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    Ground Turkey Taco Skillet

    Real Food January 17, 2022 | By Kristen Chidsey | 11 Comments | *This post may contain affiliate links. Read my disclosure policy.

    Jump to Recipe
    If you are looking for a healthy ground turkey recipe, this Turkey Taco Skillet is for you! Made with ground turkey, zucchini, peppers, taco seasoning, and cheese, this easy recipe is the perfect way to use ground turkey.

    If you are looking for a healthy ground turkey recipe, this Turkey Taco Skillet is for you! Made with ground turkey, zucchini, peppers, taco seasoning, and cheese, this easy recipe is the perfect way to use ground turkey.

    Skillet with ground turkey and veggies.

    Why You will Love This Ground Turkey Recipe

    If you have a pound of ground turkey and are looking for an easy recipe to make, this Turkey Taco Skillet is for you!

    While lean and often fairly inexpensive, ground turkey has a reputation for being dry and bland.

    This recipe is anything but bland or dried-out!

    The turkey is sauteed with zucchini, peppers, and onions, which gives the lean ground meat moisture. Flavored with taco seasoning and salsa, the flavors pack a punch. Finished with cheese, this turkey taco skillet is downright irresistible.

    Not only is this recipe for ground turkey delicious, but it also happens to be relatively healthy, as it is low-carb, packed with protein, and delivers a serving of veggies.

    But most importantly, it comes together in just over 30 minutes to create an easy, wholesome, delicious, family meal that everyone will love!

    Notes on Ingredients

    Ingredients labeled for turkey taco skillet.
    • Ground Turkey: Use dark or white meat ground turkey. Of course, you can prepare this taco skillet using ground beef or ground chicken.
    • Zucchini: Zucchini will help to bulk up this skillet recipe, not to mention adds a nice serving of veggies. Plus the zucchini absorbs the taco seasoning and salsa, taking on a lot of flavors.
    • Peppers: I recommend using sweet bell peppers for this recipe. Red, yellow, or orange peppers are a better option for this recipe than green bell peppers in terms of flavor.
    • Jalapeno: Adding a seeded, finely minced jalapeno is completely optional. If you like things with heat, add it. If you are preparing this taco skillet for more sensitive palates, omit it.
    • Seasonings: I use my homemade taco seasoning to really pack in a ton of flavor while controlling the sodium and additives. If you don't have the taco seasoning on hand, simply use a combination of chili powder, cumin, garlic powder, onion powder, and salt.
    • Salsa: Using salsa instead of diced tomatoes, helps this skillet to develop deep flavor FAST! Use your favorite jarred or homemade salsa in this skillet--any level of spice you prefer.
    • Cheese: Use shredded cheddar or a Mexican blend of cheese. If you are dairy-free, simply omit the cheese.
    • Lime: Another secret to giving this fast skillet recipe a lot of dimension, is to add the juice of a fresh lime at the end of cooking. The acidity will really brighten up the flavors. 

    How to Make Taco Skillet with Ground Turkey

    • Heat a large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat.
    • Add in a bit of oil and the turkey and saute the turkey, breaking it up as it cooks, until no longer pink.
    • Add in the diced onion, pepper, zucchini, garlic, and jalapeno, if using, and saute the mixture together until the pepper and onion begin to soften. This should take about 5 minutes.
    • Once the onion is beginning to be come translucent and soft, add in the taco seasoning and salsa.
    • Once the mixture begins to form small bubbles around the edges of the pan, reduce the heat to medium-low and simmer until the salsa has thickened and the vegetables are fully tender.
    A collage of 4 photos of steps of making ground turkey skillet with zucchini and peppers.
    • Turn off the heat and add in the lime juice, stirring to incorporate.
    • Generously sprinkle the taco skillet mixture with shredded cheese and let it sit for a few minutes to melt the cheese.
    • Serve warm with cilantro, sour cream, and/or avocado as desired.
    Skillet with ground turkey with veggies and cheese.

