Easy Ground Turkey Sweet Potato Skillet (Perfect for Taco Tuesday)
Looking for an easy summer meal that won’t leave you with a pile of dishes? This ground turkey sweet potato skillet is full of flavor, comes together in just 30 minutes, and uses one pan from start to finish. It’s a go-to option for busy moms who want something healthy, filling, and fast without sacrificing taste.
This turkey skillet is made with lean ground turkey, tender sweet potatoes, and crisp bell peppers, all tossed in a simple homemade taco seasoning recipe. The mix of cumin, garlic, and chili powder gives it that classic taco flavor—without the packet. A little shredded mozzarella melts right in, giving you a satisfying, slightly cheesy finish that ties it all together.
It’s perfect for Taco Tuesday or any night you want to switch things up from the usual. You can serve this taco skillet on its own, or build your own taco bowls by adding lettuce, tomato, avocado, and a dollop of sour cream. It also works great for meal prep—just portion it out for easy lunches or no-fuss dinners later in the week.
And the best part? Even the picky eaters will dig in without complaint. It’s family-friendly, loaded with simple ingredients, and just the kind of meal that makes dinnertime feel a little more doable.
Easy Ground Turkey Sweet Potato Skillet
Ingredients for Ground Turkey & Sweet Potato Skillet
- Sweet potatoes
- Ground turkey
- Yellow bell pepper
- Onion
- Mozzarella, shredded (omit for Paleo)
- Water
- Cilantro
- Olive oil
- Ground cumin
- Garlic
- Chili powder
- Salt
- Pepper
Directions for Ground Turkey Taco Skillet with Sweet Potatoes
1. In a large cast iron skillet, heat olive oil over medium-high heat. Add garlic and cook for 1 minute and then add ground turkey. Use a wooden spoon to break apart meat and continue cooking approximately 8 minutes until browned.
2. Add cumin, chili powder, salt, and pepper. Stir well to incorporate.
3. Add onion and yellow pepper, and cook for 3-4 minutes.
4. Add diced sweet potato and water. Stir and cover with a lid for approximately 6-8 minutes until the sweet potatoes soften. Add additional water during this process if needed to keep the meat from drying out.
5. Remove lid and add additional salt and pepper if needed. Top with shredded mozzarella and allow it to melt. Remove skillet from heat and garnish with fresh cilantro before serving.
Not everyone likes cilantro, so you may want to skip that part of this dish and add as a garnish that is optional. Otherwise, this is a great way to get kids to enjoy a sweet potato hash that is healthy, but full of the taco flavor they love.
Reasons why I love Cast Iron Skillets:
My cast iron skillet is one of my go-to tools in the kitchen. It heats evenly, gives everything a nice sear, and gets more non-stick the more I use it. I don’t need much oil, and it even adds a little iron to our food. It’s tough, reliable, and I reach for it all the time.
Substitutions:
Can I substitute ground beef or ground chicken for the ground turkey?
Yes, you can use whatever ground meat you prefer. I've never tried it with ground lamb or bison though, so leave a comment & let me know how it turns out if you try it!
Can I use green or red bell peppers instead of yellow?
Yes, you can use whichever colour of peppers you prefer. Sometimes I use a combination of different colours.
Do I have to use mozzarella cheese?
No! You could use cheddar, colby jack, or even pepper jack for a little extra kick.
Can I make this recipe ahead of time and reheat it later?
Absolutely! This one's great for meal prep, whether you're doing it part-way or prepping the whole thing in advance.
Quick Prep: You can get a head start by cooking the meat and garlic ahead of time. Just season it and then pop it in the fridge or freezer. Go ahead and get the onion, sweet potato, and bell pepper ready too. When it's mealtime, just bring everything together, heat it up, and finish off with some melted cheese on top.
Full Prep: Simply follow the recipe step by step and once done, transfer it to an airtight glass container. It'll stay fresh for up to 5 days in the fridge.
How to Store and Freeze Leftovers
Once cool, freeze in airtight freezer containers. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator, then heat in a skillet or saucepan. Add a little water if needed.
What can I serve alongside this dish to make it a complete meal?
You can top it with your favorite taco toppings, such as lettuce, diced tomato, diced avocado, guacamole, black olives, salsa, hot sauce, corn chips, green onion, tortilla chips, or you could even be like my husband & add sliced cucumber.
More Delicious Recipes:
- Stuffed Manicotti
- Healthy Stuffed Peppers with Ground Turkey & Barley
- Gluten-Free Slow Cooker Chicken and Dumplings Recipe
- Scottish Lentil Soup
- Slow Cooker Pork Roast with Apple Cider Gravy
30-Minute Taco Skillet with Ground Turkey and Sweet Potatoes
Ingredients
- 3 small or 2 large sweet potatoes peeled and diced (about 3 cups)
- 1 pound ground turkey
- 1 yellow bell pepper
- 1 cup onion diced
- ½ cup mozzarella shredded
- ½ cup water
- ¼ cup cilantro chopped
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1.5 tablespoons ground cumin
- 1 tablespoon garlic minced
- 1 teaspoon chili powder
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon pepper
Instructions
- In a large cast iron skillet, heat olive oil over medium-high heat. Add garlic and cook for 1 minute and then add ground turkey. Use a wooden spoon to break apart meat and continue cooking approximately 8 minutes until browned.
- Add cumin, chili powder, salt and pepper. Stir well to incorporate.
- Add onion and bell pepper, and cook for 3-4 minutes. Add diced sweet potato and water. Stir and cover with a lid for approximately 6-8 minutes until the sweet potatoes soften. Add additional water during this process if needed to keep the meat from drying out.
- Remove lid and add additional salt and pepper if needed. Top with shredded mozzarella and allow it to melt. Remove skillet from heat and garnish with fresh cilantro before serving.
Notes
