If you’re ready for a flavorful, wholesome meal that comes together in just one skillet, you’re going to love this Turkey Sweet Potato Skillet. It’s bright, hearty, and packed with colorful veggies—tender sweet potatoes, juicy ground turkey, red peppers, and spinach all come together in a single pan for a dinner that’s as cheerful and satisfying as it is easy to clean up afterward. Whether you’re looking for a quick weeknight staple or a meal prep hero, your search just might end here.

Turkey Sweet Potato Skillet Recipe - Recipe Image

Ingredients You’ll Need

The beauty of this dish is in its simplicity—each ingredient plays a crucial part in making the Turkey Sweet Potato Skillet both delicious and nourishing. Here’s why every component belongs and how it contributes to flavor, texture, or color.

Olive oil: Adds richness, helps everything brown nicely, and brings out natural flavors.
Ground turkey: The lean protein star of the show, keeping the meal filling yet light.
Onion: Gives the base a subtle sweetness and savory aroma that makes the kitchen smell amazing.
Garlic: Infuses the skillet with a comforting depth that warms every bite.
Sweet potatoes: Bring a pop of color and natural sweetness, plus substance and heartiness.
Red bell pepper: Adds crunch and brightness, contrasting perfectly with the sweet potato.
Paprika: Deepens the flavor and adds a gentle warmth that ties everything together.
Ground cumin: Offers earthiness and a toasty aroma without overpowering the other flavors.
Chili powder: Provides a subtle kick and rounds out the seasoning blend.
Salt and pepper: Essential for balancing and amplifying all the flavors in the dish.
Low-sodium chicken broth or water: Keeps everything moist, helps steam the veggies, and adds an extra layer of taste.
Fresh spinach: Brings a burst of color and leafy freshness at the end.
Chopped parsley (optional): The finishing touch for a lovely green garnish and herbal lift.

How to Make Turkey Sweet Potato Skillet

Step 1: Brown the Turkey

Start by heating the olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Drop in the ground turkey and use a spoon or spatula to break it up as it cooks. You’re looking for nicely browned bits—don’t rush this step! Browning the turkey adds flavor and gives the finished Turkey Sweet Potato Skillet that irresistible savory base.

Step 2: Soften the Aromatics

Once your turkey is cooked through and starting to develop a little color, add in the diced onion and minced garlic. Sauté everything together for a couple of minutes. As soon as the onion turns translucent and the garlic releases its fragrance, you know you’ve built the perfect flavor foundation for the skillet.

Step 3: Add Veggies and Spices

Toss in the diced sweet potatoes and red bell pepper next. Sprinkle the paprika, cumin, chili powder, and a generous pinch each of salt and pepper over the veggies and turkey. Stir thoroughly, allowing the spices to coat everything evenly. This is where that signature Turkey Sweet Potato Skillet aroma really fills your kitchen!

Step 4: Simmer Until Tender

Pour in the chicken broth (or water), making sure to scrape up any tasty browned bits from the bottom. Cover the skillet, reduce the heat to medium-low, and let it all simmer for about 10 to 12 minutes. Give it a gentle stir every now and then—the steam will soften the sweet potatoes perfectly without turning everything to mush.

Step 5: Finish with Greens

Uncover the skillet and add your chopped spinach. It will seem like a lot at first, but the spinach wilts down in a couple of minutes, nestling right into the rest of the ingredients. After two or three minutes, turn the heat off—your Turkey Sweet Potato Skillet is ready for its finishing touches!

How to Serve Turkey Sweet Potato Skillet

Garnishes

A big sprinkle of freshly chopped parsley brightens the whole dish and gives it a fresh look. For even more flavor, try adding a handful of shredded cheese or a quick squeeze of lime juice over each serving—they both bring an irresistible finishing touch to your Turkey Sweet Potato Skillet.

Side Dishes

This skillet is hearty on its own, but it also pairs beautifully with a simple side salad, fluffy quinoa, or warmed corn tortillas for scooping. You could even serve it over steamed rice if you want to stretch it out for extra hungry guests. That’s the great thing about Turkey Sweet Potato Skillet—it plays nicely with just about anything.

