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Quick Healthy Ground Turkey Skillet in 20 Minutes

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A quick, one-pan ground turkey skillet loaded with vegetables and bold spices, ready in just 20 minutes. Perfect for busy weeknights when you need a healthy, satisfying dinner without the fuss.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 pound ground turkey (93/7 lean)
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 1 medium yellow onion, diced
  • 1 red bell pepper, diced
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
  • 1 teaspoon ground cumin
  • ½ teaspoon chili powder
  • ½ teaspoon garlic powder
  • ½ teaspoon salt
  • ¼ teaspoon black pepper
  • 1 can (14.5 oz) diced tomatoes, undrained
  • 1 tablespoon tomato paste
  • ½ cup low-sodium chicken broth
  • Juice of ½ lime
  • Fresh cilantro, chopped (optional garnish)
  • Green onions, sliced (optional garnish)
  • Sour cream or Greek yogurt (optional garnish)
  • Shredded cheese (optional garnish)

Instructions

  1. Prep your ingredients: Dice the onion and bell pepper into roughly ½-inch pieces. Mince the garlic. Open the can of diced tomatoes and measure out your spices into a small bowl.
  2. Heat the pan and cook the vegetables: Place your skillet over medium-high heat and add the olive oil. Once the oil shimmers, add the diced onion and bell pepper. Spread into an even layer and cook undisturbed for 2 minutes. Stir, then cook for another 2-3 minutes until onions are translucent and peppers have softened. Add minced garlic and stir for 30 seconds until fragrant.
  3. Brown the turkey: Push vegetables to the sides of the pan and add ground turkey to the center. Break into large chunks and let cook undisturbed for 2 minutes. Then break into smaller pieces and stir into vegetables. Cook until turkey is no longer pink, about 3-4 more minutes.
  4. Add the spices and tomato paste: Sprinkle smoked paprika, cumin, chili powder, garlic powder, salt, and pepper over the turkey mixture. Add tomato paste. Stir and cook for 1 minute.
  5. Add the tomatoes and broth: Pour in diced tomatoes (with juices) and chicken broth. Stir, scraping up any browned bits from the bottom. Bring to a simmer, then reduce heat to medium-low. Let bubble gently for 8-10 minutes, stirring occasionally, until liquid has reduced slightly and flavors have melded.
  6. Finish with lime and adjust seasoning: Remove pan from heat. Squeeze lime juice over the top and stir. Taste and adjust salt, pepper, or heat level as needed.
  7. Serve and garnish: Spoon into bowls and top with desired garnishes. Serve immediately.

Notes

For best browning, don’t overcrowd the pan. Let the meat sit undisturbed before breaking it up to develop a golden crust. Toast spices for 1 minute to deepen flavor. Season in layers for complexity. If sauce is too thin, simmer longer; if too thick, add more broth. Leftovers keep in the fridge for up to 4 days and freeze for up to 3 months.

Nutrition

Keywords: ground turkey skillet, healthy dinner, one-pan meal, quick weeknight dinner, ground turkey recipe, 20-minute meal

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