    Serving Suggestions

    This low-carb skillet makes a complete meal and does not need any adornment or side dishes.

    However, my kids love to wrap this mixture up in flour tortillas for a spin on turkey tacos. And my husband and I love to pair this dish with a Pina Colada Smoothie to cool down the heat.

    Storage Instructions

    If you happen to have any leftover turkey and vegetables, store them in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. This is one dish that does not hold up well to freezing, as the zucchini will make the dish a bit watery after being frozen.

    Recipe Modifications

    • Dairy-Free Turkey Taco Skillet: Omit the cheese and serve with a scoop of homemade guacamole to add a creamy, rich finish.
    • Lower-Sodium: Omit the salt from the taco seasoning or use low-sodium salsa.
    • Add Corn: If you are not following a low-carb diet, feel free to add 1 cup of corn to the skillet with the salsa and taco seasoning. The corn will add a nice sweetness to the dish.

    More Easy Skillet Recipes

    • Skillet Chicken with Green Beans and Tomatoes
    • Tex-Mex Chicken and Sweet Potato Skillet
    • Honey Lemon Chicken Skillet
    • Skillet Pork Tenderloin with Cabbage

    Need more inspiration for planning meals that your family will love? Sign up for my FREE Meal Plans and each week you will get a meal plan with a shopping list.

    If you enjoyed this low-carb ground turkey recipe, please be sure to leave a review and comment below.

    Skillet with Mexican Ground Turkey and Veggies.

    Turkey Taco Skillet

    Lean ground turkey and vegetables cook up fast with taco seasoning and salsa to create a delicious, low-carb taco skillet.
    5 from 7 votes
    Print Pin Rate
    Course: Main Course
    Cuisine: Mexican, Tex Mex
    Prep Time: 10 minutes minutes
    Cook Time: 25 minutes minutes
    Total Time: 35 minutes minutes
    Servings: 4
    Calories: 232kcal
    Author: Kristen Chidsey

    Ingredients

    • 1 pound lean ground turkey
    • 1 small onion diced
    • 1 red bell pepper diced
    • 1 teaspoon minced garlic optional
    • 2 small zucchini cut into ½" chunks
    • ½ jalapeno seeded and finely minced, optional
    • 2 tablespoons taco seasoning
    • 1 cup salsa
    • 1 lime juiced
    • 1-½ cup cheddar cheese shredded
    • Cilantro to garnish optional
    Prevents your screen from going dark while preparing the recipe.

    Instructions

    • Add the oil to a large saute pan, and heat over medium-high heat. Add in the ground turkey and brown until no longer pink, crumbling well while cooking.
    • Once the turkey is browned, drain off any excess grease if needed (this is rarely needed when cooking with lean ground turkey.) Add in the onion, pepper, zucchini, and jalapeno if using, and saute for 3 - 5 minutes or until the onion begins to become translucent. Add in the garlic, if using, and saute for 30-60 seconds, just until you begin to smell the garlic.
    • Add in the salsa, and taco seasoning to the skillet and stir well.
    • Bring to a gentle simmer and then reduce the heat to medium-low. Simmer for 10 min, stirring occasionally, until the vegetables are softened.
    • Turn off the heat and add in the lime juice, stirring to incorporate.
    • Generously sprinkle the skillet mixture with the shredded cheese and let it sit for a few minutes until the cheese is melted.
    • Serve warm with cilantro, sour cream, and/or avocado as desired.

    Notes

    Taco Seasoning: In place of Homemade Taco Seasoning, use 2 teaspoons cumin, 1 teaspoon chili powder, ½ teaspoon onion powder, ½ teaspoon garlic powder, ½ teaspoon salt. 
    Jalapeno: Omit to decrease the level of heat; add to increase the heat.
    Storage: Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. This dish does not freeze well. Reheat individual servings in the microwave or in a dry skillet until warmed through.  
    Salsa: Use your favorite brand of salsa--smooth or chunky; mild, medium, or hot. 

