Ground Turkey & Sweet Potato Skillet

Equipment

• Large Skillet or Cast-Iron Pan: A 12-inch heavy-bottomed skillet or cast-iron pan works best to ensure even heating and proper browning.
• Sharp Chef’s Knife & Cutting Board: For uniform dicing of sweet potatoes and vegetables.
• Wooden Spoon or Spatula: To break up the ground turkey and stir the skillet evenly.
• Tight-Fitting Lid: Essential for steaming the sweet potatoes until perfectly tender.

Ingredients

Main Ingredients:

• 1 lb (450g) Lean Ground Turkey (90/10 or 93/7 blend recommended for juice and flavor)
• 2 medium Sweet Potatoes (about 1 lb / 450g total), washed, peeled, and diced into small ½-inch cubes
• 1 tbsp Olive Oil (or avocado oil for high-heat cooking)
• 1 medium Yellow Onion , finely diced
• 1 medium Red Bell Pepper , seeded and diced into ½-inch pieces
• 1 medium Green Bell Pepper , seeded and diced into ½-inch pieces
• 3 cloves Garlic , minced
• 2 cups Fresh Baby Spinach (or chopped kale)
• ⅓ cup Low-Sodium Chicken Broth (or water)

Spice Blend:

• 1 tsp Chili Powder
• 1 tsp Ground Cumin
• ½ tsp Smoked Paprika (or sweet paprika)
• ½ tsp Garlic Powder
• ½ tsp Onion Powder
• ¾ tsp Kosher Salt (adjust to taste)
• ¼ tsp Freshly Ground Black Pepper
• ¼ tsp Crushed Red Pepper Flakes (optional, for a kick of heat)

Optional Cheesy Topping & Garnishes:

• ½ cup Shredded Mozzarella, Monterey Jack, or Sharp Cheddar (optional)
• 2 tbsp Fresh Cilantro or Green Onions , chopped
• 1 Fresh Lime , cut into wedges
• 1 Sliced Avocado (for serving)

Instructions

Step 1: Cook the Ground Turkey

1. Heat ½ tablespoon of olive oil in a large 12-inch skillet over medium-high heat .
2. Add the ground turkey to the hot pan. Use a wooden spoon or spatula to break the meat into small bite-sized crumbles.
3. Season with ¼ teaspoon salt and ¼ teaspoon black pepper .
4. Cook for 6 to 8 minutes , stirring occasionally, until the turkey is fully browned and no pink remains (internal temperature reaches 165°F / 74°C).
5. Transfer the cooked turkey to a clean plate and set aside, leaving any savory juices in the pan.

Step 2: Sauté Onions & Garlic

1. Turn the heat down to medium . Add the remaining ½ tablespoon of olive oil to the same skillet.
2. Add the diced yellow onion and cook for 3 to 4 minutes until soft and translucent.
3. Stir in the minced garlic and cook for 30 seconds to 1 minute until fragrant, being careful not to let the garlic burn.

Step 3: Steam & Soften Sweet Potatoes

1. Add the diced sweet potatoes , red bell pepper , and green bell pepper to the skillet.
2. Pour in the spice blend (chili powder, cumin, smoked paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, remaining salt, and red pepper flakes if using). Stir well to evenly coat all ingredients in the oil and spices.
3. Pour in ⅓ cup low-sodium chicken broth . Immediately cover the skillet with a tight-fitting lid and reduce heat to medium-low .
4. Simmer covered for 10 to 12 minutes , stirring halfway through, until the sweet potatoes are fork-tender and the liquid has mostly absorbed.

Step 4: Combine, Add Greens & Serve

1. Remove the lid and turn the heat to low . Return the cooked ground turkey (and any accumulated juices) to the skillet with the sweet potatoes.
2. Add the fresh baby spinach . Gently fold all ingredients together for 2 to 3 minutes until the turkey is heated through and the spinach is completely wilted.
3. Optional Cheesy Finish: Sprinkle shredded cheese evenly over the top. Turn off the heat, cover the pan for 2 minutes until melted.
4. Garnish with freshly chopped cilantro or green onions, and squeeze fresh lime juice over the skillet right before serving.

Nutrition

Calories: 320 kcal · Protein: 28g · Fat: 11g Saturated Fat: 2.5g · Carbohydrates: 28g Dietary · Saturated Fat: 2.5g Trans · Fiber: 5g · Sugar: 6g (Natural · Sodium: 540mg