If you want to minimize your red meat consumption but still want to enjoy the taste of a burger, then opting for ground turkey is your best bet. It has better health benefits, contains less fat, and is pretty similar to cooking with traditional beef.
Speaking of cooking, if you want to prepare ground turkey but don’t have a stove or don’t want to use it because you need to arrange better electrical grounding, for example, then you’ve come to the right place!
How is Ground Turkey Different from Beef?
Before getting into the details of cooking a ground turkey without a stove, let’s first discuss how it’s different from ground beef.
The primary contrast between the two different types of meat is the fat content. Ground turkey is (mostly) lean meat, while raw ground beef is rich in fat, making ground turkey a great healthy alternative.
The leaner the meat, the more healthy ground turkey recipes you can make! At the same time, you will need to be more mindful of the ground turkey taste. A pound of ground turkey that has 99% lean protein won’t have as much flavor as the fattier alternatives. Seasoning your turkey meat will improve the taste and make for more delicious, low-fat, and easy ground turkey recipes!
Another key difference is that ground turkey can be trickier to cook, so you need to give it enough time to reach a higher internal temperature. Raw ground turkey should get to 170-175 degrees F.
A Few Things to Keep in Mind
If you can’t use a stove to cook your ground turkey, then your best bet is to use the oven. You will need to buy 92% to 96% of lean turkey meat to have an adequate fat-to-lean meat ratio to keep the meat from being too greasy or dry.
Use cast iron, stainless steel, or aluminum cookware for your meat. These materials distribute heat evenly because they are excellent heat conductors.
Use a pan no bigger than your dish size to cook the meat evenly. A large pan or baking sheet with too much empty space will allow the water inside the ground turkey to evaporate quickly. As a result, you’ll end up with scorched meat.
Don’t use a small pot because it will prevent air circulation and efficient browning and roasting of the meat. You can also stir the ground turkey meat after every 15 minutes to ensure even cooking.
Once your ground turkey meat is cooked properly, let it sit for about 2 to 3 minutes after taking it out of the oven. Not only will it bring the meat to a safe temperature, but it’ll also evenly distribute the juices of the meat thoroughly.
How to Cook Ground Turkey in an Oven
You’ll need the following simple ingredients if you want to cook ground meat without a stove.
- 1/2 to 1 tablespoon of canola or olive oil
- 1/2 to 1/4 cup of diced onions
- 1/3 to 1/4 cup of shredded carrots
- 1 to 1/2 teaspoon of minced garlic or garlic powder
- 3 pounds of 92% to 96% of lean ground turkey meat
- 1 to 1/2 cup of chopped parsley
- 1/2 cup of flavored or plain bread crumbs
- 1/2 to 1/4 teaspoon of black pepper
- 3 eggs (or substitute if you can’t use eggs)
- Vegetable oil spray
Once you have all these ingredients in place, follow the steps below to cook your mouthwatering ground turkey!
Step 1: Heat the Oil
First, heat the canola or olive oil in a pan over medium or medium-high heat. Let the oil get hot before adding the garlic, carrot, and onions. Now sauté the mixture until the vegetables soften.
Step 2: Add and Stir the Remaining Ingredients
Next, add the pepper, eggs (or substitute), bread crumbs, parsley, ground turkey, and sautéed vegetables to your mixing bowl. Stir the mixture well to combine all the added ingredients.
Step 3: Transfer the Mixture to Loaf Pan
Once combined, transfer the mixture to the loaf pan. Don’t forget to spay it to create a light vegetable oil coating. After transferring, use the spoon to pat the meat and run it around the pan edges to create sufficient spacing between the meatloaf and pan.
Step 4: Bake the Ground Turkey Meat
Before placing the pan inside, preheat the oven to about 360 degrees Fahrenheit. After that, you’ll need to bake the ground turkey meat for about 40 minutes.
Before taking out the pan, test the doneness of the meat by inserting your meat thermometer. Make sure the temperature at the center of the meatloaf is at least 170 degrees Fahrenheit.
Step 5: Remove the Pan
After 40 minutes, remove the pan from the oven and let it sit for 2 to 3 minutes so the meat juices can be redistributed thoroughly. Then transfer the cooked ground turkey meat to a serving platter by using the spatula.
How to Cook Ground Turkey
Ingredients
- 1/2 to 1 tablespoon of canola or olive oil
- 1/2 to 1/4 cup of diced onions
- 1/3 to 1/4 cup of shredded carrots
- 1 to 1/2 teaspoon of minced garlic
- 3 pounds of 92% to 96% of lean ground turkey meat
- 1 to 1/2 cup of chopped parsley
- 1/2 cup of flavored or plain bread crumbs
- 1/2 to 1/4 teaspoon of black pepper
- 3 eggs or substitute if you can’t use eggs
- Vegetable oil spray
Instructions
- The first step is to heat the canola or olive oil in a pan over medium or medium-high heat. Let the oil get hot and then add garlic, carrot, and onions. Now sauté the mixture until the vegetables soften.
- Add pepper, eggs (or substitute), bread crumbs, parsley, ground turkey, and sautéed vegetables to your mixing bowl. Stir the mixture well to combine all the added ingredients.
- Transfer the mixture to the loaf pan but don’t forget to spay it to create a light vegetable oil coating. After transferring, use the spoon to pat the meat and also run it around the pan edges to create sufficient spacing between the meatloaf and pan.
- Before placing the pan inside, you’ll need to preheat the oven to about 360 degrees Fahrenheit. After that, you’ll need to bake the ground turkey meat for about 40 minutes.
- Before taking out the pan, test the doneness of the meat by inserting your meat thermometer. Make sure the temperature at the center of the meatloaf is at least 140 degrees Fahrenheit.
- After 40 minutes, you’ll need to remove the pan from the oven. Don’t forget to let it sit for about 2 to 3 minutes so that the meat juices redistribute thoroughly. Then transfer the cooked ground turkey meat to a serving platter by using the spatula.
Pro-Tip
As discussed earlier, it’s best to use 92% to 96% lean ground turkey meat to avoid it from becoming overly dry or extremely greasy. You can also add one teaspoon of oregano, Worcestershire sauce, Dijon mustard, and 1/4 teaspoon of paprika to elevate the taste of your dish.
All finished! Now you’re set and ready to serve your fully cooked, mouthwatering ground turkey meat. Enjoy!
FAQs:
How long can ground turkey stay in the fridge?
Ground turkey only lasts in the fridge for 1-2 days when raw and 3-4 days when cooked.
How long can you freeze ground turkey?
Ground turkey can be frozen for up to 3-4 months.
Can You Boil Ground Turkey?
Yes, you can boil ground turkey. Boiling is a simple and healthy cooking method for ground turkey. Make sure to break up the turkey with a spoon while it cooks and stir occasionally to ensure even cooking.
How To Make Ground Turkey Taste Like Ground Beef
- Seasoning: Add some garlic powder, onion powder, Worcestershire sauce, soy sauce, or liquid smoke.
- Fat: Mix in some oil or melted butter to add richness and enhance the flavor.
- Texture: Combine the ground turkey with breadcrumbs or crushed crackers to mimic the texture of ground beef.
How Many Cups Of Ground Turkey In A Pound?
A pound of ground turkey is approximately two cups
Can You Mix Ground Turkey And Ground Beef?
Yes, you can mix ground turkey and ground beef together. Combining the two meats can add variety to your dish and create a unique flavor profile.
What Color Is Ground Turkey When Cooked?
When fully cooked, ground turkey changes from a pink, raw color to:
- Light brown: For lean ground turkey.
- Darker brown: For ground turkey with higher fat content.