Tex-Mex Turkey Rice Bowl with Avocado Dressing
I love to roast a whole turkey on the weekend. The house is filled with the most mouth-watering aromas and there is just something so homey and comforting about those delicious smells wafting from the oven. Plus, (shhh…don’t tell my family, they think I slave over a hot oven all day), but a traditional roast turkey dinner is one of the easier meals to prepare. And, not only is it a delicious dinner on Saturday or Sunday…big bonus…we have tasty leftovers for the entire week!
With spring finally here, there are many upcoming occasions where turkey can be the star of your celebration! It’s an easy and economical choice if you have family gatherings planned for Mother’s Day, Victoria Day, Father’s Day, family reunions, graduations, confirmations or birthdays and turkey can just as easily feed a larger crowd as a family of four.
Extra crispy roast turkey!
Another thing I love about Canadian turkey is it’s low-fat, high-protein content making it the ideal food to put on your table every day. These days, we’re all trying to eat healthier and this “Power Protein” is a great choice if you’re looking for a tasty and nutritious option to feed your family.
Turkey is considered a quality protein with about 30 grams of protein in every 100-gram serving. It’s also lean and nutrient-rich. This means it has a lot of nutrients per calorie. Another bonus – both the white and dark meat are considered lower in fat.
If you’re looking for a heart-healthy, low-fat choice – turkey breast is it! Each 100-gram serving is extra lean with just 3 grams of fat. Just keep the skin on while grilling to keep the turkey breast moist and lock in flavour; remove the skin before eating to keep it a low-fat option.
Turkey is a great way to lighten up everyday meals and with all the delicious recipes available, such as Southern Italian Turkey Pasta Puttanesca and BBQ Turkey Club with Spicy Mayo, your family won’t even realize you’re making healthier choices!
Need more reasons to choose Canadian turkey?
- Fresh cuts of turkey are naturally low in sodium.
- Most cuts of turkey are either lean or extra lean.
- Every bite is filled with health-boosting nutrients including iron (to deliver oxygen through your body), zinc (for a healthy immune system), and selenium (an antioxidant mineral).
- There are so many great reasons to eat this power protein that you can feel good every time you put tasty and nutritious turkey on your family’s table.
Tex-Mex Turkey Rice Bowl with Avocado Dressing
Choosing turkey for your everyday meals is easy with the variety of turkey parts you can find at your local butcher or grocery store:
- Thighs, breasts, drumsticks, sausages and ground turkey are all readily available, making it super easy to include turkey in every meal – breakfast, lunch or dinner.
- It’s easy to swap Canadian turkey for the meat protein in all of your family favourite recipes since it’s a versatile option that works with many flavour profiles.
- As an added bonus, it’s an economical choice because you can create several dinners, bank some leftovers, or cook up some make-ahead meals from a single whole turkey.
Recipe below for Tex-Mex Turkey Rice Bowl with Avocado Dressing
- 1.5 lbs boneless Turkey thighs
- Salt and pepper to taste
- ½ tsp each: paprika, cumin, garlic powder and chili powder
- ½ cup shredded purple cabbage
- ½ cup diced green pepper
- 1 cup black beans
- ½ cup frozen peas
- ¼ cup pea shoots (optional)
- ¾ cup cherry tomatoes halved
- 2 cups cooked brown rice
- 1 lime cut into wedges
- Avocado Dressing:
- ½ cup cilantro
- ½ cup parsley
- ¼ cup green onion
- 1 small or ½ large avocado
- Juice of ½ lime
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Cut turkey into 1-inch chunks.
- Season turkey pieces with salt and pepper.
- Combine dry spices together to create a rub. Season turkey generously with the spice mix. Sauté in a non-stick frying pan over medium heat, until browned and cooked through, 4-6 minutes per side. Set aside to cool.
- Cook peas according to package directions.
- Make the dressing: Using a food processor or hand blender, blend all ingredients.
- Combine all ingredients in a large bowl.
- Drizzle with dressing and serve immediately with fresh lime wedges on the side.
