Ground Turkey Skillet

Jan 6, 2025 by Tania Sheff · This post may contain affiliate links

This quick, flavorful, and nutritious one-pan Ground Turkey Skillet combines lean turkey, fresh vegetables, and spices. Perfect for weeknight dinners, meal prep, or customizing to suit your taste preferences.

Ground Turkey Skillet with veggies on the background

This Ground Turkey Skillet recipe is a one-pan wonder, packed with bold flavors, nutritious ingredients, and effortless cooking techniques. Whether you’re looking for a quick weeknight meal or a dish that pleases a crowd, this recipe checks all the boxes. With lean ground turkey, fresh vegetables, and aromatic spices, it’s a meal you can feel good about serving.

Video Recipe

Ingredients

2 medium zucchini (cut into ¾-inch pieces)
1 pound 93% lean ground turkey
¼ cup chopped onion
1 tablespoon tomato paste
¾ cup canned black beans (rinsed and drained)
¾ cup corn kernels (fresh or frozen)
1 large tomato (diced)
1 jalapeño (diced)
1 clove garlic (minced)
2 tablespoons chopped cilantro (plus more for garnish)
1 ¼ teaspoons cumin
1 ¼ teaspoons salt
¼ cup water
1 tablespoon olive oil or avocado oil
Lime juice (for serving)

How to make Ground Turkey Skillet

1. Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the chopped onion and sauté until soft and translucent, about 3-4 minutes.

2. Add the ground turkey to the skillet. Cook, breaking up the meat with a spatula, until the turkey is browned, about 5 minutes.

3. Stir in the tomato paste, cumin, and salt. Mix well.

4. Add the black beans, tomato, corn, jalapeño, garlic, and zucchini to the skillet. Pour in the water and stir everything together. Cover the skillet with a lid and let it simmer on low heat for 4-5 minutes, or until the zucchini is tender yet slightly crisp.

5. Garnish with fresh cilantro and a squeeze of lime juice. Serve immediately and enjoy!

Recipe Variations

One of the best aspects of this Ground Turkey Skillet recipe is its adaptability. You can easily tailor it to suit your taste preferences or dietary needs. Here are a few creative variations:

Vegetarian Option: Replace the ground turkey with plant-based protein crumbles or additional beans, such as chickpeas or kidney beans. Increase the zucchini and other veggies to make it even heartier.
Spicy Kick: If you love heat, double the amount of diced jalapeño or add a dash of cayenne pepper, hot sauce, or red pepper flakes.
Cheesy Delight: Sprinkle shredded cheddar or Monterey Jack cheese over the skillet during the last few minutes of cooking. Cover the skillet to let the cheese melt before serving.
Mediterranean Twist: Swap the cumin for oregano and add ingredients like olives, feta cheese, and artichoke hearts for a Mediterranean-inspired variation. You can also serve it with a dollop of Greek yogurt on top.
Southwest Style: Incorporate a handful of tortilla strips or crushed tortilla chips for a satisfying crunch. You can also top the dish with avocado slices or a dollop of sour cream.

Substitutions

This Ground Turkey Skillet recipe is highly flexible, and substitutions can help accommodate dietary needs or ingredient availability. Here are some ideas:

Protein Alternatives: Swap ground turkey for ground chicken, ground beef, or even crumbled tofu for a plant-based alternative.
Zucchini Replacement: If zucchini isn’t available or preferred, use yellow squash, eggplant, or diced bell peppers as a substitute. You can also add a handful of spinach.
Beans: Black beans can be replaced with pinto beans, kidney beans, or chickpeas for a slightly different flavor and texture.
Corn: Frozen, fresh, or canned corn all work in this recipe. If corn is unavailable, diced carrots or peas can add a touch of sweetness.
Tomato Paste: Use tomato sauce or crushed or diced tomatoes if you don’t have tomato paste. Adjust the quantity for the right consistency.
Cilantro: If you’re not a fan of cilantro, try parsley or green onions for garnish and freshness.
Spices: Experiment with other spices like smoked paprika, chili powder, or turmeric to change the flavor profile of this Ground Turkey Skillet.

Serving Ideas for this Ground Turkey Skillet

This Ground Turkey Skillet is incredibly versatile when it comes to serving. Here are some ideas to inspire your meal planning:

On Its Own: Serve the skillet as-is for a low-carb, high-protein meal. It’s filling and satisfying without any extra sides.
Over Rice or Quinoa: Pair the skillet with a bed of fluffy white rice, brown rice, or quinoa to create a hearty, well-rounded meal. You might want to try cauliflower rice or cabbage rice for a healthier option.
With potatoes. I like serving it with baked potatoes, or roasted sweet potatoes.
In a Wrap: Spoon the mixture into large tortillas or lettuce leaves for a delicious wrap or taco-style meal.
With Tortilla Chips: Serve as a chunky dip alongside tortilla chips for a fun and shareable snack. Try my potato flatbread on the side.
As a Stuffing: Use the skillet mixture as a filling for bell peppers or hollowed-out zucchinis. Bake in the oven until the veggies are tender and the filling is warm.

