Ground Turkey Sweet Potato Skillet Recipe
This Ground Turkey Sweet Potato Skillet is a flavorful and nutritious one-pan meal featuring lean ground turkey, tender sweet potatoes, colorful bell peppers, and kale, all seasoned with smoky spices and topped with melted pepper jack cheese. Perfect for a wholesome and satisfying weeknight dinner, it’s easy to prepare and customizable with fresh toppings like avocado, jalapeños, salsa, and cilantro.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Total Time: 40 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings
- Category: Skillet Meals
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Low Fat
Ingredients
Protein
- 1 pound ground turkey
Vegetables
- 6 cups diced sweet potatoes (24 ounces/about 2-3 small-medium)
- 1 cup diced onion (120 grams)
- 2 heaping cups diced bell peppers (275 grams/2 medium)
- 3 cups packed chopped kale (90 grams)
Spices & Seasonings
- 1/2 tablespoon chili powder
- 1/2 tablespoon cumin
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- Salt and pepper, to taste
Other
- 2 tablespoons olive oil (divided)
- 2 tablespoons water (use more if needed)
- 3/4 cup shredded pepper jack cheese (2 ounces)
- Optional toppings: avocado, sliced jalapeños, salsa, cilantro
Instructions
- Cook the turkey: Heat a large 12-inch skillet or nonstick pan over medium heat. Add 1 tablespoon of olive oil and let it warm up. Add the ground turkey, breaking it up with a spatula or meat chopper. Season with salt and pepper. Cook for 5-7 minutes until the turkey is browned and cooked through. Remove from skillet and set aside.
- Cook the veggies: Add the remaining 1 tablespoon of olive oil to the skillet. Add diced sweet potatoes, onions, and season with salt and pepper; stir to combine. Pour in about 2 tablespoons of water, cover with a lid, and cook for 12-15 minutes, stirring occasionally. Add more water if needed to help steam the potatoes. Next, add the diced bell peppers, stir, cover again, and cook for another 5 minutes. Finally, add chopped kale with salt and pepper, cooking for 1-2 minutes until all vegetables are tender.
- Bring it all together: Lower the heat to low. Return the cooked ground turkey with its juices to the skillet with the vegetables. Sprinkle in chili powder, cumin, paprika, and garlic powder. Stir well to incorporate all ingredients. Top the mixture evenly with shredded pepper jack cheese and let it melt for 1-2 minutes; cover the pan if needed to help melt the cheese.
- Add toppings and serve: Remove from heat and garnish with optional toppings like sliced avocado, jalapeños, salsa, and fresh cilantro. Serve warm and enjoy your flavorful skillet meal.
Notes
- You can substitute ground turkey with ground chicken or lean ground beef if preferred.
- If you like extra spicy food, add a pinch of cayenne pepper or extra jalapeños.
- For a dairy-free version, omit the cheese or use a vegan cheese alternative.
- This recipe reheats well and can make great leftovers for lunch the next day.
- Use a large skillet to ensure even cooking and easy stirring of ingredients.