Cut down on weeknight prep by cooking your turkey and rice in advance. With the main ingredients on hand, you can have this meal on the dinner table in less than 20 minutes.
Make turkey the centerpiece of your show-stopping meals for all of your 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 #TryTurkey:
~ Facebook ~ Whole Bird HOW-TOs ~ Nutritional Information ~ Twitter ~ Instagram ~ Pinterest ~ YouTube ~
GIVEAWAY TIME
WIN – a $75 Hudson’s Bay e-gift card (redeemable at The Bay, Home Outfitters, or thebay.com) to one lucky reader to help celebrate spring!
DATES – Giveaway closes at 11:59 PM ADT on May 26th, 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!
This post has been sponsored by Canadian Turkey
Maritess says
I would use it on sandwiches. Paninis are the kiddos favourite.
Marlene J says
TURKEY AU VIN
of sandwishes
Casey Miller says
I love Turkey Bacon BLT’s
Jonnie says
Turkey is a great replacement for ground beef to lighten up meals. The POTATO-TOPPED TURKEY MEATLOAF BITES look really good.
Shirley p says
GRILLED TURKEY SCALLOPINI WITH KALE WALNUT PESTO
Wendy Jensen says
I can use Turkey to lighten up my meals by adding it to pasta like the SPRING VEGGIE, HERB PESTO AND TURKEY PASTA.
Rebecca Tong says
Using in common recipes like the Turkey Quesadillas
margo b says
turkey bacon blt
Tara Betterley says
Honestly, I love the look of the SPRING VEGGIE, HERB PESTO AND TURKEY PASTA. This looks like a plate that would be so easy to create.
Mandy says
I use turkey meat instead of beef to make turkey meatballs in order to lighten our family meal.
loridee says
turkey bacon blt
Judy Cowan says
Going to try and lighten up my meals by using ground turkey more in recipe and in burgers. I think the Apple Cheddar Burgers would be a great recipe to try out.
nicky says
I can lighten up my meal by using turkey as a component of a dish, such as in the recipe for SPRING VEGGIE, HERB PESTO AND TURKEY PASTA!
BlessedTA says
Tex-Mex Turkey Rice Bowl with Avocado Dressing
Elizabeth R says
I would use ground turkey in meatloaf, a little healthier than ground beef.
Sarah De Diego says
Turkey tacos are a quick and easy meal. Especially useful when I have leftovers. Besos Sarah.
Corrina Paisley says
I am a huge pasta salad lover, especially in the summer, so am really intrigued by the SPRING VEGGIE, HERB PESTO AND TURKEY PASTA recipe! Definitely one I am going to try this summer!
Tammy Bell says
When I find something I know my daughter will eat, I try it out and the teriyaki turkey kabobs would be perfect. A meal everyone here would eat. I am getting a turkey over the weekend.
Lori L. says
I’d lighten up my Sheppard’s Pie by using ground turkey and sweet potato instead of ground beef & russets. Thanks for the chance to win!
Carol M says
I would use turkey instead of beef for spaghetti and meatballs.
Allie f says
A Tex Mex turkey rice bowl is a lighter option!
Michelle W says
SPRING VEGGIE, HERB PESTO AND TURKEY PASTA LOOKS YUMMY!!
Jenny Major says
I love Turkey Bacon BLT’s
Stephanie says
Turkey is a great replacement for other meats
LILLIAN BROWN says
I like that Turkey is a great replacement for ground beef to lighten up your meals.
Florence Cochrane says
I would lighten up my meal with turkey in my salads . The TEX-MEX TURKEY RICE BOWL WITH AVOCADO DRESSING looks delicious.
Tina L. says
I would lighten up my meals and use turkey in salads like the TURKEY CLUB SALAD
joanne darrell says
I can use Turkey to lighten my meal by adding to salad.
Debbie F says
I would use turkey in my pasta dishes.
Francine says
I’ll make a big salad and add strips of cooked turkey for protein
kristen visser says
By making up some smoked turkey wraps!! my goodness do those look good
Kim Tanti says
I like to lighten up my meal with turkey meatballs.
