You should make Grilled Turkey Zucchini Boats because they are fresh, healthy and super easy!
I don’t know about you, but I’m getting a little bored with the usual grilling options and looking for quick and healthy alternatives that also include some sort of vegetable in the mix.
My husband has fond memories of his grandmother serving up ginormous stuffed zucchini in the summer months. Why not take advantage of the summer bounty? Her version was super satisfying and almost always made in the oven.
Despite the main ingredient being a vegetable fresh from the garden, the Italian version isn’t as health conscious as I would like it to be. Zucchini can be turned into everything from pasta to zucchini fries!
I wanted to make a version I wouldn’t feel guilty about that was super convenient using TURKEY!
Why You’ll Love These Turkey Zucchini Boats
Fresh garden zucchini stuffed with a flavorful filling made with nutritious ingredients- what’s not to love!
- Easy dinner – Whether you have a busy night or just need to get dinner on the table quickly, this is a great recipe for any weeknight meal.
- Healthy dish – With lean ground turkey and fresh zucchini, you can make this dish super low carb while also still tasting delicious.
- Versatile – There are plenty of ways for you to change up this recipe to be one that the whole family enjoys.
Ingredients
The ingredient list for these turkey zucchini boats is fairly short and very simple!
- Ground turkey – You can either use lean ground turkey, or this is also a great way to use up leftover turkey from Thanksgiving if you have any.
- Large zucchini – Zucchini recipes are very popular during summer, but you can get them at the grocery store all year. You’ll scoop out the zucchini pulp and leave on the zucchini skin.
- Extra virgin olive oil – This is what you will use to sauté the onion, garlic and tomatoes. It helps them to not stick to the pan.
- Petite diced tomatoes – These are usually found in a can, or you can dice them yourself. Make sure they are drained because zucchini flesh already has a high water content.
- Sweet onion – I like to use a sweeter onion to add tot he flavor of the filling. A yellow onion is a great option, but you ca also use a white onion.
- Garlic cloves – Freshly minced garlic takes this filling to another level.
- Chili powder – This is optional, but I love the flavor and the slight spice it adds to the turkey filling.
- Shredded cheese – The melted cheese on top of the turkey zucchini boats is the best part! You can use mozzarella cheese, parmesan cheese or any cheese you’d prefer.
How to Make Turkey Zucchini Boats
You are going to love how easy it is to make this zucchini boat recipe!
- Sauté onion, garlic and tomatoes. In a large skillet, heat extra virgin olive oil over medium-high heat. Add onion, garlic and petite tomatoes, stirring frequently until soft and dry.
- Cook turkey. Crumble ground turkey, adding it to the pan. Continue to crumble while cooking. Mixture will be dry, but if it starts to stick, add a little more extra virgin olive oil.
- Prepare zucchini. While cooking, split zucchini in half lengthwise. Spoon out center with a spoon or melon baller, you can reserve for salads, dressing or a smoothie or discard.
- Add filling to zucchini and cook. Spoon turkey mixture into zucchini boats. Carefully set zucchini onto grates use a fish spatula. Grill for a few minutes, or until zucchini is tender.
- Top with cheese. Sprinkle with cheese and close lid with heat off for a few minutes to allow cheese to melt.
What to Serve with Turkey Zucchini Boats
Serve these zucchini boats with whatever you’d like to! If you’re trying to stick to healthier options, a simple side salad and some other fresh veggies would be perfect.
You could also serve with a starch or some sort. Brown rice, potatoes of some sort like mashed potatoes, or even some garlic bread would all be a great option.
Variations
We like this recipe exactly as written, but there are plenty of different ways for you to make these ground turkey zucchini boats your own.
- Buffalo turkey zucchini boats – Add a little spice to your zucchini by adding some buffalo sauce! Add a dash of salt and sprinkle some blue cheese on top and you’ve got a whole new meal.
- Taco zucchini boats – Swap out the seasoning for some taco seasoning, add some black beans, sour cream, fresh cilantro and cheddar cheese and you have zucchini taco boats!
- Italian – Turn this into an Italian food twist by adding some marinara sauce or tomato sauce, italian seasoning, italian sausage instead of turkey and some fresh tomatoes for the perfect meal.
- Toppings – You can keep the recipe as is, just add extra toppings. Some of our favorite toppings are bell peppers, diced onion and other various veggies and plain greek yogurt.
- Meat mixture – Instead of using turkey, you can use another lean protein such as ground beef or even ground chicken.
- In the oven – During the winter months, throw them in the oven for 20 minutes at 350 degrees and they will be ready to go!
Storage and Freezing
Storage: This easy meal makes great leftovers! Store any leftovers you may have in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to five days.
Freezing: Stuffed zucchini boats will freeze best in a freezer-safe container. This could either be a ziplock plastic bag or airtight container.
Frequently Asked Questions
Serve these zucchini boats with whatever you’d like to! If you’re trying to stick to healthier options, a simple side salad and some other fresh veggies would be perfect.
Because the zucchini halves tend to get a bit soggy, I would recommend reheating in the oven. You could also try it in the air fryer if you’d like.
Stuffed zucchini boats will freeze best in a freezer-safe container. This could either be a ziplock plastic bag or airtight container.
More Grilled Meals
Asian Steak Marinade
Best BBQ Rib Recipe
Caprese Burgers
Grilled Turkey Zucchini Boats
Ingredients
- 1 pound ground turkey
- 4 medium zucchinis
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 13.5 ounces petite diced tomatoes , drained
- 1/2 cup sweet onion , chopped
- 2 cloves garlic , minced
- Pinch fine sea salt
- Pinch of chili powder optional
- 1/2 cup shredded cheese , your choice
Instructions
- In a large skillet, heat the olive oil over medium-high heat.
- Add the onion, garlic and petite tomatoes, stirring frequently until soft and dry.
- Crumble the ground turkey, adding it to the pan. Continue to crumble while cooking. Mixture will be dry, but if it starts to stick, add a little more oil.
- While cooking, cut the zucchini in half lengthwise. Spoon out center with a spoon or melon baller, you can reserve for salads, dressing or a smoothie or discard.
- Spoon the turkey mixture into the zucchini boats.
- Heat the grill to medium-high heat and oil the grates. Carefully set the zucchini onto the grates on direct heat using a fish spatula (or other long spatula). Grill for 5-8 minutes, or until zucchini is tender, but still holds its shape.
- Sprinkle with cheese and close lid with heat off for 1-2 minutes to allow cheese to melt. Remove and serve immediately.
- If you've tried this recipe, come back and let us know how it was in the comments or star ratings.
Nutrition
I haven’t made zucchini boats in a long time! Such a delicious and wholesome meal for the family. With the summer squash still coming in fresh, I’m going to make these!
These are so good! I love all the flavors, and even the kids ate them. First class recipe.
The filling was so delicious! I used yellow summer squash from my garden and it worked well.
This recipe was so good! Loved how fun they were to serve and how healthier they are with the turkey.