Welcome to your new favorite weeknight meal! This Ground Turkey Sweet Potato Skillet is a game-changer for busy evenings when you crave something both nutritious and delicious. It’s a one-pan wonder packed with savory ground turkey, tender sweet potatoes, and a perfect blend of spices that the whole family will love. Forget the pile of dishes; this easy recipe is all about maximum flavor with minimal cleanup.
We combine lean protein, complex carbs, and vibrant veggies to create a perfectly balanced meal. This ground turkey sweet potato recipe is not only simple to make but also incredibly versatile. It’s a dish that will have everyone asking for seconds.
Why This Is the Perfect Weeknight Meal
Let’s break down why this ground turkey and sweet potato recipe will become a staple in your kitchen. It’s more than just a simple dinner; it’s a smart solution for healthy eating.
- One-Pan Simplicity: Everything cooks together in a single skillet, which means cleanup is an absolute breeze.
- Quick & Easy: From start to finish, you can have this delicious meal on the table in about 30 minutes.
- Meal-Prep Friendly: This recipe holds up beautifully in the refrigerator, making it perfect for packing healthy lunches or quick reheat dinners.
- Nutrient-Packed: You get a fantastic balance of lean protein from the turkey, fiber-rich carbohydrates from the sweet potatoes, and essential vitamins from the spinach and bell peppers.
Key Ingredients for This Skillet
The magic of this dish lies in its simple, wholesome ingredients. Here’s what you’ll need to create this fantastic ground turkey sweet potato skillet.
- Ground Turkey: We use lean ground turkey (93/7) as a healthy and flavorful protein base.
- Sweet Potatoes: One large sweet potato, peeled and diced into small ½-inch cubes, ensures they cook quickly and evenly.
- Avocado Oil: A high-quality oil for sautéing. Olive oil also works well.
- Onion & Garlic: The essential aromatics that build the foundation of our savory flavor profile.
- Bell Pepper: We’re using a red bell pepper for a touch of sweetness and color, but any color will do.
- Spices: A simple yet powerful blend of smoked paprika, cumin, oregano, salt, and black pepper.
- Spinach: A few handfuls of fresh spinach wilted in at the end for an extra boost of nutrients.
- Chicken Broth: To help cook the sweet potatoes and bring all the flavors together.
Step-by-Step Cooking Instructions
Follow these simple steps to create the perfect Ground Turkey Sweet Potato meal. It’s practically foolproof!
- Sauté Aromatics: Heat the avocado oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the diced onion and bell pepper, cooking for 3-4 minutes until they begin to soften. Stir in the minced garlic and cook for another minute until fragrant.
- Brown the Turkey: Add the ground turkey to the skillet. Break it apart with a spoon and cook until it’s browned all over, about 5-7 minutes.
- Add Potatoes and Spices: Stir in the diced sweet potatoes, smoked paprika, cumin, oregano, salt, and pepper. Mix everything together until the turkey and vegetables are well-coated with the spices.
- Simmer: Pour in the chicken broth, bring the mixture to a simmer, then reduce the heat to medium-low. Cover the skillet and let it cook for 12-15 minutes, or until the sweet potatoes are tender when pierced with a fork.
- Wilt Spinach: Uncover the skillet and stir in the fresh spinach. Continue to cook for 1-2 minutes until the spinach has wilted completely.
- Serve Hot: Serve your delicious ground turkey sweet potato skillet immediately, garnished with fresh parsley if desired.
Tips for the Best Ground Turkey Sweet Potato Skillet
Want to elevate your dish? Here are a few expert tips to ensure perfect results every time.
- Dice Potatoes Small: Cut your sweet potatoes into small, uniform ½-inch cubes. This is the key to ensuring they cook quickly and evenly with the rest of the ingredients.
- Don’t Crowd the Pan: Use a large skillet (at least 12 inches) to give the ingredients enough space to brown properly. Overcrowding can steam the food instead of searing it.
- Adjust Spices to Taste: Feel free to customize the spice blend. Add a pinch of red pepper flakes for heat or a dash of chili powder for a smokier flavor.
Meal Prep and Storage
This ground turkey sweet potato recipe is a meal prepper’s dream. To store, allow the skillet to cool completely before portioning it into airtight containers. It will stay fresh in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.
To reheat, simply microwave for 90-120 seconds or warm it in a skillet over medium heat until heated through. The flavors often meld together and taste even better the next day!
Delicious Variations to Try
One of the best things about this ground turkey sweet potato recipe is how easy it is to customize. Try one of these delicious variations:
- Add Black Beans: For an extra boost of fiber and protein, stir in a can of rinsed and drained black beans during the last few minutes of cooking.
- Make it Cheesy: Sprinkle some shredded cheddar or Monterey Jack cheese over the top and cover the skillet for a minute to let it melt.
- Switch up the Protein: This recipe also works wonderfully with ground chicken or ground beef. If you’re looking for another great poultry dish, these Crispy Oven-Baked Chicken Thighs are a fantastic option.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, you can freeze this meal. Allow it to cool completely, then store it in a freezer-safe, airtight container for up to 3 months. Thaw it in the refrigerator overnight before reheating.
Yes! This recipe is easily adaptable. To make it Whole30 or Paleo, simply ensure you are using a compliant chicken broth (with no added sugar) and omit any cheese or beans.
Absolutely. This skillet is fantastic with ground chicken for a similarly lean option, or you could use ground beef for a richer flavor. Adjust cooking times as needed.
The key is to cut the sweet potatoes into uniform, ½-inch cubes and not to overcook them. Simmer for 12-15 minutes, checking for fork-tenderness. They should be soft but still hold their shape.
This recipe is very flexible. Feel free to add other vegetables like zucchini, mushrooms, or kale. Add heartier veggies like carrots with the sweet potatoes, and quick-cooking ones like zucchini towards the end.
The Perfect Healthy Dinner
This Ground Turkey Sweet Potato Skillet is more than just a recipe; it’s a solution for anyone seeking a quick, healthy, and satisfying meal. It’s proof that you don’t need to spend hours in the kitchen to create something truly delicious. Give it a try this week!
We love seeing your creations! If you make this dish, feel free to share it on Pinterest and leave a comment below!
Ground Turkey Sweet Potato Recipe
Ground Turkey Sweet Potato Skillet: The 30-Minute Healthy Dinner
Ingredients
Equipment
Instructions
- Heat the avocado oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the diced onion and bell pepper, cooking for 3-4 minutes until they begin to soften. Stir in the minced garlic and cook for another minute until fragrant.
- Add the ground turkey to the skillet. Break it apart with a spoon and cook until it's browned all over, about 5-7 minutes.
- Stir in the diced sweet potatoes, smoked paprika, cumin, oregano, salt, and pepper. Mix everything together until the turkey and vegetables are well-coated with the spices.
- Pour in the chicken broth, bring the mixture to a simmer, then reduce the heat to medium-low. Cover the skillet and let it cook for 12-15 minutes, or until the sweet potatoes are tender when pierced with a fork.
- Uncover the skillet and stir in the fresh spinach. Continue to cook for 1-2 minutes until the spinach has wilted completely.
- Serve your delicious ground turkey sweet potato skillet immediately, garnished with fresh parsley if desired.
Notes
Don't Crowd the Pan: Use a large skillet (at least 12 inches) to give the ingredients enough space to brown properly.
Customize Spices: Feel free to add a pinch of red pepper flakes for heat or a dash of chili powder for a smokier flavor.
