From Forgotten Freezer Turkey to Farmhouse Favorite

Y’all. You ever clean out your freezer and find something that makes you stop and go, “Oh, there you are”? That was me the other day. Deep in the back corner, under the bones and broth and forgotten popsicles, I found two small turkeys from 2022.

Now, most folks might’ve called it quits right there, but nope—I defrosted them and got to work like any self-respecting farm girl would. I ended up with:

✨ 5 lbs of homemade lunch meat (yes, y’all!! Stay tuned for this recipe as well!)

✨ 4 lbs of ground turkey

But then I stood there, staring at that ground turkey thinking, What am I going to do with you? Because honestly, when you’ve got a freezer full of grass-fed ground beef, turkey usually feels like the understudy.

But waste not, want not.

So, I dove into Pinterest looking for meatball recipes, turkey lasagnas, and burger ideas. That’s when I realized—don't try to make turkey taste like beef. Let it be turkey. Let it shine.

And y’all, the result?

Oh. My. Stars.

I’m still partial to a classic burger with our beef, but this pasture-raised turkey burger? It was [chef’s kiss.]

So good that I’m seriously considering raising extra turkeys this year just to grind some up for the freezer (and maybe for y’all too!).

Here’s the recipe that turned me into a believer:

7 Arrow Ranch Pasture-Raised Turkey Burgers

Ingredients:

• 1.5 lb. 7 Arrow Ranch pasture-raised ground turkey

• 1 7 Arrow Ranch pasture-raised egg

• 2 cloves garlic, finely chopped

• 1 Tbsp. dried parsley

• 1 Tbsp. Worcestershire sauce

• 1 tsp kosher salt

• 1 tsp paprika

  
  

Optional toppings:

• Sliced avocado

• Red onion

• Fresh greens

• Your favorite cheese (because, cheese!)

• Garlic aioli (recipe below)

• Toasted brioche or sourdough bun

  
  

Instructions:

1. In a large bowl, mix together the ground turkey, egg, garlic, parsley, Worcestershire sauce, salt, and paprika. Don’t overmix—just bring it together enough to form patties.

2. Shape into 4-5 patties.

3. Heat your skillet or grill to medium heat and cook those patties in your favorite farm fat: grass-fed tallow, pasture-raised lard, grass-fed butter, organic coconut oil, or any neutral high-smoke point fat.

4. Cook about 5-6 minutes per side, until internal temp hits 165°F.

5. Let rest a few minutes before dressing them up with your toppings.

   
   
   
   

Farmhouse Garlic Aioli

Because once you try this, plain ol’ mayo may never cut it again.

Ingredients:

• 2 7 Arrow Ranch pasture-raised eggs

• 3-4 garlic cloves, finely chopped

• 1 Tbsp. lemon juice (I use bottled organic juice, but fresh is even better)

• 1½ tsp kosher salt

• 1 cup avocado oil or other neutral oil

  
  

Instructions:

1. Add eggs, garlic, lemon juice, and salt to a food processor or blender.

2. While blending, slowly drizzle in the oil until it emulsifies and thickens into a dreamy aioli.

3. Taste and adjust salt or lemon juice as needed.

   
   

Confession: No photos because by the time these burgers were done? I was starving. And yes, I inhaled mine before even thinking about grabbing a camera. But hey, that’s how you know it’s good, right?

Moral of the story? Ground turkey deserves a spot on your table—especially when it’s pasture-raised and cooked up with some love (and farm fat).