Ground Turkey Sweet Potato Skillet (2024)

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This Ground Turkey Sweet Potato Skillet is a healthy, flavourful gluten-free meal that can be made in one pot for your whole family to enjoy!

Ground Turkey Sweet Potato Skillet (1)

You don’t have to eat bland boring food to eat healthy and this Ground Turkey Sweet Potato Skillet is proof enough of that!

It’s a simple but delicious combination of healthy ingredients that will fuel your family and have them asking you to make it again.

Try These Sweet Potato Hash Variations:

  • Use ground chicken, extra lean ground beef, fresh turkey, or hot Italian sausage.
  • Swap out the sweet potatoes for yukon gold and add some sweet bell peppers.
  • Try adding different veggies; halved grape tomatoes, spinach, brussel sprouts, mushrooms or corn would make great additions to the base recipe.
  • Use different types of cheese; cheddar, gouda, Monterey Jack and swiss would all work great among others.
  • Add more spices from your pantry to make this sweet potato hash recipe even more flavourful. Try curry, paprika, sage, thyme, rosemary, or even just hot sauce.
  • Make it creamy; try stirring in sour cream or yogurt for a change of flavour and texture.
Ground Turkey Sweet Potato Skillet (2)

Tips for Making the Best Potato Skillet

Notes for Cooking the Sweet Potatoes

To avoid burning your food, you need to ensure your skillet isn’t too full with sweet potatoes.

If your cast iron skillet is 9-10 inches, the ideal amount of diced sweet potato is about 2-3 cups.

If you are going to double the recipe, cook the sweet potatoes in batches.

Some readers have also mentioned that they boil the sweet potato until tender then add to the hash. That works too!

Ground Turkey Sweet Potato Skillet (3)

Looking for Easy Dinner Recipes?

Here are some of my favourite easy dinners:

Savour the ease of our One Pot Pepperoni Pizza Pasta – a delightful fusion of classic flavours in one simple dish.

The best baked sheet pan chicken teriyaki recipe for busy weeknights! Full of juicy and tender chicken on a bed of sweet and tangy veggies!

Love Taco Tuesday? This easy DIY taco dinner board is perfect for your next fiesta! It’s easy to make and perfect for any occasion.

How to Make a Ground Turkey Sweet Potato Skillet

Yields: 6 Servings | Prep time: 5 minutes | Cook time: 25 minutes

Ingredients:

  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 1 tablespoon garlic, minced
  • 1 pound ground turkey
  • 1.5 tablespoons ground cumin
  • 1 teaspoon chili powder
  • ½ teaspoon salt
  • ¼ teaspoon pepper
  • 1 cup onion, diced
  • 1 yellow bell pepper
  • 3 small or 2 large sweet potatoes, peeled and diced (about 3 cups)
  • ½ cup water
  • ½ cup mozzarella, shredded
  • ¼ cup fresh cilantro, chopped

Directions:

Heat a large cast iron skillet over medium-high heat. Add oil, then the garlic and cook for 1 minute before adding the ground turkey. Use a wooden spoon to break apart meat and continue cooking approximately 8 minutes until browned.

Add cumin, chili powder, salt and pepper. Stir well to incorporate.

Ground Turkey Sweet Potato Skillet (4)

Add onion and bell pepper, and cook for 3-4 minutes.

Ground Turkey Sweet Potato Skillet (5)

Add diced sweet potato and water. Stir and cover with a lid for approximately 6-8 minutes until the sweet potatoes soften. Add additional water during this process if needed to keep the meat from drying out.

Remove lid and add additional salt and pepper if needed. Top with shredded mozzarella and allow it to melt. Remove skillet from heat and garnish with fresh cilantro before serving.

Ground Turkey Sweet Potato Skillet (6)

Yield: 6 servings

Ground Turkey Sweet Potato Skillet

Prep Time: 5 minutes

Cook Time: 25 minutes

Total Time: 30 minutes

This Ground Turkey Sweet Potato Skillet is a healthy, flavourful gluten-free meal that can be made in one pot for your whole family to enjoy!

Ingredients

  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 1 tablespoon garlic, minced
  • 1 pound ground turkey
  • 1.5 tablespoons ground cumin
  • 1 teaspoon chili powder
  • ½ teaspoon salt
  • ¼ teaspoon pepper
  • 1 cup onion, diced
  • 1 yellow bell pepper
  • 3 small or 2 large sweet potatoes, peeled and diced (about 3 cups)
  • ½ cup water
  • ½ cup mozzarella, shredded
  • ¼ cup fresh cilantro, chopped

Instructions

  1. Heat a large cast iron skillet over medium-high heat. Add oil, then the garlic and cook for 1 minute before adding the ground turkey. Use a wooden spoon to break apart meat and continue cooking approximately 8 minutes until browned.
  2. Add cumin, chili powder, salt and pepper. Stir well to incorporate.
  3. Add onion and bell pepper, and cook for 3-4 minutes. Add diced sweet potato and water. Stir and cover with a lid for approximately 6-8 minutes until the sweet potatoes soften. Add additional water during this process if needed to keep the meat from drying out.
  4. Remove lid and add additional salt and pepper if needed. Top with shredded mozzarella and allow it to melt. Remove skillet from heat and garnish with fresh cilantro before serving.

