ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT

Ground Turkey and Sweet Potato Skillet – Quick & Healthy

Sharing is caring!

In today’s fast-paced world, finding a nutritious meal that doesn’t take up a lot of time can feel like a challenge. However, with a few thoughtful ingredients, you can create a dish that’s not only quick to prepare but also packed with flavor and health benefits. Enter the Ground Turkey and Sweet Potato Skillet, a meal that’s everything you could want in a dinner: delicious, satisfying, and ready in just 20 minutes. This recipe brings together lean ground turkey, roasted sweet potatoes, and black beans, all spiced up with smoky chipotle chili powder and cumin. To top it off, it’s finished with melty cheddar cheese and garnished with fresh tomato and green onions. Perfectly balanced and full of texture, this dish is bound to become a family favorite.

Print
clock clock iconcutlery cutlery iconflag flag iconfolder folder iconinstagram instagram iconpinterest pinterest iconfacebook facebook iconprint print iconsquares squares iconheart heart iconheart solid heart solid icon

Ground Turkey and Sweet Potato Skillet – Quick & Healthy

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star

No reviews

Get ready to enjoy a satisfying and healthy meal with Ground Turkey and Sweet Potato Skillet! 🦃🍠 This easy one-pan dish combines lean ground turkey with tender sweet potatoes for a nutritious, flavor-packed dinner. 🌱✨ Quick to make, it’s the perfect choice for anyone looking for a wholesome meal without all the fuss. Healthy, hearty, and absolutely delicious! 😍

#HealthyAndHearty 🥗 #GroundTurkeyDelight 🦃 #SweetPotatoGoodness 🍠 #QuickAndTasty ⏱️ #EasyOnePanMeal 🍳 #NutritiousAndFilling 💥 #FlavorfulEats 🍴 #MealPrepPerfection 🎯 #BalancedMeals 💚 #WholesomeGoodness 🍽️

  • Total Time: 20 minutes
  • Yield: Serves 4

Ingredients

Scale

To create this delicious skillet, you’ll need the following ingredients:

  • 1 lb ground turkey – Ground turkey is lean, protein-rich, and quick to cook. It provides the savory base for this dish, absorbing all the smoky spices and melding beautifully with the sweet potatoes and beans.
  • 2 cups diced sweet potatoes (about 1 large sweet potato) – Sweet potatoes bring a natural sweetness to the dish, which balances the savory flavors of the turkey and the smoky spices. They also offer a satisfying texture that complements the tenderness of the meat and beans.
  • 1 (15 oz) can black beans, drained and rinsed – Black beans add heartiness and protein to the skillet. They also provide fiber, which makes this dish filling and nutritious.
  • 1 tsp kosher salt – Salt is essential to enhance all the other flavors in the dish. If you prefer, you can adjust the amount to your taste.
  • 1 tsp chipotle chili powder – This spice gives the dish a smoky, slightly spicy kick. It’s the perfect addition for those who enjoy a bit of heat in their meals.
  • 1 tsp ground cumin – Cumin adds a warm, earthy flavor that complements the sweet potatoes and turkey. It’s a staple in many savory dishes and brings depth to this skillet.
  • 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese – Cheddar cheese adds a rich, melty component that ties the whole dish together. It’s the finishing touch that gives this meal that comforting, gooey factor.
  • 1 medium tomato, diced – Fresh tomato adds juiciness and a bit of acidity, helping to cut through the richness of the cheese and meat. The bright, fresh flavor contrasts beautifully with the other ingredients.
  • 3 green onions, sliced – Green onions provide a light, zesty crunch and a pop of color. They bring a refreshing bite that balances the hearty nature of the other ingredients.

For the Sauce:

  • 1/3 cup sour cream – Sour cream adds a creamy, tangy element that helps cool down the heat from the chipotle chili powder while adding a rich texture to the dish.
  • 1/3 cup salsa – Salsa provides an additional layer of flavor and a bit of brightness. The combination of tomatoes, onions, and peppers in salsa enhances the overall freshness of the dish.

