Healthy Ground Turkey Pad Thai | 30 Minute Recipe (2024)

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Healthy Ground Turkey Pad Thai | 30 Minute Recipe (1) by Katie Webster
March 8, 2024
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This Healthy Pad Thai is made with ground turkey, simple ingredients and kitchen staples you can find at any grocery store! It’s even faster than takeout because you can get it on your table in 30 minutes flat!

Healthy Ground Turkey Pad Thai | 30 Minute Recipe (2)

I originally shared this recipe for Turkey Pad Thai on June 2nd, 2012. I have updated the recipe and content to share with you again today.

Table of contents

  • Why We Love This Turkey Pad Thai Recipe
  • Ingredients For Ground Turkey Pad Thai
  • How To Make Turkey Pad Thai
  • FAQ’s and Expert Tips for the Best Turkey Pad Thai
  • Make Ahead, Leftovers, Storage, Reheating
  • Serving Suggestions for Healthy Pad Thai
  • Variations To Try
  • FAQs
  • More Recipes With Thai Flavors

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Why We Love This Turkey Pad Thai Recipe

Pad Thai is a popular Thai recipe of stir-fried rice noodles with eggs, tofu and typical Thai seasonings like Tamarind, dried shrimp, palm sugar and fish sauce. Our simplified (and healthified) version is made with basic ingredients you can easily find in any North American grocery store.

Why it’s healthier: We have cut back on the added sugar, fat and bulked up the serving size with the low-calorie but nutrient-dense addition of cabbage. It is lower in fat, and made with lean ground turkey instead of stir-fried tofu and eggs. Each serving has only 3 grams of saturated fat.

Ingredients For Ground Turkey Pad Thai

Healthy Ground Turkey Pad Thai | 30 Minute Recipe (3)
  • Stir-fry rice noodles: I used Thai Kitchen brand of rice noodles. If you cannot find rice noodles you can also use linguini for this recipe.
  • Cooking oil: I recommend a high-heat cooking oil such as organic canola oil or avocado oil. Vegetable oil is another option or if you have grapeseed oil or peanut oil, they’ll work too.
  • Ground turkey: For the best texture do not use 99% lean ground turkey. Instead use 85% to 95% lean. Note: You can also make this recipe with leftover turkey, so if you’re wondering if it will work with chopped cooked turkey meat you can read how here.
  • Scallions: Chopped green onions (or scallions) are used to cook with the turkey and cabbage and to finish the dish. When you slice the green onions make sure to separate the green parts from the whites.
  • Napa cabbage or Chinese cabbage: To bulk up the amount of fresh veggies in this Turkey Pad Thai I added in about 1 small head of Napa Cabbage. Here’s a primer on how to cut cabbage. You’ll want to slice it so that it blends in with the Pad Thai noodles. If you have a large head Napa, use the leftovers to make sauteed Napa Cabbage,Napa Caesaror thisNapa and Ramen Salad.
  • Coconut milk: To cook the cabbage mixture down and help thin out the sauce a little so that it coats the noodles nicely. I use light coconut milk, but full fat works too.
  • Brown sugar: The sauce is a little sweet which balances the tangy acidic flavors. You can sub in maple syrup instead of brown sugar
  • Thai fish sauce and Salt: For the sauce we call upon a classic Thai ingredient: Fish Sauce. It has a funky smell but in small amounts it adds umami flavor to Thai cooking. I like Red Boat or Golden Boy fish sauce. Keep it refrigerated and it will last for years! We also add in a tiny bit of salt too to help bring the flavors alive. If you are on a sodium restricted diet, simply remove these items and only add to taste.
  • Tomato paste: The tomato paste thickens the sauce
  • White vinegar and Lime juice: For acidity we added both white vinegar and fresh lime juice to the sauce. This has to balance the sweet and savory ingredients in the Turkey Pad Thai.
  • Garnish: To garnish, top off your Ground Turkey Pad Thai with chopped peanuts or cashews plus cilantro and Thai basil (or regular basil if you can’t find Thai basil.)

