This past winter, I can vividly remember looking out the windows at the mounds of snow surrounding our house and mentally counting the days until warmer weather. Now finally, after a long cold winter, the warm summer days and nights have arrived. Very soon now, summer vacations will begin and the lazy, hazy, crazy days of summer that we dreamed about all winter will become a reality!
While I still don’t mind spending the occasional afternoon in the kitchen, puttering around and making a big dinner, in the summer months, for the most part, I like to make nutritious but quick and easy to prepare meals.
You may be surprised then to learn that our go-to protein for summer meals is turkey. I find it to be so tasty, plus it’s simple to prepare and can be used in many different meals.
Grilled Turkey Sausage and Summer Greens Pizza
Did you know that Canadian turkey is your perfect grilling partner? It’s a versatile protein, with so many cuts to choose from including ground meat, legs, drumsticks, thighs, breast steaks, breast rolls, breast roasts, drummettes, wings, sausages, and burgers. With such a wide selection, you can turn any weeknight meal into a backyard feast, with leftovers that taste delicious the next day. Super easy to incorporate into everyday meals, you can just swap turkey for the meat protein in any of your favourite grilling recipes, and you’re on your way!
Grilled Turkey Sausage and Summer Greens Pizza
Turkey is a nutritious option that’s easy to prepare on the grill. Both white and dark meat are lean, so you can provide your family with different options that suit everyone’s taste without compromising on health or nutrition. The lean fat content of turkey also reduces flare-ups on the grill, so you’ll feel good knowing you are preparing a healthy barbeque meal. Popular summer choices like burgers and kebobs taste hearty and delicious when made with Canadian turkey. Your family will love all of their favourite barbeque meals prepared with turkey that’s topped with delicious sauces, rubs and marinades. And why not add some sizzle by experimenting with new spice blends? Spicy, sweet, sour or salty, turkey pairs well with any flavour profile, making it a great option if you want to try something new.
BBQ’d Half Turkey
Have you ever barbequed a whole turkey? A whole bird is easy to make on the grill and an economical way to feed a crowd. Planning a celebration for Canada Day? Canadian turkey is a healthy choice for your next family gathering. And don’t forget that turkey tastes delicious cold – perfect for your next summer road trip or picnic!
Make Sure You Grill Smart and Grill Lean – Just Follow These Steps For Healthy Grilling!
1. Grill lean and trim the fat – using lean cuts of meat with less fat means less flames and smoke on the grill.
2. Infuse flavour into your meats by marinating with healthy fats like olive oil, adding citrus, beer, wine or vinegar and fresh herbs, spices and rubs.
3. When grilling, go low and slow by grilling over low and medium heat. Cook until a meat thermometer registers 165°F (74°C) in the thickest part of the meat.
4. Practice food safe habits and refrigerate any foods that are marinating longer than 1/2 hour.
5. Cooking entire meals on the grill will give you juicy meat and tasty vegetables. Grilling locks in moisture and adds natural smoky flavour, cutting down on the need for extra fats, salt and sugary sauces.
6. Grilling your food gets you outside where you can hang out with the family while you cook. While barbequing, why not throw the ball or the frisbee around? It’s a great way to enjoy the outdoors and have some fun together.
Grilled Turkey Sausage and Summer Greens Pizza
- 1 ½ cups cooked Swiss chard and rapini
- 1 medium zucchini, sliced into ribbons
- ½ cup mozzarella, thinly sliced or shredded
- 2 Canadian turkey sausages, grilled and sliced
- 1 package pre-made pizza dough
- 2 tbsp store bought pesto
- 5 leaves fresh basil
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 1 tsp red pepper flakes (optional)
- 1 tbsp olive oil (optional)
- Bring your pizza dough to room temperature to make it easier to stretch out.
- While your dough is acclimating, prepare all your ingredients so they are on hand.
- Pre-heat your grill to high.
- Generously flour your work surface.
- Stretch your dough out to your desired thickness. Make sure your pizza bottom does not stick to your work surface and can be easily moved.
