Easy Ground Turkey Sweet Potato Skillet
This wholesome ground turkey sweet potato skillet is a fast, easy last minute dinner idea that’s so tasty you’ll want to put into your regular weeknight rotation. It’s ready in 30 minutes, so keep this one in your back-pocket for busy weeks!
About this Ground Turkey Sweet Potato Skillet Recipe
Allow me to introduce you to my family’s latest one-pan dinner obsession…this super easy ground turkey sweet potato skillet!
Since the base recipe pairs well with a variety of different flavors & seasonings, we’ve been making it on repeat, and honestly, I don’t think we’ll get tired of it anytime soon.
It’s definitely one of my favorite last-minute dinner ideas for busy weeknights.
By far my favorite sauce to pair with it is my easy Chipotle Honey Vinaigrette – it combines the concentrated flavor of canned chipotles in adobo sauce with honey, lime juice and garlic.
I just shake it up in a mason jar while everything cooks before tossing it into the hot pan.
Together with the buttery olive oil and a generous handful of shredded cheese, it creates THE tastiest pan sauce for the browned turkey, tender sweet potatoes, and wilted baby spinach.
I often enjoy this skillet dinner as-is but it’s also delicious when you let yourself go wild with toppings! Some of my favorites include sliced avocado, fresh cilantro, sour cream, cooked rice, cauliflower rice, and warm tortillas.
Process & Tips
This is one of my go-to last minute dinner ideas!
By using ground turkey and some easy-to-find fresh ingredients & pantry staples, we’re saving tons of time and prep steps.
All you need to do is brown your ground turkey in a hot pan, cook your sweet potatoes (in that same pan!), add in your baby spinach, cheese, and mix in your sauce.
Stir together and add any toppings you like, and just like that dinner is done – start to finish it can go from skillet to table in under 30 minutes!
The chipotle-honey garlic sauce couldn’t be easier to throw together, you just shake everything up in a mason jar and pour it over at the end.
Bonus points: since we’re making everything in one pan, clean up is a breeze (less dishes? Um…yes, please!).
Fun Ground Turkey Sweet Potato Skillet Variations
Make a ground turkey sweet potato bowl by serving with your favorite cooked rice or grain, some sliced avocado, and a flavorful dressing (we recommend one of these).
Kick up the veggie factor by adding broccoli in the last 10 minutes of the cooking process.
We left the beans out of this recipe for a Paleo option, but feel free to add a can of rinsed, drained black beans at the end of cooking time – or check out this recipe for Turkey Taco Skillet, which includes black beans.
Want to make a sweet potato skillet with ground beef or chicken instead? Check out these Southwest Beef Sweet Potato Skillet and Chicken Skillet and Sweet Potatoes recipes.
More Flavorful Sauces to Try
The Chipotle Honey Vinaigrette really takes this basic dish and elevates it into something cravable.
To mix it up, try swapping out the sauce for one of these delicious sauces and dressings:
3-Ingredient Pesto Vinaigrette
Ingredients & Modifications
Ground turkey: I used 93% lean ground turkey, you can use an even leaner ground turkey if you like but it will be drier, less tender and less flavorful. Ground chicken or ground beef would also work great in this recipe.
Sweet potatoes: The sweet potatoes, turkey and chipotle-honey sauce all go together so beautifully in this dish! But if you prefer, you can also use waxy or yellow potatoes instead.
Garlic powder: I love the ease and convenience of using granulated garlic powder. But you could use fresh minced garlic in its place if you prefer.
Garlic clove: Since the sauce ingredients are so simple, the flavor of fresh minced garlic really shines here! But you could also use granulated garlic powder in its place.
Baby spinach: I love how easily baby spinach wilts into skillet dinners, it’s such an easy way to add a punch of color and some extra servings of greens to your meal too! You could also use frozen defrosted baby spinach or fresh baby kale in its place.
Grated cheese: You can use any grated cheese you like for this recipe. Such as sharp cheddar, Monterey jack, mozzarella, Swiss, or a shredded blend. For a dairy-free version, use a plant-based shredded cheese or omit it entirely.
Chipotle peppers from a can of chipotles in adobo: Canned chipotle peppers in adobo sauce is such a great pantry staple to keep on hand! Adds tons of flavor without having to smoke your own peppers. Look for canned chipotles near the salsa, hot sauce and tortillas at the grocery store. Bonus, since the canned chipotle is shelf stable this becomes a wildly easy pantry dinner.
