This easy ground turkey sweet potato skillet is a quick one-pan meal packed with protein and fiber. It is made with ground turkey, sweet potato, peas, herbs, and cheese in under 30 minutes for a dish the whole family will love. Gluten-free and easily made dairy-free!
I love an easy-on-pan meal like this beef taco skillet and now I am bringing you this amazing ground turkey sweet potato skillet recipe that is just as easy and packed with so much flavor! It combines ground turkey, sweet potato, peas, and cheese into this one-pan, delicious, hearty meal that even the kids will love!
Skillet meals have become a go-to for me during the busy school year when dinner creeps up on you with no warning. I love this turkey sweet potato skillet since it comes together in under 30 minutes and is also very macro-friendly with a healthy balance of carbs, protein, and fat.
The flavors are amazing in this skillet meal. The ground turkey is seasoned with garlic and italian seasoning and then cooked with tasty sweet potatoes and vibrant peas. We topped it off with some manchego cheese and then popped it into the oven until golden and bubbly. It is so good!
Ground turkey sweet potato skillet is a delicious, healthy one-pan dinner that comes together in under 30 minutes. This easy recipe combines lean ground turkey, diced sweet potatoes, black beans, spices, and cheese for a meal packed with flavor and nutrition. After a long day, this skillet dinner is just what you need for a quick, satisfying meal the whole family will love.
Why This Recipe Works
There are a few key things that make this recipe so foolproof:
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Microwaving the sweet potatoes first – This softens them up so they cook faster in the skillet later Choose small potatoes and microwave them 5-8 minutes until tender
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Browning the ground turkey – Cook the ground turkey over medium-high heat until browned and crumbled, This adds lots of flavor
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Spice blend – A blend of chili powder cumin garlic, onion, and a pinch of cayenne pepper gives a tasty taco-inspired flavor.
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Melty cheese – Sharp cheddar cheese melts over the top adding a creamy, rich element.
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Quick toppings – Customize your plate with fresh cilantro, lime juice, avocado, Greek yogurt, or hot sauce.
With minimal chopping thanks to the microwaved sweet potatoes, you can make this easy skillet in 30 minutes or less. It’s perfect for busy weeknights!
Ingredients You’ll Need
Gather these ingredients:
- Olive oil
- 1 lb lean ground turkey
- Chili powder
- Cumin
- Paprika
- Garlic powder
- Onion powder
- Cayenne pepper (optional)
- 2 small sweet potatoes
- 15 oz can black beans, drained and rinsed
- Shredded sharp cheddar cheese
- Salt and pepper
- Toppings: cilantro, lime, avocado, Greek yogurt, hot sauce
That’s it! The spices and seasonings pack big flavor without needing a ton of ingredients.
Step-By-Step Instructions
Follow these simple steps:
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Pierce sweet potatoes all over with a fork. Microwave 5-8 minutes until tender. Let cool, peel, and dice into 1/2-inch pieces.
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In a large skillet, heat olive oil over medium-high heat. Season ground turkey with salt and pepper. Cook until browned, breaking it up with a wooden spoon, about 5 minutes.
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Add spices and cook 1 minute more.
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Stir in sweet potatoes and black beans until combined.
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Top with shredded cheese, cover, and let melt 3-4 minutes.
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Serve topped with suggested toppings as desired. Enjoy right away or with rice!
Microwaving the sweet potatoes first helps this come together quickly on busy nights without sacrificing flavor.
Meal Prep and Storage Tips
Having leftovers of this delicious skillet is great. Here are some storage tips:
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Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge up to 3 days.
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Freeze meal prep portions up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge before reheating.
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For the best texture, skip the cheese when prepping meals and add it fresh before reheating.
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Reheat leftovers in a skillet or microwave until warmed through.
With simple ingredients and easy prep, this recipe is perfect to double for meal prepping. Just cook once and enjoy the leftovers all week long.
Serving Suggestions
There are so many ways to customize this recipe:
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For extra creaminess, add avocado, sour cream, or Greek yogurt on top.
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Serve over rice, cauliflower rice, or a baked potato.
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Throw in extra veggies like onions, bell peppers, corn, or mushrooms.
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Skip the cheese to make it dairy-free.
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For spicy, add jalapeños, hot sauce, or cayenne.
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Top with fresh cilantro and a squeeze of lime juice.
Adapt this recipe to suit your tastes – it’s a great base for customization. Play around with add-ins to make it your own.
More Delicious Skillet Recipes
If you love quick skillet dinners, try these tasty recipes:
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Chicken Fajita Skillet – chicken, peppers, onions, spices
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Sausage Spinach Skillet – with pasta and marinara sauce
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Skillet Eggplant Parmesan – breaded eggplant, marinara, mozzarella
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Southwest Beef Skillet – ground beef, black beans, corn, spices
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Shrimp and Sweet Potato Skillet – easy creamy shrimp dish
Skillets make cooking fast, easy, and flavorful. The options are endless for quick skillet meal ideas.
Make This Easy Skillet for Dinner
Ground turkey sweet potato skillet is a fantastic 30-minute dinner. With minimal prep time thanks to microwaved sweet potatoes, you can have a hearty, healthy meal on the table in no time. The spices, cheese, and toppings give big flavor with little effort. This recipe is perfect for busy weeknights or easy meal prep. Give this easy skillet a try soon – it’s sure to become a dinner routine in your home. Enjoy!
