11 Heart-Healthy Ground Turkey Recipes (All Under 400 mg Sodium)

By Candace Braun Zafirellis
Updated 10/1/2026
Approved for These Diets:
11 Heart-Healthy Ground Turkey Recipes (All Under 400 mg Sodium)
Photo Credit: Adobe Stock

Ground turkey is one of the most versatile proteins in the kitchen. It soaks up whatever flavors you pair it with, from smoky chili spices to fresh basil and balsamic, and lean ground turkey is a smart swap for higher-fat ground meats on a heart-healthy diet.

The catch? Ground turkey dinners can still end up salty if you lean on seasoning packets, turkey sausage, or regular canned goods. So our Health eCooks Test Kitchen built every one of these recipes to have under 400 mg of sodium per serving. Each dish was developed by our team of chefs and dietitians to balance taste and nutrition. You'll find chili, meatballs, burgers, a cozy shepherd's pie, and even a crowd-pleasing taco dip.

How We Keep These Ground Turkey Recipes Low in Sodium

Plain ground turkey is fairly low in sodium on its own. Most of the salt in a ground turkey dinner comes from what you cook it with, so here's how our dietitians kept the numbers down:

  • Plain ground turkey, not sausage. Turkey sausage is heavily seasoned with salt, so our Turkey Bolognese uses just 2 ounces of it for flavor alongside a full pound of 99% lean ground turkey.
  • No-salt-added tomatoes and beans. The Slow Cooker Turkey Chili uses no-salt-added diced tomatoes, kidney beans, and tomato sauce, which is how it gets all the way down to 108 mg of sodium per serving.
  • Reduced sodium condiments. Ketchup, Worcestershire, and barbecue sauce add up fast. Our Turkey Sloppy Joes use reduced sodium ketchup and salt-free honey barbecue sauce, and they still taste like the real deal.
  • Moisture from veggies and dairy. Grated carrots in the Caprese Turkey Burgers and a creamy Greek yogurt gravy on the Swedish Meatballs keep lean turkey juicy without salty add-ins.

Want more ways to cut back? Our low sodium diet guidelines are a great place to start.

11 Heart-Healthy Ground Turkey Recipes to Make This Week

From slow-simmered chili to party-ready sliders, these recipes cover every night of the week. Each one lists the total time and key nutrition facts per serving.

  1. Heart Healthy Slow Cooker Turkey Chili
    Photo Credit: Adobe Stock
    200 mins

    Total time: 3 hours 20 minutes | 134 calories | 20 g protein | 5 g fiber | 108 mg sodium

    Let the slow cooker do the work! Lean turkey breast, red and green bell peppers, kidney beans, and tomatoes simmer low and slow with oregano, cumin, and a pinch of red pepper flakes. Top each bowl with a little sharp cheddar, fresh parsley, or a dollop of Greek yogurt. It's the lowest-sodium recipe on this list.

  2. Heart Healthy Turkey Chili
    Photo Credit: Baldwin Publishing Staff Photographer
    30 mins

    Total time: 30 minutes | 175 calories | 19 g protein | 4 g fiber | 279 mg sodium

    No time to slow cook? This stovetop chili has the same hearty, beany comfort without the wait. Ground turkey breast, red bell pepper, and kidney beans cook in a no-salt-added tomato base with cumin and a splash of hot sauce for a gentle kick. Finish it with fresh parsley and a sprinkle of low-fat cheddar.

  3. Heart Healthy Sweet Potato Shepherd’s Pie
    Photo Credit: Baldwin Publishing Staff Photographer
    90 mins

    Total time: 1 hour 30 minutes | 434 calories | 35 g protein | 5 g fiber | 270 mg sodium

    This is the heartiest recipe in the collection, and it's made for cold nights. A savory filling of ground turkey, carrots, celery, and peas simmers in a light gravy, then gets covered with a fluffy, creamy layer of mashed sweet potatoes. With 35 grams of protein and 5 grams of fiber per serving, one plate is a complete meal.

  4. Kidney-Friendly Turkey Meatloaf
    Photo Credit: Baldwin Publishing Staff Photographer
    65 mins

    Total time: 1 hour 5 minutes | 240 calories | 26 g protein | 1 g fiber | 208 mg sodium

    Classic meatloaf, lightened up! Lean ground turkey is mixed with onion, garlic, oregano, and thyme, then baked under a sweet and tangy glaze of no-salt-added ketchup and honey. It's simple and family-friendly, and the leftovers make a great sandwich the next day (use low sodium bread to keep the numbers down).

