Use your trusty cast iron skillet to whip up this nutritious ground turkey and sweet potato skillet meal in just 15 minutes! Joining the party, along with the sweet potatoes and turkey, there are black beans, bell peppers, and the perfect amount of savory Tex-Mex seasonings. This recipe is a healthier twist on a traditional Mexican Picadillo, which is made with ground beef and white potatoes. Turkey and sweet potatoes are just as delicious, and I think I like this healthy version even better! I love to serve this one-pan meal over rice or cauliflower rice, but you can also stuff this into tortillas as a healthy alternative to the traditional ground beef taco filling. Do you like the idea of making dinner for your entire family all in one pan on the stove? Great, because I have several other one-skillet recipes for you to try! Start here, then you can move on to Skillet Philly Cheesesteak Pasta, Cream of Mushroom Chicken, or Moo Goo Gai Pan (my favorite Chinese stir fry).
Ground Turkey and Sweet Potato Skillet Recipe Highlights
Key Ingredients
Here’s what you need to make this healthy 15-minute skillet meal: Complete list of ingredients and amounts can be found in the recipe card below.
Ground Turkey: You can use lean ground turkey or extra lean ground turkey. Either will brown up beautifully in your skillet. Sweet Potatoes: These can come in various sizes, but in total you’ll need about a pound of sweet potatoes. Peel them and dice them into cubes a bit smaller than an inch. Black Beans: Full of fiber and a healthy carbohydrate, black beans are always welcome in my Tex-Mex dishes. Bell Pepper: Any color of bell pepper you have on hand will work. I’m using a red pepper to add more visual interest to the dish, but yellow or orange bell peppers are a great substitute. Garlic and Onion: Freshly minced garlic and diced onion help to build a delicious savory flavor base. Chicken Stock: This bit of liquid is needed to create steam in the pan that will ensure that the sweet potatoes are tender and perfectly cooked. Seasonings: Open up your spice cabinet and pull out some ground cumin, oregano, and smoked paprika. Cilantro and Avocado: Finish off the dish with these fresh garnishes! If you’re not a fan of cilantro, try fresh chopped parsley instead.
How To Make This Ground Turkey Skillet
Recipe Tips and Additions
Use a large skillet for this recipe. The sweet potatoes should be in a single layer in your pan, or they won’t cook as quickly. It’s also important that you have a lid to cover the pan! Add cheese. As written, this skillet recipe is dairy-free, but it would be delicious with some cheese! Add some shredded cheddar or Monterey jack cheese at the end. Cover with the lid to let it melt, or place the whole skillet under the broiler for a minute or two. Or sour cream. Plain sour cream or my tasty lime crema will add a cooling finish. Try it with more beans or veggies. Before cooking the sweet potatoes, sautee any other vegetables you like in the skillet! Try adding mushrooms, green beans, zucchini, or broccoli. During the last few minutes of cooking, you can wilt down some spinach or kale as well. For some heat, add a diced jalapeno or two along with the garlic. You might also like to serve dinner with hot sauce or homemade salsa on the side.
Storing and Meal PrepTips
This recipe is so great for meal prep! Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container for up to 4 days in the fridge. If you like, divide the dish into individual servings, and add rice to each container. Reheat leftovers in the microwave for a delicious lunch or dinner later in the week! This recipe can also be frozen for up to 3 months in a sealed container.
What To Serve With Turkey and Sweet Potatoes
You can totally enjoy this meal all on its own – it’s super satisfying and filling as is. Or, you can stretch it, by serving your sweet potato and turkey skillet with rice. Try cauliflower rice, brown rice, Mexican rice, or cilantro lime rice.
Do I have to cook this in a cast iron skillet?
While I think that a cast iron skillet is the best option, this recipe will also work in your favorite large non-stick skillet. I suggest using non-stick because sweet potatoes are starchy, and tend to stick to other types of cookware.
Can I add other seasonings?
Sure! I think that this recipe could be delicious with some chili powder, red pepper flakes, taco seasoning, or dried herbs added in.
How long do sweet potatoes take to cook?
If they are cut into small pieces, they can be cooked fairly quickly! Here, it takes about 8 minutes for them to cook in a skillet with a lid. This Ground Turkey and Sweet Potato Skillet recipe is going to be an instant family favorite, and you’ll love how filling and wholesome it is. Be sure to save this recipe by Pinning it! © Little Sunny Kitchen
