Elevated Nutrition for Your Senior Living Menu: Globally Inspired Turkey Recipes
How to Add Global Inspiration to Your Senior Living Menu
Who says senior menus can’t be fun and inventive? Foodservice operators working in senior living facilities can easily elevate offerings with recipes that are nutritious, flavorful and inspired by the diversity of world cuisines.
Nutritionist-Developed Turkey-Based Recipes to Add to Your Rotation
These recipes were developed by Leslie Bonci, MPH, RDN, CSSD, a leading nutritionist with expertise in functional nutrition and aging populations. They balance flavor, nutrition and familiarity, adding excitement and variety to senior-tailored diets.
Mediterranean-Inspired Options
Mediterranean flavors are perfect for seniors who love a well-rounded, satisfying meal without compromising nutrition. In fact, the Mediterranean diet is renowned the world over for promoting longevity and well-being.
- Mediterranean Turkey Bowl: This recipe celebrates the fresh flavors of Italian and Greek cuisines. Crumbled feta and olives make this dish even more exciting, providing little tangy bursts on top of the earthy base of turkey and pesto.
- Turkey Mango Salad: The juicy sweetness of mango is complemented here by the tartness of lime and the mild heat of red chilies. Mango, walnut and goat cheese also offer a great combination of vitamins and nutrients.
- Turkey Provençal: Olive oil, tomato and basil are the stars of this satisfyingly rustic dish. It’s also high in fiber, thanks to the added beans.
Latin-Inspired Favorites
Latin cuisine offers a great balance of flavors. Earthy, spicy and fresh at the same time, it will appeal to those who like to be surprised by a meal.
- Arroz con Pavo: Zesty Sazón-seasoned rice, vegetables and black beans make the base of this dish. The health benefits of paprika, turmeric and cumin also make arroz con pavo a great option for seniors.
- Turkey Adobo Bowl: This recipe will satisfy even the most adventurous senior with its nod to Filipino cuisine. Black beans and avocado make it a nutritional powerhouse, too.
Caribbean-Inspired Comfort
Caribbean cuisine is unlike any other, with a unique blend of sweetness and spice that can brighten the day for older diners.
- Jerk Turkey with Coconut Rice: Seniors who love a spicy kick to their meals will appreciate this Caribbean-inspired bowl. The spicy jerk marinade plays so well with the sweetness of the coconut rice!
Wholesome, Familiar Favorites
Sometimes, you don't need to travel far to get exactly the flavor you've been craving.
- Ground Turkey Stuffed Peppers: Who doesn’t love a stuffed pepper? Every once in a while, we crave the familiar dishes that remind us of our childhoods, and this is a perfect dish for those times. Simple, nurturing and healthy.
- Turkey Breast Encrusted with Panko, Walnuts, Flaxseed and Spices: Panko breadcrumbs elevate the humble turkey cutlet, adding a satisfying new texture to a familiar favorite. Flaxseed increases the dish's fiber, which is very important to senior health.
By introducing turkey in globally inspired formats, you can meet the evolving health needs of older adults while keeping menus exciting, colorful and craveable.
What’s your favorite globally inspired recipe? Share your thoughts on our LinkedIn or Facebook pages.
