Turkey Sweet Potato Skillet Recipe

Easy Turkey Sweet Potato Skillet Recipe for Cozy Meals

Whipping up a delectable turkey sweet potato skillet brings comfort and excitement to your dinner table.

Rustic flavors dance together in this one-pan marvel that simplifies weeknight cooking.

Lean protein meets creamy, caramelized sweet potatoes for a nutritious meal bursting with wholesome goodness.

Fragrant herbs and a touch of smoky spice create depth in every forkful.

Home cooks will love how quickly this dish comes together with minimal cleanup.

Seasonal ingredients shine in this hearty skillet that promises warmth and satisfaction.

You won’t be able to resist diving into this mouthwatering creation that delivers both nutrition and incredible taste.

FAQs Around Turkey Sweet Potato Skillet

  • Is this recipe healthy?

Yes, this skillet combines lean ground turkey with nutrient-dense sweet potatoes and spinach, providing high protein, complex carbohydrates, and essential vitamins and minerals for a balanced meal.

  • Can I use different types of protein?

Absolutely! You can substitute ground turkey with ground chicken, lean beef, or plant-based alternatives like crumbled tofu or tempeh to suit your dietary preferences.

  • How spicy is this dish?

The recipe has mild spice from cumin and optional chili powder. You can adjust the heat level by adding more chili powder or including diced jalapeños for extra kick.

  • Is this recipe good for meal prep?

Yes, this skillet is perfect for meal prep. It stores well in the refrigerator for 3-4 days and reheats easily, making it convenient for quick lunches or dinners during busy weeks.

Turkey Sweet Potato Skillet Quick Look

  • This one-pan wonder delivers delicious nutrition in under 30 minutes, perfect for busy families seeking hassle-free dinner solutions.
  • Swap ingredients like kale for spinach or add different spices to match your taste preferences, making this recipe incredibly flexible and adaptable.
  • Packed with lean protein from ground turkey, complex carbohydrates from sweet potatoes, and vitamins from vegetables, this skillet provides balanced, wholesome goodness in every bite.
  • Using just one skillet means less dishwashing time, allowing you to enjoy a home-cooked meal without the typical kitchen chaos afterward.

Ingredients Used in Turkey Sweet Potato Skillet

Main Protein:
  • Ground Turkey: Lean protein base of the dish, provides hearty and satisfying flavor. Opt for fresh, ground turkey with moderate fat content for best taste.
Vegetables:
  • Sweet Potato, Bell Pepper: Colorful and nutrient-dense vegetables that add texture and natural sweetness. Choose firm, bright-colored sweet potatoes and crisp bell peppers.
  • Onion, Garlic: Aromatic base that enhances overall flavor profile. Select fresh, firm onions and garlic cloves for maximum taste.
  • Spinach: Light, nutritious green that adds freshness and color. Pick crisp, bright green spinach leaves.
Seasonings and Herbs:
  • Smoked Paprika, Cumin, Chili Powder: Warm spices that create depth and complexity. Select high-quality, fresh ground spices for best results.
  • Salt, Pepper: Essential seasoning to balance and enhance flavors.
  • Parsley or Cilantro: Fresh herb for garnish that adds brightness and visual appeal. Choose vibrant green herbs.
Cooking Fats:
  • Olive Oil: Provides cooking medium and subtle flavor. Use extra virgin olive oil for best taste.

Cooking Turkey Sweet Potato Skillet Step by Step

Step 1: Prep Sweet Potato Cubes

Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add sweet potato cubes and cook, stirring occasionally, until they become tender and develop golden edges. Transfer potatoes to a separate plate.

Step 2: Brown Ground Turkey

In the same skillet, add more olive oil. Introduce ground turkey, diced onions, and minced garlic. Break turkey into small crumbles while cooking. Continue until meat turns completely brown and loses its pink color.

Step 3: Create Flavor Layers

Toss into the skillet:
  • Bell peppers
  • Cooked sweet potato cubes
  • Smoked paprika
  • Cumin
  • Chili powder
  • Salt
  • Pepper

Stir everything together and let ingredients meld for several minutes.

Step 4: Wilt Fresh Greens

Add fresh spinach leaves to the skillet. Gently stir until spinach becomes soft and slightly wilted.

Step 5: Final Touch And Serve

Remove skillet from heat. Sprinkle chopped fresh herbs like parsley or cilantro over the dish. Serve immediately while warm and aromatic.

Tricks for a Great Turkey Sweet Potato Skillet

  • Potato Perfection: Pre-cook sweet potatoes until golden for maximum caramelization and enhanced flavor depth.
  • Seasoning Strategy: Toast spices briefly before adding to develop richer, more complex taste profiles.
  • Moisture Management: Use lean ground turkey and drain excess fat to prevent a greasy final dish.
  • Spinach Timing: Add spinach at the very end to preserve bright color, nutrients, and prevent wilting.
  • One-Pan Wonder: Clean and reuse the same skillet to minimize dishes and capture layered cooking flavors.

Store and Reheat Turkey Sweet Potato Skillet Like a Pro

  • Transfer leftover skillet to an airtight container and store in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. Cool completely before sealing to prevent moisture buildup.
  • Warm the skillet over medium heat, stirring occasionally to distribute heat evenly. Add a splash of chicken broth or water to prevent drying out and maintain moisture.
  • Place portion in a microwave-safe dish, cover with a damp paper towel, and heat in 30-second intervals, stirring between each interval until thoroughly warmed.
  • Freeze in sealed containers for up to 2 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating to preserve texture and flavor of turkey and sweet potatoes.

