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.
I prepared this recipe today and it came out great. I used almost all of the combined seasonings. I served brown rice blended with sautéed zucchini and onions mixed in on the side. It was very easy to make and enjoyed very much.
I am so happy you enjoyed this! Thanks for your comment Penny! 🙂
This was so good!!! I put the lime and cilantro with a mirroring of some of the main dish spices into the cauliflower rice to zap that up as well. I will definitely make this again. Ground Turkey, yams, black beans, are all a staple in our house and it’s nice to have a new dish in the rotation.
I am so thrilled to hear this! Thanks Katherine! 🙂
This recipe (you NEED the sauce) is so good it makes me want to cry because it is sooo easy. Second time making it in a week my husband and I are obsessed.
I am so thrilled to hear this! Thank you so much! 🙂
I made this for dinner tonight. OMG! My husband loved it!!! It was so easy to make too! Will be adding this into our cooking rotation.
Yay! I am so happy to hear this! Thank you Lorna! 🙂
The best meal ever. It’s a staple in our house.
I am thrilled to hear this! Thank you! 🙂
Omg. This was so easy and delicious. And i love that you added the measurement amounts in the directions as well (most don’t). We also made the sauce and it’s delicious! I added sautéed zucchini to this recipe and you MUST try it with umami seasoning from trader joe’s. Makes it heavenly!!
I am so thrilled to hear this! Thanks so much Brianna! 🙂
Can you use a lemon instead of a lime??
I haven’t tested it with lemon but it should be fine! Let me know how it turns out for you! Hope you enjoy! 🙂
I have been making this recipe for my husband who likes to have it for breakfast. It is a WONDERFUL recipe full of taste and is healthy.
What an awesome, healthy breakfast! So glad you guys enjoy! Thanks! 🙂
We love this recipe! It is tasty and healthy.
So happy to hear that! Thank you Nancy 🙂
Absolutely delicious! Hubby kept oohing and aahing. We served it with cauliflower rice, and topped ours with avocado and fresh tomatoes, and your incredible sauce. YES, fingers were still dipping into the bowl as we were packing up the leftovers for tomorrow. Yum! So glad we’ll have it for lunch. 🙂
Yay!! Love hearing this, thank you so much for taking the time to leave a comment and review 🙂