This Ground Turkey Sweet Potato Skillet is a wholesome, one-pan meal that perfectly balances savory and sweet flavors. By combining lean protein with nutrient-dense sweet potatoes and zesty taco seasoning, you get a healthy dinner that tastes indulgent thanks to a generous layer of melted cheddar.
With tender diced potatoes, juicy seasoned turkey, and a bubbling cheese topping, this dish is a versatile favorite that works great as a taco filling or a salad topper.
Recipe Details
- Flavor Profile: The natural sweetness of the potatoes pairs beautifully with the savory, spiced taco seasoning and the sharp, salty cheddar cheese.
- Texture: You get tender bites of sweet potato and ground turkey, all bound together by gooey melted cheese.
- Time: 10 minutes prep, 20–25 minutes cook time.
- Difficulty: Easy. It cooks entirely in one skillet, making cleanup a breeze.
What You’ll Need
To make this recipe, you will need a large skillet with a tight-fitting lid. The lid is essential for steaming the sweet potatoes so they become tender without burning. The ingredients list is short and healthy, relying on fresh produce like onions and sweet potatoes, lean ground turkey, and a packet of seasoning to bring it all together.
Ingredient Notes
- Lean Ground Turkey – This provides a healthy, low-fat protein base. Because turkey is mild, it absorbs the taco seasoning perfectly.
- Sweet Potato – You need one large sweet potato. Dicing it small is crucial so it cooks through in the skillet within the 10-15 minute timeframe.
- Yellow Onion – Diced onion adds aromatic flavor and softens alongside the potatoes to create a savory base.
- Taco Seasoning – A package of low-sodium taco seasoning makes this recipe quick and convenient while controlling the salt level.
- Cheddar Cheese – Shredded cheddar melts beautifully over the skillet. Sharp or mild cheddar both work well depending on your preference.
- Olive Oil – Divided for cooking the meat and the vegetables separately to ensure everything browns properly.
Add-ins and Substitutions
- Black Beans – For extra fiber and texture, stir in a can of rinsed black beans when you add the turkey back to the pan.
- Peppers – Diced bell peppers can be added along with the onions and sweet potatoes for more veggie volume.
- Spicy Kick – If you like heat, add a diced jalapeño or a pinch of cayenne pepper along with the taco seasoning.
How to Make Ground Turkey Sweet Potato Skillet
- Cook the Turkey: In a large skillet over medium-high heat, add 1/2 tablespoon of the olive oil. Once hot, add the ground turkey. Cook, stirring frequently to break it up, until it is no longer pink in color.
- Set Turkey Aside: Remove the cooked turkey to a plate and set it aside.
- Cook Vegetables: To the same skillet, heat the remaining 1/2 tablespoon of olive oil. Once hot, add the diced onions and small diced sweet potatoes. Season with salt and black pepper. Stir to coat.
- Steam Potatoes: Cover the skillet and reduce heat to low-medium. Cook until the sweet potatoes are soft, which will take about 10-15 minutes. You may need to stir periodically to ensure the potatoes are not sticking to the bottom of the skillet.
- Combine and Season: Once the potatoes are soft and the onions are fragrant, add the cooked turkey meat back into the skillet along with the package of taco seasoning. Stir well to combine. (You may need to add 2 tablespoons of water to ensure all the seasoning is absorbed and coats the ingredients evenly).
- Melt Cheese: Top the skillet with the shredded cheddar cheese. Either cover the skillet with the lid until the cheese is melted, or place the skillet under the broiler for about 5 minutes until the cheese is bubbly.
- Serve: Serve over lettuce topped with Greek yogurt, salsa, and guacamole.
Pro Tip: Cut your sweet potatoes into uniform, small cubes (about 1/2 inch or smaller). If the chunks are too large, they will take much longer to cook and might remain hard in the center while the onions burn.
Recipe Tips
- Don’t Skip the Lid: Covering the pan traps the steam released by the onions and potatoes, which is necessary to soften the dense sweet potatoes.
- Check for Sticking: Since sweet potatoes have natural sugars, they can caramelize and stick. Stirring every few minutes prevents burning.
- Broiler Watch: If you choose to melt the cheese under the broiler, keep a very close eye on it. The jump from bubbly to burnt happens fast!
FAQs
- Can I use ground beef? Yes, lean ground beef works excellently in this recipe if you prefer red meat.