How To Make Turkey Pad Thai

Healthy Ground Turkey Pad Thai | 30 Minute Recipe (4)

Step 1: Prepare noodles

Bring a large pot of water to a boil. Boil the stir-fry noodles according to their package instructions. Drain and rinse with cold water.

Step 2: Combine the sauce ingredients

Meanwhile, whisk brown sugar, fish sauce, tomato paste, lime juice, vinegar and salt in a small bowl. Set aside.

Healthy Ground Turkey Pad Thai | 30 Minute Recipe (5)

Step 3: Cook the turkey

Heat oil in a large skillet over medium high heat. Add turkey and scallion whites. Crumble and stir the meat with a wooden spoon as it browns. Cook until the meat is cooked through, 6 to 9 minutes.

Step 4: Cook Cabbage

Add cabbage and coconut milk and reduce heat to medium. Stir until the cabbage is just slightly wilted, 1 to 4 minutes. Transfer the turkey mixture to a large bowl.

Healthy Ground Turkey Pad Thai | 30 Minute Recipe (6)

Step 5: Cook noodles in Pad Thai Sauce

Add the reserved sauce to the skillet and the drained noodles and cook over medium heat, stirring, until the noodles are heated through, about 1 minute.

Step 6: Finish and serve

Combine the noodle mixture with the turkey, add the scallion greens and toss to coat. Serve each portion topped with the herbs and nuts.

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Healthy Ground Turkey Pad Thai | 30 Minute Recipe (7)

FAQ’s and Expert Tips for the Best Turkey Pad Thai

Make Ahead, Leftovers, Storage, Reheating

  • Make Ahead: You can chop the cabbage and whisk the sauce and keep separate in air tight containers (and the sauce in a jar) for up to four days.
  • Leftovers: Any leftover Turkey Pad Thai can be stored in an resealable container in the refrigerator up to three days. Enjoy cold or reheat to serve.
  • Reheating: To reheat place one serving in a microwave safe bowl with a tablespoon or so of water. Cover with parchment. Microwave on high in 30 second intervals (tossing with a fork to break up clumps) until steaming hot. Alternatively re-heat in a medium non-stick skillet over medium heat with a little water, stirring often. Reheat while stirring until hot and the noodles are broken apart.

Serving Suggestions for Healthy Pad Thai

Serve this healthy Pad Thai with Turkey on its own or pair it with one of these dishes:

  • Pair with a simple green veggie like Green Beans
  • This Thai Green Mango Salad is a perfect sweet and tangy side dish for Pad Thai
  • Serve the Pad Thai as a side dish with Broiled Thai Skirt Steak and Sesame Slaw.
  • A crunchy Thai Cucumber Salad would be great with this too.
  • Serve Watermelon Sorbet or Coconut and Pineapple Sorbet as a dessert course

Variations To Try

  • Use leftover turkey. Instead of browning the turkey in step 3, simply sizzle the scallion whites for a minute or so. Then add your chopped leftover turkey with the coconut milk and Napa cabbage in step 3.
  • Instead of Napa cabbage, shave down your prep time and use bagged coleslaw cabbage mix.
  • Use thinly sliced yellow onion or red onion instead of scallions
  • Add some spice by finely chopping a Thai bird chili and adding it to the skillet with the scallion whites. Alternatively, add some Sriracha to the sauce or pass hot sauce at the table

FAQs

What is the difference between lo mein and Pad Thai?

Pad Thai is a Thai noodle dish made with cooked rice noodles with a sweet and tangy sauce, meat, poultry or vegetables and crushed peanuts. Lo Mein is a Chinese noodle dish where the wheat noodles are parboiled, tossed with a light sauce, and added to a wok after the veggies and protein have been cooked.

What is the flavor in Pad Thai?

The overall flavors of this dish are a combination of sweet, savory, salty, nutty, tangy and acidic.

What is the best way to reheat Pad Thai?

The best way to reheat leftovers is to place the Pad Thai in a covered microwave-safe dish, add a bit of water and reheat in 30 second increments.

