Unpopular opinion: Quesadillas > Tacos.
I feel like quesadillas don’t get the appreciation they deserve. Tacos are great and all, but quesadillas? They’re next level.
Melty, gooey cheese, explosive flavors, and a perfectly crispy tortilla exterior; quesadillas are the ultimate indulgence. But do you know what’s even better than a quesadilla? A healthier one! The average quesadilla packs a pretty big punch calorically speaking, with an average of 582 calories per serving.
While that’s all well and good, sometimes we need something on the lighter side, without sacrificing any flavor, of course. That’s where my healthy ground turkey quesadilla is going to come in.
And, since our Fit Healthy Macros Community loved our healthy breakfast quesadilla, we decided it was time to make a lunch recipe in case the mood strikes again!
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3 Reasons Why You Will Love This High Protein Ground Turkey Quesadillas Recipe
- This healthy quesadilla with ground turkey does not skimp on flavor. It’s all of the elements that you know and love but lightened up to make it more sustainable and macro-friendly. What does this mean? You don’t have to save your favorite Mexican food for special occasions!
- These are so versatile. There’s no one right way to make a quesadilla which means that you get the freedom to explore what flavors and combinations are your favorite.
- The whole family will like these. As a meal-planning busy mom, I do my best to include recipes in our weekly rotation that the whole family will enjoy, which is no easy feat sometimes. Thankfully, these healthy turkey quesadillas are kiddo approved.
Ingredients
- Flour tortillas – I used Mission Carb Balance to reduce the carbs & calories
- Ground turkey – I used 93/7
- Shredded Mexican cheese
- Salsa
- Jalapenos
Kitchen Tools Required
- Large skillet – Made In Cookware is my top choice
- Spatula or meat mincer
- Measuring cups
How to Make Healthy Ground Turkey Quesadillas
- In a large skillet over medium-high heat, cook your ground turkey using a spatula or meat mincer to chop it into a fine crumble. Cook until no longer pink. Drain any excess liquid.
- Pour your cooked ground turkey into a bowl and place your skillet back on the stovetop with the heat set to medium. *Give your pan a quick spray of cooking spray if it’s not a non-stick pan.
- While your skillet is heating, begin to assemble your quesadillas.
- Starting with a tortilla, add half of the cheese onto one half of the tortilla.
- Top with ground turkey, salsa, and jalapenos (optional). Then top with the remaining cheese.
- Fold the over the tortilla so that it’s in a half-moon shape.
- Add the quesadilla to the skillet and cook both sides until golden brown and crispy and the cheese is fully melted on the inside.
- Cut the quesadilla in half and enjoy!
Swaps or Alternatives
Tortillas – I chose to use the reduced-carb tortillas to make this dish more macro-friendly, however, you can use any type of tortilla that you wish. If you’re gluten-free, substitute a gluten-free tortilla wrap.
Ground turkey – I used 93/7 ground turkey but you can swap for a higher fat content turkey if you want a little more fat and flavor. You can also easily use ground chicken, shredded chicken, or lean ground beef in place of ground turkey.
Mexican cheese – I like using Mexican cheese blends in Mexican dishes, however, you can use any shredded cheese you wish. Cheddar and Colby jack work great, too.
Jalapenos – These are completely optional and can be omitted if you’re not a fan of spicy foods. Instead, you can add banana peppers, onions, green peppers, or any other chopped veggie you have available.
Quick Tip(s)
Your quesadilla is going to be packed full, use caution when transferring it to the skillet to be seared. I like to gently press down on my quesadillas to condense them a bit while they’re crisping up in the pan.
If you want to add these to your weekly meal prep, you can make these ahead of time, wrap them in foil, and then heat them up when you’re ready to eat them. I like to reheat in the air fryer to revive some of the crispiness that makes these quesadillas so yummy in the first place.
Macros & Nutrition Information
| Macros | Nutrition |
|---|---|
| Calories | 340 |
| Protein | 34g |
| Carbs | 21g |
| Fat | 21g |
Healthy Ground Turkey Quesadillas
Equipment
- 1 Large Skillet Made In Cookware is my top choice
- 1 Spatula or meat mincer
- Measuring cups
Ingredients
- 1 Flour tortilla I used Mission Carb Balance to reduce the carbs & calories
- 4 oz ground turkey – I used 93/7
- ¼ cup shredded Mexican cheese
- 2 tbsp salsa
- Jalapenos – optional
Instructions
- In a large skillet over medium-high heat, cook your ground turkey using a spatula or meat mincer to chop it into a fine crumble. Cook until no longer pink. Drain any excess liquid.
- Pour your cooked ground turkey into a bowl and place your skillet back on the stovetop with the heat set to medium. *Give your pan a quick spray of cooking spray if it’s not a non-stick pan.
- While your skillet is heating, begin to assemble your quesadillas.
- Starting with a tortilla, add half of the cheese onto one half of the tortilla.
- Top with ground turkey, salsa, and jalapenos (optional). Then top with the remaining cheese.
- Fold the over the tortilla so that it’s in a half-moon shape.
- Add the quesadilla to the skillet and cook both sides until golden brown and crispy and the cheese is fully melted on the inside.
- Cut the quesadilla in half and enjoy!
