Ground Turkey Sweet Potato Skillet is a quick, flavor-packed dinner ready in 30 minutes or less!
Ground Turkey Sweet Potato Skillet
After a week of cookie testing (and maybe some Eclair Cake), I needed some protein and veggies! Enter Ground Turkey Sweet Potato Skillet.
I had ground turkey in the fridge meant for mini Turkey Meatloaves (a family favorite!), but I was missing a few veggies. With sweet potatoes to use up, I tossed them together ground turkey and my favorite taco seasoning.
And just like that—dinner perfection!
You can add garlic, onion, or more veggies if you’d like, but the goal here is quick prep. Microwaving the sweet potatoes first makes chopping a breeze. This dinner can truly be on the table in 30 minutes or less!
Ingredients
Here’s what you’ll need to make this Ground Turkey Sweet Potato dinner:
- Seasonings: Chili powder, cumin, paprika, onion powder, and garlic powder bring a warm, smoky flavor.
- Olive Oil: Adds richness and flavor.
- Ground Turkey: Use lean (93/7) turkey or swap with ground beef—both work great!
- Black Beans: Rinse well to remove extra starch and salt.
- Cheddar Cheese: Freshly grated melts better. Sharp or extra-sharp adds the best flavor.
- Sweet Potatoes: Details below.
Sweet Potatoes
- Shortcut: Microwaving sweet potatoes keeps prep fast and easy. They turn out tender with soft skins that peel off quickly.
- Prep: Pierce each potato a few times with a fork to let steam escape.
- Choose Small Potatoes: Pick 5-6 ounce potatoes for quicker cooking (5-8 minutes).
- Cooking Time: Larger or multiple potatoes need more time. Check doneness by piercing the center with a fork—it should slide in easily.
- Alternative Methods: Bake using this Baked Sweet Potatoes recipe or try these Roasted Sweet Potatoes instead.
Ground Turkey Sweet Potato Serving Suggestions
- Add Sauce: Skip the cheese and use the sauce recipe in the notes for creaminess. Or serve with cheese and the sauce for maximum flavor!
- Make it Creamy: Add avocado, sour cream, or plain Greek yogurt.
- Serve Over a Base: Serve over white rice, brown rice, or cauliflower rice.
- Add Freshness: Top with cilantro, parsley, and/or a squeeze of lime.
- Try Add-Ins: For extra flavor, add onion, garlic, corn, bell peppers, or cherry tomatoes.
Storage
- Fridge: Keep leftovers in an airtight container for up to 3 days.
- Freeze: Store in portions for up to 3 months; thaw in the fridge overnight.
- Reheat: Warm in a skillet or microwave.
- Meal Prep: Skip the cheese when storing; add it fresh before reheating.
More 30-Minute Meals:
- Chicken Stir Fry with a simple stir-fry sauce
- Chow Mein an easy vegetarian recipe
- Rotisserie Chicken Tacos simple taco-seasoned chicken
- Egg Roll in a Bowl with lots of veggies
- Greek Beef Bowl with hummus and veggies
Ground Turkey Sweet Potato Skillet
Ground Turkey Sweet Potato Skillet is your go-to for a hearty, delicious meal that’s ready fast.
Equipment
- Large skillet non-stick
Ingredients
- 1 pound sweet potatoes 2 small potatoes; see note 1
- 1 tablespoon chili powder
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- 1 teaspoon ground cumin
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
- 1/8 teaspoon cayenne pepper optional
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 pound lean ground turkey or ground beef (93/7)
- Salt and pepper
- 1 (15-ounce) can black beans drained and rinsed
- 1 cup shredded sharp cheddar cheese
- Toppings as desired see note 2
- Cooked rice optional for serving
Instructions
- Wash and pierce the sweet potatoes all over with a fork (about 9 times). Microwave for 5 minutes, flip, and microwave for another 3-5 minutes until tender (a knife should slide through easily). Let cool slightly, peel, and dice into 1/2-inch pieces.