Creative Ways to Present

For fun gatherings or meal prep, portion your Turkey Sweet Potato Skillet into individual bowls and top each with a dollop of Greek yogurt, avocado slices, or toasted pepitas. You can also use it as a filling for stuffed bell peppers or serve it in roasted sweet potato halves for a playful presentation.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Once cooled, transfer any leftover Turkey Sweet Potato Skillet to an airtight container. It keeps well in the fridge for up to four days, so it’s perfect for weekly meal prep or a grab-and-go lunch later in the week.

Freezing

To freeze, portion the cooled skillet into freezer-safe containers or resealable bags. Label them with the date, and store for up to three months. When you’re ready to reheat, just thaw overnight in the fridge for best results—this helps everything warm up evenly.

Reheating

You can reheat the Turkey Sweet Potato Skillet in the microwave in a covered dish or on the stovetop in a skillet with just a splash of water or broth to keep it moist. Stir occasionally until hot, and garnish again if you’d like. The flavors deepen and mellow with time, making leftovers extra enjoyable.

FAQs

Can I use ground chicken or beef instead of turkey?

Absolutely! While ground turkey keeps things lean and light, ground chicken or beef will also work well. You might notice a slightly different flavor, but all three proteins taste fantastic with the seasonings and veggies.

Can I make this dish vegetarian?

Definitely! Swap the ground turkey for a plant-based meat alternative or use extra beans like black beans or chickpeas. Simply follow the same steps, adjusting the cooking times as needed.

How do I make it spicier?

If you love heat, add a diced jalapeño when you sauté the onions and garlic, or sprinkle in extra chili powder or a pinch of cayenne with the other spices. A drizzle of hot sauce at the end is also a great way to dial up the spice.

Can I prep the veggies ahead of time?

Yes! You can dice the sweet potatoes, bell pepper, and onion a day or two in advance and store them in the fridge. This will make assembling your Turkey Sweet Potato Skillet even faster on busy evenings.

What’s the best pan to use for this recipe?

A large, heavy-bottomed skillet or sauté pan works best. Cast iron is ideal because it holds heat evenly, but any large pan with a lid will do the trick. Just give yourself enough room to stir all those lovely veggies!

Final Thoughts

There’s something truly special about a recipe that’s so easy, nourishing, and full of flavor—and that’s why Turkey Sweet Potato Skillet has become a favorite in my kitchen. I hope you’ll give it a try and see how effortlessly comforting and satisfying one skillet can be. Let me know how you like it, and don’t be surprised if it earns a permanent spot in your weeknight dinner rotation!

Turkey Sweet Potato Skillet Recipe

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4.8 from 28 reviews

Author: admin
Total Time: 30 minutes
Yield: 4 servings 1x
Diet: Non-Vegetarian

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Description

This Turkey Sweet Potato Skillet is a flavorful and nutritious one-pan meal that is quick and easy to prepare. Ground turkey is cooked with sweet potatoes, bell peppers, and spinach, seasoned with a blend of spices for a satisfying dish that is perfect for a busy weeknight dinner.

Ingredients

Scale

Ingredients:

1 tablespoon olive oil
1 pound ground turkey
1 medium onion, diced
2 cloves garlic, minced
2 medium sweet potatoes, peeled and diced into small cubes
1 red bell pepper, diced
1 teaspoon paprika
1/2 teaspoon ground cumin
1/2 teaspoon chili powder
Salt and pepper to taste
1/4 cup low-sodium chicken broth or water
2 cups fresh spinach, chopped
Chopped parsley for garnish (optional)

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Instructions

Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the ground turkey and cook until browned, breaking it up with a spoon as it cooks.
Add the diced onion and garlic and sauté for 2 to 3 minutes until softened.
Stir in the sweet potatoes, bell pepper, paprika, cumin, chili powder, salt, and pepper. Pour in the chicken broth or water, cover the skillet, and reduce heat to medium-low.
Cook for 10 to 12 minutes, or until the sweet potatoes are tender, stirring occasionally.
Uncover, stir in the chopped spinach, and cook for another 2 to 3 minutes until wilted.
Remove from heat and garnish with chopped parsley if desired. Serve hot.