Amazing Sweet Potato and Ground Turkey

Ugh, weeknights. Am I right? Between soccer practice, homework battles, and just trying to unwind, the last thing I want is a sink full of dishes. That’s exactly why I was on a mission to find a meal that was not only super healthy but also ridiculously easy to whip up. And let me tell you, this Sweet Potato and Ground Turkey Skillet is my absolute jam! It’s become my go-to for a reason – it’s packed with flavor, good-for-you ingredients, and the best part? It all cooks up in *one pan*. Seriously, it’s a lifesaver for those crazy nights when you need something delicious on the table, fast.

Why You’ll Love This Sweet Potato and Ground Turkey Skillet

Honestly, this skillet meal is a weeknight warrior, and I’m so excited for you to give it a try! Here’s why it’s earned a permanent spot in my recipe rotation:

• Seriously Easy Clean-Up: We’re talking ONE pan, people! That means less scrubbing and more time enjoying your evening. My dishwashing-hating self thanks me every time I make this.
• Healthy & Wholesome: You get lean protein from the ground turkey and fantastic nutrients, plus fiber, from the sweet potatoes and corn. It’s a meal that leaves you feeling good, not weighed down.
• Flavor Fiesta: Don’t let the simple ingredients fool you! The chili powder, cumin, and savory turkey combined with the sweet potatoes? Pure magic. It’s just so satisfying.
• Super Speedy: With prep and cook time combined, you can have this on the table in about 45 minutes. Perfect for when you’re pressed for time but still want a home-cooked meal.
• Totally Customizable: Got other veggies hanging out in the fridge? Toss ’em in! Don’t like cilantro? Skip it! This recipe is super forgiving and happy to adapt to what you have on hand.
• Great for Meal Prep: Make a big batch on Sunday, and you’ve got lunches or quick dinners ready to go for a few days. It reheats beautifully!

Gather Your Ingredients for Sweet Potato and Ground Turkey

Alright, let’s get our mise en place ready because this dish comes together so fast! Here’s what you’ll want to have on hand. I find having everything prepped makes the cooking process smooth sailing:

• 1 tablespoon olive oil: Just a touch to get things started and keep the turkey from sticking.
• 1 pound ground turkey: I usually go for 93% lean, but use whatever you prefer!
• 1 medium onion, chopped: A nice medium yellow or white onion works great here.
• 2 cloves garlic, minced: Because *everything* is better with garlic, right?
• 1 teaspoon chili powder: This gives it a nice, warm kick.
• 1/2 teaspoon cumin: Adds that lovely earthy depth.
• 1/4 teaspoon salt: Adjust to your taste!
• 1/4 teaspoon black pepper: Freshly ground is always best if you have it.
• 1 large sweet potato, peeled and diced: Aim for about half-inch cubes so they cook evenly.
• 1 cup chicken broth: This makes sure everything simmers nicely and gets tender.
• 1/2 cup frozen corn: So easy and adds a little pop of sweetness and color!
• 1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro (optional): This is totally up to you, but I love the fresh finish it gives!

Step-by-Step Guide to Making Sweet Potato and Ground Turkey

Okay, let’s get this deliciousness happening! Seriously, this recipe is so straightforward, you’ll be amazed at how quickly it comes together. Here’s the game plan:

1. First things first, grab your favorite large skillet – the one that’s big enough to hold all the magic. Drizzle in that tablespoon of olive oil and let it heat up over medium heat on your stovetop. You want it warm, but not smoking.
2. Now, toss in the pound of ground turkey. Grab your spoon and start breaking it up as it cooks. We’re aiming for it to be nicely browned all over. Once it’s looking good, carefully drain off any excess fat. Nobody needs that extra grease!
3. Next up, the onion! Add your chopped onion to the skillet with the turkey. Let it cook away and get nice and soft, usually about 5 minutes. It’s smelling good already, right?
4. Time for the flavor boosters! Stir in the minced garlic, chili powder, cumin, salt, and pepper. Give it all a good stir and cook for just about 1 more minute until everything is super fragrant. You’ll know it’s ready when your kitchen starts smelling amazing.
5. Now for the star veggies! Add all that diced sweet potato and the chicken broth to the pan. Give it a good stir to make sure everything is well combined. Bring this mixture to a nice boil, then immediately reduce the heat to low, pop a lid on the skillet, and let it simmer away for a good 15 to 20 minutes. You want those sweet potatoes to get nice and tender.
6. Almost there! Stir in the frozen corn and just let it cook for another 5 minutes or so, until the corn is heated all the way through. It’s that simple!
7. And for the finishing touch, if you’re feeling it, sprinkle on that chopped fresh cilantro. It adds such a lovely pop of freshness!

See? Easy peasy! This dish is perfect for nights you want something comforting and healthy without all the fuss. It’s a great way to use up ground turkey and sweet potatoes, just like in my other favorite one-pan meals. If you’re looking for more easy ground turkey recipes, you might love my ground turkey zucchini casserole or my super quick ground beef lettuce wraps. And for another sweet potato favorite, check out these sweet potato taco bowls!

