Easy Curried Ground Turkey made with ground turkey, potatoes, tomatoes, peas, onions, ginger, garlic, and warm spices.
You ever have a dish that just… follows you through different seasons of life? That’s what this Easy Curried Ground Turkey has become for me, which is funny because it started during one of those chaotic early-twenties phases where I was bouncing between jobs, apartments, and questionable life choices. I remember first making this on a random Tuesday — I’d just walked home from the bus stop in the rain, my bag had soaked through (again), and all I had in my pantry was ground turkey, potatoes, and some spices I bought during my “I’m definitely going to learn Indian cooking” era.
Remember it later!
Planning to try this recipe soon? Pin it for a quick find later!
Remember it later!
Planning to try this recipe soon? Pin it for a quick find later!
It reminded me of this Aloo Keema dish I’d tasted at a friend’s house — her mom made it, and her kitchen smelled warm and lived-in in the best way. You know that comforting smell that makes you feel like you’re momentarily adopted into someone else’s family? I chased that feeling for years, honestly. And the first time I made this curried ground turkey, it wasn’t perfect — too much turmeric, not enough salt — but something about it felt grounding, like, “Okay… maybe I can do adulthood. Sort of.”
Now, every time I make it for my own family, I think about how weird it is to grow into a version of yourself you didn’t quite picture. I stir the pot and get this quiet wave of nostalgia. Doesn’t food do that to you sometimes? Pull up memories you didn’t ask for but don’t mind revisiting?
Here’s a quick peek at what’s inside:
Table of content
Why You’ll Love This Easy Curried Ground Turkey Recipe?
The real magic of Easy Curried Ground Turkey isn’t just that it tastes amazing — though it absolutely does — but that it feels like a hug disguised as dinner. It’s not trying to be fancy. It’s not one of those recipes that requires 14 specialty ingredients and a pep talk. It’s simple, warm, and steady.
There’s something about the way the spices melt into the turkey, how the potatoes soften just enough without losing themselves completely — like they’re holding it together emotionally better than some of us. And the peas bring this little burst of sweetness that honestly feels like a surprise every time.
Plus… this meal smells like comfort. Like someone’s home. Like somebody cooked it thinking about the people who’d eat it. That might sound cheesy, but you know exactly what I mean — right?
Ingredient Notes:
Let’s talk through this Easy Curried Ground Turkey ingredient list, in the same messy, thoughtful way we’d chat if you were standing next to me in my kitchen and we were both pretending not to notice the pile of mail on the counter.
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Oil: Ghee makes it feel fancier, but vegetable oil does the job just fine.
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Ground turkey: Thigh meat stays juicier. Breast meat… well, it tries its best.
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Onion & chiles: If your store was out of chiles (happens more than you’d think), skip them.
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Ginger & garlic: Fresh is best, but I’ve absolutely used the jarred stuff on tired days.
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Spices: Garam masala, turmeric, cumin, coriander — think of them like the emotional backbone.
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Potatoes: Yukon Golds hold up beautifully.
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Tomatoes: They brighten things. Like little edible reminders that everything’s going to be okay.
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Peas: Frozen peas are the unsung heroes of weekday cooking.
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Cilantro or parsley: Add it if you’ve got it. Skip it if not. We’re not stressing today.
How To Make Easy Curried Ground Turkey?
Let’s make this Easy Curried Ground Turkey — it’s simple, but in a cozy, “I’ve got you” sort of way.
Step 1: Brown the turkey
Heat your oil, add the turkey, and spread it out. Don’t stir right away — let it brown a little. I always feel weird just letting meat sit there, but that browning adds flavor that tastes like effort even when it wasn’t.
Step 2: Add the onion and chiles
Once the turkey starts getting some color, stir in the onion and optional chiles. They soften, get a bit golden, and honestly this is the part where the kitchen starts smelling like someone in this house has their life together.
Step 3: Stir in the ginger and garlic
The ginger hits the pan and suddenly it’s like, “Oh, right, this is going to be good.” Cook just long enough to release the fragrance — which is a fancy way of saying “until your stomach growls.”
Step 4: Add spices, potatoes, and water
Mix in all the spices. It’ll turn deep yellow and look like it was touched by sunshine. Add the potatoes and water, cover, and let it simmer. Potatoes take their time — like stubborn relatives — so give them 15–20 minutes.