Healthy Ground Turkey Pad Thai | 30 Minute Recipe (8)

More Recipes With Thai Flavors

  • This veganThai pumpkin soup recipecomes together in 15 minutes—really! Plus, it’s paleo-friendly and gluten-free.
  • This Slow Cooker Thai Chicken Coconut Soup is loosely based on the classic Thai soup- Tom Kha Gai, but I’ve loaded it up with veggies and rice noodles to make it a easy, hearty and healthy weeknight meal.
  • Thai-style fish cakes with herbal salad made with Tilapia, cooked in coconut oil and served with a flavorful shredded salad with fresh lime, mint, cilantro and basil. It’s a flavor explosion!
  • I marinated this Grilled Skirt Steak in an easyCoconut Limecombination that gives it Thai-inspired flavor.
  • Just a simple platter of sliced tomatoes with 4 ingredient Thai Basil dressing.

Thanks so much for reading! If you are new here, you may want to sign up for my email newsletter to get a free weekly menu plan and the latest recipes right to your inbox. If you make this recipe, please come back and leave a star rating and review. I would love to hear what you thought!

Happy Cooking! ~Katie

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Healthy Ground Turkey Pad Thai | 30 Minute Recipe (9)

Healthy Turkey Pad Thai Recipe

5 Stars4 Stars3 Stars2 Stars1 Star

4.3 from 4 reviews

  • Author: Katie Webster
  • Total Time: 30 minutes
  • Yield: 4 servings 1x
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Description

This Healthy Pad Thai is made with ground turkey, simple ingredients and kitchen staples you can find at any grocery store! It’s even faster than takeout because you can get it on your table in 30 minutes flat!

Ingredients

UnitsScale

  • 6 ounces Thai stir-fry rice noodles
  • 3 tablespoons brown sugar
  • 3 tablespoons Thai fish sauce
  • 2 tablespoons tomato paste
  • 2 tablespoons lime juice
  • 1 tablespoon white vinegar
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt
  • 4 teaspoons canola oil
  • 1 pound ground turkey
  • 1 bunch scallions, sliced and whites and green parts divided
  • 8 cups sliced Napa cabbage or Chinese cabbage, (about 1 small head)
  • 1/2 cup lite coconut milk
  • 1/3 cup chopped roasted cashews or peanuts
  • 2 tablespoons chopped cilantro
  • 2 tablespoons chopped basil, preferably Thai

Instructions

  1. Bring a large pot of water to a boil. Boil the stir-fry noodles according to their package instructions. Drain and rinse with cold water.
  2. Meanwhile, whisk brown sugar, fish sauce, tomato paste, lime juice, vinegar and salt in a small bowl. Set aside.
  3. Heat oil in a large skillet over medium high heat. Add turkey and scallion whites. Crumble and stir the meat with a wooden spoon as it browns. Cook until the meat is cooked through, 6 to 9 minutes.
  4. Add cabbage and coconut milk and reduce heat to medium. Stir until the cabbage is just slightly wilted, 1 to 4 minutes. Transfer the turkey mixture to a large bowl.
  5. Add the reserved sauce to the skillet and the drained noodles and cook over medium heat, stirring, until the noodles are heated through, about 1 minute.
  6. Transfer the noodle mixture to the bowl with the turkey, add the scallion greens and toss to coat. Serve each portion topped with the herbs and nuts.

Notes

How to reheat leftovers:

Place the Pad Thai in a covered microwave safe dish, add a bit of water and reheat in 30 second increments.

  • Prep Time: 30 minutes
  • Cook Time: 20 minutes
  • Category: Main Course
  • Method: Stove Top
  • Cuisine: Thai

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 2 cups each
  • Calories: 365
  • Fat: 13
  • Saturated Fat: 3 g
  • Fiber: 3 g
  • Protein: 21 g

Healthy Ground Turkey Pad Thai | 30 Minute Recipe (10)

About the Author

Katie Webster

Katie Webster studied art and photography at Skidmore College and is a graduate of the New England Culinary Institute. She has been a professional recipe developer since 2001 when she first started working in the test kitchen at EatingWell magazine. Her recipes have been featured in numerous magazines including Shape, Fitness, Parents and several Edible Communities publications among others. Her cookbook, Maple {Quirk Books} was published in 2015. She launched Healthy Seasonal Recipes in 2009. She lives in Vermont with her husband, two teenage daughters and two yellow labs. In her free time, you can find her at the gym, cooking, stacking firewood, making maple syrup, and tending to her overgrown perennial garden.

