Ground Turkey + Sweet Potato Skillet Recipe (30g Pro)
As a dietitian and a busy mom, I know how important it is to find meals that are not only delicious but also packed with nutrients and easy to whip up on hectic weeknights. That’s why I absolutely love this Southwest Turkey & Sweet Potato Skillet! Sweet potatoes are one of my go-to ingredients—they’re a fantastic source of fiber, vitamins like A and C, and provide long-lasting energy thanks to their natural complex carbohydrates. Pairing them with lean ground turkey keeps this dish loaded with high-quality protein while keeping the saturated fat on the lower side. And here’s a trick—seasoning the turkey with bold spices like chili powder, cumin, and garlic truly elevates its flavor without needing extra salt or fat. And if you’re currently enrolled in my FASTer Way programming, this recipe is perfect for a regular macro day!
If family friendly recipes are on your list, be sure to check out these meatballs, and garlic parmesan recipes. You’ll be glad you did!
Table of contents
😍 Why You’ll Love the Southwest Turkey & Sweet Potato Skillet
- Quick and Easy: Only one skillet needed for this easy one-pan dinner. Less cleanup = more time to enjoy!
- Nutrient-Rich: Made with a sweet potato base, lean ground turkey, and nutrient-packed spinach, it’s a great recipe for balanced eating.
- Full of Flavor: With chili powder, ground cumin, and smoked paprika, this dish is a flavor-packed southwest-inspired skillet recipe.
- Customizable: Add toppings like cheddar cheese, greek yogurt, or avocado oil drizzle to make it your own.
- Perfect for Meal Prep: Make ahead and store in an airtight container for the ideal healthy side dish or lunch option.
🗒️ Ingredients + Substitutions
Here’s what you’ll need to make this skillet sweet potato meal:
- lean ground turkey (or try ground meat like chicken or extra lean beef even bison)
- sweet potato, diced into small pieces (swap for whole sweet potatoes, sautéed sweet potato cubes, or even butternut squash)
- bell peppers (any color; we love red bell pepper for sweetness)
- onion (use red onion, yellow onion, or even shallots)
- garlic, minced (substitute with garlic powder if needed)
- baby spinach (or try kale, green beans, or cauliflower rice)
- Seasonings: chili powder, ground cumin, smoked paprika, black pepper, kosher salt
- 2 tbsp olive oil (for sautéing; use coconut oil or avocado oil as alternatives)
- 1 tbsp fresh lime juice (adds brightness; lemon juice works too)
- Optional toppings:
- Feta cheese or a dairy-free alternative
- Fresh cilantro, chopped
- Green onions
- Cheddar cheese
Ingredient Tips:
For added protein, toss in a fried egg or a handful of black beans.
Prefer mild spices? Substitute regular paprika for the smoked version and adjust seasonings to your taste!
💡 Gluten-Free? Read This!
Great news! This healthy sweet potato skillet recipe is naturally gluten-free, thanks to simple seasonings and whole ingredients. Just double-check your seasoning labels for hidden gluten, especially with chili powder or spice mixes.
👩🍳 How to Make My Southwest Turkey & Sweet Potato Skillet
This is a simple recipe that comes together fast! Here’s the step-by-step cooking process:
Cook the Sweet Potato: Heat 1 tbsp olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the diced sweet potato and cook for 5-7 minutes, stirring occasionally, until they’re slightly softened. Set them aside.
Cook the Turkey & Aromatics: Add the remaining oil, lean ground turkey, diced onion, and garlic to the skillet. Cook on medium-high heat, using a wooden spoon to break apart the meat until browned and fully cooked.
Add Veggies & Seasonings: Mix in the diced bell peppers, chili powder, ground cumin, smoked paprika, black pepper, and kosher salt. Stir well for that ideal amount of southwest flavor.
Stir the sweet potatoes back into the skillet. Cook for another 5 minutes until they’re fork tender.