Instructions

Step 1: Pre-cook the Sweet Potatoes

To ensure the sweet potatoes cook quickly and evenly in the skillet, you’ll want to microwave them before adding them to the pan. Start by dicing one large sweet potato into small, bite-sized cubes. Place the diced sweet potatoes in a microwave-safe bowl and microwave them for about 5 minutes, or until they’re slightly softened. This step saves you time during the cooking process, so you’ll have perfectly cooked sweet potatoes in a fraction of the time.

Step 2: Prepare the Sauce

While the sweet potatoes are cooking in the microwave, prepare the sauce that will be drizzled over the skillet at the end. In a small bowl, combine the sour cream and salsa. Stir them together until well mixed. Set this sauce aside for later use. The sour cream adds a creamy texture, while the salsa provides acidity and freshness. This sauce is the perfect accompaniment to the rich flavors of the turkey and sweet potatoes.

Step 3: Cook the Ground Turkey

Next, heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the ground turkey to the pan and cook it, breaking it apart with a wooden spoon as it cooks. Stir the turkey every few minutes to ensure it cooks evenly and browns nicely. After about 5 minutes, the turkey should be fully cooked and browned. If there’s any excess fat, drain it off to keep the dish lean and healthy. The turkey should be tender and flavorful, ready to absorb all the spices you’ll add next.

Step 4: Combine Ingredients

Once the turkey is cooked, add the pre-cooked sweet potatoes to the skillet along with the black beans, kosher salt, chipotle chili powder, and ground cumin. Stir everything together, making sure the turkey, sweet potatoes, and beans are evenly coated with the spices. Cook the mixture for an additional 5 minutes, allowing the flavors to meld together. The sweet potatoes will soften further, and the beans will heat through, creating a deliciously hearty combination.

Step 5: Add Cheese and Garnish

Once everything is cooked through, remove the skillet from the heat. Sprinkle the shredded cheddar cheese over the top of the mixture, allowing it to melt from the residual heat. The cheese will melt beautifully over the warm ingredients, creating a gooey, cheesy topping. Once the cheese has fully melted, garnish the skillet with diced tomato and sliced green onions. The tomato will add a fresh, juicy contrast to the warm, spiced filling, while the green onions provide a crisp, slightly pungent bite.

Step 6: Serve

Drizzle the prepared sour cream and salsa sauce over the skillet just before serving. The sauce will add a cooling element that balances the heat from the chipotle chili powder, while the tanginess of the sour cream brightens up the dish. Serve the Ground Turkey and Sweet Potato Skillet hot, either on its own or paired with rice, tortillas, or a fresh side salad. The choice is yours, but one thing’s for sure – this skillet will become a go-to for quick, healthy dinners.

Notes

  • Rice: Serve the skillet over a bed of fluffy white rice, brown rice, or quinoa for added texture and heartiness.
  • Tortillas: Warm tortillas on the side and use them to scoop up the turkey and sweet potato mixture. This adds a fun, handheld element to the dish.
  • Fresh Salad: A side salad with mixed greens, avocado, and a simple vinaigrette can provide a refreshing contrast to the warmth of the skillet.
  • Author: Paula Susan
  • Prep Time: 5 minutes
  • Cook Time: 15 minutes

Why You’ll Love This Dish

One of the main reasons this Ground Turkey and Sweet Potato Skillet shines is its simplicity. With just a handful of ingredients and one pan, you can create a meal that feels both hearty and healthy. The combination of sweet potatoes and ground turkey offers a good balance of protein and fiber, while the spices add depth and warmth, creating a flavorful experience from the first bite to the last.

This dish is also incredibly versatile. It can easily be customized to fit your dietary needs or preferences. Whether you’re gluten-free, following a low-carb diet, or simply looking for a quick meal after a busy day, this skillet delivers. Plus, it’s so quick to make that it’s perfect for weeknights or meal prepping. You’ll love how it allows you to sit down to a delicious homemade dinner without spending hours in the kitchen.

