Share Grill a Spatchcock
Flattening, or spatchcocking, your turkey helps speed up cooking time with an even distribution of heat on the grill for a perfectly cooked and tender turkey every time. You can spatchcock a turkey easily – learn how here.
When it comes to seasoning, the sky’s the limit with this versatile protein. Use your go-to poultry seasoning, or try this Portuguese Style marinade using zesty lemon and warm spices like paprika. I’d pair it with that summer staple veggie – grilled zucchini – and tender new potatoes.
Nutrition Tip: Keep the skin on turkey to lock in moisture and flavour while cooking and remove it before eating to keep it a lean choice.
Make Kabobs and Skewers
Skewers and kabobs cook up quickly, so you can enjoy barbecued turkey in no time. Be sure to cut turkey breast into small one-inch pieces for even cooking. Make skewers ahead to soak up a flavour-packed marinade.
If you haven’t tried adding fruit to your grilled turkey kabobs, you’re missing out! Fresh juicy peaches and lean turkey make for a mouth-watering sweet and savoury combo.
Meal-Prep Tip: Prep extra turkey skewers and freeze them in your choice of marinade for an easy high-quality protein to cook at any time.
Cook Extra Turkey for Satisfying Salads
Grilled turkey salads are a staple in my summertime meal rotation. I always make sure to grill extra turkey for an easy source of lean protein for dinner in a hurry. By topping your leafy green salad with turkey, you get a longer staying power and more good-for-you nutrients. Just like with skewers, I love throwing a bit of fruit into my salads for a punch of flavour, like this Lemon & Herb Pulled Turkey Salad featuring strawberries. For extra moist and flavourful turkey, swap in grilled dark-meat turkey thighs.
Nutrition Tip: Contrary to popular belief, dark turkey cuts are a lean choice. Plus, dark turkey meat has more minerals than white meat including iron, zinc, and selenium – all nutrients needed for healthy brain functioning.
Lean on Make-Ahead Meals
Make-ahead meals are a game changer for something easy and nourishing after a long day in the sun. When I want to sit outside and enjoy a meal with little effort, I prep recipe components ahead of time, so supper comes together in a snap.
For example, I’d grill turkey and make a big batch of the zesty peach salsa and keep both in the fridge, ready to combine in these delectable Turkey Tacos. Or, when I make Turkey Burgers, I make extra patties for the freezer for any time I need a satisfying dinner or lunch in a pinch.
If pasta salads are more your jam, use leftover shredded turkey in this simple Turkey Caprese Pasta Salad.
Happy and healthy summer living,
Shannon