You know that feeling when you just want a meal that does it all? Something that’s hearty, healthy, and doesn’t leave you with a mountain of dishes? Well, you’ve found it. This ground turkey sweet potato skillet is that friend you can always rely on.
It’s a vibrant, one-pan wonder, loaded with colorful vegetables, lean protein, and a cozy blend of southwest spices. And let’s be honest, that melted cheese on top is really the happy little victory dance at the end.
Why This Skillet Is Your New Weeknight Hero
We all have those go-to recipes, the ones we circle back to again and again. This skillet meal, it just fits seamlessly into life. It’s the kind of dish that makes you feel good, inside and out, without any of the fuss.
It comes together in about 40 minutes, which is a small miracle on a busy evening. You get a truly macro-balanced meal from a single pan—protein, smart carbs, healthy fats, and fiber all singing in harmony.
And the leftovers? Honestly, they might be even better the next day, making it a superstar for weekly meal prep. It’s a complete, satisfying dinner that the whole family will actually be excited to eat.
Ingredients Needed for the Recipe
This is where the magic starts, with simple, whole ingredients. You probably have most of these spices in your cupboard already, which is always a nice surprise.
- 2 tablespoons olive oil (divided)
- 1 pound ground turkey
- 6 cups diced sweet potatoes (about 2-3 small-medium ones)
- 1 cup diced onion
- 2 heaping cups diced bell peppers (any color you love)
- 3 cups packed chopped kale
- 1/2 tablespoon chili powder
- 1/2 tablespoon cumin
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 3/4 cup shredded pepper jack cheese (optional, but highly recommended)
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- 2 tablespoons water (a little more if needed)
- For topping: avocado, salsa, sour cream, cilantro, jalapeños…
How to make ground turkey sweet potato skillet recipe?
The process is straightforward, I promise. We’re building layers of flavor in one trusty skillet, and each step is simple on its own.
Cook the Turkey
Grab your largest skillet—a 12-inch one is perfect here—and place it over medium heat. Let one tablespoon of olive oil get nice and hot. Now, add your ground turkey.
Use a spatula, or one of those handy meat choppers if you have one, to break it up as it cooks. Season it generously with a good pinch of salt and pepper. You’re just looking for it to be browned on the outside and cooked through, which takes about 5 to 7 minutes.
Once it’s done, scoop it out of the skillet and set it aside on a plate. Don’t forget to pour any of those flavorful juices in with it!
Cook the Vegetables
This is where we get all those wonderful, tender veggies. Add the remaining tablespoon of oil to the same skillet. Now, in go the sweet potatoes and onions, with another good seasoning of salt and pepper.
Stir it all to coat those potatoes in the oil. Here’s a little chef’s trick: add the two tablespoons of water and immediately cover the skillet with a lid. This creates a steamy environment that cooks the potatoes through without burning them.
Let them cook for 12-15 minutes, giving an occasional stir. If the pan looks a bit dry, add a splash more water. Next, add the bell peppers, stir, cover, and cook for another 5 minutes. Finally, stir in the kale—it wilts down so beautifully—and cook for just 1-2 minutes more. Everything should be perfectly tender now.
Bring It All Together
This is the grand finale. Turn the heat down to low. Add the cooked turkey and all its juices back into the skillet, along with all your spices: the chili powder, cumin, paprika, and garlic powder.
Give it a really good stir, making sure the spices are evenly distributed and everything is heated through. Now, for the cheesy crown. Sprinkle the shredded pepper jack cheese evenly over the entire mixture.
Let it hang out for a minute or two, just until the cheese is gloriously melted. If you’re impatient, you can pop the lid on for a bit to speed up the melting process.
Enjoy!
You’ve done it. Take the skillet right to the table, because it’s a beautiful sight. Now, the fun part: toppings. Load it up with creamy avocado, a dollop of cool sour cream, or a fiery dash of hot sauce. Dig in and enjoy the delicious, comforting rewards of your effort.
Tips for Skillet Perfection
A great skillet meal is all about technique. First, dice your sweet potatoes into small, uniform pieces; this is the secret to getting them tender at the same time as everything else.
