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Ground Turkey Sweet Potato Taco Skillet Recipe
Ben Carraoli

Ground Turkey Sweet Potato Taco Skillet Recipe

I just finished making this for dinner, and my whole family devoured it straight from the pan. This one-skillet meal has become my go-to for busy weeknights when I need something satisfying without a lot of effort.
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Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 15 minutes
Servings: 6
Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients
  

  • 1 tablespoon olive oil: Used for sautéing the onions and browning the turkey creating a flavorful base.
  • 1 medium white onion finely diced: This aromatic adds a foundational layer of savory flavor.
  • 1 tablespoon tomato paste: This provides a concentrated rich tomato flavor that deepens the sauce.
  • ½ teaspoon chili powder: Adds a classic taco warmth and smokiness.
  • ½ teaspoon garlic powder: A convenient way to add garlic flavor that distributes evenly.
  • ½ teaspoon ground cumin: Provides an earthy nutty flavor essential to taco seasoning.
  • ½ teaspoon dried oregano: Lends a peppery slightly bitter note that balances the other spices.
  • 1 teaspoon kosher salt: Enhances all the other flavors in the dish. Adjust to your taste.
  • 1 pound ground turkey: A lean protein that makes the skillet hearty and satisfying.
  • 2 cups sweet potato cut into ½-inch pieces: Their natural sweetness perfectly complements the savory and spicy flavors.
  • 15 ounces canned black beans drained and rinsed: Adds plant-based protein, fiber, and a creamy texture.
  • 15 ounces chunky salsa: This is a shortcut to big flavor acting as the sauce and seasoning base.
  • 2 cups loosely packed baby spinach: It wilts down beautifully adding nutrients without overpowering the dish. Pro-tip: Use fresh, not frozen, for the best texture.
  • ½ cup cheddar cheese shredded: An optional but delicious topping that adds a melty, savory finish. Grating your own cheese from a block will result in a much better melt.

Method
 

  1. First, heat the olive oil in your large skillet over medium-high heat. Once it's hot, add the diced onion, tomato paste, chili powder, garlic powder, cumin, oregano, and salt.
  2. Stir everything together and cook for about two minutes, just until the onions start to soften and become translucent.
  3. Next, add the ground turkey to the skillet with the seasoned onions. Use your wooden spoon to break the meat apart as it cooks.
  4. Continue cooking for about 5 to 7 minutes, or until the turkey is mostly browned and cooked through.
  5. Now it's time to add the diced sweet potatoes, rinsed black beans, and salsa to the skillet. Stir everything well to combine all the ingredients evenly.
  6. Cover the skillet with a lid and let it cook for 12 to 14 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the sweet potatoes are tender enough to be easily pierced with a fork.
  7. Once the sweet potatoes are tender, add the fresh spinach to the skillet.
  8. Stir it in until it has completely wilted, which should only take a minute or two. At this point, I like to taste it and adjust the seasoning if needed, adding more salt or spices to my liking.
  9. If you're using cheese, sprinkle it evenly over the top of the skillet mixture.
  10. Place the lid back on the skillet for about three more minutes, or until the cheese is beautifully melted and gooey. Your delicious one-pan meal is now ready to serve.

Notes

  • Cut Sweet Potatoes Uniformly: I make sure to cut my sweet potatoes into small, uniform ½-inch cubes. This ensures they cook evenly and become tender at the same rate as the other ingredients, so you don't end up with some hard and some mushy pieces.
  • Don’t Drain the Turkey Fat (Unless Excessive): If you use lean ground turkey (93/7), there won't be much excess fat. I find that leaving that small amount in the pan adds a lot of flavor to the final dish. If you use a higher-fat turkey, you might want to drain some of it off before adding the other ingredients.
  • Bloom the Spices: Cooking the spices and tomato paste with the onions for a minute or two before adding the turkey really "blooms" them. I’ve noticed this small step makes their flavors more vibrant and aromatic throughout the skillet.
  • Let It Rest: After the cheese melts, I turn off the heat and let the skillet sit for about 5 minutes with the lid on. This allows the flavors to meld together even more, and I find it makes the dish even more delicious.