Ground Turkey Sweet Potato Skillet is a quick, cozy one-pan dinner that goes from stovetop to table in under 30 minutes, with soft-edged sweetness from sweet potatoes and juicy, savory turkey tying it all together beautifully.

Ground Turkey Sweet Potato Skillet

There’s comfort here, but also momentum—throw it in a hot skillet, watch it sizzle, finish in the oven, and dinner sings before anyone can ask what’s cooking. It’s weeknight-friendly, clean-up-easy, and playful enough for add-ins and spice tweaks on the fly, which is half the fun.

Ingredient Substitutions

Lean ground turkey is the base, but swapping in ground chicken or grass-fed beef shifts the vibe—chicken cooks faster and can run a bit dry, so a splash of broth helps, while beef adds richness and deeper flavor, all still one-pan simple.

Want a meatless spin? Black beans plus corn and chopped tomato turn it hearty-vegetarian, still bright and satisfying, just skip the cheese if desired.

Ingredients Needed for the Recipe

Each item earns its place, nothing fussy, everything useful—think building blocks, not barriers. Dice small, season boldly, and let the skillet do the heavy lifting while the oven kisses on that final melt.

• Extra virgin olive oil — for sautéing and finishing, adds roundness and sheen.
• Free-range extra-lean ground turkey — lean protein that browns fast and soaks up spice.
• Garlic cloves — fresh, minced, for warm aroma and bite.
• Onions — diced, softens into sweetness and savory depth.
• Yellow pepper — diced, adds color, crunch, and a sunny note.
• Large sweet potato — diced small so it cooks evenly and tender.
• Salt and freshly ground black pepper — base seasoning, keep tasting as it cooks.
• Red chili flakes (optional) — a gentle spark of heat, use to taste.
• Shredded mozzarella — melty cap; swap Pepper Jack for heat or skip for dairy-free.
• Fresh parsley — chopped, for a bright, herb finish.

Why a Cast Iron Skillet Works Here

Cast iron heats slowly, then clings to that heat, delivering even browning on turkey and steady tenderness for sweet potatoes—no frantic flame fiddling, just control. It’s oven-safe at this recipe’s 400°F finish, so the cheese melts beautifully without pan anxiety, and that durability means this dinner can be a tradition, again and again.

How to make Ground Turkey Sweet Potato Skillet?

Step 1: Heat the skillet well

Set a cast iron skillet over medium-high and add olive oil, giving it a moment to shimmer; preheating matters for clean sear and smooth cooking later. Cast iron likes patience—the payoff is even heat and confident browning.

Step 2: Brown the turkey with garlic

Add ground turkey and minced garlic, breaking the meat into small crumbles; cook about 5 minutes until the pink fades and edges begin to brown, fragrant and lively. Don’t rush this—browning is flavor, and the garlic blooms into the oil as the turkey renders a little.

Step 3: Soften onions and pepper

Stir in diced onions and yellow pepper; cook until onions soften and turn translucent, a sweet-savory base that hugs the turkey. The pepper adds color and a mellow snap, like sunshine in the pan.

Step 4: Add sweet potato and spices

Toss in diced sweet potato, salt, black pepper, and a pinch of red chili flakes; stir to coat everything in seasoned oil. Small dice means faster, more even tenderness—think pea-sized to marble-sized, not chunky cubes.

Step 5: Cover and steam-roast

Cover the skillet and cook, stirring occasionally, until the sweet potatoes are tender; add a splash of water if needed to speed things along without scorching. Keep heat at medium to prevent burning while letting steam and steady warmth do the work.

Step 6: Preheat the oven

While the potatoes finish, preheat to 400°F, so the transition from stovetop to oven is quick and smooth for the cheese melt. Cast iron handles this gracefully—no coating to worry about, just reliable heat.

Step 7: Melt the mozzarella

When the potatoes are tender, sprinkle mozzarella evenly over the skillet and slide it into the oven until melted and glossy, a few minutes is plenty. Pull it out, shower with chopped parsley, and breathe in the savory-sweet aroma—it’s ready.

Best Time to Serve This Dish

It’s a cozy Sunday saver and a midweek miracle—fast enough for after work, comforting enough for first cold nights, or whenever dinner needs to be unfussy and full. Brunch? Absolutely—top with a fried egg and let that yolk run, because decadent can still be practical.

Tips

• Don’t overcrowd the skillet with sweet potatoes; if the pan is 9–10 inches, cap diced sweet potatoes at roughly 2–3 cups to avoid undercooking or scorching. Keep the lid on to trap moisture and cook faster, and stir occasionally so nothing sticks to hot spots.
• If needed, pre-cook sweet potatoes briefly (microwave or pan) before adding to turkey for extra insurance on tenderness, especially if dice size is larger. Spice boosters—cumin, paprika, curry, thyme, rosemary, chili powder, or a dash of hot sauce—shift the personality fast without complicating the process.
• Vegetable riffs are welcome: kale, spinach, or mushrooms fold in beautifully; broccoli and green beans work too—sturdy veg that keep bite are happiest here. Finish with pepper jack or habanero cheddar if craving heat; skip cheese entirely for paleo/Whole30-style cooking.

Cast Iron Care, Quickly

After dinner, let the skillet cool a bit, then clean with warm water and a gentle scrub; dry thoroughly and wipe with a thin film of oil to keep seasoning happy. Seasoning thrives when oil polymerizes into a slick layer—hot oven sessions build that natural nonstick over time.

Three Handy Variations

Tex-Mex: add cumin, chili powder, and smoked paprika; top with pepper jack, cilantro, and squeeze of lime for a smoky, bright finish. Italian-ish: oregano, thyme, crushed red pepper; finish with mozzarella and a scattering of basil for a familiar, pizza-adjacent comfort.

