Learn how to cook ground turkey quickly and easily in your air fryer! The meat comes out juicy and nicely browned—perfect for main dishes, tacos, pasta, quesadillas, and more.
Ingredients:
- 1 pound ground turkey
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon paprika
- ¼ teaspoon dried rosemary
- ¼ teaspoon dried coriander
- ¼ teaspoon garlic powder
- ¼ teaspoon onion powder
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
Equipment:
- Air fryer
- Wooden spatula
- Parchment paper (optional)
Instructions:
- Prepare the Air Fryer: Trim the sheet of parchment paper to fit into the air fryer basket. Pierce the parchment a few times with a fork for better airflow. Line the basket with parchment paper.
- Add Ground Turkey: Spray cooking oil on the parchment. Place the ground turkey in the basket, spreading it out with a spatula. Leave it slightly crumbled without pressing it down.
- Season the Turkey: Sprinkle the meat with salt, paprika, rosemary, coriander, garlic powder, onion powder, and black pepper.
- Air Fry:
- Cook at 390°F for 5 minutes.
- Stir the meat with a spatula, breaking it into smaller pieces.
- Return it to the air fryer and cook for another 5 minutes.
- Check that there’s no pink inside. If needed, add another minute of cooking time until it’s nicely browned and fully cooked.
How to Use Cooked Ground Turkey:
Once cooked, this browned turkey can be served as a main dish or repurposed into other meals:
- Tacos: Mix with taco seasoning; fill tortillas or taco shells, and top with shredded lettuce, cheese, and salsa.
- Pasta Sauce: Stir into marinara or other sauces for a heartier pasta.
- Lettuce Wraps: Serve in lettuce leaves, topped with chopped vegetables and sauce for a low-carb meal.
- Quesadillas: Fill tortillas with turkey and cheese; cook until crispy and golden.
- Soup: Add to vegetable soup for extra protein and flavor.
Ingredients Overview
- Fresh Ground Turkey: Use 93% lean for optimal juiciness; thaw frozen meat overnight in the fridge.
- Cooking Oil Spray: Avocado spray is recommended, but any neutral oil works.
- Herbs & Spices: Include paprika, dried thyme, onion powder, garlic powder, and black pepper.
- Salt: Use ½ teaspoon per pound of meat for best results.
Recipe Tips:
- Use cooking spray and parchment paper to prevent sticking.
- Cooking times may vary by air fryer model.
- For more than one pound, cook in batches.
Make Ahead:
Ground turkey is excellent for meal prep! Store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3-4 days, or freeze for up to 3 months. 🥡❄️
Enjoy your delicious ground turkey! 🍽️✨
Notes:
- This recipe is based on the Ninja XL air fryer model.
- Parchment paper makes cleanup easier but can be skipped.
- You can omit the oil, but the meat may be slightly drier.
Nutrition Information:
- Calories: 170 kcal
- Protein: 22 g
- Fat: 9.2 g
- Sodium: 375 mg
Enjoy your delicious ground turkey! 🍽️✨
