Ground turkey is one of the most versatile ingredients that you can use to prepare a wide range of dishes. For example, you can break it into sauces, form it into meatloaf and burgers, or even roll it into meatloaf. Professionals and aspiring chefs should be creative enough to create tasty ground turkey recipes.
Ground turkey is an excellent base for different types of dishes. However, it can also be a whole meal, making it ideal for exclusive dinners with family and friends. Are you planning to prepare ground turkey for your family? Read on to understand things you should avoid if you want to have a tasty meal.
Failure to Season Your Turkey Meat Sufficiently
Proper seasoning can be what you need to create tasty ground turkey recipes. Leaner turkey meat ratios contain less fat, requiring more effort to make them flavorful. Seasoning plays a critical role when the turkey is the main meal. Season your ground turkey well with pepper and salt. Add a considerable amount of pepper, salt, spices, or dried herbs to transform your meat from bland to flavor-filled. Always taste your meat and adjust the seasoning to satisfaction.
Purchasing the Wrong Fat Content
Besides its bland flavor, ground turkey has a dry texture. However, you can buy it with varying ratios of fat content. Beware of what you want to cook before choosing the correct fat ratio. Always check the label on the packaging or consult your provider before purchasing. Remember, ground drumsticks and thighs come with a fat content nearly equal to beef meat.
Furthermore, the meat is usually dark. On the other hand, the turkey breast is white and the leanest part. Watch out for non-specified ground turkey packages. Often, they contain a mixture of dark and white meats. While dark meat is ideal for meatballs and burgers, lean meat is the best for sauces. You can request your butcher for a combination of ground thighs and breasts to create the best recipe.
Undercooking the Ground Turkey Meat
Ground turkey must be well done, unlike ground beef meat that can be delectable when cooked medium-rare. To prepare your minced turkey meat well, ensure it achieves 165°F internal temperature.
Over-Handling the Turkey Meat
Whether you are preparing meatloaf, meatballs, or even burgers, avoid over-handling the meat. Doing so can affect the texture of the finished meal. Over-handling causes solidification of the meat, resulting in a tough end product. When mixing your ingredients and shaping the ground turkey, oil your hands lightly and touch the meat as softly as possible to limit the amount of air you push inside the mixture. Handling your meat softly also prevents sticking, resulting in tender meals.
Overcooking the Meat
Ground turkey meat contains less fat and overcooking can result in crumbly, dry, and bland meals. Watch out for the time and thermometer while cooking. As mentioned previously, your turkey meat will be ready once it reaches 165°F.
Ground turkey meat has low-fat content. It’s also rich in vitamin B6, niacin, protein, and tryptophan amino acid. Choose freshly ground ratios for the best results.