- Have a pizza stone or griddle on hand. Generously flour.
- Transfer pizza dough to stone or griddle.
- Build your pizza: spread the pesto over the dough, top with greens, the zucchini, and sausage.
- Top with mozzarella and salt and pepper to taste.
- Cook for 10 – 20 minutes, until pizza crust is browned, toppings are browned and cheese is melted and bubbly. Note that cooking times will vary depending on the strength of your BBQ and the thickness of the dough.
- Remove the pizza from the BBQ and let rest for 5 minutes.
- Sprinkle with fresh basil leaves.
- Top with red pepper flakes and olive oil (optional).
- Slice and serve.
This summer, don’t forget to make turkey the centerpiece of your show-stopping meals for all of your barbecues, week night dinners and family celebrations. Turkey is extremely versatile and nutritious. By choosing turkey, you will lighten up any meal, without compromising flavour. It’s a big win-win!
Looking for more tips, recipes and HOW TOs? Visit www.canadianturkey.ca for all your cooking inspiration!
For more information on delicious Canadian Turkey, you may also wish to follow along on their various sites and social media channels. Also, keep an eye out for the hashtag #BBQwithTurkey
~ Prep and Serving information ~ Whole Bird HOW-TOs ~ Nutritional Information ~ Barbequing Turkey ~Facebook ~ Twitter ~ Instagram ~ ~ Pinterest ~ YouTube ~
GIVEAWAY TIME
WIN – a $75 prepaid Visa Gift Card
DATES – Giveaway closes at 11:59 PM AT on July 14, 2017
ELIGIBILITY – Open to residents of Canada 18+
TO ENTER – Using the Giveaway Tools form below, simply follow the instructions, complete the mandatory entry, (which unlocks the optional entries), plus any or all the optional entries for your chance to win this prize!
Good luck everyone!
Disclosure: This post is sponsored in partnership with Canadian Turkey. As always, all opinions are our own.
I am going to try the HONEY GARLIC BRINED TURKEY LEGS on the BBQ this summer.
I’ll be trying the teriyaki turkey kabobs.
I would like to try the chimichurri turkey recipe.
I am going to try out the Beer Can Turkey, sounds yummy to me!
SMOKY CITRUS TURKEY TACO SALAD
I am going to try the Grilled Turkey Thigh Taco Bowls
I’ll be making the Alberta Turkey Burger – yum!
Grilled Turkey Sausage and Summer Greens Pizza looks too good to be true, but I will try it!
I’d love to make the PIRI PIRI GRILLED TURKEY DRUMMETTES
I would love to grill Teriyaki Turkey Kabobs this summer!
Mmmm! https://www.canadianturkey.ca/recipes/alberta-turkey-burger/
I’m going to be making Teriyaki Turkey Kabobs this summer.
I would like to try the SUMMER BBQ TURKEY DINNER PACKETS.
I’d love to try the JERK BBQ TURKEY KEBOBS WITH MANGO SALSA
TEX-MEX TURKEY RICE BOWL WITH AVOCADO DRESSING
I really like the teriyaki turkey kabobs.
I’ll be trying the grilled turkey tacos
I agree.
I would love to try the honey garlic brined turkey legs they look delicious
I will be trying the HONEY GARLIC BRINED TURKEY LEGS recipe.
I would love to try the JERK BBQ TURKEY KEBOBS WITH MANGO SALSA.
I would like to try the Beer Can BBQ turkey.
I would love to try the beer can turkey. I’ve heard so many people say how easy and delicious it is. Thanks
I’ll be trying the Alberta Turkey burger recipe!
Honey Garlic Brined Turkey Legs and the Korean BBQ Turkey Wings
I would like to try the TERIYAKI TURKEY KABOBS This would be awesome at the trailer
I like the recipe
I would love to try the HONEY GARLIC BRINED TURKEY LEGS
I am going to try out the Beer Can Turkey this summer, I have had the chicken before but not turkey.
