Give Turkey a Spot on Your Weekly Menu This November

As we head into the busy, financially demanding, and a bit sugar-dominated upcoming months, you might want to reconsider why turkey deserves a spot on your weekly menu this November. While yes, for many of us, a whole bird does go hand-in-hand with two very specific yearly traditions—both around this time of year—we’re here to change these preconceived notions with all the amazing benefits to incorporating turkey products into your everyday diet.

The Nutritional Benefits of Turkey: A Healthier Choice for Your Diet

When it comes to nutrition, turkey is a powerhouse. It’s actually lower in fat and richer in protein than chicken, and offers an ideal alternative to pork or beef since there are some observational studies that have found a link between red meat and an increased risk of some cancers and cardiovascular diseases. Turkey also contains all nine essential amino acids since it is a complete protein—something plant-based alternatives are not. 

Affordable and Versatile: Turkey Fits into Any Budget

With many households tightening their budget this time of year, turkey is also an economical choice when it comes to feeding a family or just stretching out the grocery burden as a single person. Purchasing turkey products in bulk and preparing a bunch of meals for the freezer is a great cost effective—and time saving—trick that can help lower mealtime stress later on, reduce food waste, and keep your wallet happy. Another benefit: cooked turkey can stay stored in the refrigerator for up to four days; frozen turkey is good for four months. 

Easy Weeknight Meals with Turkey

Some of our favourite ways to use turkey in November include quick weeknight meals like turkey tacos, turkey burgers, and turkey pasta bakes—perfect as we move into early evenings thanks to Daylight Savings. Due to its neutral flavour, turkey is a versatile protein for any meal and easily compliments a variety of different herbs and spices, as you’ll learn from the following recipes!  

 

Tasty Turkey Recipes to Try This November

 

Turkey Tacos

Taco Tuesdays can be such a comforting weeknight tradition and a great way to dedicate time to come together at the dinner table over a delicious meal. For families, kids find it fun and exciting, goofing around on who can load the most into one shell; among professional adults, it can become a great weekly catch-up among friends, with everyone pitching in their favourite fruit salsas or different levels of hot sauce; for young graduates or students, it’s a great way to split the cost with different people bringing different ingredients.  

Turkey is an ideal substitute in tacos because it contains less unhealthy fats like saturated and trans fat found more often in beef. For individuals who want to lower their cholesterole—a great heart-healthy choice since high cholesterol is linked with increased risk of heart disease—then turkey is an excellent choice. Its neutral flavour profile also makes it easy to incorporate different spices and herbs to up the ante with new recipes. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Recipe Inspiration: Delicious Turkey Dishes for Every Day of the Week

 

Turkey Burgers

Even in the dead of winter there’s nothing like a delicious, fresh burger for a weeknight meal. Loaded with different types of toppings, you can make it a bit healthier by trying out lettuce wraps or even our sweet potato slider for some seasonal twists! Whichever way you go, it’s sure to keep your weeknights fun and stress-free thanks to its quick cook time and little meal prep. 

For people who have a hard time digesting ground beef, turkey patties are a great way to enjoy a tried and true classic in a way that won’t work against your body. It’s also economical when you purchase ground turkey in bulk—freezing the leftover mince for further recipes, perhaps even, dare we say, a pasta bake?

 

 

Turkey Pasta Bakes

Nothing says warm, cheesy goodness like a delicious pasta bake in November! We all crave a touch of comfort food now that the sun sets around 5pm, and noodle-based dishes are easily made in advance on a Sunday to then enjoy later in the week. You can even pack the deep-freeze with a couple for last-minute emergencies like the upcoming stressful exam season, or just general pre-holiday fatigue. 

One of the reasons we love pasta bakes, especially later on in the week, is that we can space out our meals so that one large batch of ground turkey can provide protein for the tacos, get moulded into patties, and then finally the surplus can easily go into a delicious turkey lasagna. These recipes are all simple and easy to whip up, making an easy choice for more hectic evenings closer to the weekend.