Stir in the baby spinach and lime juice, letting the spinach wilt for 1-2 minutes.
Top Your Skillet: Remove from heat and sprinkle with feta, fresh cilantro, or your favorite toppings like melted cheese or sour cream.
🍽️ Pro Tip: Serve over brown rice, white rice, or scoop it up with tortilla chips for a crowd-pleasing dining experience.
📓 Best Served With
This versatile southwest flavors meal pairs perfectly with:
- Breakfast Hash: Add a fried egg or avocado.
- Rice Skillet Bowls: Serve over cauliflower rice, quinoa, or brown rice for a complete meal.
- Vegetarian Meal Options: Swap the meat for roasted chickpeas or extra veggies.
👝 How to Store Leftovers
For meal prep or leftovers, store your southwest turkey skillet in an airtight container for up to 4 days in the fridge. Reheat on the stovetop or microwave for a quick and easy meal.
Want to freeze it? Place portions in freezer-safe containers for up to 2 months. This perfect one-pan meal reheats beautifully, maintaining its fresh delicious flavors.
🧠 Common Questions
Can I use ground beef instead of turkey?
Absolutely! Lean ground beef works well in this skillet recipe and offers a slightly richer flavor.
How do I make this dish spicier?
Add in cayenne pepper, red pepper flakes, or a drizzle of your favorite hot sauce for some heat.
Can I make this a vegetarian dish?
Yes! Swap the turkey for black beans, lentils or crumbled tofu. Adding green chiles, or roasted chickpeas will add to savory flavors too!
On The GO
I love cooking, but it seems like with 2 school aged children, we are always on the go. Here are some of my go-tos.
Jumpstart Fat Loss
If your new year’s resolution isn’t delivering results, this fat loss guide is for you. Start feeling the difference right away 🙂
Intermittent Fasting Quiz
Research suggests intermittent fasting can be an effective way to maintain and achieve a healthy weight. But is it right for you?
💪🏼 Tracking Macros? Check This Out
Each serving of this skillet is perfectly balanced to fuel your body. Here’s the breakdown of the key nutrients per serving:
- Calories: 282 kcal
- Carbohydrates: 16 g
- Protein: 30 g
- Fat: 11 g
- Fiber: 3 g
With this recipe, you’re loading your family with a nourishing, and incredibly satisfying meal. It’s wholesome comfort food with a nutrition edge—perfect for fueling busy days or capping off your evening on a healthy note.
Southwest Turkey and Sweet Potato Skillet
Ingredients
- 1 lb lean ground turkey
- 1 medium sweet potato diced (about 1 ½ cups)
- ½ cup diced bell peppers any color
- ½ cup diced onion
- 1 clove garlic minced
- 1 cup baby spinach
- ½ tsp chili powder
- ½ tsp cumin
- ½ tsp smoked paprika
- ¼ tsp sea salt
- ¼ tsp black pepper
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1 tbsp fresh lime juice
- ¼ cup crumbled feta or dairy-free alternative optional
- 2 tbsp chopped fresh cilantro
Instructions
- Heat 1 tbsp olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat.
- Add the diced sweet potato and cook for 5-7 minutes, stirring occasionally, until slightly softened.
- Remove from the skillet and set aside. Add the remaining olive oil, ground turkey, onion, and garlic, cooking until turkey is browned and fully cooked. Stir in bell peppers, chili powder, cumin, smoked paprika, salt, and pepper. Add the sweet potatoes back into the skillet and cook for another 5 minutes until tender.
- Stir in spinach and lime juice, cooking until wilted. Serve topped with feta and fresh cilantro.
Nutrition
Want more ideas like this? Subscribe to my weekly emails to make mealtime stress-free!
Whether it’s your first time creating one-pan meals or you want a great way to enjoy a simple dish that works for busy weeknights, this Southwest Turkey & Sweet Potato Skillet is a great option. Bookmark this true story of a skillet recipe that will become your go-to for comforting, healthy dinners.
