This easy ground turkey sweet potato skillet is a quick one-pan meal packed with protein and fiber. It is made with ground turkey, sweet potato, peas, herbs, and cheese in under 30 minutes for a dish the whole family will love. Gluten-free and easily made dairy-free!
I love an easy-on-pan meal like this beef taco skillet and now I am bringing you this amazing ground turkey sweet potato skillet recipe that is just as easy and packed with so much flavor! It combines ground turkey, sweet potato, peas, and cheese into this one-pan, delicious, hearty meal that even the kids will love!
Skillet meals have become a go-to for me during the busy school year when dinner creeps up on you with no warning. I love this turkey sweet potato skillet since it comes together in under 30 minutes and is also very macro-friendly with a healthy balance of carbs, protein, and fat.
The flavors are amazing in this skillet meal. The ground turkey is seasoned with garlic and italian seasoning and then cooked with tasty sweet potatoes and vibrant peas. We topped it off with some manchego cheese and then popped it into the oven until golden and bubbly. It is so good!
A ground turkey sweet potato skillet is a delicious and easy one-pan dinner that comes together in under 30 minutes This flavorful skillet is packed with protein, fiber, and nutrients The combination of smoky turkey, tender sweet potatoes, vibrant greens, and savory spices makes for a satisfying meal the whole family will love.
Why Make This Healthy Skillet
There are so many reasons why this skillet recipe should be part of your regular dinner rotation:
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It’s a complete one-pan meal – With protein, veggies, and starch all cooked in one skillet, dinner is ready with minimal clean up.
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It’s budget-friendly – Ground turkey and sweet potatoes offer lots of nutrients without breaking the bank. This is an affordable family meal.
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It’s customizable – Swap out veggies or spices to suit your tastes. Add beans leafy greens zucchini, or anything else you have on hand.
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It’s packed with nutrients – With turkey, sweet potato, onion, garlic, and greens, you get a healthy dose of protein, vitamins, minerals, and fiber.
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It’s family-friendly – Kids and adults alike will devour this yummy skillet. The natural sweetness of the potato appeals to young palates.
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It’s quick to make – Even on busy weeknights, you can get this nourishing dinner on the table fast.
How to Make Ground Turkey Sweet Potato Skillet
This easy recipe comes together in a few simple steps:
Cook the aromatic veggies: Sauté onion, garlic, and other veggies like bell pepper in olive oil until softened.
Brown the turkey: Add ground turkey to the skillet. Break it up with a wooden spoon as it cooks until no longer pink.
Simmer the potatoes: Add diced sweet potato, chicken broth, spices, and greens to the skillet. Cover and simmer until potatoes are fork tender.
Finish with toppings (optional): Garnish with fresh herbs, cheese, or avocado just before serving.
The method is easy breezy! The key is finding the right ratio of turkey to potatoes and veggies. An overload of potatoes will take forever to soften.
Ingredients to Have on Hand
Having these ingredients makes whipping up this skillet a breeze:
- Olive oil
- 1 lb ground turkey
- 1 onion
- 2-3 garlic cloves
- 1 large sweet potato
- Chicken broth
- Smoked paprika
- Chopped kale or spinach
- Crushed red pepper flakes
- Shredded cheese (optional)
- Fresh avocado (optional)
Turkey thigh or breast works too if you prefer white meat. For the potato, yams, butternut squash, or cauliflower rice also pair deliciously with the turkey and spices.
Flavor Variations to Try
The basic recipe delivers a bold, comforting flavor, but it’s fun to mix up the tastes by blending in different spices and mix-ins. Consider these tasty options:
- Chili powder and cumin for a Tex-Mex vibe
- Curry powder for an Indian-style twist
- Italian herbs like basil, oregano, and thyme
- Creamy goat cheese or feta for richness
- Salsa or hot sauce for extra heat
- Squeeze of lime juice for brightness
The possibilities are endless for customizing this skillet to your preferences!
Serving Suggestions
While the skillet is substantial on its own, here are some tasty sides that complement it wonderfully:
- Steamed brown rice or quinoa
- Roasted Brussels sprouts or broccoli
- Mixed greens salad with vinaigrette
- Skillet bread or rolls
- Greek yogurt dip with veggies
A side of hummus, guacamole, or salsa also pairs nicely. The cool, creamy textures offset the heartiness of the skillet.
