Food

Time For a Canadian Turkey Meal Makeover

March 13, 2019 /

This post has been sponsored by Canadian Turkey which means I received compensation.

What’s in your lunchbox lately? Is it time for something new? Why not give Canadian turkey a look again. I have a great idea for a new recipe that will help you fall for turkey and love your lunch again.

Canadian turkey is a protein source that should be in everyone’s diet. Grown by farmers right here in Canada, this turkey is healthy, delicious, and easier than you think to incorporate into so many of your favorite dishes. In fact, Canadian turkey is an easy way to make tasty and healthy meal makeovers all the time.

Healthier Meals with a Canadian Turkey Meal Makeover

As a mom, I want my kids to be as healthy as they can possibly be, and to make sure of that, I try to feed them healthy foods on a regular basis. Of course, we have the occasional splurge items, but on the whole, I like to give my kids healthy meals as a rule. This helps keep them feeling their best so they can be their best. One of the ways I do that is by using turkey as a protein source in many of my dishes.

An Excellent Protein Alternative

Turkey is nutrient rich, high in protein, and low in fat. In fact, even dark meat cuts are lean, which means I can use any type of turkey I want to make delicious, healthy meals. I substitute Canadian turkey for almost every protein source called for in my meals, especially beef. Ground turkey makes a great alternative to ground beef in everything from chili to tacos, and it keeps my dishes lower in unhealthy fats, which is always a plus.

A Versatile Bird

I’m a big fan of getting the most for my money and one of the ways I do that is by cooking a whole turkey. It’s not just for Thanksgiving! I’ll find a nice, big turkey and cook the whole thing up for my family of four. However, rather than going crazy on the sides like we normally do for the holidays, I’ll make our go-to healthy sides like steamed veggies and brown rice to serve with my bird.

After that, I like to use the leftover meat to make even more healthy meals. I might use it to make turkey soup or maybe a healthy version of turkey fettuccine with broccoli. I even made a turkey pot pie a few times. It was so good. The possibilities are endless.

Print the Quick Start Marinated Meal Packets below to help.

More Meal Makeover Ideas

Meal makeovers aren’t limited to substituting Canadian turkey for other proteins. You can also make meal makeovers easier on yourself.

Batch Cooking

Batch cooking helps make life easier for those of us who want to give our families homemade meals. Consider cooking up larger quantities of your family’s favorite meals on the weekend. You might even cook up a big batch of one favorite on Saturday and another on Sunday. Then freeze the leftovers for later.

Use that Freezer

As I just mentioned, the freezer is your best friends. You can store so many wonderful meals in there for quick and easy reheating on busy days when you don’t have the time or the energy to be in the kitchen.

Step Away from the Stove

One of my favorite ways to make easy meal makeovers with Canadian turkey is using my Instant Pot or slow cooker. Both of these options make for easy cooking with minimal time in the kitchen.

Canadian Turkey Meal Makeovers Make Life Healthier and Easier

If you’re looking to make healthier meals for your family without sacrificing flavor, Canadian turkey meal makeovers are what you need. With the lean, healthy protein found in turkey, you can transform almost any meal into a turkey meal. Give it a try!

Mediterranean Turkey Lunch Box

Prep time: 30 mins.

Cook time: 15 mins.

Serves: 4 – 6

Ingredients:

1.5 lbs Canadian turkey breast

1 ½ cups green beans, cooked

2 cups Basmati rice

3 tbsp olive oil

8 tbsp tzatziki sauce

½ cup plain yogurt

1 tbsp lime juice

1 tsp each: ground cumin, turmeric, coriander seed and thyme

1 lemon, sliced

Salt and pepper to taste

Salad:

1 cup cherry tomatoes, sliced 

1 cucumber, diced

1 tbsp parsley, chopped

2 tbsp apple cider vinegar

Directions:

  1. Slice turkey into 2-inch slices.
  2. Mix yogurt, ½ the spices and the lime juice together to make the marinade.
  3. Marinate the turkey for at least 2 hours.
  4. Heat 1 tbsp olive oil over medium heat. Sear turkey on both sides and continue to cook for 8-12 minutes until cooked through and no longer pink.  Once cooled, cut into chunks.
  5. For the rice: add the remaining spices to the cooking water and cook rice according to package directions.
  6. For the beans: sear green beans in a non-stick skillet over high heat until gently browned, 2-3 minutes.
  7. Recipe can be made ahead and stored for up to 3 days at this point.
  8. For salad: mix together cucumber, tomatoes and parsley.  Dress with salt and pepper, remaining olive oil and vinegar.
  9. Assemble the lunch box; add rice, turkey, green beans, salad, lemon and tzatziki.

TIP: Mix up your lunchbox flavours by changing the marinade for the turkey, trying out different grains instead of rice and mixing up the side vegetables you use.

Enter the Canadian Turkey Meal Makeover Giveaway

And now for a giveaway! Thanks to the folks at Canadian turkey, one lucky reader of mine with get a $75 prepaid Visa gift card! Here’s how to enter.




	


	





  

	
			

	


	
      
            
        
      
      
            
        
      
      
      
            
      
      
      
      
      
      
      
      
      
      
      
          


	
Mom of two beautiful active girls, traveller, fitness junkie, social media consultant, and keeper of the sanity.












			

				
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