This Ground Turkey Taco Skillet is a winner! It’s packed with all the delicious taco flavors you love, plus a bit of cheese and veggies for a healthy twist.
And the best part? It’s ready in just 15 minutes, making it the perfect meal for busy nights. Easy and delicious. Gluten-free.
Ground Turkey Skillet Recipe
With years of experience cooking from scratch, I’ve learned that simple, healthy recipes are the best way to feed your family and keep things stress-free.
This Ground Turkey Skillet Recipe is a quick, one-pot meal that’s packed with flavor and perfect for busy weeknights.
If you’re new here, check out my About The Yummy Bowl page to discover how I can help you feel confident in the kitchen while creating wholesome, easy-to-make meals your family will love!
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Ingredients
- Onion – I used a diced onion for flavor, but you can swap in yellow or red onion, or shallot if you prefer.
- Garlic – Fresh garlic is always best for flavor, but you can use frozen garlic cubes or garlic powder if you're short on time.
- Lean ground meat – I used lean ground turkey, but ground chicken, beef, pork, or even plant-based meat alternatives will work too.
- Tomato paste – A tablespoon of tomato paste gives great depth of flavor, but you can also use a bit of tomato sauce or jarred salsa in a pinch.
- Tomatoes - I used fresh but feel free to use canned option if in a pinch!
- Black beans – Canned black beans are a quick and easy choice, but you could also use pinto beans or any other variety you like.
- Corn – Frozen corn is my go-to, but canned or fresh corn works just as well!
- Cheese – I recommend shredded cheddar for this dish, but any cheese that melts well, like Monterey jack or pepper jack, would be delicious.
- Oil – For cooking, I used olive oil, but feel free to use avocado oil or any neutral oil of your choice.
- Broth – I used low-sodium vegetable broth for moisture, but chicken broth also works well.
- Paprika – Sweet paprika adds a nice flavor, but smoked paprika would add an extra depth if you prefer.
- Hot sauce – A drizzle of hot sauce, like Frank’s, gives a nice kick, but you can adjust the heat to your liking.
- For serving – Top with fresh cilantro, diced avocado, green onions, tomatoes, sour cream, salsa, or whatever your taco-loving heart desires!
📋 You can find the full ingredient list in the Recipe Card below the article.
How To Make 30-Minute Ground Turkey Skillet
- Cook the ground turkey: Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium-high heat. Add the ground turkey and cook for about 5 minutes, seasoning with salt, pepper, paprika, and cumin.
Do I need to drain ground turkey? It’s a good idea to drain any extra liquid from the pan after cooking the turkey, especially if it’s not lean.
- Sauté the onion and garlic: Move the turkey to the side of the skillet. Add the chopped onion and tomato paste. Cook for 1 minute, then add the garlic and stir, cooking for another 30 seconds. Stir everything together to combine.
- Add beans, corn, and tomatoes: Lower the heat and add the beans, corn, diced tomatoes, broth, and a splash of hot sauce. Stir to combine.
- Simmer the sixture: Cover the skillet and let everything simmer for about 5 minutes.
- Finish and serve: Stir in fresh cilantro, then serve with lime wedges, extra cilantro, and sliced avocado if desired. Enjoy!
This recipe makes about 4 servings on its own. If served with rice, it can stretch to serve 5-6 people. Enjoy!
If you’re a fan of ground turkey, don’t miss out on my healthy recipes like, Turkey Greek Bowls, Stuffed Peppers, or Turkey Stuffing Meatballs.
Is the Ground Turkey Taco Skillet a Healthy Meal?
I think all food can be healthy! This taco skillet has a good mix of protein, carbs, veggies, and healthy fats—plus lots of flavor. So, yes, it’s both delicious and nutritious!
What To Serve With Healthy Ground Turkey Taco Skillet?
Here are some great options to serve with your healthy one-pot Ground Turkey Taco Skillet:
- Rice – Serve with brown rice, riced cauliflower, or quinoa for a hearty base.
- Tortillas
- Salad – A fresh side salad with mixed greens, avocado, and a light dressing adds a refreshing crunch.
- Salsa & Guacamole – Serve with salsa, guacamole, or pico de gallo for extra flavor.
- Roasted veggies – Try roasted sweet potatoes, zucchini, or bell peppers for a healthy veggie side.
- Lettuce wraps – For a low-carb option, serve in lettuce wraps instead of tortillas.
Freezing And Storing Instructions
- To Store. Any leftover turkey from a weeknight dinner can be stored in an airtight container in the fridge for 2-3 days.
- To Freeze. Freeze leftover taco in an airtight container for up to 2-3 months.