I have the Jerk BBQ Turkey Kebobs with Mango Salsa dish on my list of things to try :)
I would love to make the Alberta Turkey Burger
I want to try the Beer turkey on the B.B.Q. YUM
I am trying the BEER CAN BBQ TURKEY recipe on sunday.
The Grilled Turkey Sausage and Summer Greens Pizza sounds super yummy!
I will be trying the teriyaki turkey kabobs.
I’d try the PIRI PIRI GRILLED TURKEY DRUMMETTES. We like cooking with spice.
The teriyaki turkey kabobs would be one recipe I would like to try.
I would love to try the SHEET PAN TURKEY DINNER WITH SPRING VEGGIES AND HERBS.
The Jerk BBQ Turkey Kebobs with Mango Salsa are a must try!
I’d love to try the Alberta Turkey Burger
My favourite recipe to try would be the KOREAN BBQ TURKEY WINGS
I want to try the jerk bbq turkey kebobs with mango salsa
I’d try the Piri Piri Grilled Turkey Drummettes.
Beer Can BBQ Turkey sounds fun!
I’d love to try the SHEET PAN TURKEY DINNER WITH SPRING VEGGIES AND HERBS.
I would like to try the Honey Garlic Brined Turkey Legs!
I’ll be trying the Honey Garlic Brined Turkey Legs this summer.
I’d like to try the HONEY GARLIC BRINED TURKEY LEGS recipe
I’ll be trying the HONEY GARLIC BRINED TURKEY LEGS recipe because it looks delicious
I’ll be trying the turkey kabobs.
I would love to try the JERK BBQ TURKEY KEBOBS WITH MANGO SALSA
I would love to try the Grilled Turkey Tacos.
I would like to try the Chimichurri Turkey Breast on the Grill.
I think we will try BARBEQUEING TURKEY
I would like to try the Grilled Turkey Thigh Taco Bowls.
I’d love to try the Peruvian Grilled Turkey.
WOULD LOVE TO TRY CHIMICHURRI TURKEY BREAST ON THE GRILL
We are going to try the Beer Can BBQ Turkey.
I will try out the Grilled Herb-Infused Turkey Pieces
I would like to try the jerk kabobs. We’ve been grilling up a storm and this would be a new recipe to try.
Cant wait to try the Piri Piri Grilled Turkey Drumettes
i really want to try the honey garlic brined turkey legs
Will give the Honey Garlic Brined Turkey Legs a try . Turkey is my husband’s fave food
I’ll be trying the Piri Piri Grilled Turkey Drummettes this summer.
I will be trying the “Grill Roasted Turkey Breast Roulade “
Beer Can BBQ Turkey! Thanks.
I’ll be trying the teriyaki turkey kabobs
I would like to try the SWEET AND SPICY BBQ’D ½ TURKEY ON THE GRILL.
I’d like to try the Teriyaki Turkey Kabobs.
I’m looking forward to trying the teriyaki kabobs – everything is always better on a stick!
I am going to try the Teriyaki turkey kabobs.
A huge punch of spice & amazing flavor would be the Blackened Turkey Scallopine Sandwiches!! Definitely gonna grill these up this summer, wow!
BARBEQUING TURKEY BREAST ON A PLANK sounds delicious and so do the teriyaki kabobs. I love my turkey :-)
I will be trying Grilled Turkey Tacos
I would love to try the Smoky Citrus Turkey Taco Salad!
I would love to try the Alberta Turkey Burger recipe this summer!
I would like to try the JERK BBQ TURKEY KEBOBS WITH MANGO SALSA.
https://www.canadianturkey.ca/recipes/new-delhi-style-turkey-kebabs/ NEW Delhi style kabobs, we love kabobs
I would like to make theJ ERK BBQ TURKEY KEBOBS WITH MANGO SALSA. Sounds yummy!
I would love to try the chimichurri turkey recipe
SMOKY CITRUS TURKEY TACO SALAD
I would like to try the CHIMICHURRI TURKEY BREAST ON THE GRILL recipe this summer
i`ll be trying the PIRI PIRI GRILLED TURKEY DRUMMETTES,yum
I would love to try the grilled-apple-n-honey-turkey.It
looks delicious and I love the ingredients.
