Minced turkey is a low-fat meat that can be another option in recipes to replace ground beef. When cooked properly, minced turkey has a delicious and satisfying taste and is perfect for eating without any accompaniments, or in soups and pasta dishes. Learn how to cook minced turkey without side dishes, in the form of burgers or in the form of meatballs.
Ingredients
Unflavored Minced Turkey
- 0.7 kg minced turkey
- Olive oil
Grilled Turkey Burger
- 0.7 kg minced turkey
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper
- 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper
- 1 teaspoon olive oil
Roast Turkey Meatballs
- 0.7 kg minced turkey
- 1 egg
- 3/4 cup bread flour
- 1/4 cup chopped parsley
- 2 cloves of garlic, diced
- 1/2 cup onion, diced
- 1 1/2 tablespoons tomato paste
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon pepper
Step
Method 1 of 3: Unflavored Minced Turkey
Step 1. Heat the frying pan
Place the skillet over medium heat for at least 5 minutes before you start cooking, so the oil is fully heated.
Step 2. Remove the minced turkey from its packaging and pat it dry with a dry tissue
Removing any remaining moisture on the surface of the meat will help the meat turn brown.
Step 3. Add two tablespoons of vegetable oil or olive oil to the frying pan
Step 4. Separate the meat into bite-sized pieces and place these pieces one at a time into the frying pan
Make sure there is space between each piece of meat so they don't stick together.
Step 5. Allow the turkey to cook
After all the pieces of meat are in the frying pan, let it rest. Don't stir it, don't shake the frying pan and don't lift it with tongs. Allowing it to cook for a few minutes without interruption will make it crunchy.
Step 6. Flip the turkey cutlet
After a few minutes, you should see the bottom of the cutlet turn brown. Let it sit for another minute, then stir to flip it over. Leave it again until it turns brown.
Step 7. Remove from stove
When the pieces of meat have turned an even brown color, remove them from the pan and place them on a paper-lined plate to absorb any remaining oil.
Step 8. Done
The turkey meat is now ready to be used in recipes for chile, lasagna, turkey pasta and so on.
Method 2 of 3: Grilled Turkey Burger
Step 1. Combine minced turkey and spices
Place the minced turkey in a large bowl. Pour the spices over it. Use a spoon or your hands to mix the minced turkey and seasonings evenly. Knead this mixture for about 2 minutes to make sure the spices are evenly distributed.
- Try a different seasoning if you like a certain taste. Add sage, oregano and rosemary powder for added flavor.
- You can also add 1/2 cup of Parmesan cheese for added flavor.
Step 2. Shape the dough into a burger patty
Spoon about 1/3 cup of dough into your hands. Use your palms to shape it into a burger patty. Place it on a plate, then make the next patty. Continue until all of your dough has become a patty.
Step 3. Heat the oil in a frying pan
Place the frying pan over medium heat. Pour oil in it and let it heat for a minute or two. Shake the frying pan so that the oil coats the bottom, so your burgers don't stick.
- You can also cook these burgers in the oven under the heater. Turn on the heater and allow the oven to heat up completely before cooking.
- Using fire is another method that you can also use. Heat the grill over medium to high heat.
Step 4. Cook the burgers
Place the burger patty in the frying pan. Place as many as you can without the sides touching each other. Cook the burgers on the first side for 3 minutes, or until a crispy chocolate coating forms. Flip and cook on the other side for 3 minutes as well. Remove the burger, transfer it to a plate after it is cooked.
- You can slice the cheese over the burger once it's turned over. To melt the cheese, cover the pan.
- Season the burgers with other seasonings to make a darker layer.
- Don't overcook the burger or it will dry out quickly, as turkey is low in fat.
Step 5. Serve the burgers
Place on burger buns and serve with ketchup, mustard, mayonnaise and sliced tomatoes and onions, as well as your favorite sauce and other ingredients.
Method 3 of 3: Roast Turkey Meatballs
Step 1. Preheat your oven to 204 degrees Celsius
Step 2. Mix the ingredients
Place the meat, spices, onions and garlic, tomato paste, eggs and breadcrumbs in a large bowl. Mix all these ingredients using clean hands. Knead the dough for a few minutes until all the ingredients are evenly mixed.
Step 3. Form the dumplings from the meat mixture
Scoop the dough into the palm of your hand and use your hands to roll it into balls. Place the meatballs on a non-stick or greased grill pan. Continue making balls of the same size until you run out of dough.
- To make balls of the same size easier, use an ice cream scoop or measuring cup.
- Use a baking sheet with high sides to prevent the balls from rolling.
Step 4. Cook the meatballs
Place the baking sheet in the oven and cook the meatballs for 15-20 minutes, or until they are golden brown. Remove the meatballs from the oven and serve with the marinara sauce.
Step 5.
Tips
- Do not fill the pan with meat or the meat will vaporize and not turn brown.
- A little fat is just the right amount. Mixtures with less fat will usually be dry and tasteless. Choose a blend of 85/15 versus 93/7.
- Be patient: don't stir your cooking!
- Use a heavy fryer with a diameter of at least 30 cm.