Nutrition Information:

Yield:

6
Amount Per Serving:Calories: 345Total Fat: 20gSaturated Fat: 5gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 13gCholesterol: 85mgSodium: 330mgCarbohydrates: 20gFiber: 3gSugar: 6gProtein: 23g

Did you make this recipe?

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Liz Lampman

Liz Lampman is a coffee-fuelled Mom of 2 girls and lives in Hamilton, Ontario. She enjoys cooking and baking, food photography, and reading.

Ground Turkey Sweet Potato Skillet (2024)

FAQs

How long should you cook ground turkey? ›

Make sure it's cooked through.

Cooking ground turkey should take about 15 minutes and have a nice even brown hue with no pink.

How to cook ground turkey without drying it out? ›

If the meat starts to dry out, add some broth to the skillet to keep it moist while cooking to avoid overcooked, dry ground turkey.

How to know when ground turkey is done? ›

It will be cooked when it is all browned evenly, juices run clear and when your thermometer is at least 165 degrees F. The best method is to scoop some of your ground turkey into a small bowl and ensure your meat thermometer reaches 165 degrees.

Should ground turkey be seasoned before cooking? ›

Without a good sprinkle of salt and pepper (or any other herbs and spices), ground turkey cooks up bland and flavorless. Follow this tip: Seasoning is especially important when the turkey is the star of the plate, like with burgers, meatballs, and meatloaf.

What can I add to ground turkey for flavor? ›

The Turkey Seasoning:
  1. Chili powder.
  2. Ground cumin.
  3. Garlic powder.
  4. Onion powder.
  5. Paprika or dried oregano.
  6. Salt & Black Pepper.
  7. Optional: red pepper flakes or cayenne pepper or a little spice kick.
Sep 10, 2023

Do you add oil when browning ground turkey? ›

If you're using very lean ground turkey, you may want to add a few teaspoons of vegetable oil to the skillet. This will keep the ground turkey from sticking to the pan. Add the ground turkey to the pan and stir it. Remove the ground turkey from its packaging and place it in the preheated skillet.

Which is healthier for you, ground turkey or ground beef? ›

Ground beef and turkey are both nutritious meats that provide protein, fat, and a variety of vitamins and minerals. Turkey is generally lower in saturated fat than beef. As such, it may be a better choice for heart health. Fat-free turkey is also the lowest calorie option if you're interested in weight loss.

Do you season ground turkey before or after browning? ›

How should ground turkey be cooked? Ground turkey should be cooked to an internal temperature of 165°F (73.9°C) to ensure it's safe to eat. Begin by browning it in a skillet over medium heat until no longer pink, breaking it up with a spatula. Add spices, sauces, or vegetables as desired.

Can ground turkey be a little pink? ›

The color of cooked meat and poultry is not always a sign of its degree of doneness. Only by using a meat thermometer can one accurately determine that a meat has reached a safe temperature. Turkey, fresh pork, ground beef or veal can remain pink even after cooking to temperatures of 160°F.

Can you overcook ground turkey? ›

Overcooked ground turkey can become dry and crumbly, so watch it closely. Cook until it reaches the safe internal temperature, then remove from heat. Ground turkey can be mixed with vegetables, beans, or grains in dishes like chili or casseroles to add protein and flavor.

How long is cooked ground turkey good for? ›

USDA recommends using cooked turkey within 3 to 4 days, kept refrigerated (40°F or less). Refrigeration slows but does not stop bacterial growth.

How long does turkey take to cook? ›

Regular Oven 325°
WeightCook Time (Unstuffed)Cook Time (Stuffed)
7-10 lbs.2½-3 hrs.2¾-3½ hrs.
10-18 lbs.3-3½ hrs.3¾-4½ hrs.
18-22 lbs.3½-4 hrs.4½-5 hrs.
22-24 lbs.4-4½ hrs.5-5½ hrs.
2 more rows

How to know if turkey is cooked? ›

Read the thermometer correctly: Hold the thermometer still until the numbers stop. If the temperature is between 160 and 165 degrees F, the turkey is done.

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