Change up your healthy recipes on your low calorie diet by incorporating more lean turkey in a great way. These low calorie turkey recipes will help you enjoy a healthy meal on your weight loss diet!
Turkey – minus skin – is one of the leanest meats. And it’s not just for Thanksgiving!
Ground turkey is great for a quick midweek meal. Turkey breast is excellent for a weekend roast. It’s a meat that is so versatile.
Plus, it has many health benefits and has come into its own as a SuperFood.
It’s a great source of protein and rich in vitamins and minerals. It also offers zinc which helps boost the immune system and aid healing.
Turkey is often overlooked in favor of chicken. But the healthier option is turkey! Turkey tends to be lower in calories and sodium. It also has a slightly higher iron percentage.
If you don’t eat the skin, then it’s also one of the lowest fat options.
Best Turkey Recipes
You can make many low-calorie meals using turkey. Below you will find a varied selection of low-calorie recipes.
Turkey can be used for breakfasts, light lunches, and main meals. Let’s see what we can cook!
1. Lasagna with Zucchini
Source: healthbeet.org
Per Serving:
• Calories: 98
• Fats: 1.4g
• Protein: 15.2g
We’ll start our selection of turkey recipes with this lasagna. It’s a lower-calorie twist on a classic Italian favorite and one of the most healthy ground turkey recipes.
Traditional pasta layers are replaced with zucchini in this easy recipe. This saves you a massive 170 calories!
By using fat-free cheeses, you can save even more calories. Low fat is a personal choice, however!
Using 99% lean ground turkey saves another 70 calories. This a great recipe and an easy meal for getting more veggies into your diet too!
Keep full on your low cal diet with these other yummy skinny pasta recipes.
2. Thai Style Turkey Salad
Source: supergoldenbakes.com
Per Serving:
- Calories: 254
- Fats: 9g
- Protein: 26g
- Carbs: 19g
- Fiber: 2g
- Sugar: 11g
This Thai-style turkey salad can be served in less than 20 minutes. It combines the classic flavors of Thai cooking.
Mango, sugar snap peas, and avocado add various textures. The colors of this salad will look amazing on your plate!
Change it up by leaving out the salad leaves and cucumber. Just add rice instead!
3. Turkey Kebabs
Source: hungryhealthyhappy.com
Per Serving:
- Calories: 158
- Fats: 8g
- Protein: 22g
- Carbs: 3g
- Fiber: 1g
- Sugar: 1g
Shish kebabs are famous worldwide but not traditionally made with turkey. You can serve up a unique twist with these turkey kebabs!
These kebabs are coated in a marinade that is packed with flavor. They are then cooked by threading them onto a wooden skewer and grilling.
The kebabs make a wonderful light lunch. Serve them up with warm flatbread and salad.
You could try variations for a heartier main meal. Perhaps with rice or potatoes.
4. Healthy Turkey Meatballs
Source: thecleaneatingcouple.com
Per Serving:
- Calories: 260
- Fats: 9g
- Protein: 32g
- Carbs: 12g
- Fiber: 1g
- Sugar: 2g
These turkey meatballs are a twist on traditional beef or ground pork meatballs. But they’re sure to satisfy your palate! They are truly one of the best ground turkey recipes.
All you need for this delicious meal is a pound of ground turkey, Italian seasoning, breadcrumbs, olive oil, and some parmesan cheese.
As well as being low-calorie, these family favorite meatballs suit a variety of diets. This includes paleo, gluten-free, and keto.
The meatball mixture can even be made gluten-free by substituting breadcrumbs. Try using gluten-free breadcrumbs or brown rice flour, or coconut flour.
Serve up with a tangy tomato sauce and pasta. You could even try zucchini noodles for a healthy dinner the whole family will enjoy!
5. Ground Turkey Shepherd’s Pie
Source: gardeninthekitchen.com
Per Serving:
- Calories: 228
- Fats: 7g
- Protein: 31g
- Carbs: 14g
- Fiber: 3g
- Sugar: 5g
This shepherd’s pie is another unique twist on a classic favorite. It’s also a low carb meal and keto friendly.
Substitute ground lamb with ground turkey for a leaner filling. And instead of mashed potato, use mashed cauliflower!
You can add your favorite veggies to the filling of this pie. Popular options include peas and carrots. Mushrooms make it taste extra meaty too!
6. Roast Turkey Breast
Source: hungryhealthyhappy.com
Per Serving:
- Calories: 204
- Fats: 5g
- Protein: 43g
- Carbs: 1g
- Fiber: 1g
- Sugar: 1g
Roast turkey breast is a beautiful alternative to using a whole turkey. Especially over the festive season if you’re feeding fewer people!
Turkey breast is a naturally lean cut of meat. So, you can make room for the extra calories of the coating on this!
