Ground meat matchup!

So, I've always been a little wary of ground turkey.  It just always gets a bad rap, except for the supposed lower fat content than ground beef.  Well, that said I made a pretty darn good turkey meatloaf this evening with scalloped potatoes, green beans and corn (we like our veggies).  However, out of curiosity I decided to compare the nutrition facts between the ground turkey I purchased at Aldi, and the typical lean ground beef I get in bulk at Costco.  Here's what I found:

Kirkwood Ready to Cook Pure Ground Turkey 85/15 16 oz. (from Aldi)

Serving Size 4 oz. (112 g)
Amount per Serving
Calories 220  Calories from Fat 150
Total Fat 17g
Sat. Fat 5g
Trans Fat 0g
Cholesterol 110mg
Sodium 85mg
Total Carbohydrate 0g
Protein 17g
Vit A 0%
Vit C 0%
Calcium 0%
Iron 0%


In Costco Lean Ground Beef (91/9), you ask?

Serving Size: 100g

Amount per Serving 

• Calories 210 Calories from Fat 130

• Total Fat 15g 
• Saturated Fat 6g
• Cholesterol 65mg
• Sodium 50mg
• Total Carbohydrate 0g
• Dietary Fiber 0g 0%
• Sugars 0g  
• Protein 20g

• Iron15%

(This is according to good ole Google.  I don't actually have any in ground beef the freezer right now to compare, but I'll definitely check next time I bring it home.)

Anyway, interesting, no?  No?  Oh. Well, I'm kinda a dork and think so. :)  Nutritionally, the lean ground beef and the ground turkey are pretty much the same.  The ground turkey actually has more cholesterol and sodium than the beef, but lacks the iron and protein of the red meat.  So what's it all mean?  Well, I guess it's up to you.  I see no really huge benefits to the turkey and having been told I was too anemic in the past to give blood on one or too occasions, I'll spring for the beef.  Of course lean turkey could be a whole other deal, as would less-than-lean beef...

That said, if you want to try a yummy Turkey Meatloaf, try this!  I used rice instead of quinoa (didn't have it) and added some chopped green bell pepper to ours.  It was a hit, and we will be enjoying leftovers manaña!  

The original inspiration to even try a turkey meatloaf came when I stumbled upon Mom Advice's Aldi Fall/Winter Menu Planner in an attempt to shop at Aldi more and see if it could save us a little on the monthly grocery bill.  I have noticed a few things definitely worth buying there.  Will update more on that when the month is over. :)

Happy cooking. :)