Another great feature of this skillet is its nutritional profile. Ground turkey is a lean source of protein, which makes it a fantastic choice for anyone looking to maintain or build muscle while keeping their calorie count in check. Sweet potatoes are an excellent source of complex carbohydrates, offering plenty of fiber and vitamins, particularly vitamin A. Black beans provide additional protein and fiber, helping you stay full longer. And with the addition of fresh tomatoes, green onions, and a simple homemade sauce, you have all the components of a well-rounded, nutrient-packed meal.

Ingredients Breakdown

To create this delicious skillet, you’ll need the following ingredients:

  • 1 lb ground turkey – Ground turkey is lean, protein-rich, and quick to cook. It provides the savory base for this dish, absorbing all the smoky spices and melding beautifully with the sweet potatoes and beans.
  • 2 cups diced sweet potatoes (about 1 large sweet potato) – Sweet potatoes bring a natural sweetness to the dish, which balances the savory flavors of the turkey and the smoky spices. They also offer a satisfying texture that complements the tenderness of the meat and beans.
  • 1 (15 oz) can black beans, drained and rinsed – Black beans add heartiness and protein to the skillet. They also provide fiber, which makes this dish filling and nutritious.
  • 1 tsp kosher salt – Salt is essential to enhance all the other flavors in the dish. If you prefer, you can adjust the amount to your taste.
  • 1 tsp chipotle chili powder – This spice gives the dish a smoky, slightly spicy kick. It’s the perfect addition for those who enjoy a bit of heat in their meals.
  • 1 tsp ground cumin – Cumin adds a warm, earthy flavor that complements the sweet potatoes and turkey. It’s a staple in many savory dishes and brings depth to this skillet.
  • 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese – Cheddar cheese adds a rich, melty component that ties the whole dish together. It’s the finishing touch that gives this meal that comforting, gooey factor.
  • 1 medium tomato, diced – Fresh tomato adds juiciness and a bit of acidity, helping to cut through the richness of the cheese and meat. The bright, fresh flavor contrasts beautifully with the other ingredients.
  • 3 green onions, sliced – Green onions provide a light, zesty crunch and a pop of color. They bring a refreshing bite that balances the hearty nature of the other ingredients.

For the Sauce:

  • 1/3 cup sour cream – Sour cream adds a creamy, tangy element that helps cool down the heat from the chipotle chili powder while adding a rich texture to the dish.
  • 1/3 cup salsa – Salsa provides an additional layer of flavor and a bit of brightness. The combination of tomatoes, onions, and peppers in salsa enhances the overall freshness of the dish.

Step-by-Step Instructions

Step 1: Pre-cook the Sweet Potatoes

To ensure the sweet potatoes cook quickly and evenly in the skillet, you’ll want to microwave them before adding them to the pan. Start by dicing one large sweet potato into small, bite-sized cubes. Place the diced sweet potatoes in a microwave-safe bowl and microwave them for about 5 minutes, or until they’re slightly softened. This step saves you time during the cooking process, so you’ll have perfectly cooked sweet potatoes in a fraction of the time.

Step 2: Prepare the Sauce

While the sweet potatoes are cooking in the microwave, prepare the sauce that will be drizzled over the skillet at the end. In a small bowl, combine the sour cream and salsa. Stir them together until well mixed. Set this sauce aside for later use. The sour cream adds a creamy texture, while the salsa provides acidity and freshness. This sauce is the perfect accompaniment to the rich flavors of the turkey and sweet potatoes.

Step 3: Cook the Ground Turkey

Next, heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the ground turkey to the pan and cook it, breaking it apart with a wooden spoon as it cooks. Stir the turkey every few minutes to ensure it cooks evenly and browns nicely. After about 5 minutes, the turkey should be fully cooked and browned. If there’s any excess fat, drain it off to keep the dish lean and healthy. The turkey should be tender and flavorful, ready to absorb all the spices you’ll add next.