The turkey breast is coated with fresh garlic and rosemary butter. It’s then roasted until golden, best enjoyed with vegetable sides!
7. Instant Pot Turkey Noodle Soup
Source: eatinginaninstant.com
Per Serving:
- Calories: 265
- Fats: 7g
- Protein: 25g
- Carbs: 26g
- Fiber: 2g
- Sugar: 4g
Use your leftover turkey to make this quick turkey noodle soup. The entire recipe takes less than 30 minutes!
This recipe is flexible, and you can suit it to your taste. Use up whatever veggies you can find in your refrigerator!
The great thing about this recipe is that it’s made in one pot. So, you can spend more time enjoying eating and less time doing the dishes!
8. Slow Cooker Turkey Vegetable Chili
Source: zucchinizone.com
Per Serving:
- Calories: 291
- Fats: 6g
- Protein: 27g
- Carbs: 36g
- Fiber: 8g
- Sugar: 10g
Slow cookers are excellent for cooking hearty fall meals. This turkey vegetable chili is just one of many!
Using ground turkey rather than beef keeps calories lower. This healthy turkey chili is also filled with plenty of nutritious vegetables.
This turkey chili recipe uses zucchini, but you can swap this to your taste. Try adding carrots or mushrooms to your chili!
Top it with some mozzarella cheese to make this ground turkey chili the best comfort food for busy weeknights.
9. Ground Turkey Skillet with Veggies
Source: jordosworld.com
Per Serving:
- Calories: 276
- Fats: 13g
- Protein: 28g
- Carbs: 14g
- Fiber: 4g
- Sugar: 18g
Another one-pot wonder to add to our turkey recipe collection. You will need a large skillet for this one, however.
Once again, this recipe uses ground turkey and a selection of your favorite veggies. Cooked with a variety of spices, you will have a flavorful meal!
You can add even more nutrients to your plate. Riced cauliflower works well to accompany this!
10. Leftover Turkey Vegetable Soup
Source: cleaneatingkitchen.com
Per Serving:
- Calories: 267
- Fats: 6.6g
- Protein: 31.3g
- Carbs: 20.1g
- Fiber: 3.1g
- Sugar: 3.9g
You may wonder what to do with leftover turkey. This turkey vegetable soup could be a great option!
Soup is a comforting meal option for the fall season. You can use an Instant Pot or your stove top to whip this up in no time.
It doesn’t take long to be ready as you only need to cook the veggies. Mashed potatoes add an extra level of creaminess to this soup!
11. Air Fryer Turkey Breast
Source: lovefromtheoven.com
Per Serving:
- Calories: 294
- Fats: 12g
- Protein: 46g
- Carbs: 1g
- Fiber: 1g
- Sugar: 1g
Air fryers are more than just helpful in cooking fries or roast potatoes. They’re also terrific for quickly cooking significant cuts of meat!
It’s the perfect way to cook turkey breast for Thanksgiving dinner. Air frying means you have more space in your oven!
It also produces the crispiest skin on the turkey after it’s been coated in butter. Everybody will want to tuck into this!
12. Turkey Roll Ups
Source: simplysavourymeals.com
Per Serving:
- Calories: 94
- Fats: 5g
- Protein: 5g
- Carbs: 8g
- Fiber: 0g
- Sugar: 0g
These simple turkey roll-ups are perfect for lunchboxes or picnics in the summer. They can be ready in just 15 minutes.
These roll-ups consist of a tortilla wrap with several other ingredients inside. These are herbed cream cheese and slices of turkey breast.
You could also add some iceberg leaves or spinach. For a bit of greenery and extra nutrition!
13. Turkey Patties
Source: recipesfromapantry.com
Per Serving:
- Calories: 215
- Fats: 5g
- Protein: 33g
- Carbs: 10g
- Fiber: 1g
- Sugar: 2g
These turkey patties are a versatile way to use leftover turkey from a Thanksgiving dinner. However, you can also use ground turkey to make it completely fresh.
Kids will also love these. The crunchy coating and tender middle are reminiscent of a chicken nugget!
Serve these patties up in several ways. With a tzatziki dip or piled with salad in a bun to make a tasty burger!
14. Turkey and Rice Soup
Source: pinchandswirl.com
Per Serving:
- Calories: 237
- Fats: 7g
- Protein: 18g
- Carbs: 26g
- Fiber: 2g
- Sugar: 2g
We’re adding rice to a savory broth for this turkey soup recipe. It is mixed with hearty vegetables and some beautiful aromas.
You can alter this recipe to your preference with the rice preparation. Rinse it before adding if you want a thinner soup.
Take this soup to the next level by adding a blend of lemon zest, garlic, and parsley. It is finished with a splash of lemon juice to make it more than just ordinary!
