Home
Recipes
Meat and Poultry Recipes
Turkey
Ground Turkey Recipes
Carrot, Tomato, and Spinach Quinoa Pilaf with Ground Turkey

Carrot, Tomato, and Spinach Quinoa Pilaf with Ground Turkey

Name: Carrot, Tomato, and Spinach Quinoa Pilaf with Ground Turkey
Prep time: 20 min
Cook time: 40 min
Total time: 60 min
Yield: 2 1/2 cups
Ingredients: 2 teaspoons olive oil; 1 cup quinoa; ½ onion, chopped; 2 cups water; 2 tablespoons chicken-flavored vegetable bouillon; 1 teaspoon ground black pepper; 1 teaspoon ground thyme; 1 carrot, chopped; 1 tomato, chopped; 1 cup baby spinach; 2 tablespoons olive oil; 1 pound ground turkey, or more to taste; 1 (14.5 ounce) can black beans, rinsed and drained

Rating: 4.45 stars

56 Ratings
45 Reviews
32 Photos

I took some leftover quinoa pilaf and added black beans and ground turkey. It made an excellent one-dish meal that hits the table in a hurry. I found it was a good way to use up the leftovers from another dinner. We have the pilaf as a side dish for the two of us, and it is always too much. Adding ground turkey and black beans makes another unique meal that is quick to prepare. Enjoy!

By steveweis

Gallery

Recipe Summary

prep:

20 mins

cook:

40 mins

total:

1 hr

Servings:

Yield:

2 1/2 cups

Nutrition Info

Directions

Step 1

Heat 2 teaspoons olive oil in a saucepan over medium heat; cook and stir onion in hot oil until translucent, about 5 minutes. Reduce heat to medium-low, stir quinoa with the onion, and cook, stirring constantly, until the quinoa is lightly toasted, about 2 minutes.

Advertisement
Step 2

Pour water into the saucepan; add bouillon granules, black pepper, and thyme. Bring the liquid to a boil, place a cover on the saucepan, reduce heat to low, and cook at a simmer until the quinoa softens, about 5 minutes.
Step 3

Stir carrot into the quinoa mixture, replace cover, and continue to cook at a simmer until water is completely absorbed, about 10 minutes more.
Step 4

Remove saucepan from heat. Stir tomato and baby spinach into the quinoa mixture until the spinach wilts, about 2 minutes.
Step 5

Heat 2 tablespoons olive oil in large skillet over medium-high heat. Cook and stir turkey in the hot skillet until browned and crumbly, 5 to 7 minutes; drain and discard grease. Reduce heat to medium-low. Stir black beans with the turkey; cook and stir until the beans are hot, 2 to 3 minutes; add the quinoa mixture, stir, and cook until heated through, about 5 minutes more.

Cook's Note:

I add about 2 ounces water when using leftover pilaf and mixing with the turkey and beans; it turns out perfect!

Nutrition Facts

Per Serving:

422 calories; protein 28.6g; carbohydrates 40.8g; fat 16.6g; cholesterol 66.9mg; sodium 396mg. Full Nutrition

Reviews (45)

Most helpful positive review

Linda T

Allstar

05/21/2015

This was a tasty recipe. I used a tri color quinoa and doubled the carrot and spinach... think it could have used more. I added a little spice to mine with Sriracha. Worked great by itself and as a burrito filling Read More

Helpful

(10)

Most helpful critical review

cpwoolley

02/05/2020

Just ok - to me it was more of a side dish.....an ok weeknight meal. Read More

56 Ratings

5 star values: 34
4 star values: 15
3 star values: 6
2 star values: 0
1 star values: 1

Reviews: Most Helpful

Most Helpful Most Positive Least Positive Newest

Linda T

Allstar

05/21/2015

Helpful

(10)

Tx2gamommy

03/10/2016

Delicious and easy to make. I sautéed garlic in with the onion, doubled the veggies and added chopped cilantro. I also cooked in a splash of Chalula. We will make again!! Read More

Helpful

(9)

