Turkey Roll Ups Stuffed with Dates and Goat Cheese

If you’re looking for easy, tasty turkey recipes, these turkey roll ups are one of my favorite ways to use turkey breast. This dish is fantastic whether you use wild or domesticated turkey. I get about 25 appetizers from one wild turkey breast.

Scott usually harvests several wild turkeys a year. We grind all the meat except the breasts. We leave those whole to make turkey breast recipes like these turkey rolls, turkey picatta, and Stuffed Turkey Breast with White Wine Gravy.

Whatever recipe you choose, you just can’t go wrong cooking with wild turkey breast!

Health Benefits of Turkey Roll Ups with Dates and Goat Cheese

This appetizer is one of the wild turkey recipes that I consider extra healthy as well as simple and delicious. The main ingredients of the turkey roll ups are turkey breast, dates, and goat cheese, and each has special health benefits.

The starring ingredient of turkey roll ups, turkey breast is incredibly lean (even more so if it’s from wild turkey) and has lots of high-quality protein. It is rich in B vitamins as well as selenium, magnesium, and zinc.

Next, dates are a nutrient-dense superfood that is high in fiber, copper, and potassium as well as other important nutrients. They are a delicious addition to wild turkey recipes, adding natural sweetness without refined sugars.

Finally, goat cheese is a calcium-rich, highly digestible cheese with healthy fats. It contains medium-chain fatty acids that are less likely to be stored as body fat than other types. Because of its fatty acid content, goat cheese also has anti-inflammatory properties.

How to Make Wild Turkey Roll Ups

You can make these roll ups with any kind of turkey, but I created this recipe especially for turkey hunting folks like our family who are looking for tasty wild turkey recipes.

Working with wild turkeys is a little different from regular, domesticated turkeys. That is because, like other wild game meat, wild turkeys have connective tissue and muscle fiber that has to be broken down. I break it down by cutting the turkey breast across the grain and then pounding the meat to increase its tenderness. You could skip the pounding if you are using meat from a domesticated turkey. (Note that a brine is another way to get moist, tender turkey.)

Slice the wild turkey breast into 1-inch strips across the grain. Then pound the strips to about 1/4-inch thickness. Once you have pounded the strips, cut into pieces about 4 inches long. Salt and pepper both sides of the meat.

In a smoking hot cast iron skillet, brown the turkey for about 1 minute, turn, and then cook for about 2 more minutes or until cooked through. Using a meat thermometer, make sure the meat is at least 160 degrees. Remove the cooked turkey from the pan and allow it to rest for about 5 minutes. 

Meanwhile, beat the goat cheese in a medium bowl until creamy. Stir in heavy cream until the mixture is smooth. 

Now prepare the dates: slit each lengthwise and remove the pit. Then fill each date with the goat cheese mixture. Wrap a turkey slice around the date and secure with a toothpick. 

Sprinkle the turkey roll ups with additional salt and pepper to taste. Optionally, drizzle honey over the plated appetizer.

How and When to Serve This Turkey Appetizer

You can dress these turkey roll ups up or down. They are a perfect snack for game night as well as a memorable appetizer for a fancy dinner party. I love to serve them alongside a charcuterie board.

For an elegant presentation, arrange them on a beautiful platter and garnish with fresh herbs.

More Wild Turkey Breast Recipes