15. Turkey Bell Pepper Chilli
Source: lovefromthetable.com
Per Serving:
- Calories: 212
- Fats: 5g
- Protein: 10g
- Carbs: 36g
- Fiber: 13g
- Sugar: 11g
This turkey bell pepper chili brings rainbow colors to your bowl! And a warming feeling to your palate.
You’re brightening this dish by using yellow, orange, and red bell peppers. If you have picky eaters, use red to blend in with the tomatoes!
This serves well with sour cream, shredded cheese, and crunchy tortilla chips!
If you loved this, you might also enjoy these tasty low calorie chicken recipes!
16. Air Fryer Turkey Bacon
Source: cookathomemom.com
Per Serving:
- Calories: 295
- Fats: 22g
- Protein: 22g
- Carbs: 2g
Turkey bacon cooked in the air fryer is a real hands-off experience. And you’re guaranteed to get the perfect crispy pieces every time!
You will, however, need to spray with some oil first. This ensures that it gets crispy and doesn’t stick to the basket.
Serve this bacon in a veggie-filled salad. Or a sandwich for breakfast!
17. Turkey Spaghetti Sauce
Source: thenessykitchen.com
Per Serving:
- Calories: 186
- Fats: 4g
- Protein: 21g
- Carbs: 18g
- Fiber: 4g
- Sugar: 10g
This wholesome turkey spaghetti sauce is packed with nutritious veggies. The ground turkey adds a new dimension to it.
You can make this entirely in one pot. Or you can transfer to a slow cooker after the simmering step.
This sauce can be served in various ways. Try it with pasta, zoodles, or extra veggies that have been roasted!
18. Turkey Stock
Source: theforkedspoon.com
Per Serving:
- Calories: 32
- Fats: 1g
- Protein: 1g
- Carbs: 3g
- Fiber: 1g
- Sugar: 1g
How about using the bones from your Thanksgiving roast turkey to make a tasty stock?
This can then be used to make flavorful soups or stews. You could freeze it for future dishes, such as risotto.
Stock does take a few hours to make. But you’ll be left with something tastier than anything in the store!
19. Turkey Bacon Ranch Pinwheels
Source: joyfilledeats.com
Per Serving:
- Calories: 59.7
- Fats: 1.6g
- Protein: 8g
- Carbs: 3.1g
- Fiber: 0.03g
- Sugar: 1.8g
A unique, low-carb twist on the pinwheels usually made with tortillas! The “tortilla” in this recipe is deli turkey.
These pinwheels are quick and easy to prepare. They do need to be chilled for a couple of hours, however. So, best to prepare these in advance.
You will find a selection of flavors in these pinwheels. Cheese, bacon crumbles, garlic, and onion! Plus, dill is what gives us the ranch taste.
20. Air Fryer Turkey Tenderloin
Source: lovefromthetable.com
Per Serving:
- Calories: 233
- Fats: 9g
- Protein: 34g
- Carbs: 3g
- Fiber: 0.1g
- Sugar: 3g
Turkey tenderloin is a beautiful alternative to the usual turkey breast. This air fryer tenderloin is coated in a brown sugar and herb rub.
The hot air from the air fryer will caramelize the sugar on the tenderloin. It’ll leave you with a flavor that takes turkey to the next level.
The ease of cooking means you can enjoy this any time of the year. Serves with your favorite vegetables and potatoes for a delicious midweek meal!
21. Turkey Salad
Source: dinneratthezoo.com
Per Serving:
- Calories: 240
- Fats: 15g
- Protein: 1g
- Carbs: 1g
- Fiber: 1g
- Sugar: 1g
This turkey salad is so simple to prepare and can be ready in five minutes! Using leftover turkey adds to the speed of this recipe.
All that’s needed is to mix turkey with a few ingredients. Diced celery, onion, parsley, and a light mayonnaise dressing!
You can serve in several ways. Try it with crackers, spooned into lettuce leaves, or in a sandwich!
22. Asian Turkey Lettuce Wraps
Source: joyfoodsunshine.com
Per Serving:
- Calories: 209.1
- Fats: 9.2g
- Protein: 18.7g
- Carbs: 14.3g
- Fiber: 1.4g
- Sugar: 8.6g
These Asian-style lettuce wraps would traditionally use chicken. But ground turkey is an excellent substitute!
The key to this recipe is the sauce. You achieve this by simply whisking the ingredients together.
They feature traditional Asian ingredients like hoi sin sauce, rice vinegar, and sesame oil. This dish is a burst of flavor!
You might also enjoy this yummy chicken avocado wrap for lunch this week!
23. Ground Turkey Soup
Source: saltandlavender.com
Per Serving:
- Calories: 280
- Fats: 5g
- Protein: 28g
- Carbs: 33g
- Fiber: 6g
- Sugar: 2g
Here we have a different turkey soup recipe. This one adds heartiness with the use of cannellini beans and pasta.
