Ground Turkey Sweet Potato Skillet Recipe
This Ground Turkey Sweet Potato Skillet is a quick and flavorful one-pan meal perfect for busy weeknights. Tender sweet potatoes are microwaved to perfection and combined with savory ground turkey sautéed with aromatic spices, fire roasted corn, diced green chiles, and fresh cilantro. Finished with a splash of lime juice and melted colby jack cheese, this dish is hearty, colorful, and packed with warming Southwest-inspired flavors.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Southwest American
- Diet: Low Fat
Ingredients
Main Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1/2 cup diced yellow onion
- 1 pound ground turkey (93/7% lean preferred)
- 3/4 teaspoon kosher salt (or to taste)
- Black pepper to taste
- 2 teaspoons chili powder
- 1 teaspoon ground cumin
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 2 cups peeled and diced sweet potatoes (about 1 large or 2 small)
- 1 cup frozen fire roasted corn
- 4 ounce can diced green chiles
- 1/2 cup jarred salsa (or salsa verde)
- 2 tablespoons chopped cilantro
- 1 tablespoon fresh lime juice
- 1 cup shredded colby jack cheese (or cheddar or Monterey Jack)
Instructions
- Microwave Sweet Potatoes: Place the peeled and diced sweet potatoes in a microwave-safe bowl with 1 tablespoon of water. Cover with plastic wrap and cut a small slit for steam to escape. Microwave on high for 4 minutes, then stir. Microwave for another 3-4 minutes until the sweet potatoes are tender but not mushy.
- Cook Turkey and Onion: While the sweet potatoes are microwaving, heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the ground turkey and diced yellow onion, seasoning with kosher salt and black pepper. Cook, breaking apart the turkey with a spatula, until it is fully cooked and no longer pink.
- Add Spices and Vegetables: Stir in the chili powder, ground cumin, smoked paprika, and garlic powder. Then add the cooked sweet potatoes, frozen fire roasted corn, diced green chiles, and chopped cilantro. Mix everything thoroughly to combine the flavors evenly.
- Incorporate Salsa and Melt Cheese: Pour in the salsa and cook for 2-3 minutes, stirring occasionally, until heated through. Remove from heat and squeeze fresh lime juice over the mixture. Sprinkle shredded colby jack cheese on top and cover the skillet with a lid for about 1 minute, just until the cheese melts. Garnish with additional chopped cilantro and serve immediately.
Notes
- You can use salsa verde instead of regular salsa for a tangier flavor.
- If you don’t have a microwave, sweet potatoes can be boiled or roasted until tender beforehand.
- Ground turkey with 93/7 lean-to-fat ratio works best for moisture without being greasy.
- Adjust spices according to your heat preference.
- Great served with warm tortillas or over rice for a complete meal.