Why you’ll love this ground turkey sweet potato skillet
- Customizable – swap ingredients with what you have on hand
- Made in one pan – so no messy cleanup
- Healthy quick meal – packed with protein, veggies and healthy carbs
- Great for meal prep – this recipe stores and reheats beautifully
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Here is what you’ll need to make this simple turkey skillet meal with sweet potatoes.
- Ground turkey – I used 93/7 ground turkey but any will work. You could also use ground beef or ground chicken. If using leaner meat then add a splash of stock or water to the pan to help cook the sweet potatoes.
- Sweet potato – fresh cut sweet potatoes give this dish some added nutrients and they pair so well with the other ingredients. I used about 2 cups, of diced sweet potato.
- Peas – I used frozen green peas but fresh peas will also work. You can also use frozen mixed vegetables or even green beans.
- Manchego cheese – I added the cheese as a nice topping on this ground turkey sweet potato skillet. You can also use parmesan or mozzarella. Or skip the cheese to make this recipe dairy-free and whole30-friendly.
- Olive oil – extra virgin olive oil is used to help brown the meat and add some healthy fat. You can also use avocado oil or ghee.
- Onion + garlic – nice aromatics that add a beautiful layer of flavor.
- Seasoning – Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper are simple seasonings that are so flavorful.
Expert tips for success
- Cut the sweet potatoes into smaller cubes so they cook faster. Don’t add too much sweet potato to the pan or it will take longer to cook and could dry out the meat
- Use good quality ground turkey, I used 93/7
- Don’t skip the seasoning, it adds so much flavor to this dish. But feel free to switch it up with any seasoning you like.
- Make sure to use a larger skillet – I used a 10-inch pan.
- If you are using leaner meat then add a few tablespoons of stock or water to add some additional moisture.
This turkey skillet with sweet potato recipe is a complete meal all on its own but here are some other things you can serve with it.
- Rice or quinoa
- House Salad
- Tortilla chips
- Spaghetti squash
- Romesco sauce
- Tomato sauce
What’s so great about this turkey sweet potato skillet recipe is that you can easily swap ingredients, using what you have on hand. Here are some substitutions and variations to try.
- Ground turkey – use ground beef or even ground chicken. Note if using ground chicken, then you will likely need to add a bit of stock to help cook the potatoes.
- Potatoes – I used sweet potatoes but white or purple potatoes will also work. You could even use peeled, diced butternut squash.
- Veggies – I used peas but bell peppers, green beans or mixed frozen veggies would all work great! You could even add in some chopped kale or spinach for extra nutrients.
- Seasoning – I love the combination of Italian seasoning and garlic powder but you could use any seasoning you like. We also love all the Dan-O seasonings.
- Cheese – use parmesan, asiago, mozzarella or gruyere cheese. You can also omit the cheese and enjoy this turkey skillet recipe dairy-free!
To prep this recipe in advance you can pre-cut the sweet potatoes and store them submerged in water in the fridge for up to 24 hours. Then strain and dry them right before you are ready to make the rest of the recipe.
This turkey sweet potato skillet also stores great! You can divide it into portions and take it for lunch or grab it for a quick meal any day of the week! See storing and reheating tips below.
Ground Turkey Sweet Potato Skillet Recipe
How do you cook ground turkey sweet potatoes?
This Ground Turkey Sweet Potato Skillet is a quick and healthy meal perfect for busy weeknights. Packed with nutrients and full of comforting flavors, it’s sure to become a family favorite. Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the chopped onion and garlic, sautéing for 2-3 minutes until the onion is translucent.
What is a ground turkey sweet potato Skillet?
The Ground Turkey Sweet Potato Skillet is a perfect one-pan meal that combines simplicity, nutrition, and bold flavors into a quick and healthy dinner. Whether you’re managing a hectic weekday or seeking a comforting dish to unwind, this recipe checks all the boxes.
How do you cook sweet potatoes in a frying pan?
Cook the sweet potatoes: In a large skillet, heat 1 tablespoon of olive oil over medium heat. Add the diced sweet potatoes and cook for 5-7 minutes, stirring occasionally, until they begin to soften and brown slightly. Cook the turkey: Push the sweet potatoes to one side of the skillet. In the same skillet, add the ground turkey.
How do you cook a ground turkey in a skillet?
This quick and easy Ground Turkey Skillet with sweet potatoes, black beans, corn, and tomatoes is perfect for meal prep. So filling and flavorful! Spray a large skillet over high heat with oil and brown the turkey, season with 1 teaspoon salt and 1 teaspoon cumin. Cook breaking the meat up until the turkey is cooked through, about 5 minutes.
How do you cook ground turkey sweet potatoes in the microwave?
Ground Turkey Sweet Potato Skillet is your go-to for a hearty, delicious meal that’s ready fast. Wash and pierce the sweet potatoes all over with a fork (about 9 times). Microwave for 5 minutes, flip, and microwave for another 3-5 minutes until tender (a knife should slide through easily). Let cool slightly, peel, and dice into 1/2-inch pieces.
Are sweet potatoes and ground turkey good for You?
By incorporating ingredients like ground turkey and sweet potatoes, this skillet meal offers a boost of nutrients such as protein, vitamins, and antioxidants. Not to mention, sweet potatoes are an excellent source of complex carbs, ensuring you stay energized throughout the day.