    Nutrition

    Calories: 232kcal | Carbohydrates: 12g | Protein: 32g | Fat: 7g | Saturated Fat: 4g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 2g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 77mg | Sodium: 707mg | Potassium: 661mg | Fiber: 3g | Sugar: 6g | Vitamin A: 1558IU | Vitamin C: 49mg | Calcium: 140mg | Iron: 2mg
    Liked this Recipe? Tag me Today!Snap a picture and tag #amindfullmom on Instagram - I would love to see!
    « Instant Pot Vegetarian Chili
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    About Kristen Chidsey

    Hi, I am Kristen, creator of A Mind "Full" Mom. I believe that making a wholesome family meal does not need to be hard or expensive! I love nothing more than to share with you delicious solutions for your hungry family.

    Reader Interactions

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    1. Linda Jelleff

      April 26, 2023 at 7:29 pm

      I have everything on hand to make this except the zucchini....is there a good substitute maybe?

      Reply
      • Kristen Chidsey

        April 27, 2023 at 6:52 am

        Hi Linda! You could add in extra peppers, onions, or even some yellow squash.

        Reply
    2. Judy Simmons-Leone

      February 11, 2023 at 10:39 am

      5 stars
      Hi Kristen!
      We made this last night and it turned out delicious! We reduced the cheese a little and added some black beans as per one of your suggestions and it truly is a one pot meal! Thank you for your recipe!

      Reply
      • Kristen Chidsey

        February 11, 2023 at 3:46 pm

        Thank you for sharing your review, Judy! I love hearing you enjoyed this!

        Reply
    3. Sue

      August 03, 2022 at 1:32 pm

      5 stars
      This was really good for a summer meal when I didn’t want to use the oven. It would make a good filling for a zucchini boat or a stuffed pepper too! Zesty enough for my family’s spicy tastes- I will definitely make this again! Next time I might add black beans or whatever is ready in the garden!

      Reply
      • Kristen Chidsey

        August 03, 2022 at 2:27 pm

        Hi Sue! I love hearing you enjoyed this! And I agree, a perfect meal for warm nights!

        Reply
    4. Marsha

      February 09, 2022 at 5:17 pm

      5 stars
      A favourite already in my house! It was so good.

      Reply
      • Kristen Chidsey

        February 10, 2022 at 7:28 am

        Awesome! Thanks for sharing Marsha!

        Reply
    5. Brandy

      February 09, 2022 at 4:29 pm

      5 stars
      Just made this for dinner the other night and it was such a hit! It was easy to make and full of flavor. Such a great recipe. Can't wait to make again!

      Reply
    6. Stella

      January 31, 2022 at 10:27 am

      5 stars
      Girl, this looks DELICIOUS! I'm very familiar with all the flavors here so I don't feel the need to fix it before rating.
      I'm making this in the next couple of days and I see it becoming a regular.
      Thank you for another wonderful recipe! Hope you are doing well!

      Reply
      • Kristen Chidsey

        January 31, 2022 at 2:00 pm

        You are welcome Stella! I have confidence this will be a favorite for you as well!

        Reply

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    If you are looking for a healthy ground turkey recipe, this Turkey Taco Skillet is for you! Made with ground turkey, zucchini, peppers, taco seasoning, and cheese, this easy recipe is the perfect way to use ground turkey.

    Meet a Mind "Full" Mom

    A Picture of A Mind"Full"Mom

    Hi! I'm Kristen. I want to welcome you into my kitchen and my REAL, imperfect life. Let me share with you tips and tricks to help you make healthy eating a reality for your family in the chaos of life and on the constraints of a budget. Read more

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    If you are looking for a healthy ground turkey recipe, this Turkey Taco Skillet is for you! Made with ground turkey, zucchini, peppers, taco seasoning, and cheese, this easy recipe is the perfect way to use ground turkey.

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