Step 4: Combine Ingredients

Once the turkey is cooked, add the pre-cooked sweet potatoes to the skillet along with the black beans, kosher salt, chipotle chili powder, and ground cumin. Stir everything together, making sure the turkey, sweet potatoes, and beans are evenly coated with the spices. Cook the mixture for an additional 5 minutes, allowing the flavors to meld together. The sweet potatoes will soften further, and the beans will heat through, creating a deliciously hearty combination.

Step 5: Add Cheese and Garnish

Once everything is cooked through, remove the skillet from the heat. Sprinkle the shredded cheddar cheese over the top of the mixture, allowing it to melt from the residual heat. The cheese will melt beautifully over the warm ingredients, creating a gooey, cheesy topping. Once the cheese has fully melted, garnish the skillet with diced tomato and sliced green onions. The tomato will add a fresh, juicy contrast to the warm, spiced filling, while the green onions provide a crisp, slightly pungent bite.

Step 6: Serve

Drizzle the prepared sour cream and salsa sauce over the skillet just before serving. The sauce will add a cooling element that balances the heat from the chipotle chili powder, while the tanginess of the sour cream brightens up the dish. Serve the Ground Turkey and Sweet Potato Skillet hot, either on its own or paired with rice, tortillas, or a fresh side salad. The choice is yours, but one thing’s for sure – this skillet will become a go-to for quick, healthy dinners.

Ingredient Substitutions and Variations

One of the best things about this Ground Turkey and Sweet Potato Skillet is how easily it can be customized. Here are a few suggestions for ingredient substitutions or variations:

  • Protein: While ground turkey is the star of this recipe, you can easily swap it for another type of meat. Ground chicken would work well if you prefer a leaner protein, or you could use a plant-based protein like crumbled tofu or tempeh for a vegetarian or vegan version. Ground beef or pork could also be used, though these will add more fat to the dish.
  • Sweet Potatoes: If you don’t have sweet potatoes on hand, regular potatoes or butternut squash could serve as suitable alternatives. Both offer a similar texture and sweetness, although sweet potatoes are a bit softer.
  • Beans: Black beans are a great source of protein and fiber, but you could easily swap them for pinto beans, kidney beans, or chickpeas, depending on your preference. The key is to choose a bean that will complement the flavors of the turkey and sweet potatoes.
  • Cheese: While cheddar cheese provides a nice sharpness and meltability, you can switch it up with other cheeses like Monterey Jack, pepper jack, or even a sprinkle of Parmesan for a more savory bite. If you want a dairy-free option, try a plant-based cheese or skip it altogether for a lighter version.
  • Sauce: The sour cream and salsa sauce adds a creamy and tangy finish to the skillet. If you don’t have sour cream, you could substitute it with Greek yogurt for a tangier option or use a dairy-free yogurt for a non-dairy version. You could also try a drizzle of avocado sauce or a squeeze of lime juice for added brightness.

Serving Suggestions

This skillet is already quite filling on its own, thanks to the combination of ground turkey, sweet potatoes, and beans. However, if you’re looking to add a bit more variety to the meal, consider pairing it with any of the following:

  • Rice: Serve the skillet over a bed of fluffy white rice, brown rice, or quinoa for added texture and heartiness.
  • Tortillas: Warm tortillas on the side and use them to scoop up the turkey and sweet potato mixture. This adds a fun, handheld element to the dish.
  • Fresh Salad: A side salad with mixed greens, avocado, and a simple vinaigrette can provide a refreshing contrast to the warmth of the skillet.

Conclusion

The Ground Turkey and Sweet Potato Skillet is the perfect example of a healthy, quick, and delicious meal. With its blend of lean protein, fiber-rich sweet potatoes, and hearty black beans, this dish checks all the boxes when it comes to nutrition. The smoky spices and melty cheddar cheese elevate the flavors, while the simple sour cream and salsa sauce adds the perfect finishing touch. Whether you’re in need of a weeknight dinner or a meal prep option, this skillet is a must-try. It’s fast, easy, and most importantly, delicious.

ADVERTISEMENT

Leave a Comment

Recipe rating 5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star