This Ground Turkey Sweet Potato Skillet is the ultimate weeknight dinner that combines lean ground turkey with sweet potatoes, black beans, and a smoky-spiced tomato sauce. It's a complete meal in one pan, perfect for busy evenings when you want something nutritious and satisfying.
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The natural sweetness of the potatoes pairs beautifully with the savory turkey and warm spices, creating a comforting dish that the whole family will love. Plus, it's gluten-free, dairy-free, and easily customizable to suit your taste.
Whether you're meal-prepping for the week or looking for a quick dinner, this recipe delivers on flavor and nutrition with minimal cleanup.
Why You'll Love This Recipe
About the Ingredients
2 tablespoons olive oil
Use a high-quality extra virgin olive oil for best flavor. Substitute with avocado oil if preferred.
1 lb (450g) ground turkey
Choose 93% lean ground turkey for a good balance of flavor and moisture. Ground chicken works too.
1 medium yellow onion, diced
Yellow onion adds a sweet, savory base. Use white or red onion as a substitute.
3 cloves garlic, minced
Fresh garlic is essential for flavor. Use 1 teaspoon garlic powder if in a pinch.
2 medium sweet potatoes, peeled and cubed (about 4 cups)
Look for firm, smooth sweet potatoes. Substitute with butternut squash if desired.
1 can (15 oz) black beans, drained and rinsed
Canned beans are convenient; cook your own if you prefer. Rinsing reduces sodium.
1 can (14.5 oz) diced tomatoes with green chilies
Adds a mild kick. Use regular diced tomatoes plus a pinch of chili flakes for less heat.
1 cup (240ml) low-sodium chicken broth
Keeps the dish moist and helps cook the potatoes. Vegetable broth works for a vegetarian version.
2 teaspoons chili powder
Use a good-quality chili powder for depth. Adjust to taste.
1 teaspoon ground cumin
Cumin adds warm, earthy notes. Toast it briefly in the pan for extra flavor.
1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika
Smoked paprika gives a subtle smoky flavor. Regular paprika is a fine substitute.
Salt and black pepper to taste
Season as you go; taste and adjust at the end.
Tips & Tricks
- Cut sweet potatoes into uniform 1/2-inch cubes so they cook evenly and become tender at the same time.
- Don't overcrowd the skillet when browning the turkey; let it sear properly for better flavor.
- If the skillet seems dry before potatoes are tender, add a splash of extra broth or water to prevent burning.
Pro Tips
Step-by-Step Instructions
1. Heat the oil
Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat (350°F / 175°C) until shimmering.
2. Brown the turkey
Add ground turkey and cook, breaking it up with a spatula, until no longer pink and browned, about 5-7 minutes. Season with a pinch of salt and pepper.
3. Sauté aromatics
Stir in onion and garlic; cook until onion is translucent, about 3-4 minutes, scraping up any browned bits.
4. Add spices
Sprinkle chili powder, cumin, and smoked paprika over the mixture. Stir and cook for 30 seconds until fragrant.
5. Add sweet potatoes
Add sweet potatoes, black beans, diced tomatoes, and chicken broth. Stir to combine.
6. Simmer covered
Bring to a simmer, then reduce heat to low (300°F / 150°C). Cover and cook for 15-20 minutes, stirring occasionally, until sweet potatoes are fork-tender.
7. Uncover and thicken
Uncover and increase heat to medium (350°F / 175°C). Cook for 5-7 minutes, stirring frequently, until sauce thickens slightly and potatoes are fully tender.
8. Season and serve
Taste and adjust seasoning with salt and pepper. Serve hot, garnished with fresh cilantro or green onions if desired.
Delicious Variations
- Add 1 cup of corn kernels along with the beans for a touch of sweetness and crunch.
- Swap the black beans for pinto beans or chickpeas for a different texture.
- For a cheesy twist, sprinkle 1/2 cup of shredded cheddar over the top during the last 5 minutes of cooking.
How to Store Ground Turkey Sweet Potato Skillet
Refrigerator
Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days.
Freezer
Freeze in a freezer-safe container for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge before reheating.
Reheating
Reheat in a skillet over medium heat (350°F / 175°C) for 5-7 minutes, or in the microwave in 30-second bursts until hot.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Can I use ground beef instead of ground turkey?
Yes, ground beef works perfectly. Use lean ground beef (90/10) for a similar texture and flavor.
Q: How do I make this dish vegetarian?
Replace the turkey with an extra can of black beans or a plant-based ground meat substitute. Use vegetable broth instead of chicken broth.
Q: Can I make this in advance?
Absolutely. This dish reheats well, so you can prepare it ahead and store in the fridge for up to 4 days.
Q: Is this recipe spicy?
It has a mild kick from the green chilies and chili powder. To reduce spice, use mild diced tomatoes and reduce chili powder to 1 teaspoon.
Q: What can I serve with this skillet?
It's a complete meal on its own, but you can serve it over rice, quinoa, or with a side salad for extra freshness.
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Ground Turkey Sweet Potato Skillet
This one-pan ground turkey sweet potato skillet is a hearty, healthy dinner that's ready in 30 minutes and packed with flavor.
🧂 Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 lb (450g) ground turkey
- 1 medium yellow onion, diced
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 medium sweet potatoes, peeled and cubed (about 4 cups)
- 1 can (15 oz) black beans, drained and rinsed
- 1 can (14.5 oz) diced tomatoes with green chilies
- 1 cup (240ml) low-sodium chicken broth
- 2 teaspoons chili powder
- 1 teaspoon ground cumin
- 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika
- Salt and black pepper to taste
📋 Instructions
- 1Heat the oil — Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat (350°F / 175°C) until shimmering.
- 2Brown the turkey — Add ground turkey and cook, breaking it up with a spatula, until no longer pink and browned, about 5-7 minutes. Season with a pinch of salt and pepper.
- 3Sauté aromatics — Stir in onion and garlic; cook until onion is translucent, about 3-4 minutes, scraping up any browned bits.
- 4Add spices — Sprinkle chili powder, cumin, and smoked paprika over the mixture. Stir and cook for 30 seconds until fragrant.
- 5Add sweet potatoes — Add sweet potatoes, black beans, diced tomatoes, and chicken broth. Stir to combine.
- 6Simmer covered — Bring to a simmer, then reduce heat to low (300°F / 150°C). Cover and cook for 15-20 minutes, stirring occasionally, until sweet potatoes are fork-tender.
- 7Uncover and thicken — Uncover and increase heat to medium (350°F / 175°C). Cook for 5-7 minutes, stirring frequently, until sauce thickens slightly and potatoes are fully tender.
- 8Season and serve — Taste and adjust seasoning with salt and pepper. Serve hot, garnished with fresh cilantro or green onions if desired.