Tips for the Perfect Sweet Potato and Ground Turkey

You know, sometimes even with the best recipes, there are just little things that make a big difference, right? For this sweet potato and ground turkey skillet, I’ve picked up a few tricks over the years that really knock it out of the park. It’s all about getting those sweet potatoes perfectly tender and making sure everything melds together beautifully.

Ingredient Substitutions for Sweet Potato and Ground Turkey

This recipe is so forgiving, which I LOVE because life happens! If you don’t have ground turkey, don’t sweat it. Ground chicken or even lean ground beef works just as well. Feeling like a veggie party? Toss in some diced bell peppers or zucchini along with the sweet potatoes – they add a lovely freshness. And if you’re not big on cilantro, a sprinkle of fresh parsley or even a dash of dried oregano at the end is lovely too. For my garlic herb roasted potatoes, I often swap herbs, and it works great here too!

Serving Suggestions for Your Sweet Potato and Ground Turkey Meal

This skillet is pretty much a complete meal on its own, but sometimes it’s nice to add a little something extra, right? I love serving this with a light side salad, maybe my Mediterranean Quinoa Salad for some extra goodness, or even just a simple mixed greens salad. A tall glass of iced water or unsweetened tea is perfect to wash it all down! For something a bit heartier, our crunchy Thai quinoa salad would be a fantastic partner too!

Storage and Reheating Instructions

Got leftovers? Lucky you! This Sweet Potato and Ground Turkey Skillet is even more delicious the next day. Once it’s cooled down, pop it into an airtight container. I usually use glass containers – they’re great for reheating later. It should stay fresh in the fridge for about 3-4 days. I always like to get my meal prep sorted with a good meal-prep chicken casserole, so I get the importance of good storage! Find out more about my meal prep chicken casserole here!

When you’re ready to reheat, you have a couple of options. You can pop a portion back into a skillet over medium-low heat, stirring occasionally until it’s warmed through – this is my favorite way, as it keeps the texture nice. Or, just zap it in the microwave for a minute or two until it’s piping hot. Easy peasy!

Frequently Asked Questions about Sweet Potato and Ground Turkey

Got questions? I’ve got answers! This skillet is so versatile, and I get asked a lot about how to tweak it or make it even better. Here are some of the most common things people wonder about:

Can I use frozen sweet potatoes for this recipe?

Oh, that’s a great question! While I’m a huge fan of using fresh sweet potatoes because they have the best texture, you *can* use frozen diced sweet potatoes in a pinch. Just make sure they’re plain diced sweet potatoes and not pre-seasoned or cooked. You might need to adjust the cooking time slightly since they can release more moisture, so just keep an eye on them and make sure they’re tender before moving on to the next step. It’s kind of like how I prep potatoes for my famous potato taco bowls – sometimes shortcuts are necessary!

Is this Sweet Potato and Ground Turkey skillet freezer-friendly?

Yes, absolutely! This is a fantastic meal to make ahead and freeze. Once it’s cooled completely, pack it into freezer-safe containers or bags. It should hold up really well for about 2-3 months in the freezer. When you’re ready to eat it, just thaw it in the fridge overnight and then reheat it on the stovetop or in the microwave. It’s perfect for those weeks when you just don’t have time to cook!

What if I don’t have chicken broth?

No chicken broth? No problem at all! You can totally swap it out. Vegetable broth works beautifully and keeps this meal vegetarian-friendly if you switch the turkey too. Even just plain water will work in a pinch, though the broth adds a nice layer of flavor. You could also use turkey broth if you have that on hand – it’ll just enhance that savory turkey taste even more!

Can I make this recipe spicier?

You bet! If you love a little extra heat, this recipe is super easy to amp up. Just add a pinch of cayenne pepper along with the chili powder and cumin. You could also add some red pepper flakes when you add the garlic, or even a diced jalapeño when you’re cooking the onions. Experiment until you find your perfect spice level!

Nutritional Information (Estimated)

Okay, so let’s talk numbers for a sec! While I’m not a registered dietitian or anything, I like to give you a general idea of what you’re getting with this fantastic meal. Based on my recipe and standard portion sizes, each serving of this Sweet Potato and Ground Turkey Skillet is roughly:

• Calories: Around 350 – perfect for a satisfying yet light meal!
• Fat: About 10g total, with just 3g of that being saturated fat.
• Protein: A solid 25g, thanks to that lean ground turkey.
• Carbohydrates: Around 45g, mostly from the sweet potatoes and corn.
• Fiber: A great bonus of 8g to keep you feeling full!
• Sodium: Roughly 400mg, but remember this can change depending on the broth you use!

Keep in mind these are just estimates, you know? What you use for your broth, the exact size of your sweet potato, and even how much salt you add can tweak these numbers a bit. But overall, it’s a super balanced and hearty dish! It reminds me a bit of my perfect comfy high-protein meal in how it manages to be so satisfying.

Share Your Sweet Potato and Ground Turkey Creations!

I absolutely LOVE hearing from you all! When you make this Sweet Potato and Ground Turkey Skillet, please, please, PLEASE tell me how it turned out! Did you add anything new? Did your family love it? Drop a comment below, rate the recipe, or even tag me on social media with your photos. Seeing your creations is seriously the highlight of my day and inspired by my journey, I can’t wait to see yours!

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