Don’t rush the veggie-cooking step. That steam created by the water and the lid is what works the magic, softening the sturdy sweet potatoes perfectly. And when you add the turkey back in, make sure to include all those juices—that’s pure flavor right there.
How Can I Make This Skillet My Own?
The beauty of a recipe like this is its flexibility. It’s a fantastic template for using what you have. Don’t have kale? A few big handfuls of spinach will wilt in just the same. Want a different protein? Ground chicken is a seamless swap.
Feel free to play with the vegetables, too. Diced zucchini, sliced mushrooms, or even some broccoli florets would be wonderful additions. For a true southwestern twist, a can of rinsed black beans stirred in at the end is just fantastic.
Is This Dish Good for Meal Prep?
It absolutely is, and it’s a lifesaver. You have a couple of great options here. For a “partial prep,” you can cook the sweet potato and veggie mixture ahead of time and store it in the fridge.
When dinner time rolls around, you just brown the turkey and combine it with the pre-cooked veggies, cutting your active cooking time in half. Or, go for the “full prep” and make the entire recipe as written.
Divide it into containers, and you’ve got four to five days of delicious, ready-to-go lunches or dinners. The flavors meld and deepen, making each reheated portion something to genuinely look forward to.
What’s the Best Way to Reheat Leftovers?
You’ve got choices, both of them easy. The microwave is the quickest route—just cover and heat for a couple of minutes until it’s steaming hot all the way through.
But if you want to recapture a bit of that fresh-from-the-skillet magic, reheating it in a pan on the stovetop over medium-low heat is the way to go. Stir it occasionally until it’s warmed through, and you might even get a few crispy edges on the potatoes. It’s so worth it.
Ground Turkey Sweet Potato Skillet Recipe
Description
This ground turkey sweet potato skillet is a hearty, one-pan meal loaded with lean protein, fiber-rich vegetables, and bold Southwest spices. Topped with melted pepper jack cheese and ready in under 50 minutes, it’s perfect for busy weeknights or meal prep. Sweet, savory, and packed with nutrients like vitamin A, vitamin C, and potassium, this skillet delivers flavor and balance in every bite.
ingredients
Instructions
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Cook the turkey. Heat a large skillet or nonstick pan (it needs to be large – I used 12 inches) over medium heat, add 1 tablespoon of oil, and let it get hot. Add ground turkey, breaking it up with a spatula or meat chopper. Season with salt and pepper. Cook for 5–7 minutes until browned on the outside and cooked through. Remove from the skillet and set aside.
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Cook the veggies. Add the remaining 1 tablespoon oil to your pan. Then add sweet potatoes, onions, and salt and pepper, and stir to combine. Add about 2 tablespoons water, cover with a lid, and cook for 12–15 minutes, stirring occasionally. If needed, you can add a little more water halfway through to help them cook. Next, add the peppers, mix to combine, cover again, and cook for another 5 minutes. Then add your kale, a little more salt and pepper, and let it cook for another 1–2 minutes. All the veggies should be tender at this point.
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Bring it all together. Turn down the heat to low and add your ground turkey (with its juices) and the spices to the pan and stir well to combine. Finally, top with shredded cheese to cover the turkey mixture and let melt, for about 1–2 minutes. If needed, you can cover the pan with a lid.
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Top with optional toppings and enjoy!
Nutrition Facts
Servings 4
- Amount Per Serving
- Calories 420kcal
- % Daily Value *
- Total Fat 20gg31%
- Saturated Fat 6gg30%
- Trans Fat 0gg
- Cholesterol 75mgmg25%
- Sodium 320mgmg14%
- Potassium 980mgmg29%
- Total Carbohydrate 38gg13%
- Dietary Fiber 7gg29%
- Sugars 10gg
- Protein 28gg57%
- Calcium 150mg mg
- Iron 4mg mg
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet. Your daily value may be higher or lower depending on your calorie needs.
Note
- Make it dairy-free: Skip the cheese to keep this recipe paleo, Whole30, and dairy-free.
- Speed it up: Partially microwave sweet potatoes for 3–4 minutes before adding to the skillet to reduce cook time.
- Boost protein: Stir in a can of rinsed black beans along with the turkey.
- Spice it up: Add cayenne or red pepper flakes to the spice mix for extra heat.