Honey: Maple syrup can be used in place of honey. Or skip the honey for a Whole30, low sugar or lower carb option.
Fresh lime juice: For maximum juice, gently roll the lemon on a countertop prior to squeezing. No fresh lime juice? Use red wine vinegar instead.
Avocado oil: I used avocado oil for the chipotle honey vinaigrette, but any neutral oil will work in this recipe, such as vegetable or canola.
Olive oil: For sautéing, I love the light, buttery flavor of the olive oil in this recipe. But you can also use any other neutral flavored cooking oil in its place like avocado, vegetable or canola oil.
Freshly ground pepper: Skip the black pepper if you’re sensitive to heat, or add more for a spicier kick.
Kosher salt: Look for kosher salt with the regular iodized salt at the grocery store. It has a subtler flavor. Use less iodized salt if that’s what you have on hand.
Tips for Storing & Freezing Leftovers
Cooked ground turkey will keep well in the fridge for up to 3-4 days, in a sealed container.
This recipe also freezes well, store in a sealed freezer friendly container for up to 2-3 months.
This recipe can be made ahead – so it’s perfect for meal prep on busy weeks (or anytime you need to feed a crowd quickly & easily).
Easy Ground Turkey Sweet Potato Skillet
Ingredients
- 3 tablespoons olive oil, divided
- 1 pound 93% lean dark meat ground turkey
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt, divided
- 1 teaspoon granulated garlic powder
- 4 cups chopped sweet potatoes
- ¼ cup water
To add at the end
- 1 cup packed baby spinach
- ½ cup Chipotle Honey Vinaigrette, recipe below
- ⅓ cup grated cheese of choice
For the Chipotle Honey Sauce
- 1 small garlic clove, peeled and finely minced or grated
- ½ teaspoon kosher salt
- 2 teaspoons minced chipotle peppers, from a can of chipotles in adobo
- 2 teaspoons honey, omit for Whole30 or low sugar
- 1/4 cup fresh lime juice
- 1/3 cup avocado oil
- Freshly ground pepper, to taste
Optional serving suggestions
- Remaining Chipotle Honey Sauce
- Sliced avocado, cilantro, sour cream, cooked rice, cauliflower rice, warm tortillas
Equipment
Instructions
- In a large, 10” skillet, heat 1 tablespoon olive oil over medium heat. Add the turkey, sprinkle with ½ teaspoon salt and garlic powder, stirring to break into small pieces.
- Cook, stirring the ground turkey occasionally, until it’s browned and just cooked through, about 5-8 minutes. Remove from the pan and set aside.
- While the turkey cooks, prepare the sweet potatoes.
- After removing the turkey, and to the same pan, heat 2 tablespoons of olive oil over medium heat. Add the sweet potatoes, sprinkle with ½ teaspoon salt, and stir to combine. Add the water, stirring to scrape any browned bits from the bottom of the pan. Cover, reduce to a simmer, and cook until the sweet potatoes are tender, about 10-15 minutes, stirring occasionally. Add a splash more water if the pan starts to dry out.
- While the sweet potatoes cook, make the sauce by whisking together the garlic clove, salt, chipotle peppers, honey, lime juice, avocado oil and pepper in a small bowl, or shaking together in a mason jar.
- When the sweet potatoes are cooked, uncover, and add the cooked turkey along with the spinach, and half the Chipotle Honey Sauce until the turkey is warmed through and the spinach is wilted, about 1 minute.
- Turn off the heat and sprinkle on the cheese, allowing 2-3 minutes for it to melt.
- Taste and add additional sauce if desired. Serve as-is, or with any topping you like.
The ground turkey sweet potato skillet was delish!! It looked so good! And it tasted so good. My husband and my 18 year old daughter loved it also!
Carrie, yay, so glad you enjoyed. Thanks so much for leaving a review!
Gave it a try and it did not disappoint. I used bitchin sauce as that was in the fridge and needed using, and it was great. I’ll make the sauce you included next time. We ate two each, taco style. Very filling and scrumptious!
Robyn, ohhh bitchin sauce would be awesome as a toper, great idea! So glad you enjoyed, and thanks so much for leaving a review!