- To Make Ahead. You can chop the onions and peppers in advance, or cook the turkey mixture up until adding the cheese. Then, just reheat and stir in the cheese when you’re ready to serve.
- To Reheat. To reheat, warm the turkey mixture in the microwave or on the stove in a hot skillet until heated through.
Variations For Easy Ground Turkey Dinner
- Swap the ground turkey for ground chicken or lean ground beef for a different twist.
- Try adding yellow squash or zucchini.
- To make the skillet low-carb, skip the black beans and corn and use spinach and red bell pepper instead.
- For a spicier version, add diced jalapeno.
- Top with shredded cheddar cheese for a cheesy finish.
- If you want to make it heartier, serve with brown rice or quinoa, or go for cauliflower rice or spaghetti squash for a lower-carb alternative.
How do I Keep Ground Turkey From Drying Out?
To prevent dry turkey, cook it until it’s safe but don’t overcook it.
Stay close to the stove to make sure it reaches the right temperature without drying out.
More Turkey Recipes
- Turkey Meatball Greek Bowls
- Leftover Turkey Shepherd's Pie
- Turkey Stuffing Meatballs
- Cabbage Roll Soup
- Turkey Cranberry Wrap
Did You Like This Recipe?
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Recipe Card
Low Carb Ground Turkey Skillet (No Rice)
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INGREDIENTS
- 1 pound lean ground turkey
- ½ cup diced onion
- 1 tablespoon tomato paste, in a tube or mild salsa
- ¾ cup canned black beans, rinsed and drained
- ¾ canned or frozen corn, rinsed and drained
- 1 cup diced tomato, about 1 large tomato
- 4 teaspoons fresh garlic, minced
- 2 tablespoons fresh cilantro, chopped
- 1 teaspoon ground cumin
- 1 teaspoon salt
- black pepper, to taste
- ¼ cup vegetable or chicken broth, I used low sodium
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 teaspoon sweet paprika
- a drizzle of hot sauce , like Franks
To Serve
- lime wedges
- diced avocado
- more cilantro
INSTRUCTIONS
- Cook the ground turkey: Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium-high heat. Add the ground turkey and cook for about 5 minutes, seasoning with salt, pepper, paprika, and cumin.1 pound lean ground turkey, 1 teaspoon ground cumin, 1 teaspoon salt, black pepper, 1 teaspoon sweet paprika, 1 tablespoon olive oil
- Sauté the onion and garlic: Move the turkey to the side of the skillet. Add the chopped onion and tomato paste. Cook for 1 minute, then add the garlic and stir, cooking for another 30 seconds. Stir everything together to combine.½ cup diced onion, 1 tablespoon tomato paste, 4 teaspoons fresh garlic
- Add beans, corn, and tomatoes: Lower the heat and add the beans, corn, diced tomatoes, broth, and a splash of hot sauce. Stir to combine.¾ cup canned black beans, ¾ canned or frozen corn, 1 cup diced tomato, ¼ cup vegetable or chicken broth, a drizzle of hot sauce
- Simmer the mixture: Cover the skillet and let everything simmer for about 5 minutes.
- Finish and serve: Stir in fresh cilantro, then serve with lime wedges, extra cilantro, and sliced avocado if desired. Enjoy!2 tablespoons fresh cilantro, lime wedges, diced avocado
VIDEO
NOTES
- To Store. Any leftover turkey from a weeknight dinner can be stored in an airtight container in the fridge for 2-3 days.
- To Freeze. Freeze leftover taco in an airtight container for up to 2-3 months.
- To Make Ahead. You can chop the onions and peppers in advance, or cook the turkey mixture up until adding the cheese. Then, just reheat and stir in the cheese when you’re ready to serve.
- To Reheat. To reheat, warm the turkey mixture in the microwave or on the stove in a hot skillet until heated through.
ADD YOUR OWN PRIVATE NOTES
NUTRITION
Note: Nutrition information is estimated and varies based on the products used.
Full Nutrition Disclaimer can be found here.
Ground Turkey Skillet: FAQs
Ground turkey is a good source of lean protein and can be part of a healthy meal when balanced with veggies.
I always include lots of fresh vegetables in this recipe for extra nutrients and flavor!
Ground turkey goes well with so many veggies! I like to use zucchini, tomatoes, and spinach, but you can also try sweet potatoes, asparagus, broccoli, or snap peas. There’s no wrong answer!
Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge, and it will last up to 5 days. This is a great recipe for meal prepping!
To ensure safety, you should cook the ground turkey until it reaches 165°F.
Since this temperature can be a little tricky to check with a thermometer, make sure to test it in a few spots. The exact time will depend on your heat, but it should be cooked until it hits that safe temperature.
Marta G
Healthy and easy to make, will be adding this to my recipe rotation for sure!