- Do I need to peel the sweet potato? It is up to you. Peeling yields a softer texture, but leaving the skin on adds texture and nutrients. Just wash it well if leaving the skin on.
- Is this gluten-free? The ingredients are naturally gluten-free, but always check your taco seasoning packet to ensure it does not contain wheat fillers.
Serving Suggestions
- Taco Salad: As suggested, this is perfect served over a bed of crisp lettuce with cool toppings like Greek yogurt (a great sour cream sub), salsa, and guacamole.
- Burrito Bowls: Serve over cilantro lime rice or quinoa for a heartier meal.
- Breakfast: Leftovers make an amazing breakfast hash topped with a fried egg.
Make This Recipe in Advance
- Meal Prep: This recipe reheats wonderfully, making it a top choice for meal prepping lunches for the week.
- Storage: Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3–4 days. Reheat in the microwave or in a skillet.
Ground Turkey Sweet Potato Skillet
- Total Time: 35 minutes
- Yield: 4 Servings 1x
Description
This Ground Turkey Sweet Potato Skillet is a wholesome, one-pan meal that perfectly balances savory and sweet flavors. By combining lean protein with nutrient-dense sweet potatoes and zesty taco seasoning, you get a healthy dinner that tastes indulgent thanks to a generous layer of melted cheddar. With tender diced potatoes, juicy seasoned turkey, and a bubbling cheese topping, this dish is a versatile favorite that works great as a taco filling or a salad topper.
Ingredients
- 1 lb lean ground turkey
- 1 large sweet potato, peeled (optional) and diced small
- 1 yellow onion, diced
- 1 tablespoon olive oil, divided
- 1 package (approx. 1 oz) low-sodium taco seasoning
- 1 1/2 cups shredded Cheddar cheese
- Salt and black pepper, to taste
- Water (approx. 2 tablespoons, if needed for seasoning)
Instructions
Cook the Turkey
In a large skillet (ensure it has a lid) over medium-high heat, add 1/2 tablespoon of olive oil. Add the ground turkey and cook, breaking it up with a spoon, until browned and no longer pink.
Set Turkey Aside
Remove the cooked turkey from the skillet onto a plate and set aside.
Cook Vegetables
In the same skillet, heat the remaining 1/2 tablespoon of olive oil. Add the diced onions and small diced sweet potatoes. Season with a pinch of salt and black pepper. Stir to coat in the oil.
Steam Potatoes
Cover the skillet with the lid and reduce heat to low-medium. Cook for 10 to 15 minutes, stirring occasionally to prevent sticking. The sweet potatoes are done when they are fork-tender.
Combine and Season
Once the potatoes are soft, return the cooked turkey to the skillet. Sprinkle the taco seasoning over the mixture. Stir well to combine. Note: If the mixture looks dry, add about 2 tablespoons of water to help the seasoning coat everything evenly.
Melt Cheese
Sprinkle the shredded cheddar cheese evenly over the top.
Option A (Stovetop)
Cover with the lid and let sit for 2-3 minutes until melted.
Option B (Oven)
If your skillet is oven-safe, place it under the broiler for about 5 minutes until the cheese is bubbly and golden.
Serve
Serve hot. It pairs beautifully over a bed of lettuce topped with salsa, Greek yogurt (or sour cream), and guacamole.
Notes
Dice Size Matters: Cut your sweet potatoes into small, uniform cubes (about 1/2-inch or smaller). If the chunks are too large, they will take too long to cook and may remain hard in the center while the onions burn.
Don’t Skip the Lid: The lid traps steam, which is essential for softening the dense sweet potatoes quickly without needing to boil them separately.
Sticking Prevention: Sweet potatoes contain natural sugars that can caramelize and stick to the pan. Stir every few minutes during the steaming step.
Versatility: This mixture is fantastic for meal prep. It can be used in tacos, burritos, over rice, or even as a breakfast hash topped with a fried egg.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Skillet / Stovetop
- Cuisine: American / Mexican-Fusion
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 Serving
- Calories: 410
- Sugar: 6g
- Sodium: 680mg
- Fat: 22g
- Saturated Fat: 10g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 24g
- Fiber: 4g
- Protein: 32g
- Cholesterol: 105mg
Keywords: ground turkey recipes, sweet potato skillet, healthy taco skillet, one pan meals, gluten free dinner, meal prep ideas, turkey taco recipe