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10 comments on “Turkey Pad Thai”

  1. PJ Van March 18, 2024 @ 1:49 pm Reply

    Loved this recipe and so did the family. I added some hot pepper flakes because we like a little heat. It was fresh, light, and so yummy. Something different.

  2. Tracy March 6, 2023 @ 8:03 pm Reply

    We loved the combination of textures with the fresh Napa, smooth noodles, crunchy nuts, etc, but there seemed to be very little Thai flavor in the overall dish. We made it strictly according to the recipe, only substituting extra basil in place of cilantro, but were disappointed by its bland taste.

    • Katie Webster March 16, 2023 @ 5:19 am Reply

      Hi Tracy, Thank you for your honest feedback. I really appreciate it. It sounds like this is a recipe I may need to revisit!

  3. Jan Marinelli June 30, 2021 @ 8:23 pm Reply

    Really liked this recipe.
    Will make it again, and again.
    Tastes fresher and healthier than most take-out Pad Thai.
    Was wondering what additional spice to add to give it a wee bit more punch? Thoughts?
    Otherwise, happy with it like it is.

    • Katie July 2, 2021 @ 8:29 am Reply

      Glad you like it! You can add some sriracha and soy or tamari.

  4. Trudy April 15, 2020 @ 11:16 am Reply

    Fine recipe – the tomato paste actually ends up making it taste quite a bit like spaghetti. I ended up adding much more fish sauce and including sesame oil, which was not originally included, to cover up the tomato taste. I also had to add quite a bit of spice (Sriracha) to cover the sweetness from both the tomato paste and the brown sugar. My advice would be to add half the tomato paste and half to 2/3 of the brown sugar in this recipe, as well as include your favorite Pad Thai spice (in my case, the Sriracha). I also thought the coconut milk came out too strongly tasting like coconut, so again, had to incorporate more fish sauce and sesame oil.

  5. Kristi Rimkus June 5, 2012 @ 12:37 am Reply

    What a terrific use for ground turkey! Everything looks beautiful!

  6. ChefAndie June 4, 2012 @ 3:07 pm Reply

    I just happened on your website and read both this great sounding recipe and about Linke. I too have occassional flashbacks of his critiques (and appreciate them).
    Fellow Skiddie Class of 1990

  7. myfudo June 4, 2012 @ 8:49 am Reply

    Looks wonderful. Haven’t tried anything like this. I love the combination.

  8. thyme June 3, 2012 @ 2:35 am Reply

    Looks fantastic. It was all worth the effort you put into getting it right. We go out for Pad Thai once a month and I just inhale it.

Healthy Ground Turkey Pad Thai | 30 Minute Recipe (2024)

FAQs

How healthy is pad thai? ›

While pad thai includes many nutritious ingredients, its sodium content is considerably high. You can reduce its sodium by requesting the eatery go easy on the sauce and salt-contributing condiments. If you make your own, though, you can manage the amount of ingredients and seasonings used.

What makes ground turkey juicy? ›

Process the Ground Meat for Juicier Texture

Instead of blending the mix with our hands, we reground the meat with seasonings in a food processor. Grinding meat develops myosin, a sticky meat protein that traps water and fat, keeping it juicy.

How do you add fat to lean ground turkey? ›

To keep the turkey meat moist and flavorful, you should consider adding 2 tablespoons of oil per pound of meat. In retrospect, this amount of oil is very small compared to the amount of meat you're cooking with. Plus, you can use your favorite oil — whether it's old-fashioned olive oil, peanut oil, or sunflower oil.

What is the difference between Pad See Ew and Pad Thai? ›

What is The Difference Between Pad See Ew & Pad Thai? Noodles – Pad Thai is often made with thin rice noodles whereas Pad See Ew will have a wider, flatter rice noodle. Sauce – Pad Thai is all about the tamarind whereas Pad See Ew takes its primary sauce flavor from soy sauce.