Jana Liu says
we use it to make turkey burgers
Julie bolduc says
I would make turkey pot pie
Elizabeth Matthiesen says
I can use turkey in lots of different ways to lighten up a meal. I love turkey stew, sliced on a sandwich, turkey soup etc. The SPRING VEGGIE, HERB PESTO AND TURKEY PASTA and the Peach Glazed Roasted Turkey Breast sound like wonderful meals to me too.
Athena says
You can use it in place of ground beef for a healthier option.
Vicki says
I love making turkey meatballs instead of using beef & pork! I also enjoy shredded turkey instead of pulled pork. Turkey is awesome to use in so many dishes! It’s really versatile and takes on the flavour of whatever you are cooking. I loooove it lol
Soozle says
I would use turkey in place of ground beef for meat balls
Cathy C says
I use turkey in tacos to lighten up on the fat in serving tacos.
Amy C says
I could use turkey in my pasta.
Wendy hutton says
You can lighten up your meals using turkey in pasta, sandwiches and casseroles
Darwin Chau says
I like using turkey in salads and sandwiches.
Shelley N says
I would make the turkey spring carbonara recipe since it is quick and uses asparagus. Turkey burgers are a lot lighter than beef burgers so it is a great option to lighten meals up
Dayle B. says
When ground turkey is on sale my family buys lots. We make a lighten-up turkey chilli.
Then freeze them for a quick meal.Also, roast a lean turnkey for dinner then yummy turkey soup.
Sure would like to snag this amazing swag of a giveaway.
Julie F says
I love to make a Turkey Stew it is so yummy!
June Murphy says
I would make the turkey pasta to lighten up my meal
Krista M says
I like to use turkey in salads to lighten up meals for spring. The Turkey Cobb and Turkey Club salads are full of protein but still light & fresh for the season!
Susan T. says
I would replace beef burgers with leaner turkey burgers!
Tricia Cooper says
I could switch up ground beef for ground turkey in burgers. Your Italian Turkey Burger sounds really yummy!
Rosanne Robinson says
I can lighten up our meals by using ground turkey instead of beef in our chili, burgers, casseroles, and sandwiches.
Jolie says
Definitely the turkey quesadillas :)
Lee-Ann says
I could use ground turkey in our shepards pie recipe to lighten it up.
Patrick Siu says
i would love to try out the Tex-Mex Turkey Rice Bowl with Avocado Dressing
Robyn Bellefleur says
The Tex Mex turkey rice bowl would certainly lighten things up.
caryn s says
I would use grilled turkey in my salads to help lighten up my meals! Also i would use ground turkey in my lasagna to lighten it up!
Doris Humber says
I use turkey to lighten up my tacos.
Carole D says
I can lighten up my meal by using turkey in salads, soups and BLT. So many great recipes!
Lynda Cook says
I would use ground turkey in place of beef to lighten up casserole dishes
Donna L. says
I can lighten up my meals by adding turkey to my salads and sandwiches.
Jennifer P. says
I would love to use turkey to lighten up our taco nights by using it instead of ground beef.
Travelbuds says
I would make turkey quesadillas. Both my kids love them.
Pam says
the SPRING VEGGIE, HERB PESTO AND TURKEY PASTA looks like a great dish for those spring get togethers using fresh spring produce.
Lana H says
I would use turkey in all of my salads as the main source of protein.
Nicole Bonomo says
I love shredded turkey with tomato, cucumber, feta, with a balsamic vinigraite and feta in a lettuce wrap.
Juliee Fitze says
I use ground turkey in my meatloaf to lighten up.
Mary Boudreau says
Make turkey burgers or use turkey in salad
Alayne Langford says
Turkey in Shepherds Pie in lieu of fatty beef!
Jenness M says
I would grill some turkey breast instead of beef or pork. Much leaner and more protein.
kathy downey says
We use turkey to lighten up your meals in wraps and salads!
tracy k says
i use turkey to lighten up our salads
Jenn Beckett jennpup says
I use ground turkey in my chili and lasagna to lighten my meals! I love Canadian turkey – so versatile!
