Name: Grilled Turkey Zucchini Boats
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: PT-492193H47M22S
Total time: PT-492193H47M22S
Cuisine: mexican
Ingredients: 4 medium zucchini; 1 tablespoon olive oil, plus more for brushing; 1 pound ground turkey (93% lean or leaner); 1 small onion, finely chopped; 2 cloves garlic, minced; 1 (1.25 ounce) packet taco seasoning mix; 1/2 cup water; 1/2 cup shredded Monterey Jack or cheddar cheese; Optional toppings: diced tomatoes; chopped cilantro; sour cream; salsa; sliced jalapeños

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These grilled turkey zucchini boats are a delicious and healthy low-carb meal, perfect for a family dinner.

High-Protein Grilled Turkey Zucchini Boats 16

They’re a fantastic way to enjoy all the flavors of tacos without the heavy carbs, making them a weeknight favorite. Each serving provides about 25 grams of protein.

You’re going to love how simple and satisfying this recipe is, whether you’re grilling outdoors or using an indoor grill pan. It’s a versatile dish that easily adapts to what you have on hand and is sure to become a regular in your meal rotation.

What You’ll Love About This Quick And Easy Recipe
Everything You Need To Make This Recipe Without Stress
Time Needed From Start To Finish
How To Make It Step By Step With Visual Cues
Easy Variations And Serving Ideas That Fit Real Life
Common Slip-Ups And How To Avoid Them
How To Store It And Make It Ahead Without Ruining Texture
Questions People Always Ask Before Making This Recipe

What You’ll Love About This Quick And Easy Recipe

This recipe is a winner for so many reasons. First, it’s incredibly quick to prepare, making it ideal for busy weeknights when you want something homemade but don’t have hours to spend in the kitchen. It’s also a fantastic way to incorporate more vegetables into your family’s diet in a fun and appealing way. The grilled aspect adds a wonderful smoky flavor that elevates the humble zucchini, and the seasoned ground turkey filling is both hearty and flavorful. This dish is perfect for anyone looking for a low-carb, high-protein meal that doesn’t skimp on taste. Serve it as a main course for a casual family dinner, or even as a lighter option when entertaining friends.

Everything You Need To Make This Recipe Without Stress

Gathering your ingredients ahead of time makes the cooking process smooth and enjoyable. You’ll find that most of these items are likely already in your pantry or easily found at any grocery store.

INGREDIENTS:

4 medium zucchini
1 tablespoon olive oil, plus more for brushing
1 pound ground turkey (93% lean or leaner)
1 small onion, finely chopped
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 (1.25 ounce) packet taco seasoning mix
1/2 cup water
1/2 cup shredded Monterey Jack or cheddar cheese
Optional toppings: diced tomatoes, chopped cilantro, sour cream, salsa, sliced jalapeños

For the ground turkey, you can opt for even leaner varieties if you prefer, or if you’re not a fan of turkey, ground chicken or lean ground beef would also work well in this recipe. When choosing taco seasoning, feel free to pick your favorite brand or even make your own blend if you have a go-to recipe. If you don’t have Monterey Jack or cheddar cheese, a Mexican blend or even a sharp Colby Jack would be delicious. Don’t be afraid to adjust the amount of cheese to your liking – a little extra never hurt anyone!

Time Needed From Start To Finish

This recipe is designed for speed and efficiency, making it perfect for those evenings when time is of the essence.

Preparation Time: 15 minutes
Cooking Time: 15-20 minutes
Total Time: 30-35 minutes

These times are estimates and can vary slightly depending on how quickly you chop vegetables and the specific type of grill you are using. The goal is to get a delicious, satisfying meal on the table without feeling rushed.

How To Make It Step By Step With Visual Cues

Follow these simple steps to create your delicious grilled turkey zucchini boats. The process is straightforward, and you’ll be enjoying your meal in no time.