Autumn harvest: rosemary and sage, a pat of butter swirled at the end, maybe a handful of baby spinach to wilt into the heat—simple, woodsy, and calm.

Make-Ahead and Reheat

This skillet keeps well for up to four days in airtight glass containers; the flavors snuggle together and deepen overnight, like magic with very little effort. Reheat covered in the microwave with a damp paper towel to keep moisture in, or warm gently on the stovetop with a splash of water or broth.

Serving Ideas That Click

Serve it straight from the pan with a crisp green salad, or pile into warm tortillas with yogurt or sour cream for a soft-taco moment that’s casual and a little playful. Or spoon it over rice or quinoa for a heartier bowl—extra herbs on top, maybe a hot sauce zigzag, done.

Why One-Pan Wins

Less mess, more momentum—one skillet for sautéing and finishing means flavor layers without the sink full of dishes, which is liberating on busy nights. Cast iron’s even heat also means fewer surprises, more golden edges, and that quiet confidence every cook deserves.

Sidebar: Oven Safety Note

Standard cast iron is safe for home-oven temperatures well beyond 400°F, so sliding this skillet under heat to melt cheese is firmly in the comfort zone. The only caution is seasoning care; keep building it and it’ll treat the recipe—and the cook—very well.

Quick FAQ

Can this be dairy-free? Yes—skip the cheese, or finish with olive oil and extra herbs for shine and lift, no sacrifice in satisfaction. Can it go spicier? Absolutely—more chili flakes, or chipotle powder for smoky depth, and a hot sauce dash to taste.

Print Recipe

Ground Turkey Sweet Potato Skillet Recipe

Author: katie Smith Cooking Method: Baking, Skillet Cuisine: American Courses: Main Course

Difficulty: easy Prep Time 10 mins Cook Time 20 mins Total Time 30 mins

Servings: 4 Estimated Cost: $ 8.50 Calories: 380

Best Season: Fall, Winter, Spring

Description

This one-pan Ground Turkey Sweet Potato Skillet is a nutritious, flavor-packed meal that's ready in under 30 minutes. Packed with lean ground turkey, tender sweet potatoes, colorful peppers, and aromatic spices, it’s a wholesome, family-friendly dish perfect for weeknight dinners or meal prep. Easy to customize and full of bold, savory goodness!

Ingredients

Servings

• 2 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
• 1 pound ground turkey (93% lean, free-range preferred)
• 3 garlic cloves (minced)
• ½ cup onion (diced)
• ½ cup yellow pepper (diced)
• 1½ cups sweet potato (peeled and diced into ½-inch cubes)
• salt and freshly ground black pepper (to taste)
• 1 pinch red chili flakes (optional, for heat)
• 1 tsp paprika (smoked or sweet)
• 1 tsp cumin (optional, for warmth)
• 1 tbsp fresh thyme (or 1 tsp dried)
• 2 cups baby spinach or kale (chopped, optional)

Instructions

1. Heat the Oil

   In a large skillet, heat the olive oil over medium-high heat.
   Mark as complete

2. Cook the Turkey and Garlic

   Add the ground turkey and minced garlic to the skillet. Use a wooden spoon to break up the turkey as it cooks. Stir occasionally and cook for about 5 minutes until the turkey is no longer pink.
   Ensure turkey is fully cooked (165°F internal temperature).
   Mark as complete

3. Add Onions and Peppers

   Add the diced onions and yellow peppers to the skillet. Cook until the onions are soft and translucent, about 5 minutes.
   Mark as complete

4. Add Sweet Potatoes and Seasonings

   Stir in the diced sweet potatoes, paprika, cumin, thyme, red chili flakes (if using), salt, and pepper.
   Mix well to coat all ingredients with spices.
   Mark as complete

5. Simmer Until Tender

   Cover the skillet and reduce heat to medium. Cook for 12–15 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the sweet potatoes are fork-tender.
   Add a splash of water or broth if the pan gets too dry.
   Mark as complete

6. Add Greens (Optional)

   If using spinach or kale, stir it in during the last 2–3 minutes of cooking until wilted.
   Mark as complete

7. Serve

   Remove from heat. Taste and adjust seasoning if needed. Serve hot.
   Garnish with fresh cilantro, a dollop of sour cream, or Greek yogurt for extra flavor and creaminess.
   Mark as complete

Nutrition Facts

Servings 4

Serving Size 1 serving (approx 1.5 cups)

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Amount Per Serving

Calories 380kcal

% Daily Value *

Total Fat 18g28%

Saturated Fat 4g20%

Cholesterol 95mg32%

Sodium 420mg18%

Potassium 1050mg30%

Total Carbohydrate 32g11%

Dietary Fiber 6g24%

Sugars 9g

Protein 26g52%

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Calcium 80 mg

Iron 3.2 mg

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet. Your daily value may be higher or lower depending on your calorie needs.

Note

• Customize it: Add other veggies like broccoli, green beans, mushrooms, or zucchini. Spices like curry powder, rosemary, or sage also work well.
• Make it creamy: Stir in a spoonful of Greek yogurt or sour cream before serving.
• Meal prep: This skillet stores well in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat in a skillet or microwave.
• Serving ideas: Top with avocado, cheese, or a fried egg. Serve over rice, quinoa, or cauliflower rice for a heartier meal.
• Dietary swaps: Use ground chicken or plant-based crumbles. For a lower-carb version, reduce sweet potato and add more greens.

Keywords: ground turkey skillet, sweet potato skillet, turkey and sweet potato recipe, one-pan meal, healthy skillet dinner, quick dinner recipe, paleo-friendly skillet