 2 Tablespoons more.
- Serve taco-style with tortillas, shredded cheese, guacamole, salsa, and any other taco fillings you like. Or serve with white or brown rice and your favorite roasted vegetable. Enjoy!
Expert recipe tips
- Seasoning Rule of Thumb: Use about 1.5 tablespoons of seasoning per 1 pound of ground turkey. I always recommend tasting and adjusting based on your preference once the turkey is cooked through.
- Season Other Meats: The best part about this recipe is that you can use it for ground beef, ground chicken, ground pork, or as a dry rub for chicken breasts, pork chops, and steak.
- Double or Triple The Recipe: You can store homemade turkey seasoning for up to 6 months, so I recommend making a large batch at once and storing it for later use. This will save you lots of time.
- Use a Non-Stick Pan: When cooking the turkey, a non-stick pan can help prevent sticking and make it easier to break up the meat.
- Customize Serving: Experiment with various serving options like tacos, burritos, lettuce wraps, or even in salads to keep your meals exciting.
The best dinner recipe with ground turkey:
- Turkey Tacos: Use the seasoned ground turkey as a filling for soft or hard-shell tacos, and top with cheese, lettuce, salsa, and guacamole.
- Turkey Stuffed Bell Peppers: Stuff bell peppers with the cooked seasoned turkey, rice, and tomatoes, then bake until tender. We love these turkey kale quinoa stuffed peppers.
- Turkey Chili: Make a hearty turkey chili by adding beans, diced tomatoes, and chili seasoning to the cooked ground turkey.
- Turkey Sloppy Joes: Prepare a flavorful Sloppy Joe mixture using the seasoned ground turkey and serve on hamburger buns.
- Turkey and Vegetable Stir-Fry: Stir-fry the seasoned turkey with a variety of colorful vegetables and serve over rice or noodles.
- Turkey Lettuce Wraps: Try these low-carb and healthy lettuce wraps.
- Turkey Quesadillas: Make cheesy quesadillas with seasoned turkey, tortillas, and your favorite fillings. We love air fryer quesadillas!
- Ground Turkey with Rice & Broccoli: There’s nothing better than flavorful and juicy ground turkey served with white or brown rice and charred broccoli.
- Turkey Meatballs: Ground turkey makes the best healthy meatballs! Try these healthy teriyaki turkey meatballs, these air fryer turkey meatballs, or these zucchini turkey meatballs.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use this turkey seasoning for ground beef or chicken?
Yes, you can certainly use this turkey seasoning for ground beef or chicken. Feel free to adjust the quantities to match your taste preferences when seasoning different meats.
Can I use it to season chicken breasts?
Yes, you can use this seasoning to season chicken breasts. Simply coat the chicken breasts with the seasoning mixture before cooking, whether you grill, bake, or pan-sear them for a tasty and versatile chicken dish.
Is this recipe gluten-free?
Yes, this recipe is gluten-free.
Can I double or triple the recipe?
Yes! This ground turkey seasoning blend lasts 4 to 6 months when stored in an airtight container. Making double or triple the recipe is excellent for meal prep and will save you time.
How long does this seasoning blend last?
This seasoning blend can last for 4 to 6 months when stored in an airtight container in a cool, dry place.
How do you tell if ground turkey is done cooking?
Ground turkey is done cooking when it is browned and no longer pink, with any juices running clear. It should have an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C).
How long does cooked ground turkey last?
Cooked ground turkey can last in the refrigerator for up to 3 to 4 days when stored in an airtight container.
How to store homemade seasoning:
Store homemade seasoning in an airtight container in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight to maintain its freshness. It will last for up to 4 to 6 months if stored correctly.
If you loved this recipe, try these next!
- Air Fryer Quesadillas
- Easy Turkey Chili
- Mexican Turkey Kale Quinoa Stuffed Peppers
- Turkey Stuffed Zucchini
- Keto Taco Lettuce Wraps
- Turkey Lentil Soup
Did you make this recipe?
If you make this recipe, be sure to comment and rate it down below. Also, don’t forget to tag me @healthfulblondie on Instagram and use the hashtag #healthfulblondie so I can see your delicious creation and share it with my followers!
Best Ground Turkey Seasoning
Ingredients
The Seasoning:
- 1 tbsp chili powder
- 1 tsp ground cumin
- ¾ tsp garlic powder
- ½ tsp onion powder
- ½ tsp paprika or dried oregano
- ½ – 1 tsp salt, based on your preference
- ½ tsp black pepper
- Optional: ½ tsp red pepper flakes or ¼ tsp cayenne pepper, for a little kick
The Turkey:
- 1 pound ground turkey, 94% is preferred, but 99% lean works
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 2 – 4 tbsp chicken broth, chicken stock, or water
Instructions
Make the Seasoning:
- First, combine all ingredients in a small bowl. Stir or whisk to combine.
- Rule of thumb: About 1.5 tablespoons of seasoning per 1 pound of ground turkey.
Cooking the Turkey:
- Heat 1 tbsp of olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat.
- Add the ground turkey to the pan and cook for 5 minutes, breaking up the turkey as it cooks.
- When the turkey is no longer pink, reduce the heat to low, then add 1 ½ Tablespons of the seasoning and stir to combine. Then mix 2 Tablespoons of the chicken broth or water (this ensures juicy ground turkey). Allow it to simmer for a few minutes until the liquid reduces. If you want it to be juicier, add up to 2 Tablespoons more.
Serving:
- Serve taco-style with tortillas, shredded cheese, guacamole, salsa, and any other taco fillings you like. Or serve with white or brown rice and your favorite roasted vegetable. Enjoy!
Notes
Nutrition
I only recommend products I love and use myself. In full disclosure, I may receive a small compensation for purchasing a product I recommend. Thank you for supporting Healthful Blondie!
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