- Measure out seasonings.
- Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Season the meat with 3/4 teaspoon salt and 1/4 teaspoon pepper. Add meat to the skillet and brown one side, then flip to brown the other (1 minute per side). Break the meat into small crumbles using a wooden spoon. Add the seasoning mix and stir until fully incorporated. Continue cooking until the meat is browned and any fat has cooked off. Taste and adjust seasonings if needed.
- Add diced sweet potatoes and black beans to the skillet. Stir to combine. Sprinkle cheese over the top, cover, and let it melt for 3-4 minutes. If needed, broil for 1-2 minutes to melt the cheese.
- Top with cilantro, lime, avocado, or sour cream as desired. Serve alone or over cooked rice.
Video
Recipe Notes
Note 1: Use small 5-6 oz potatoes for faster cooking.
Note 2: Add fresh lime and cilantro to individual bowls for a burst of flavor. For creaminess, try diced avocado, sour cream, or this quick sauce:
- Mix 1/2 cup mayo, 3 tbsp lime juice, 1/4 tsp lime zest, 1/8 tsp cumin, 1/4 tsp paprika, 1/2 tsp chili powder, 1 tsp hot sauce, and a pinch of salt and pepper. Drizzle over servings.
Nutrition
Serving: 1serving | Calories: 294kcal | Carbohydrates: 41.4g | Protein: 40.6g | Fat: 21.7g | Cholesterol: 100.5mg | Sodium: 760.4mg | Fiber: 10.7g | Sugar: 5.1g
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
This is absolutely delicious and so satisfying! And the sauce to drizzle on top took it to the next level
I am so thrilled to hear this! Thanks Cathy!
Wow. Just made this for the first time. My husband is Italian and therefore the “cook.” Anytime I can impress him is a win. We topped it with greek yogurt, cholula, green siracha, and pickled jalapeños. So healthy and filling- in a good way. Thank you for making me look good with this flavorful dish. Super easy!
Yay! I am so thrilled to hear this! Thanks so much Kayla!
I’ve been making this for a couple of years now…this is a very delicious and healthy dinner even though I can’t use all the spices! I sub in some cut onion, garlic and Serranos to make up for it.
And I even took it one step further and heated up corn tortillas to make tacos out of it…and we LOVE them! With salsa and the sauce? Really yummy! Thanks for another great recipe Chelsea!
I am so thrilled to hear this! Thanks so much Sandee!
My husband and I make this once a week! We love it! We top it off with a bit of sour cream.
Delish! I am so thrilled this has become a hit in your house! Thanks for your comment Shea! 🙂
Super yummy! All of your recipes are so good. I did not add the cheese, I chose to use the sauce. The sauce takes it to the next level-saving this recipe for sure!
I am so thrilled to hear this! Thanks so much Lori! 🙂
Paprika is mentioned in the text as an ingredient for the spices, but don’t see it in the recipe. How much do you recommend?
Sorry Deb, the recipe is correct! Paprika only if you wanted the sauce on top 🙂
Made for dinner tonight and it was absolutely delicious! My 16yr old son couldn’t get enough. Followed recipe to a tee except added a bit of chicken stock. Highly recommend making the sauce. So yummy.
This recipe is a keeper. Thanks!
I am so thrilled to hear this! Thanks so much Liz! 🙂
Am curious if anyone has made this in bulk and stored in freezer for later meals
I love the pics of the steps. Makes it a very easy to follow. I was so happy when I typed in the ingredients that I had on hand and your recipe came up. I can’t wait to make it tonight. I will for sure make a follow up comment as I know this will be a wonderful dish…xoxoxo
Hope you love it!
I just made this and it delisious! I made it a little different, I cut the sweet potatoes raw and add them to the meat, also added a can of corn and a some vegtable broth, and I had it on top of mix greens with shreded cheese. Yummy.