409cope says
I would like to try the spaghetti and turkey meatballs.
l p says
using ground turkey in place of ground beef in things like meatloaf, chili, burgers will lighten the dish; also love this one: http://www.canadianturkey.ca/recipes/grilled-turkey-scallopini-with-kale-walnut-pesto/ thanks.
Martin Keating says
Nothing beats a turkey and lettuce sandwich
ivy pluchinsky says
Turkey wraps or tacos are good!
Brenda Witherspoon-Bedard says
we could use it in recipe like the Turkey Quesadillas
dave says
Turkey tacos
jan says
I would like to lighten up a meatloaf with turkey next time.
Liz Howard says
Turkey club sandwich or add turkey to a nice salad, with dried cranberries, sunflower seeds!!!
Erin McSweeney says
i could make great recipes like GRILLED TURKEY SCALLOPINI WITH KALE WALNUT PESTO which is low in carbs and high in protein
Sab Edwards says
I made a turkey before Easter and used it in soups, made a stew, stir fry, made turkey salad sandwiches and also made a turkey omlet but hubby said ICK lol (he said he’d stick with bacon for breakfast)
Kim K says
I would use turkey instead of beef to lighten up my meals. Such as stuffed peppers, meatloaf and tacos.
Doris Calvert says
Turkey and bacon BLT
Debbie White Beattie says
I would use turkey to make this SPRING VEGGIE, HERB PESTO AND TURKEY PASTA and I know that it would be light and delicious
Karry Knisley says
I would use ground turkey to lighten up my meatloaf
Elizabeth Vlug says
I would use ground turkey instead of ground beef for my meatballs. My daughter actually introduced us to turkey burgers and now we all love them.
Sunshine G says
It’s easy to sub ground turkey instead of beef for slow cooker chili.
DebP says
I would use turkey in salads, like a turkey Caesar salad or a turkey Greek salad. And I don’t use dressing, the taste of the vegetables with the turkey is tasty enough to satisfy.
Linda svarovsky says
I make turkey soup
Tara says
Turkey Pot Pie is our family favorite
Karla Sceviour says
I can use turkey to up my meals by making turkey burgers and doing on the bbq in the summer.
Maria says
Turkey Bacon BLT’s sound delicious
LeslieC says
Turkey Lettuce Wraps are healthy & delicious!
Holly myke says
Turkey
Marilyn M says
Like to make turkey a la king
Ashleigh Swerdfeger says
I would use for sandwich, wraps or soup :)
Amanda says
I like using ground turkey in my spaghetti sauce and in my tacos.
Cheryl Grandy says
Making Healthy Turkey Bowl with Cashew Lemon Dressing for lunch or supper would be a great way to lighten up a meal.
Bailey Dexter says
I will be lighting up my pasta sauce with turkey for starters!
wobbles13 says
turkey bacon BLT would be super tasty!
KellyPC says
I’d use ground turkey instead of beef in burgers!
Tricia Hope says
I switch out red meat for white so I will make Turkey Stroganoff.
Brad Kinchen says
I like to use turkey in pasta dishes as well as in soups.
Chris C says
Turkey is our favourite protein we have been substituting it in all recipes for years and years!
nicolthepickle says
I could make chili with ground turkey instead of red meats.
crystal porter says
I wanna make some pan turkey with spring vegetables and herbs, yummmm
Jessica eapen says
Turkey Quesadillas look like easy fun meals to make!
Stephanie LaPlante says
I would lighten my meal with a Grilled Turkey Scallopini with Kale Walnut Pesto. Perfect healthy spring meal.
Eliz T says
By making the spring veggie, herb pesto and turkey pasta, the meal has a fresh, light taste perfect for warmer weather!
zcb257 says
Turkey bacon, is a great substitute for lighter meals!
Lucy says
Add it to soup recipes!
Carole B says
in sandwichs
Leah says
I’d use Turkey in a wrap!
Nicole Jubleew says
I would use turkey in a nice Spring quiche.
Josh S says
I would make turkey tacos!
