National Turkey Lover’s Month

Do you love turkey? Turkey is no longer considered just the traditional Thanksgiving staple. As chicken’s slightly fattier cousin, turkey has really gained popularity over the last decade as a beef and/or pork replacement. This is because turkey meat is protein-rich, but leaner and contains less cholesterol than beef and pork.

National Turkey Lover’s Month was initiated by the National Turkey Federation. The National Turkey Federation has done a great job of educating consumers on the benefits of increasing turkey consumption. In fact, two-thirds of the nation’s turkey consumption occurs outside of the thanksgiving holiday.

In the last two years, burger preference has increased by about 25 – 30% for turkey over beef. Convenient being that summer just began and with it a whole slew of outdoor barbecues. Instead of grilling up beef burgers, try replacing them with turkey burgers for improved health benefits.

You don’t have to eat the whole bird to enjoy turkey. Turkey meat is very versatile and can be used in a variety of recipes. In addition to turkey burgers, there are turkey meatballs, turkey sausage, turkey pieces and ground turkey meat. In fact I make a number of dishes using ground turkey meat such as turkey tacos, turkey and rice soup, and my own concoction turkey pesto over rice and vegetables.

National Turkey Month is celebrated by serving turkey throughout the month of June. In honor of this celebration, try the following simple turkey recipe:

Turkey and Lettuce Wraps

Yields: 6 Wraps

Serving Size: 1 Wrap

Ingredients:

6 Lettuce leaves

3 tbsp. salad dressing of choice, low fat

1 Tomato, thinly sliced

½ Red onion, thinly sliced

1 Carrot, grated

1 Cucumber, thinly sliced

6 Turkey slices (2 oz. each)

Instructions:

1. Drizzle each lettuce leaf with ½ tbsp. salad dressing

2. Gently toss vegetables in a bowl to combine.

3. Layer veggie mixture on turkey slices.

4. Roll turkey and veggies together and wrap each roll in a lettuce leaf.

Serving Size: 1 Wrap

Your turn to take action: What’s your favorite way to eat turkey? Share your favorite recipe below.

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