Alberta Turkey Burgers
SMOKY CITRUS TURKEY TACO SALAD
Summer BBQ Turkey Dinner Packets. thanks
The Spring Veggie, Herb Pesto, and Turkey Pasta looks delicious. They have a lot of great recipes to choose from. Thanks for the super giveaway opportunity.
GRILLED TURKEY TACOS sounds awesome
I want to try the HONEY GARLIC BRINED TURKEY LEGS recipe
I’ll be trying the Italian Turkey Burgers.
I will be trying the grilled turkey drumlets
Grilled turkey drum sticks.
I’d love to try the Chimichuri Turkey Breast.
The PIRI PIRI GRILLED TURKEY DRUMMETTES sound delish!
Definitely the Alberta Turkey Burgers
We’ll be trying the Honey Garlic Brined Turkey Legs recipe this summer.
Honey Garlic Brined Turkey Legs
i happen to be hungry right now thanks a lot!
I want to try the Summer BBQ Turkey Dinner Packets! Looks easy and so delicious!
I’d like to try the Grilled Turkey Pizza with Spinach, Sundried Tomatoes and Goat Cheese.
I would love to try the jerk turkey kabobs!
The SHEET PAN TURKEY DINNER WITH SPRING VEGGIES AND HERBS is on the list of recipes for us. We don’t do carbs at night so this would be perfect.
The Alberta Turkey Burger!
I would like to try making the Doug Speirs’ Grilled Turkey Torpedos.
The SMOKEY CITRUS TURKEY TACO SALAD sounds yummy
Would love to try the teryiaki turkey kabobs :)
I would like to try the JERK BBQ TURKEY KEBOBS WITH MANGO SALSA
SUMMER BBQ TURKEY DINNER PACKETS
Andrea Amy recently posted…Little Leaves Sun Protection Clothing + Skin Cancer Prevention Tips
Alberta Turkey Burger!
My family would love the HONEY GARLIC BRINED TURKEY LEGS, they look delish.
The turkey grilling recipe that I will be trying this summer is the CHIMICHURRI TURKEY BREAST ON THE GRILL.
Beer can turkey all the way!
I would like to try the BBQ Turkey Dinner Packets
I’d love to try the chimichurri turkey recipe! I loooove chimichurri.
Honey Garlic Brined Turkey Legs look yummy!
Jenn Beckett jennpup recently posted…Adventures at Great Wolf Lodge, Niagara Falls, Ontario
I would love to try this recipe. It looks and sounds so yummy. GRILLED TURKEY PIZZA WITH SPINACH, SUNDRIED TOMATOES AND GOAT CHEESE
I would love to try the Smoked Turkey Drumsticks & Chocolate Chili BBQ Sauce
I’ll be trying the Alberta Turkey Burger!
I would like to try the teriyaki turkey kabobs.
The SMOKY CITRUS TURKEY TACO SALAD sounds delightful!
I would try the PIRI PIRI GRILLED TURKEY DRUMMETTES
I would like to try Grilled Turkey Tacos.
the grilled turkey tacos!
The JERK BBQ TURKEY KEBOBS WITH MANGO SALSA looks so good.
The Teriyaki Turkey Kabobs!
we would love JERK BBQ TURKEY KEBOBS WITH MANGO SALSA
I’ll be trying out the HONEY GARLIC BRINED TURKEY LEGS recipe!
I want to try the Alberta Turkey Burger this summer, yum! Thanks for the chance to win. https://www.canadianturkey.ca/recipes/alberta-turkey-burger/
SMOKY CITRUS TURKEY TACO SALAD
i’m going to try the Chimichurri turkey breast on the grill
the CHIMICHURRI TURKEY BREAST ON THE GRILL looks delicious
I am going to try the Grilled Turkey Thigh Taco Bowls
COCONUT LIME TURKEY KABOBS!!! Oh they look so good !
Turkey Taco Avocado Bowl would make a fine brunch idea for the weekend!
I would love to try the JERK BBQ TURKEY KEBOBS WITH MANGO SALSA! YUMMY!
