Ground Turkey Sweet Potato Skillet Recipe

If you’re craving a hearty one-pan meal that delivers cozy flavor with a dose of healthy comfort, look no further than this Ground Turkey Sweet Potato Skillet. Tender chunks of sweet potato mingle with spiced ground turkey, colorful peppers, and melty cheese for a dish that’s as easy as it is satisfying. With simple prep and minimal cleanup, this recipe is destined to become the kind of weeknight staple you genuinely look forward to making again and again!

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Ingredients You’ll Need

Making an incredible Ground Turkey Sweet Potato Skillet doesn’t require a long grocery list—just honest, wholesome ingredients that each play a key role in taste, texture, and color. Here’s what you’ll need, along with a few helpful tips to make each component truly shine in your skillet.

• Olive oil: Adds heart-healthy richness and helps everything brown beautifully (try to use extra virgin for the best flavor).
• Ground turkey: Lean, full of protein, and the perfect canvas for all those savory spices.
• Sweet potatoes: Their natural sweetness plays wonderfully against the earthy, spiced turkey—dice evenly for quick, tender cubes.
• Yellow onion: Infuses the skillet with subtle sweetness as it caramelizes; diced small so you get a bit in every bite.
• Red bell pepper: Brings vibrant color and a pop of mild, juicy flavor that lifts the dish.
• Garlic: Two cloves really dial up the depth—minced fresh works best for full, aromatic impact.
• Paprika: Offers a gentle, smoky backbone that melds all the flavors together.
• Cumin: Adds warmth and a hint of earthiness, making the turkey irresistibly savory.
• Chili powder: Just enough spice to liven up every forkful without overwhelming the palate.
• Salt and pepper: Essential for balancing flavors and bringing out the best in each ingredient.
• Low-sodium chicken broth or water: Keeps everything moist as it cooks, ensuring the sweet potatoes turn out tender rather than dry.
• Shredded mozzarella or cheddar cheese (optional): Melts into gooey bliss on top; mozzarella for mild creaminess, cheddar for a sharper edge.
• Fresh parsley or cilantro: A finishing touch of color and freshness—sprinkle on top right before serving.

How to Make Ground Turkey Sweet Potato Skillet

Step 1: Brown the Turkey

Start by heating a tablespoon of olive oil in a large, deep skillet over medium heat. Add the ground turkey, breaking it up into bite-sized pieces as it cooks. Brown the turkey for about 5 to 6 minutes, until it’s cooked through and any pink disappears. Season with salt and pepper early to help layer in flavor, then gently nudge the cooked turkey to one side of the skillet. This little shift keeps the pan hot and ready for your veggies—no need for extra pans!

Step 2: Sauté Sweet Potatoes

Add the diced sweet potatoes right to the empty side of the skillet. Sauté them for 3 to 4 minutes, giving them a toss now and then so they start to soften and pick up a hint of golden color. Cooking the potatoes slightly apart from the turkey at this stage helps each ingredient caramelize and develop their savory-sweet personalities before mixing everything together.

Step 3: Add Aromatics and Spice

Toss in the diced onion, red bell pepper, and minced garlic, then sprinkle in the paprika, cumin, and chili powder. Stir it all up with a wooden spoon, letting the veggies and spices meld with the ground turkey and sweet potatoes. The skillet should already smell amazing as the garlic and spices hit the heat, releasing waves of flavor into the mix.

Step 4: Simmer and Soften

Pour in your chicken broth or water, making sure everything is well mixed. Cover the skillet with a lid and let it cook for another 8 to 10 minutes, giving things a stir every few minutes. The sweet potatoes will steam gently and soak up all those spices, becoming perfectly tender. Once the potatoes are soft and most of the liquid has absorbed, take off the lid and cook another minute or two to let any excess moisture evaporate.

Step 5: Add Cheese and Finish

If you’re going for the full comfort food experience, sprinkle shredded mozzarella or cheddar across the skillet and let it melt for a lush, gooey finish—about 1 to 2 minutes should do the trick. Finally, garnish generously with chopped parsley or cilantro to brighten everything up. Serve your Ground Turkey Sweet Potato Skillet warm, spooned straight out of the pan for that irresistible, family-style appeal.

How to Serve Ground Turkey Sweet Potato Skillet

Garnishes

This skillet is a stunner straight from the pan, but a sprinkle of fresh herbs like parsley or cilantro delivers a welcome burst of color and freshness. If you’re feeling adventurous, try a squeeze of lime or a dollop of Greek yogurt on top for a little tang—and, of course, a dash of hot sauce if you like it spicy.

Side Dishes

Honestly, the Ground Turkey Sweet Potato Skillet is so hearty that it’s practically a meal by itself, but it also plays nicely with a crisp green salad or a side of steamed broccoli for even more feel-good nutrition. If you want to keep things comforting, serve it alongside warm tortillas or toasted bread to soak up every delicious bite.

Creative Ways to Present

For a fun, family-style presentation, bring the whole skillet right to the table—let everyone dig in and help themselves. If you’re hosting a casual get-together, scoop the skillet mixture into lettuce cups or atop baked sweet potato halves for a fresh take on tacos or loaded potatoes. You can even use leftovers as a breakfast hash with a fried egg on top the next morning—it’s that versatile!

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Let any leftover Ground Turkey Sweet Potato Skillet cool to room temperature, then transfer to an airtight container. It keeps well in the fridge for up to four days—perfect for meal prep lunches or speedy dinners later in the week.

Freezing

This skillet is wonderfully freezer-friendly. Place cooled servings into freezer-safe bags or containers (without the fresh herb garnish), and label with the date. It’ll stay fresh for up to three months. Just let it thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating.

Reheating

To reheat, simply warm leftovers in a skillet over medium heat with a splash of water or broth, stirring occasionally until hot. You can also pop individual portions in the microwave for 2 to 3 minutes. For best results, add a fresh sprinkle of cheese and herbs just before serving to revive all the original flavors.

FAQs

Can I substitute ground chicken or beef for turkey?

Absolutely! Ground chicken or lean ground beef both work well in this Ground Turkey Sweet Potato Skillet recipe. Just be sure to drain excess fat if using beef, and adjust your seasoning to taste.

How can I make this skillet spicier?

If you love extra heat, add a diced jalapeño along with the bell pepper, use hot paprika or swap extra chili powder, or simply finish each serving with a few drops of your favorite hot sauce or a sprinkle of cayenne.

Is this recipe dairy-free or gluten-free?

This recipe is naturally gluten-free, and it’s dairy-free as long as you skip the cheese topping. To keep it both, check the labels on your broth for hidden gluten or dairy ingredients.

Can I prep the vegetables ahead of time?

Yes! You can dice the sweet potatoes, onion, and pepper a day or two ahead. Store them in sealed containers in the fridge for an even faster weeknight dinner when you’re ready to cook.

Will leftovers taste good the next day?

Leftovers are fantastic—the flavors continue to mingle and deepen overnight. Just follow the reheating suggestions for a hot, freshly-tasting Ground Turkey Sweet Potato Skillet lunch or dinner the next day.

Final Thoughts

This Ground Turkey Sweet Potato Skillet brings together everything you want in an easy dinner: bold flavor, simple ingredients, and almost zero cleanup. I truly hope you give it a try—whether you keep it classic or add your personal touches, you’re in for a meal that’s as comforting as it is nourishing!

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