Helpful Tips

To ensure your Ground Turkey Skillet turns out perfectly every time, here are some tried-and-true tips:

Prep Ingredients First: Chop, dice, and measure all your ingredients before starting. This ensures a smooth cooking process without the stress of multitasking.
Don’t Overcook the Zucchini: Zucchini cooks quickly, so keep an eye on it to avoid it becoming mushy. Aim for tender-crisp for the best texture.
Season Gradually: Taste the dish as you go and adjust the seasonings as needed. You can always add more salt or spice, but you can’t take it away.
Use Fresh Herbs: Fresh cilantro elevates the flavors of this dish. Don’t skip the garnish, and consider adding extra for a burst of freshness.
Customize the Veggies: If zucchini isn’t your favorite, substitute it with bell peppers, green beans, or broccoli. This recipe is forgiving and works well with a variety of vegetables.
Double the Batch: This recipe is great for meal prep. Double the ingredients and cook in a larger skillet to have leftovers ready for the week or to freeze for future meals.

How to store Ground Turkey Skillet

Proper storage is key to maintaining the freshness and flavor of your Ground Turkey Skillet. Here are some tips:

Refrigeration: Store any leftovers in an airtight container and place them in the refrigerator. They’ll stay fresh for up to 3 days. To reheat, warm in a skillet over medium heat, adding a splash of water to restore moisture, or microwave in a covered dish for 1-2 minutes.
Freezing: This dish freezes beautifully. Portion the skillet meal into freezer-safe containers, leaving a little space at the top to allow for expansion. It can be stored in the freezer for up to 3 months. When ready to enjoy, thaw in the refrigerator overnight and reheat as you would refrigerated leftovers.

This Ground Turkey Skillet recipe is proof that healthy eating doesn’t have to be complicated or boring. It’s a celebration of fresh, wholesome ingredients coming together to create a delicious, balanced meal. With its quick prep time, endless customization options, and easy cleanup, this dish is bound to become a staple in your kitchen.

So grab your skillet, gather your ingredients, and get cooking. Don’t forget to top it off with a squeeze of lime juice for that perfect finishing touch. Enjoy!

More tasty turkey recipes to try: Leftover Turkey Salad and Turkey Cabbage Soup.

Tania Sheff

This quick, flavorful, and nutritious one-pan Ground Turkey Skillet combines lean turkey, fresh vegetables, and spices. Perfect for weeknight dinners, meal prep, or customizing to suit your taste preferences.

Prep Time 15 minutes

Cook Time 15 minutes

Total Time 30 minutes

Course Main Dish

Cuisine American

Servings 4 servings

Calories 314 kcal

Ingredients

1 tbsp. olive oil or avocado oil
¼ cup chopped onion
1 lb. 93% lean ground turkey
1 tbsp. tomato paste
1 tsp. ground cumin or to taste
1 tsp. sea salt or to taste
2 medium zucchini (cut into ¾-inch pieces) (about 12-14oz.)
¾ cup canned black beans (rinsed and drained)
¾ cup corn kernels (fresh or frozen)
2-3 small tomato (diced) (about 1 cup)
1 medium jalapeño (diced and seeds removed))
1 medium clove garlic (minced)
¼ cup water
2 tbsp. chopped cilantro (plus more for garnish)
1 tbsp. lime juice

Instructions

Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the chopped onion and sauté until soft and translucent, about 3-4 minutes.

1 tbsp. olive oil or avocado oil, ¼ cup chopped onion
Add the ground turkey to the skillet. Cook, breaking up the meat with a spatula, until the turkey is browned, about 5 minutes.

1 lb. 93% lean ground turkey
Stir in the tomato paste, cumin, and salt. Mix well.

1 tbsp. tomato paste, 1 tsp. ground cumin, 1 tsp. sea salt
Add the black beans, tomato, corn, jalapeño, garlic, and zucchini to the skillet. Pour in the water and stir everything together. Cover the skillet with a lid and let it simmer on low heat for 4-5 minutes, or until the zucchini is tender yet slightly crisp.

2 medium zucchini (cut into ¾-inch pieces), ¾ cup canned black beans (rinsed and drained), ¾ cup corn kernels (fresh or frozen), 2-3 small tomato (diced), 1 medium jalapeño (diced and seeds removed)), 1 medium clove garlic (minced), ¼ cup water
Garnish with fresh cilantro and a squeeze of lime juice. Serve immediately and enjoy!

2 tbsp. chopped cilantro (plus more for garnish), 1 tbsp. lime juice