Catherine Brown says
I love the turkey salaD.
Dominic cloutier says
I like turkey in my salads, with Craisins and pumpkin seeds
Glogirl says
I can use turkey to lighten up my meals by trying the TURKEY APPLE & KALE GRAIN SALAD recipe.
ginette4 says
I can use turkey to lighten up our meals by using it chili..family loves chili, this would be a great alternative to beef
Aarone Mawdsley says
turkey in pasta instead of heavy red meat
Donnas says
I can add turkey to salads for a light lunch. It add an extra protein boost.
lori butler says
i like swapping out ground beef for turkey in my tacos
Deanna Barkley says
I often use turkey to lighten up meals. I use ground turkey when I make tacos or chili. I use leftover turkey to make soup or in sandwiches. I am a lover of turkey in all forms. It is great in a casserole topped with dressing. Yummy turkey.
Linda DeMunck says
I often substitute turkey for chicken or beef in my recipes and my family loves turkey wraps in their school and work lunches. We are trying to live a healthier lifestyle. Eating more turkey helps!
Chanel says
This website had some great suggestions! I may try barbecuing an entire turkey this summer now that I know how, thanks to this page http://www.canadianturkey.ca/wholebird/barbeque-a-whole-turkey/
Lisa McLellan says
I love turkey burgers on the grill in the summer☀
thomas rusinak says
Coconut lime grilled turkey turns my crank!
Darren Scrubb says
I enjoy Coconut lime grilled turkey for sure.
Darren Scrubb says
Turkey in pasta is great and I could enjoy it this evening.
krysta d says
I usually make turkey burgers as an alternative to beef. I would like to try out the Couscous Turkey Burger with Fruit Salsa. Yum!
Andrea Amy says
I will use turkey to add to salad! Its the perfect warm weather meal!
Lilly Wong says
When I roast a who,e Turkey, I use the white Breast meat for sandwiches instead of using Roast Beef or Roast Pork.
Norm B says
turkey bacon and tomato sandwich
Karen Ward says
I use turkey to make a great chili. SO healthy and delicious.
OpheliaC says
I’d like to lighten up my meals with turkey meatballs!! They sounds delicioussss
Jo B says
We substitute turkey for beef whenever we can to lighten the meal.
Jo B says
We substitute turkey whenever we can to lighten the meal.
sarah alexis says
With the SPRING VEGGIE, HERB PESTO AND TURKEY PASTA – that sounds like such a light fresh meal!!!!
Laurie P says
We love making different versions of the Smoked Turkey Wrap!
Marra says
Turkey tacos would be good!
Cathy Oppedisano says
I like how taste of turkey can be subtle so in this way it lightens up a meal but sometimes, I’m looking for something full of flavour like “Turkey Scallopini with Mushrooms and Artichokes in a Madeira and Cream Sauce”.
Melinda says
I would use turkey to lighten up my burgers.
Rhonda W G. says
Using ground turkey is helpful to lighten up traditional meals and I’ve begun to do this. I make turkey meat balls…
Debbie Petch says
I would love to try the recipe SPRING VEGGIE, HERB PESTO AND TURKEY PASTA.
Dana Miller says
I can lighten up every day meals with lean turkey. I can substitute turkey sausage for pork. Daily ham sandwiches can be replaced with sliced turkey. For dinner I can opt to make Rustic Colombian Turkey Soup rather than a heavier, high-fat meal.
Michelle Policelli says
I use turkey in chilli and in replace of ground beef in other recipes to lighten up meals
Linda says
I would like to make the spring veggie, herb pesto and turkey pasta. It’s lighter than the beef that I would usually use.
Amie says
I really like the salad category , great way to lighten it up , i gotta make the turkey mango salad !
Erin Lewis says
I always use turkey in my cooking instead of beef. Especially ground turkey in my stir fry’s and sauces.
Kristopher Davis says
Yum!
Jill Reese says
I use it in salads and wraps to replace chicken !