Storage and Reheating Tips
Like many skillet meals, this turkey and sweet potato dish stores and reheats beautifully:
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Let cool completely before storing to maximize fridge life.
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Store in an airtight container for up to 4 days.
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Reheat individual portions in the microwave with a damp paper towel over top.
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For best results, reheat in a skillet over medium heat with a splash of broth until warmed through.
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Freeze leftover portions for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight and reheat.
With proper storage, you can enjoy this nourishing skillet all week long!
Why I Love Cooking in Cast Iron
While you can prepare this recipe in any skillet, cast iron is a game changer. Here’s why this versatile cookware is ideal for one-pan meals:
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It gets beautifully brown, caramelized bits on meats and veggies.
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The pan goes seamlessly from stovetop to oven for ease.
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It retains heat evenly for optimal cooking.
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It’s naturally nonstick when properly seasoned.
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It has a small carbon footprint as a sustainable option.
Investing in a good-quality cast iron skillet will elevate your weeknight cooking. This sweet potato turkey skillet is one of countless quick, easy meals you can make.
Make This Family-Friendly Skillet
If you’re looking for a new go-to weeknight dinner, give this sweet potato turkey skillet a try. It checks all the boxes: quick, budget-friendly, nourishing, and delicious. The medley of flavors and textures will have everyone going back for seconds. Round it out with a fresh side and you’ve got a balanced meal made easy.
How To Make A Ground Turkey Sweet Potato Skillet
This turkey sweet potato skillet meal is so quick and easy to make. Here is a summary of how to make this recipe with step-by-step photos. Get the complete list of recipe ingredients, detailed instructions, and nutrition in the recipe card located at the bottom of this post.
Step 1: Heat the cast iron pan to medium heat on the stovetop with some oil. Add the ground turkey, breaking it up in the pan while it cooks. Season the turkey with half of the Italian seasoning, garlic, salt, and pepper. Add the onions and garlic and continue cooking.
Step 2: Add the diced sweet potato to the pan with the turkey, toss, and cook it for a few minutes. Cover and cook for 5 minutes, add the peas and a splash of water or stock to help the potatoes cook. Cover and cook for 2-3 more minutes.
Step 3: Top the whole thing with the cheese in an even layer.
Step 4: Pop it into a 425°F preheated oven, and cook for about 5 minutes until the cheese is bubbly and melted. Remove, top with fresh herbs like parsley, serve and enjoy!
Expert tips for success
- Cut the sweet potatoes into smaller cubes so they cook faster. Don’t add too much sweet potato to the pan or it will take longer to cook and could dry out the meat
- Use good quality ground turkey, I used 93/7
- Don’t skip the seasoning, it adds so much flavor to this dish. But feel free to switch it up with any seasoning you like.
- Make sure to use a larger skillet – I used a 10-inch pan.
- If you are using leaner meat then add a few tablespoons of stock or water to add some additional moisture.
This turkey skillet with sweet potato recipe is a complete meal all on its own but here are some other things you can serve with it.
- Rice or quinoa
- House Salad
- Tortilla chips
- Spaghetti squash
- Romesco sauce
- Tomato sauce
What’s so great about this turkey sweet potato skillet recipe is that you can easily swap ingredients, using what you have on hand. Here are some substitutions and variations to try.
- Ground turkey – use ground beef or even ground chicken. Note if using ground chicken, then you will likely need to add a bit of stock to help cook the potatoes.
- Potatoes – I used sweet potatoes but white or purple potatoes will also work. You could even use peeled, diced butternut squash.
- Veggies – I used peas but bell peppers, green beans or mixed frozen veggies would all work great! You could even add in some chopped kale or spinach for extra nutrients.
- Seasoning – I love the combination of Italian seasoning and garlic powder but you could use any seasoning you like. We also love all the Dan-O seasonings.
- Cheese – use parmesan, asiago, mozzarella or gruyere cheese. You can also omit the cheese and enjoy this turkey skillet recipe dairy-free!
To prep this recipe in advance you can pre-cut the sweet potatoes and store them submerged in water in the fridge for up to 24 hours. Then strain and dry them right before you are ready to make the rest of the recipe.
This turkey sweet potato skillet also stores great! You can divide it into portions and take it for lunch or grab it for a quick meal any day of the week! See storing and reheating tips below.