Megan Newton

03/27/2016

Altered this recipe a bit to fit what we had at the house. Browned about a pound and a half of ground turkey, and set aside. I then sautéed an onion in some coconut oil, added an entire box of herb & garlic Near East quinoa & pilaf, the amount of water the box called for, the seasoning mix included with the quinoa/pilaf mixture, pepper, and cooked according to the directions in this recipe. I then added two tomatoes cut into chunks and a thawed box of frozen spinach. After cooking for a few minutes, I added the ground turkey and a can of seasoned black beans that I did not drain or rinse. After all the liquid was absorbed, dinner was served. My husband, daughter, and unborn child all absolutely loved it! Read More

Helpful

(7)

Melody Rose

06/28/2015

I used freekeh instead of quinoa. Also, I used chickpeas instead of black beans. The recipe is very delicious. I was looking for a recipe that incorporated a grain like quinoa and ground meat, such as turkey. Read More

Helpful

(3)

Tracy E

01/08/2016

This dish was delicious! My whole family loved it. I didn't have a tomato so substituted with a can of diced tomatoes. I was confused about the addition of the bouillon so just used 1 cube of a chicken bouillon and it was perfect. Added a little mozzie for my kids, who ate 2 & 3 servings each...with no complaints! Read More

Helpful

(3)

Shelley Cruz

10/27/2017

Very yummy! I also added more spinach and also put in mushrooms and a can of diced tomatoes. It needed more salt in my opinion and we also added some Tapaito sauce to spice it up. Definitely a keeper. Read More

Helpful

(2)

MooMooHeartie

12/14/2020

We thought this recipe was wayyyy too peppery. It may have been because we used onion powder instead of real onions, who knows. But we may try it again and just add pepper to taste! Read More

Helpful

(1)

Marie Aldrich

07/21/2020

A family favorite now. I use Turkey Bone Broth or just Turkey Broth vs water & bouillon. I use a drained can of original Rotel vs tomato. Sometimes I substitute 1/2 bag-1 full bag fzn spinach. I grate my carrot finely and let it cook in with the quinoa to make it softer. Read More

Helpful

(1)

TheManCooks

03/04/2019

good combination of ingredients..this took 30 mins to make though. not 60. Read More

Helpful

(1)

cpwoolley

02/05/2020

Just ok - to me it was more of a side dish.....an ok weeknight meal. Read More

More Reviews

Back to Carrot, Tomato, and Spinach Quinoa Pilaf with Ground Turkey

All Reviews for Carrot, Tomato, and Spinach Quinoa Pilaf with Ground Turkey

- of Reviews

Carrot, Tomato, and Spinach Quinoa Pilaf with Ground Turkey

Servings Per Recipe: 5
Calories: 421.6

% Daily Value *

protein: 57 %

carbohydrates: 13 %

dietary fiber: 38 %

sugars:

fat: 26 %

saturated fat: 16 %

cholesterol: 22 %

vitamin a iu: 65 %

niacin equivalents: 76 %

vitamin b6: 35 %

vitamin c: 17 %

folate: 35 %

calcium: 9 %

iron: 29 %

magnesium: 45 %

potassium: 23 %

sodium: 16 %

thiamin: 27 %

calories from fat:

*Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet. Your daily values may be higher or lower depending on your calorie needs.

**Nutrient information is not available for all ingredients. Amount is based on available nutrient data.

(-)Information is not currently available for this nutrient. If you are following a medically restrictive diet, please consult your doctor or registered dietitian before preparing this recipe for personal consumption.

Reviews for: Photos of Carrot, Tomato, and Spinach Quinoa Pilaf with Ground Turkey

1 of 45

All Reviews

Linda T

Allstar

05/21/2015

Helpful

(10)

Tx2gamommy

03/10/2016

Delicious and easy to make. I sautéed garlic in with the onion, doubled the veggies and added chopped cilantro. I also cooked in a splash of Chalula. We will make again!!

Helpful

(9)

Megan Newton

03/27/2016

Helpful

(7)

Melody Rose

06/28/2015

Helpful

(3)

Tracy E

01/08/2016

Helpful

(3)

Shelley Cruz

10/27/2017

Helpful

(2)

MooMooHeartie

12/14/2020

We thought this recipe was wayyyy too peppery. It may have been because we used onion powder instead of real onions, who knows. But we may try it again and just add pepper to taste!

Helpful

(1)

Marie Aldrich