Are you craving a quick, nutritious, and comforting dinner? This Ground Turkey Sweet Potato Skillet is exactly what you need! Ready in under 30 minutes, it’s a one-pan wonder that combines lean ground turkey, tender sweet potatoes, and a variety of spices for a delicious and healthy meal. Whether you’re looking for an easy weeknight dinner or a flavorful meal prep option, this dish is sure to impress.
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Why You’ll Love This Ground Turkey Sweet Potato Skillet
This meal is the perfect balance of savory and sweet, with ground turkey providing lean protein and sweet potatoes offering fiber, antioxidants, and essential vitamins. Whether you’re on a Paleo or Whole30 diet, or simply looking for a healthy dinner option, this recipe fits perfectly. Plus, it’s incredibly versatile—swap ingredients based on your preferences or what you have on hand!
Ingredients for the Ground Turkey Sweet Potato Skillet
- 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil (or neutral oil like avocado oil)
- 1 pound free-range extra-lean ground turkey (substitute with grass-fed ground beef or ground chicken)
- 1 teaspoon minced garlic
- ½ cup diced onions
- ½ cup yellow bell pepper, diced (or any color pepper)
- 1½ cups diced sweet potato (small enough to cook evenly)
- Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste
- A pinch of red chili flakes (optional for heat)
- ½ cup shredded mozzarella cheese (optional for those on Paleo or Whole30, omit for dairy-free)
- Fresh parsley for garnish
How to Make Ground Turkey Sweet Potato Skillet
Step 1: Saute the Ingredients
In a large cast iron skillet (or a large pot), heat the olive oil over medium-high heat. Add the ground turkey and minced garlic, breaking the turkey apart with a wooden spoon. Stir occasionally and cook for about 5 minutes, until the turkey is browned.
Next, add the onions and yellow pepper. Stir them in and cook until the onions soften and become translucent.
Step 2: Cook the Sweet Potatoes
Now, add the diced sweet potatoes, salt, pepper, and red chili flakes (if using). Stir everything together, then cover the skillet. Let it cook for about 15-20 minutes, stirring occasionally to ensure the sweet potatoes cook evenly. If needed, add a little more oil or water to help the potatoes cook faster.
Step 3: Add the Cheese and Melt
Once the sweet potatoes are tender, preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). Sprinkle the shredded mozzarella cheese over the top of the skillet and transfer it to the preheated oven. Let the cheese melt for about 5 minutes, then remove the skillet from the oven.
Garnish with freshly chopped parsley before serving.
Tips for Making the Perfect Ground Turkey Sweet Potato Skillet
- Don’t overcrowd the skillet with too many sweet potatoes. This can prevent them from cooking properly. Aim for 2-3 cups of diced sweet potatoes in a 9-10 inch skillet.
- Use a lid to speed up the cooking process and ensure the sweet potatoes cook faster.
- Add spinach, kale, or mushrooms for extra nutrition. You can also add other veggies like broccoli or green beans.
- This skillet is perfect for meal prep! Store leftovers in an airtight container for up to 4 days. When reheating, cover with a damp paper towel to retain moisture.
Variations to Try
Vegan Option: Swap the Ground Turkey Skillet for a plant-based alternative like black beans and skip the cheese for a hearty vegetarian version. Add some corn and chopped tomatoes for extra flavor!
Paleo/Whole30: For a healthy skillet meal that’s completely dairy-free, omit the cheese entirely or replace it with a dairy-free cheese in your Ground Turkey Skillet.
Swap Ground Turkey: You can use ground beef, ground chicken, or sausage in place of ground turkey to create a new flavor profile in your one-pan turkey recipe.
Add More Veggies: For a colorful and nutritious twist, try adding zucchini, spinach, or bell peppers to your Ground Turkey Skillet. These vegetables will give your sweet potato skillet an extra boost of flavor and nutrients.
FAQs
Yes, this dish is perfect for meal prep. Store it in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat in the microwave, covering with a damp paper towel to keep the moisture.
Absolutely! This dish is just as flavorful without the cheese, and it’s Paleo and Whole30 friendly.
To add a spicy kick, try using jalapenos, pepper jack cheese, or a dash of cayenne pepper in place of or alongside the red chili flakes.
Yes! This skillet is versatile. You can use ground beef, sausage, or even ground chicken. If you use ground chicken, just be mindful that it cooks faster and may need extra moisture.
Ground Turkey Sweet Potato Skillet
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
Description
This Ground Turkey Sweet Potato Skillet is the perfect blend of savory and sweet, combining lean protein from ground turkey with the natural sweetness and nutrition of sweet potatoes. A quick and healthy dinner that’s easy to make and even easier to love!
Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil (or neutral oil like avocado oil)
- 1 pound free-range extra-lean ground turkey (substitute with grass-fed ground beef or ground chicken)
- 1 teaspoon minced garlic
- 1/2 cup diced onions
- 1/2 cup yellow bell pepper, diced (or any color pepper)
- 1 1/2 cups diced sweet potato (small enough to cook evenly)
- Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste
- A pinch of red chili flakes (optional for heat)
- 1/2 cup shredded mozzarella cheese (optional for those on Paleo or Whole30, omit for dairy-free)
- Fresh parsley for garnish
Instructions
- Heat the olive oil over medium-high heat in a large skillet. Add the ground turkey and minced garlic, breaking the turkey apart. Cook for about 5 minutes until browned.
- Add the onions and yellow bell pepper, cooking until the onions soften and become translucent.
- Add the diced sweet potatoes, salt, pepper, and red chili flakes (if using). Stir everything together, cover the skillet, and cook for 15-20 minutes, stirring occasionally. Add more oil or water if needed to help the potatoes cook faster.
- Once the sweet potatoes are tender, preheat the oven to 400°F (200°C). Sprinkle the shredded mozzarella cheese on top and transfer the skillet to the oven. Bake for about 5 minutes to melt the cheese, then remove from the oven.
- Garnish with freshly chopped parsley and serve.
Notes
For extra nutrition, try adding spinach, kale, or mushrooms. This dish is perfect for meal prep and can be stored for up to 4 days. Reheat in the microwave, covering with a damp paper towel to retain moisture.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Skillet
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 350
- Sugar: 12g
- Sodium: 450mg
- Fat: 12g
- Saturated Fat: 2g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 35g
- Fiber: 7g
- Protein: 25g
- Cholesterol: 70mg
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Final thoughts
This Ground Turkey Sweet Potato Skillet is a crowd-pleaser that’s both delicious and nutritious. It’s packed with protein, healthy fats, and fiber, making it the perfect choice for a quick weeknight meal or meal prep. Whether you stick to the original recipe or experiment with variations, you’re sure to love this versatile, one-pan dish. Try it today and share your creations with us on social media!
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