  5. Turkey Swedish Meatballs
    Photo Credit: Baldwin Publishing Staff Photographer
    180 mins

    Total time: 3 hours | 200 calories | 21 g protein | 1 g fiber | 183 mg sodium

    If you love the Swedish meatballs at IKEA, you're going to want to try these. Tender turkey meatballs seasoned with allspice and nutmeg are smothered in a silky gravy made with unsalted chicken stock and Greek yogurt. Serve them over whole grain egg noodles or with mashed potatoes for the ultimate comfort food dinner.

  6. Heart Healthy Turkey Meatballs
    Photo Credit: Baldwin Publishing Staff Photographer
    180 mins

    Total time: 3 hours | 214 calories | 17 g protein | 6 g fiber | 243 mg sodium

    Roasted eggplant is the secret ingredient in these meatballs. It keeps them super moist and helps each serving reach 6 grams of fiber. They simmer in a smoky tomato sauce with a little chipotle heat (skip the chipotle if you like things mild). Spoon them over whole grain pasta, or serve them as a heart-healthy appetizer.

  7. Healthy Turkey Bolognese Sauce
    Photo Credit: Baldwin Publishing Staff Photographer
    35 mins

    Total time: 35 minutes | 154 calories | 19 g protein | 2 g fiber | 139 mg sodium (sauce only)

    This rich, meaty sauce tastes like it simmered for hours. Mushrooms, carrots, bell pepper, fresh rosemary, and a splash of red wine build deep flavor, and just 2 ounces of turkey sausage adds that classic Italian taste. Toss it with whole grain pasta for a cozy low sodium dinner.

  8. Healthy Turkey Sloppy Joes
    Photo Credit: Jessica Kielman, Baldwin Publishing
    30 mins

    Total time: 30 minutes | 303 calories | 33 g protein | 2 g fiber | 337 mg sodium

    Messy, saucy, and totally delicious! These sloppy joes skip the canned sauce for a homemade one made with reduced sodium ketchup, salt-free honey barbecue sauce, and a little apple cider vinegar. Red and green bell peppers add color and crunch. With 33 grams of protein per sandwich, they'll keep everyone full until bedtime.

  9. Heart Healthy Caprese Burgers
    Photo Credit: Baldwin Publishing Staff Photographer
    30 mins

    Total time: 30 minutes | 261 calories | 35 g protein | 2 g fiber | 362 mg sodium

    These burgers use thick slices of grilled beefsteak tomato in place of a bun! Juicy turkey patties made with grated carrots and fresh basil get topped with melty part-skim mozzarella and a drizzle of balsamic glaze. They're light, fresh, and a fun way to enjoy garden flavors any time of year.

  10. Heart Healthy Turkey Sliders with Slaw
    Photo Credit: Baldwin Publishing Staff Photographer
    45 mins

    Total time: 45 minutes | 177 calories | 10 g protein | 2 g fiber | 224 mg sodium

    Bright, zesty, and a little spicy, these Asian-inspired sliders are a nice change of pace. Ground turkey breast is seasoned with lemongrass, garlic, scallions, and sriracha, then topped with a crunchy cucumber and red cabbage slaw. The recipe makes 12 sliders, so it's perfect for a party.

  11. Heart Healthy Taco Dip
    Photo Credit: Baldwin Publishing Staff Photographer
    30 mins

    Total time: 30 minutes | 126 calories | 17 g protein | 1 g fiber | 192 mg sodium

    Bring this layered dip to your next game day and watch it disappear! Seasoned ground turkey, tomatoes, low-fat sour cream, reduced-fat cheddar, and shredded lettuce stack up into a party favorite with 17 grams of protein per serving. Serve it with corn tortilla chips or crunchy veggies for dipping.

Ground Turkey FAQs

  • It depends on the package. 99% lean ground turkey breast is one of the leanest ground meats you can buy, but regular ground turkey (often 85% or 93% lean) can have as much saturated fat as some lean ground beef. The best way to compare is to check the saturated fat on the Nutrition Facts label. Both can fit into a heart-healthy diet, and our 12 heart-healthy ground beef recipes each have under 300 mg of sodium per serving.

  • Lean turkey has less fat, so it needs a little help staying juicy. Mix in grated vegetables, like the carrots in our Caprese Turkey Burgers, or bread crumbs soaked in milk, like our Swedish Meatballs. Simmering turkey in a sauce helps too. Cook ground turkey to an internal temperature of 165°F, and use a meat thermometer so you don't go past it.

  • Most of them freeze beautifully. Chili, meatballs, meatloaf, and Bolognese sauce all keep well in airtight containers for 2 to 3 months. Thaw them in the fridge overnight, then reheat until they're hot all the way through (165°F).

More Healthy Ground Turkey Recipes

Can't get enough ground turkey? Here are more collections to explore:

Whether you're cooking for one or feeding the whole family, these recipes make it easy to eat well without giving up flavor. Pick a favorite, make a double batch, and enjoy the leftovers all week!

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