Step 5: Add tomatoes and peas
When the potatoes are soft but not collapsing emotionally, add the tomatoes and peas. Let them mingle a couple minutes. Taste. Adjust salt. Taste again because we all do that little extra spoonful.
Step 6: Finish with herbs
Right before eating, stir in cilantro or parsley. It perks everything up in a way that feels almost symbolic.
Want To Save This Recipe?
Storage Options:
This Easy Curried Ground Turkey tastes even better the next day — isn’t that funny? Some dishes just need a night to think about what they’ve done. Store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheats well. Freezes fine, though the potatoes get softer. Still tasty.
Variations and Substitutions:
This recipe is flexible — honestly, more flexible than I am during yoga class.
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Swap turkey for ground chicken or beef
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Use sweet potatoes instead
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Add spinach at the end
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Use coconut milk instead of water
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Replace peas with green beans or chickpeas
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Toss in carrots
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Add cayenne for heat
It adapts to you, not the other way around.
What to Serve with Easy Curried Ground Turkey?
This Easy Curried Ground Turkey goes with:
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Rice (white, brown, jasmine — choose your fighter)
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Naan or flatbread (warm it, trust me)
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Cauliflower rice
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Pita
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Or nothing at all — sometimes you just need a bowl and quiet.
Frequently Asked Questions:
Is it really spicy?
Not unless you want it to be. Skip the chiles for a mild version.
Meal prep friendly?
Oh yes — possibly one of the BEST meal-prep dishes.
Can I use curry powder instead of garam masala?
Of course. It changes the vibe slightly but not in a bad way — just different, like switching from sneakers to sandals.
If you make this Easy Curried Ground Turkey, will you tell me how it went — what you served it with, if it comforted you the way it still comforts me? I always love knowing how recipes land in someone else’s life, especially ones that have lived in mine for so long.
Remember it later!
Planning to try this recipe soon? Pin it for a quick find later!
Remember it later!
Planning to try this recipe soon? Pin it for a quick find later!
Keep the Flavor Coming – Try These:
Easy Curried Ground Turkey
Ingredients
- 3 to 4 tablespoons vegetable oil or ghee or coconut oil
- 1 pound ground turkey preferably thigh meat
- 1 onion chopped
- 1 to 2 fresh red chiles chopped (optional)
- Salt to taste
- 1 1-inch piece fresh ginger peeled and finely grated
- 2 cloves garlic minced (approximately 2 teaspoons)
- 1 tablespoon garam masala or curry powder
- 1 teaspoon ground turmeric
- 1 teaspoon ground cumin
- 1 teaspoon ground coriander
- 1/2 cup water
- 2 large Yukon Gold potatoes peeled and cut into 1-inch chunks
- 2 to 4 Roma or other plum tomatoes diced
- 1 cup fresh or frozen peas
- 1/2 cup loosely packed chopped cilantro or parsley
Instructions
Brown the Ground Turkey
- Heat the oil in a large lidded pot over medium-high heat. When the oil is hot, add the ground turkey and spread it evenly across the bottom of the pot. Cook without stirring until the meat begins to brown.
Add the Onion and Chiles
- Add the chopped onion and red chiles (if using). Stir and sauté for 4 to 5 minutes, or until the onion softens and begins to take on color. Season lightly with salt.
Incorporate the Ginger and Garlic
- Add the grated ginger and minced garlic. Stir to combine and cook for an additional 1 to 2 minutes, or until fragrant.
Add the Spices, Water, and Potatoes
- Stir in the garam masala, turmeric, cumin, and coriander. Add the water and the potato pieces. Mix thoroughly, cover the pot with a lid, reduce the heat to medium-low, and simmer for 15 to 20 minutes, or until the potatoes are tender.
Add the Tomatoes and Peas
- Once the potatoes are tender, add the diced tomatoes and peas. Stir well, cover, and cook for an additional 2 to 3 minutes. Adjust seasoning with salt as needed.
Finish with Fresh Herbs
- Stir in the chopped cilantro or parsley immediately before serving. Serve warm with rice or flatbread.
Notes
I’m Bitty, owner of nodashofgluten.com, where I share simple, delicious recipes for all tastes, including gluten-free. Check out my “About Me” page for more info!