The turkey soup is easy to make to your taste. Try adding a few more herbs, or use kale instead of spinach.
This is the perfect winter dish to serve on a cold evening. Or feed to anyone who is feeling under the weather!
These other low calorie soup recipes will help keep you warm and toasty this winter.
24. Turkey Veggie Tray
Source: keytomylime.com
Per Serving:
- Calories: 61
- Fats: 4.1g
- Protein: 2.5g
- Carbs: 4.2g
- Fiber: 1.5g
- Sugar: 2.4g
This turkey veggie tray is a super fun dish to make with kids! It doesn’t use turkey, but it does look like one!
Prepare this by arranging a selection of colorful and nutritious veggies onto a platter.
Add some herby goat cheese dip, and you have the perfect Thanksgiving party centerpiece!
25. Turkey Tacos
Source: feastingnotfasting.com
Per Serving:
- Calories: 179
- Fats: 4g
- Protein: 28g
- Carbs: 7g
- Fiber: 2g
- Sugar: 2g
Turkey tacos are an excellent option for a light midweek dinner. They don’t need to be caloric to be tasty!
The spices used in the mixture for these tacos give them the best flavor. You don’t need to avoid lean ground turkey, as the veggies will add moisture.
Serve these in your favorite type of tortilla. Flour ones are preferable, but corn works as well! Don’t forget the regular taco toppings too!
26. Turkey Sausage Frittata
Source: callmepmc.com
Per Serving:
- Calories: 236
- Protein: 15g
A frittata is a popular breakfast dish. But you probably wouldn’t think to add turkey to it. This turkey sausage frittata may change your mind!
You can prepare these mini frittatas in advance, which will last all week. So, they are perfect for busy lifestyles.
The frittata combines roasted cauliflower and mushroom. These are both perfect accompaniments to turkey and are delicious in this dish.
27. Low Carb Turkey and Peppers
Source: healthyseasonalrecipes.com
Per Serving:
- Calories: 230
- Fats: 8g
- Protein: 30g
- Carbs: 11g
- Fiber: 3g
- Sugar: 7g
This turkey dish is low-carb as well as low-calorie. It’s also another much-loved one-pot recipe!
You’ll be using lean turkey filets for this meal. The cooked filets are served in a hearty tomato, pepper, and onion sauce.
Yet another delicious midweek meal that is sure to smell and taste divine!
28. Egg Muffin Cups
Source: savorthebest.com
Per Serving:
- Calories: 80
- Fats: 3.9g
- Protein: 10g
- Carbs: 1g
- Fiber: 0g
- Sugar: 1g
These egg muffin cups are another convenient breakfast dish. Turkey bacon is added to give a delicate meaty taste.
Using more egg white rather than yolk reduces the calories. Low-fat cottage cheese gives them a creamy texture and rich flavor.
Make these at the beginning of the week; all you need to do is grab and go. Just reheat them in the microwave, and off you go!
29. Turkey Cabbage Rolls
Source: feastingnotfasting.com
Per Serving:
- Calories: 214
- Fats: 6g
- Protein: 18g
- Carbs: 21g
- Fiber: 4g
- Sugar: 5g
Cabbage is typically overlooked in the world of vegetables! But these turkey cabbage rolls will make sure it is no longer.
Using quinoa makes this more filling and gluten-free! There are lots of steps to the dish, but you can take some shortcuts. So don’t let this put you off.
I promise that the time to make these turkey cabbage rolls will be worth it!
30. Spaghetti Squash with Ground Turkey
Source: healthbeet.org
Per Serving:
- Calories: 263
- Fats: 12g
- Protein: 24g
- Carbs: 19g
This spaghetti squash is the perfect low-calorie replacement for pasta! It’s also a great accompaniment to ground turkey in this recipe.
The whole dish is relatively easy to put together. You can use a low-calorie pre-packaged spaghetti sauce to save time.
Once prepared, transfer into four containers to last the week. Or share with your family if you’re feeling generous!
31. Ground Turkey Stir Fry
Source: saltandlavender.com
Per Serving:
- Calories: 277
- Fats: 10g
- Protein: 31g
- Carbs: 17g
- Fiber: 3g
- Sugar: 7g
A stir fry is a quick, easy way to get plenty of veggies. Try this variation with ground turkey and a delicious homemade sauce!
The sauce uses a combination of three iconic Asian spices. That is hoi sin, soy and sriracha! They give a perfect blend of sweet, spicy, and savory.
Feel free to use your preference for veggies. Try this served with jasmine rice or Udon noodles!
Keep strong in your calorie deficit with these other delicious and nutritious low calorie recipes!