This Ground Turkey and Peppers recipe is a quick, flavorful skillet meal that is perfect for busy weeknights. It combines juicy ground turkey with sweet bell peppers and savory onions, all seasoned with a kick of chipotle for a simple yet satisfying dinner.
With tender meat and vibrant vegetables, this protein-packed dish is delicious served over rice or simply enjoyed on its own.
Recipe Details
- Flavor Profile: This dish is savory and aromatic, with a subtle sweetness from the peppers and onions and a smoky heat from the chipotle powder.
- Texture: The ground turkey is browned until juicy, contrasting nicely with the tender-crisp vegetables.
- Time: 10 minutes prep, 15 minutes cook time.
- Difficulty: Easy. A simple one-pan meal that uses a smart technique to brown the meat perfectly.
What You’ll Need
To make this recipe, you will need a large skillet to accommodate both the vegetables and the meat. The ingredient list relies on fresh aromatics like onions and garlic, a colorful bell pepper, ground turkey, and extra virgin olive oil for cooking. The flavor comes together with pantry spices like chipotle or chili powder and fresh herbs.
Ingredient Notes
- Ground Turkey – This recipe works best with ground turkey thighs (dark meat) because it stays moister and has more flavor than ground breast meat.
- Bell Pepper – Red or yellow bell peppers are preferred for their sweetness, which balances the savory meat and spices.
- Chipotle Powder – This adds a distinct smoky heat. If you prefer less smoke, regular chili powder works well too.
- Onions – You will use chopped yellow onion for the base flavor and green onion tops (if available) for color.
- Extra Virgin Olive Oil – Used generously to sauté the vegetables and to ensure the lean turkey browns beautifully without sticking.
Add-ins and Substitutions
- Spice Level – If you are sensitive to heat, start with less chipotle powder. If you like it spicy, add a pinch of red pepper flakes.
- Vegetables – Zucchini or corn kernels can be added during the sauté step for extra nutrition.
- Herbs – The recipe calls for parsley or cilantro. Cilantro gives it a more taco-inspired vibe, while parsley keeps it more neutral.
How to Make Ground Turkey and Peppers
- Sauté Vegetables: Heat 2 tablespoons of extra virgin olive oil in a large skillet on medium-high heat. Add the chopped onions and bell pepper. Cook until the onions and peppers are softened, which takes a couple of minutes.
- Add Garlic: Add the minced garlic to the pan and cook for 30 seconds more until fragrant.
- Create Space: Push the cooked vegetables to the edge of one side of the pan. Position that side of the pan so that it is off the burner, away from the heat. The empty part of the pan should be positioned right over the burner.
- Add Turkey: Add one or two more tablespoons of oil to coat the empty part of the pan. Put crumpled chunks of the ground turkey into the hot spot on the pan. Sprinkle with salt and the chipotle (or chili) powder.
- Brown the Meat: Cook the turkey without stirring initially until it is browned on one side. Then, turn the pieces over to brown the other side.
- Combine: Once the turkey is just cooked through, stir the onions and peppers back into the meat. Sprinkle with more salt and chili powder to taste. Remove the pan from the heat.
- Finish: Stir in the fresh chopped parsley or cilantro and the green onion greens (if using). Serve alone, or with steamed rice or noodles.
Pro Tip: Moving the vegetables off the heat while browning the meat is crucial. If you mix the raw turkey directly into the veggies, the moisture from the vegetables will steam the meat instead of searing it, resulting in a grey, chewy texture rather than flavorful browned bits.
Recipe Tips
- Don’t Over-mix: When browning the turkey, resist the urge to stir constantly. Letting it sit allows a crust to form, which equals flavor.
- Use Dark Meat: As noted, ground turkey thighs are superior here. If you only have lean breast meat, be careful not to overcook it, or it will become dry.
- Heat Management: Keep the heat on medium-high to ensure the veggies soften quickly and the meat browns effectively.
FAQs
- Can I use ground beef? Yes, this method works perfectly with ground beef or ground chicken as well. You may need less oil if using beef.
- Is this gluten-free? Yes, the ingredients are naturally gluten-free. Just check your spice blends to be sure.
- How do I store leftovers? Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
Serving Suggestions
- Rice: Serve over steamed white or brown rice to soak up the juices.
- Noodles: Toss with your favorite noodles for a pasta-style dish.
- Low Carb: This is delicious served on its own or inside lettuce cups for a lighter meal.
Make This Recipe in Advance
- Prep: You can chop the onions and peppers a day in advance and store them in the fridge.
- Reheating: This dish reheats very well in the microwave or on the stove. If it seems dry after reheating, a splash of water or broth can help bring it back to life.
Ground Turkey and Peppers
- Total Time: 25 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
Description
This Ground Turkey and Peppers recipe is a quick, flavorful skillet meal that is perfect for busy weeknights. It combines juicy ground turkey with sweet bell peppers and savory onions, all seasoned with a smoky kick of chipotle for a simple yet satisfying dinner. With tender meat and vibrant vegetables, this protein-packed dish is delicious served over rice or simply enjoyed on its own.
Ingredients
- 3 to 4 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
- 1 cup chopped yellow onion
- Chopped greens from green onions (optional)
- 1 bell pepper (red or yellow preferred), chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- Kosher salt
- 1 pound ground turkey (preferably ground turkey thighs)
- 1 teaspoon chipotle powder or chili powder (or to taste)
- 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley or cilantro
Instructions
Sauté Vegetables
Heat 2 tablespoons of the extra virgin olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the chopped onions and bell pepper. Cook for a few minutes until the onions and peppers are softened.
Add Garlic
Stir in the minced garlic and cook for 30 seconds longer, until fragrant.
Create Space
Push the cooked vegetables to the edge of one side of the pan. Carefully position the pan so that the veggie side is off the direct heat, while the empty side sits directly over the burner.
Add Turkey
Add 1 to 2 more tablespoons of oil to the empty, hot side of the pan. Add the ground turkey in crumpled chunks. Sprinkle the meat with salt and the chipotle (or chili) powder.
Brown the Meat
Let the turkey cook without stirring initially until it is well-browned on the bottom. Then, flip the pieces over to brown the other side. This ensures flavor development rather than just steaming the meat.
Combine
Once the turkey is cooked through, stir the vegetables back into the meat. Taste and sprinkle with more salt and chipotle powder if desired. Remove from heat.
Finish
Stir in the fresh chopped parsley (or cilantro) and the green onion tops. Serve hot over steamed rice, noodles, or greens.
Notes
The “Push Aside” Technique: Moving the vegetables off the heat while browning the meat prevents the moisture from the veggies from steaming the turkey. This ensures you get nice, flavorful browned bits on the meat rather than a grey, chewy texture.
Meat Selection: Ground turkey thighs (dark meat) are highly recommended for this recipe. They have a higher fat content than breast meat, which keeps the dish juicy and flavorful during the high-heat sauté.
Serving Options: This is a versatile base. Serve it over rice for a bowl, toss it with pasta, or spoon it into lettuce cups for a low-carb lunch.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Sauté/Skillet
- Cuisine: American / Healthy
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 295
- Sugar: 2g
- Sodium: 280mg
- Fat: 21g
- Saturated Fat: 5g
- Unsaturated Fat: 15g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 5g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 22g
- Cholesterol: 80mg
Keywords: ground turkey skillet, healthy turkey recipes, turkey and peppers, 20 minute dinner, gluten free dairy free dinner, easy ground turkey meal, chipotle turkey