HONEY GARLIC BRINED TURKEY LEGS!!!!
The grilled turkey tacos sound good.
Would love to try SHAKE N’ BAKE PLANK-GRILLED TURKEY THIGHS! I haven’t done something like this before on thr BBQ.
Grilled Turkey Thigh Taco Bowls
CANADIAN TURKEY, BACON AND PINEAPPLE SKEWERS is what I want to put on the BBQ!!
I am so happy I came across this post!! I cook with turkey quite often, usually substituting half the ground beef in a recipe for ground turkey. I am absolutely going to try the Tex-Mex Turkey Rice Bowl, because I think that’s something my fiance will actually enjoy!!
Brined lemon and thyme turkey breast sounds so good. I love lemon and thyme but never thought of using them together.
I’m going to try the Honey Garlic Brined Turkey Legs on the bbq.
I’ll be trying the teriyaki turkey kabobs
Smokey Citrus Turkey Taco Salad would be lovely.
Would try the Half BBQ Turkey for sure.
CHIMICHURRI TURKEY BREAST ON THE GRILL would kick my bbq skills up a notch!
Looking forward to trying Summer BBQ Turkey Dinner Packets.
POPEYE’S FAVOURITE TURKEY BURGERS
I would like to try the CHIMICHURRI TURKEY BREAST
I will be trying the turkey kabobs.
I would like to try the Honey Garlic Brined Turkey Legs recipe.
honey garlic turkey legs …. because…HONEY GARLIC
https://www.canadianturkey.ca/recipes/honey-garlic-brined-turkey-legs/
Love to try the beer can turkey..
I would love to try the Alberta Turkey Burger!
I’d like to try the Piri Piri drumettes
Peruvian Grilled Turkey
I’m planning to try out the Jerk BBQ Turkey Kebobs with Mango Salsa.
I would like to try the Grilled Turkey Tacos
Teriyaki turkey kebobs
I would try the Teriyaki Turkey Kabobs!
I’d love to try the JERK BBQ TURKEY KEBOBS WITH MANGO SALSA!
Oh yum I can’t wait to try the BLACKENED TURKEY SCALLOPINE SANDWICHES!! Looks like heaven.
I like the SWEET AND SPICY BBQ’D ½ TURKEY ON THE GRILL.
I’d love to make the beer can bbq turkey recipe! Looks great!
Barbequing on a Plank
ALBERTA TURKEY BURGER sounds like a fantastic recipe! I’ll be making this up soon. I love using ground turkey instead of beef, tastes better, lighter.
I would love to munch on the cajun turkey with Caesar salad!
love Alberta Turkey Burger
I would love to try the teriyaki turkey kabobs!
Sweet and Spicy BBQ’d ½ Turkey on the Grill sounds delicious!
I’d like to try the grilled turkey thighs taco bowl!
I would love to try this one, Sweet and Spicy BBQ’d ½ Turkey on the Grill
I’m fascinated by the chimichurri turkey breast on the grill, even though i cant even guess what sort of taste or flavour that is. im adventurous, it looks good.
I will be trying the Piri Piri Grilled Turkey Drummettes. I love spicy foods.
im going to try the Honey garlic brined turkey legs
Turkey tacos! Yum!
Can’t resist making CHIMICHURRI TURKEY BREAST ON THE GRILL !
Bbqd turkey
All about healthy lifestyle changes – lean juicy meat & vegetables. Steel-skewers now on my shopping list. Love to try the JERK BBQ TURKEY KEBOBS WITH MANGO SALSA.
I would like to try the honey garlic brined turkey legs
I will try turkey kabobs
Would love to try the beer can turkey
The teriyaki turkey kebabs sounds amazing!
I’d love to try the turkey kabobs. Thanks for the contest! :)
The HONEY GARLIC BRINED TURKEY LEGS look scrumptious.
I’ll be trying a few, but first off I think my family would love the GRILLED TURKEY TACOS!
I can’t wait to try the Blackened Turkey Scallopine Sandwiches!