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Easy Ground Turkey Sweet Potato Skillet (30-Minute One-Pan Meal)

ground turkey sweet potato skillet - featured image

A quick and easy one-pan meal featuring ground turkey and sweet potatoes, ready in 30 minutes. This forgiving, flavorful skillet is perfect for busy weeknights and meal prep.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 lb ground turkey (93% lean)
  • 2 medium sweet potatoes (about 1 lb), peeled and cut into ½-inch cubes
  • 1 medium yellow onion, diced
  • 1 medium red bell pepper, diced
  • 4 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 tablespoon chili powder
  • 1 teaspoon ground cumin
  • 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
  • 1 teaspoon salt (or to taste)
  • ½ teaspoon black pepper (or to taste)
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • ½ cup low-sodium chicken broth
  • ¼ cup fresh cilantro, chopped (for garnish)

Instructions

  1. Prep your ingredients: Peel and dice the sweet potatoes into ½-inch cubes. Dice the onion and bell pepper into similar-sized pieces. Mince the garlic. Chop the cilantro.
  2. Heat the skillet: Place a large 12-inch skillet over medium-high heat and add 1 tablespoon of olive oil. Heat until shimmering, about 2 minutes.
  3. Cook the sweet potatoes: Add the diced sweet potatoes to the hot skillet in a single layer. Cook undisturbed for 3-4 minutes to develop color, then stir and continue cooking for another 4-6 minutes until fork-tender with golden-brown spots. Transfer to a plate and set aside.
  4. Sauté the aromatics: Reduce heat to medium and add the remaining 1 tablespoon of olive oil. Add the diced onion and bell pepper. Cook for 3-4 minutes, stirring occasionally, until onion is translucent and pepper has softened. Add the minced garlic and cook for 30 seconds until fragrant.
  5. Brown the ground turkey: Push vegetables to the sides of the skillet and add the ground turkey to the center. Break it up with a wooden spoon and let it cook undisturbed for 2-3 minutes to get a good sear. Then break into smaller pieces and continue cooking until no pink remains.
  6. Add the seasonings: Sprinkle chili powder, cumin, smoked paprika, salt, and pepper over the turkey and vegetables. Stir and cook for 1 minute until fragrant.
  7. Combine and simmer: Return the cooked sweet potatoes to the skillet. Pour in the chicken broth and stir. Bring to a gentle simmer, then reduce heat to medium-low. Cover and cook for 5-7 minutes, stirring once halfway through.
  8. Finish and serve: Remove the lid and let simmer uncovered for 1-2 minutes to thicken any remaining liquid. Taste and adjust seasoning if needed. Sprinkle generously with fresh cilantro and serve hot.

Notes

For best results, use 93% lean ground turkey to keep the meat juicy. Don’t skip browning the sweet potatoes—it adds caramelized flavor. Let the turkey get some color before breaking it up for better browning. Season in layers for depth of flavor. Let the skillet rest for 2-3 minutes before serving. This recipe is naturally gluten-free and dairy-free; for Whole30, omit black pepper and use compliant broth.

Nutrition

Keywords: ground turkey, sweet potato, one-pan meal, 30-minute meal, healthy dinner, gluten-free, dairy-free, meal prep