Linda G says
Turkey mixed with mayo & spices makes the best sandwich/wrap filling,
Wanda Tracey says
I would use the sheet-pan-turkey-dinner-with-spring-veggies-and-herbs
to lighten up my spring meals!These recipes are so delicious looking!
It`s so hard to just pick one! :)
Darci Paice says
I love hot turkey, stuffing covered with gravy on a piece of bread! cranberries on the side please!
Cheryl says
I use turkey to lighten up a meal by throwing some on top of a salad, into a pasta, or into a stirfry. I’d love to win this
Caillie M says
Mmmm turkey bacon on a BLT
Yuen C says
Using turkey inside my tacos to lighten up my meals!
Leah Bortolotti says
I use turkey with a side of berry flavoured applesauce wrapped in romaine lettuce for a lighter sandwich option
SweetPanda says
I can use turkey to make club salad to lighten up my meals
Laila I says
I use turkey in meatballs :)
Tania B says
I use ground turkey instead of ground beef to make meatballs quite often to lighten things up.
Piroska says
I’d love to try the SPRING VEGGIE, HERB PESTO AND TURKEY PASTA. Yummy!
Brenda Lacourciere says
You can replace ground beef with ground turkey to lighten up meals.
Vivian Dionne says
I would love to make the Spring Veggie, Herb Pesto and Turkey Pasta; it woudl definitely lighten up my meals.
Lisa P. says
I love lightening up my chili and meatballs by using extra lean ground turkey… it’s so juicy, too! Mmm.. delish!
mohammad anjum says
Turkey is a great replacement \\option
Alana LeSueur says
I use turkey for a replacement for chicken and beef in my recipes, to make them somewhat healthier. If I feel that the turkey is just a bit too dry, as in making home made turkey burgers, I add back, a tbsp of Avocado oil, into the mixture.
annmarie bennett says
I would like to try the spaghetti and turkey meatballs.
Kristi says
Ground turkey is a great replacement for ground beef in sauces for pasta to lighten up meals. Tastes great!
Dawn says
Ground turkey is good for meatloaf, spaghetti sauce and tacos !
Sherry K says
Turkey is perfect for sheet pan dinners and I can use lots of veggies to lighten up our meals and make them simple to prepare.
loucheryl says
I would love to lighten up my lunch with the BBQ TURKEY CLUB WITH SPICY MAYO sandwich. It looks so good.
Dianne G. says
I make a lot of turkey dishes. I want to try the Hoisin Turkey & Lentil Lettuce Wraps to lighten up our meals.
Nancy J Montgomery says
I just did a second round of tweets for today. While the form is registering that they have been done, they are not on Twitter. The first tweets I did today are there, but not these. Not sure what happened other days. I want you to know that I’m not deleting them. Is there something I’m doing wrong? Thanks.
Milena says
I love using Ground Turkey for pasta sauces, meatballs, shepherd’s pie to lighten up the recipes and make healthier choices
Rebecca Roberts says
I can make turkey meatballs or turkey burgers instead of using beef!
Maryanne says
Turkey tacos!
frances says
Turkey can be used in so many ways omg we could eat a different meal for a month using turkey, I always cut some turkey up in small chunks and mix it with some dressing so if anyone wants a sandwhich it’s easy peasy
Kevin B says
I like that I can use ground turkey as a substitute for ground beef in chili
Jennifer says
What wouldn’t I use it on! Top pick is a turkey bacon sandwich!
Jennifer Lo says
I would make turkey pot pie
Amber Y says
I can use turkey to lighten up my meals by replacing other meats with turkey. The turkey would be delicious in nearly any recipe. We love using it in stuffed peppers. The recipe for the TURKEY APPLE & KALE GRAIN SALAD on their website looks delicious.
L. Marie says
I too love my home wafting with the aroma of fresh turkey roasting! I use all forms of turkey to replace red meat and agree with you on the fab healthy options and terrific uses for leftovers. A grilled turkey, avocado, sprouts, cucumber, thinly sliced tomato with fresh gluten free bread lightly toasted slathered with a swipe of cream cheese on one side and mango chutney in the other is a sandwich I have dreams of it is so yummy.