30 Minute Ground Turkey Goulash Recipe (2024)

FAQs

What can I add to ground turkey for flavor? ›

Process the Ground Meat for Juicier Texture

Instead of blending the mix with our hands, we reground the meat with seasonings in a food processor. Grinding meat develops myosin, a sticky meat protein that traps water and fat, keeping it juicy.

If the meat starts to dry out, add some broth to the skillet to keep it moist while cooking to avoid overcooked, dry ground turkey.

Before you start cooking, be sure to season the ground turkey well with salt and pepper. Also consider including dried herbs and spices for additional flavor. If you're cooking meatballs or meatloaf, pinch off some of the seasoned mixture and cook it in a skillet to taste.

The basics, like onion, garlic, thyme, rosemary, and sage, help lend that traditional Thanksgiving flavor. Take your aromatics up a notch by adding halved lemons or oranges. The citrus will add a nice brightness to the turkey and keep it perfectly moist.

Raw turkey meat should be light pink or beige, depending on the type of meat and its fat content. The meat color becomes dull as time passes, which is normal. However, if the meat has a brown, gray or yellow or green hue, you will want to part ways with it.

Generally, it is recommended to cook ground turkey for about 8-10 minutes over medium heat until it is no longer pink and reaches an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C).

Your ground turkey will need about 14-16 minutes in total to cook. It will be cooked when it is all browned evenly, juices run clear and when your thermometer is at least 165 degrees F.

The distinct game flavor of either birds or animals will be milder after soaking the meat overnight in the refrigerator in either a salt or vinegar solution.

How to tenderize ground turkey? ›

Allow the meat to soak in the baking soda solution for 15 minutes. Remove the meat from the liquid and briefly rinse the meat in plain water to strip off the baking soda solution (or as much of it as possible). Cook as desired.

Just like in a traditional meatloaf, you need something to hold the meat together. Try adding some dry breadcrumbs to the turkey mixture before you shape the patties.

Leaner meats like turkey and chicken have less fat to keep the meat moist as it cooks, which can result in tougher, easily overcooked, dry burgers. By adding super finely chopped mushrooms, you are putting back a lot of water content that cooks out of lean meats like turkey.

As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. Ground turkey is a healthy and delicious alternative to beef, but knowing how long to cook it can be a bit tricky. Cook it for too long, and it can become dry and tough, but not long enough, and it can be undercooked and potentially dangerous to consume.

coli from undercooked turkey, however, and it is a dangerous strain like E. coli O157:H7, you could be in trouble.

Alliums: Add quartered onions, shallots, leeks, or garlic cloves for a delicious, earthy aroma. Fruits: Insert quarters of apple, lemon, orange, lime, or even grapefruit to add moisture and brightness to the turkey. You can even go with dried fruit, like cranberries, to double down on the autumn vibes.