Prepare the Zucchini: Wash and trim the ends off the zucchini. Carefully slice each zucchini in half lengthwise. Using a spoon, gently scoop out the seeds and some of the flesh from the center, creating a “boat” shape. Be careful not to scoop too deeply, leaving about a quarter-inch border. Brush the cut sides of the zucchini lightly with olive oil and set aside.
Preheat the Grill: Preheat your outdoor grill or indoor grill pan to medium-high heat. You want it hot enough to get a nice sear on the zucchini.
Cook the Turkey Filling: In a large skillet, heat 1 tablespoon of olive oil over medium heat. Add the chopped onion and cook until softened, about 3-4 minutes. Stir in the minced garlic and cook for another minute until fragrant. Add the ground turkey to the skillet, breaking it up with a spoon. Cook until the turkey is fully browned and no pink remains, about 5-7 minutes. Drain any excess fat.
Season the Filling: Stir the taco seasoning mix into the cooked turkey. Pour in the 1/2 cup of water and bring to a simmer. Let it cook for 2-3 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the sauce has thickened and coated the turkey. Remove the skillet from the heat.
Grill the Zucchini Boats: Place the prepared zucchini halves cut-side down on the preheated grill. Grill for 4-6 minutes, or until grill marks appear and the zucchini is slightly tender but still firm. Flip the zucchini halves over so the cut side is facing up.
Fill and Finish: Carefully spoon the seasoned ground turkey mixture into each zucchini boat. Sprinkle the shredded cheese generously over the top of the filling. Close the grill lid (or cover the grill pan with foil) and cook for another 3-5 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and bubbly and the zucchini is tender-crisp.
Serve Hot: Carefully remove the grilled zucchini boats from the grill. Let them cool for a minute or two before serving. Garnish with your favorite toppings and enjoy!

Easy Variations And Serving Ideas That Fit Real Life

This recipe is incredibly adaptable, making it easy to customize for different tastes or occasions. For a kid-friendly twist, you can offer a “build-your-own” boat bar with various toppings like mild salsa, shredded lettuce, and a dollop of sour cream. If you want to add more vegetables to the filling, finely diced bell peppers or corn can be sautéed with the onion. For an extra kick, a pinch of red pepper flakes in the turkey mixture or some sliced jalapeños on top will do the trick.

These zucchini boats are fantastic on their own, but they also pair well with a simple side salad or a scoop of cilantro lime rice for those who aren’t strictly low-carb. For a party or buffet, you can make smaller zucchini boats using smaller zucchini and serve them as appetizers. Don’t forget the fresh toppings – a sprinkle of chopped fresh cilantro, diced avocado, or a drizzle of your favorite hot sauce can really brighten up the flavors.

Common Slip-Ups And How To Avoid Them

Even simple recipes can have a few common pitfalls. Knowing what to watch out for can help you achieve perfect results every time.

One common mistake is over-scooping the zucchini flesh, which can make the boats too thin and prone to falling apart on the grill. Aim for about a quarter-inch wall thickness to keep them sturdy. Another slip-up is overcooking the zucchini on the grill initially. You want it tender-crisp, not mushy. Keep an eye on it and remove it once you see good grill marks and it’s slightly softened.

When cooking the ground turkey, make sure to brown it thoroughly and drain any excess fat. This prevents the filling from becoming greasy. Finally, don’t forget to let the taco seasoning simmer with a little water to fully develop its flavor and thicken the sauce – this step is key for a well-seasoned filling.

How To Store It And Make It Ahead Without Ruining Texture

These grilled turkey zucchini boats are best enjoyed fresh, but you can certainly store leftovers or prepare some components in advance.

To store leftovers, place any remaining zucchini boats in an airtight container and refrigerate for up to 3 days. When reheating, you can warm them in the microwave, but for the best texture, place them on a baking sheet and reheat in a preheated oven at 350°F (175°C) for about 10-15 minutes, or until heated through and the cheese is bubbly again. This helps prevent the zucchini from becoming too soft.

For make-ahead convenience, you can prepare the ground turkey filling up to 2 days in advance and store it in the refrigerator. When you’re ready to cook, simply prepare and grill the zucchini, then warm the filling and assemble as directed. This significantly cuts down on active cooking time on a busy weeknight.

Questions People Always Ask Before Making This Recipe

Can I use a different type of ground meat? Absolutely! Ground chicken or lean ground beef are excellent substitutes for ground turkey in this recipe.

What if I don’t have a grill? No problem! You can bake the zucchini boats in the oven. Prepare the zucchini and filling as directed, then bake the filled boats in a preheated oven at 375°F (190°C) for 15-20 minutes, or until the zucchini is tender and the cheese is melted and bubbly.

How do I prevent the zucchini from getting watery? Grilling the zucchini cut-side down first helps to evaporate some of its moisture. Also, don’t overcook it; you want it tender-crisp, not completely soft.

Can I make this spicier? Yes! Add a pinch of red pepper flakes to the turkey filling, or top with sliced jalapeños or a spicier salsa for extra heat.

What kind of cheese works best? Monterey Jack or cheddar cheese are classic choices

FAQs

Can I make these ahead? Yes—prep ahead, refrigerate, then serve when ready.
How long do leftovers last? Store covered in the fridge for 3–4 days for best texture.
Can I adjust sweetness? Yes—add more or less sweetener to taste.
Can I change the fruit? Yes—swap strawberries for blueberries, raspberries, or sliced banana.