What is the unhealthiest Thai dish? ›

Worst: Red or Green Curry

Thai curries are usually made with a hefty dose of coconut milk, and that won't do your diet any favors. One cup of the creamy milk packs in 400 calories. It also has 36 grams of saturated fat -- more than three times the recommended daily amount.

What can I add to ground turkey to make it taste better? ›

How do you add flavor to ground turkey? Turkey meat can be flavored with easy ingredients like kosher salt and pepper, bell peppers, garlic powder, and olive oil. If you're cooking meat, specifically turkey taco meat, hot sauce and enchilada sauce are your best mates.

How do you keep ground turkey from falling apart? ›

Just like in a traditional meatloaf, you need something to hold the meat together. Try adding some dry breadcrumbs to the turkey mixture before you shape the patties. The crumbs will absorb the moisture and, together with the egg, will act like glue and help your burgers maintain their shape on the grill.

Do you season ground turkey before cooking? ›

Before you start cooking, be sure to season the ground turkey well with salt and pepper. Also consider including dried herbs and spices for additional flavor. If you're cooking meatballs or meatloaf, pinch off some of the seasoned mixture and cook it in a skillet to taste. Adjust seasoning accordingly.

What is the best fat to add to ground turkey? ›

Most ground turkey is “lean ground turkey”, meaning it has a low fat content. While it makes for a great leaner alternative when you're choosing meat, it also means it can be a little dry. Make sure to add a good source of cooking fat like olive oil or avocado oil.

Is ground turkey good for cutting weight? ›

Ground turkey is a great food choice for individuals looking to shed excess weight. It offers several health and nutritional benefits, including: High protein content: Ground turkey is an excellent source of lean protein — a crucial component of any weight loss diet.

Is lean ground turkey good for weight loss? ›

Lean Ground Turkey is a great choice for those aiming to manage their weight. Packed with protein and low in calories, it helps keep you feeling full, potentially reducing overall calorie intake.

What meat is best for Pad Thai? ›

Pad Thai is a Thai noodle stir fry with a sweet-savoury-sour sauce scattered with crushed peanuts. It's made with thin, flat rice noodles, and almost always has bean sprouts, garlic chives, scrambled egg, firm tofu and a protein – the most popular being chicken or prawns/shrimp.

Is drunken noodle healthier than Pad Thai? ›

Pad Thai has roughly 357 calories in one cup. Drunk Noodles contain about 323 calories per cup. That means that the calorie count for these recipes is fairly similar, giving you a similar health profile regardless of which you order.

What makes Pad Thai taste like Pad Thai? ›

Pad thai is made with rice noodles, which are stir fried with eggs and chopped firm tofu, flavored with tamarind juice, fish sauce, dried shrimp, garlic, shallots, and sometimes red chili pepper and palm sugar, and served with lime wedges and often crushed roasted peanuts.

Is Thai food healthy or unhealthy? ›

Traditional Thai cuisine is quite healthy and largely based on vegetables, lean proteins, and fresh herbs and spices. Certain Thai dishes are high in refined carbs and may contain deep-fried foods, added sugar, or high amounts of salt.

Are Pad Thai noodles healthier than pasta? ›

Pasta and rice noodles are just about tied when it comes to calories, fat and fiber, as well as on the carb front (if you're on a low-carb diet like keto, stick to zoodles). Regular pasta has about 2 grams of sugar per serving while rice noodles are virtually sugar-free. Both are also free of cholesterol.

What are the pros of Pad Thai? ›

Health Benefits

The vegetables in the Pad Thai will provide you with a good amount of vitamins, minerals and antioxidants. A diet rich in vegetables has been shown to have positive effects on our blood pressure, heart health, brain function and digestion.

Is Pad Thai healthier than drunken noodles? ›

Pad Thai has roughly 357 calories in one cup. Drunk Noodles contain about 323 calories per cup. That means that the calorie count for these recipes is fairly similar, giving you a similar health profile regardless of which you order.

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