Best Matches for Turkey Sweet Potato Skillet

  • Blend fresh orange juice, lime, sparkling water, and a hint of mint for a refreshing drink that complements the skillet's smoky and savory flavors.
  • Toss quinoa with diced cucumber, cherry tomatoes, and a light lemon vinaigrette to provide a cool, tangy contrast to the warm, spiced turkey skillet.
  • Create a creamy, herbal sauce using Greek yogurt, grated cucumber, garlic, dill, and a splash of lemon juice to add a cooling element to the dish.
  • Spread a smooth, slightly smoky hummus on the side to enhance the skillet's spices and add a rich, creamy texture to each bite.

Turkey Sweet Potato Skillet Variations to Try

  • Low-Carb Cauliflower Version: Replace sweet potatoes with riced cauliflower for a lower-carb alternative that maintains the same delicious flavor profile and nutritional balance.
  • Vegetarian Protein Swap: Substitute ground turkey with plant-based crumbles or black beans to create a hearty meatless version that keeps the original recipe's core seasonings and cooking method.
  • Dairy-Free Mediterranean Style: Add kalamata olives and swap parsley for fresh oregano to give the skillet a Mediterranean-inspired flavor while keeping the recipe allergen-friendly.
  • Spicy Southwestern Remix: Incorporate diced jalapeños, replace chili powder with chipotle powder, and top with fresh avocado slices for a zesty southwestern-inspired variation that adds extra heat and complexity.
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Turkey Sweet Potato Skillet Recipe

Turkey Sweet Potato Skillet Recipe


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4.6 from 25 reviews

  • Total Time: 30 minutes
  • Yield: 4 1x

Description

Comfort meets convenience in this hearty turkey sweet potato skillet, blending savory proteins with roasted root vegetables. Rustic flavors and quick preparation make this one-pan wonder perfect for busy weeknight dinners you’ll crave again and again.


Ingredients

Scale

Main Protein:

  • 1 pound (450 grams) ground turkey

Vegetables:

  • 2 medium sweet potatoes, peeled and diced into small cubes
  • 1 small onion, diced
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 bell pepper (red, yellow, or orange), diced
  • 2 cups (60 grams) fresh spinach
  • ¼ cup (15 grams) chopped fresh parsley or cilantro (for garnish)

Seasonings and Oils:

  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
  • ½ teaspoon ground cumin
  • ½ teaspoon chili powder (optional, for spice)
  • Salt and pepper, to taste

Instructions

  1. Transform sweet potato cubes into golden, tender morsels by sautéing in olive oil over medium heat for 8-10 minutes, stirring periodically to ensure even caramelization. Transfer the roasted cubes to a separate plate.
  2. Utilize the same skillet to sear ground turkey with minced onion and crushed garlic, meticulously crumbling the meat and cooking until it achieves a uniform, thoroughly cooked texture without any residual pink hues.
  3. Introduce diced bell peppers to the turkey mixture, reuniting the previously roasted sweet potato cubes into the culinary composition. Sprinkle a harmonious blend of smoked paprika, cumin, and optional chili powder to elevate the flavor profile. Season with salt and pepper, allowing the ingredients to meld together through gentle stirring.
  4. Delicately incorporate fresh spinach leaves into the skillet, allowing them to wilt gracefully and integrate seamlessly with the existing ingredients, which will take approximately 1-2 minutes.
  5. Finalize the dish by removing the skillet from heat and adorning the vibrant mixture with freshly chopped parsley or cilantro, creating a visually appealing and aromatic presentation ready for immediate consumption.

Notes

  • Swap ground turkey with plant-based crumbles for a vegetarian version that maintains protein content.
  • Dice sweet potatoes uniformly to ensure even cooking and consistent golden-brown texture throughout the skillet.
  • Add a splash of chicken or vegetable broth while cooking to keep the mixture moist and prevent sticking, especially if using lean turkey.
  • Experiment with additional spices like smoked paprika or cayenne pepper to boost flavor complexity without overwhelming the dish’s natural ingredients.
  • Prep Time: 10 minutes
  • Cook Time: 20 minutes
  • Category: Lunch, Dinner
  • Method: Sautéing
  • Cuisine: American

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 4
  • Calories: 400
  • Sugar: 5g
  • Sodium: 500mg
  • Fat: 20g
  • Saturated Fat: 3g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 15g
  • Trans Fat: 0g
  • Carbohydrates: 45g
  • Fiber: 10g
  • Protein: 12g
  • Cholesterol: 210mg
Jessica Martinez

Jessica Martinez

Pastry Chef & Recipe Developer

Expertise

Organic Baking Techniques, Gluten-Free Recipe Development, Southwestern Dessert Specialties, Food Styling and Photography

Education

Santa Fe Community College (SFCC)

  • Program: Certificate in Patisserie
  • Focus: Cultivating disciplined kitchen preparation for a safe, organized, and sanitary workstation; mastering the timely production of nutritious, visually appealing pastries; safely operating standard pastry equipment; and honing core patissier techniques for professional pastry work.

Jessica brings the sweet side to Urban Organic with her passion for baking and love for the Southwest. She trained at Santa Fe Community College and has built a career creating beautiful, gluten-free, and organic desserts that feel both nostalgic and new.

She believes baking should be fun, creative, and open to everyone, no matter your diet or skill level. Jessica’s recipes are simple enough to follow, but special enough to remember.

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