Easy Ground Turkey Taco Skillet (One-Pan + Healthy)

What’s for dinner tonight? This ground turkey taco skillet is my go-to recipe for busy weeknights. It’s packed with fiber, protein, and it only uses one pan! This recipe is one that’s sure to be a family favorite in no time!

Why You’ll Love This Ground Turkey Taco Skillet Recipe

This easy turkey taco skillet recipe is the perfect blend of fresh ingredients and convenience foods to bring big flavors to your table in under 20 minutes! Plus, did I mention that you’re only going to have to use one pan for this – who doesn’t love minimal cleanup after a good meal?!

This is a great recipe for a quick dinner during the week or for your weekly meal prep. It warms up well so leftovers are delicious or you can add cold leftovers on top of a taco salad. 

This recipe makes a few swaps and additions to ensure it’s a healthy turkey taco skillet meal, without sacrificing your favorite Mexican food flavors. With plenty of color from the bell peppers, plus some extra fiber from the beans, this meal is packed with antioxidants, fiber, and protein to ensure you stay full for hours. 

Ingredients You’ll Need

This recipe uses a combination of fresh ingredients and some canned items to make your life a bit easier. Here’s what you’ll need to make this turkey taco skillet recipe.

• Ground turkey. I usually choose to use lean ground turkey here since it’s a low fat protein option that still has plenty of great nutrients such as B vitamins and selenium. You can easily substitute another ground meat like lean ground beef or ground chicken. 

• Yellow onion. You’ll use one small onion in this recipe. I typically use a yellow onion but you can use a red onion if you prefer.  

• Bell peppers. You can use any color or color combination of bell peppers in this recipe. I usually use orange, yellow or red bell pepper, but green bell peppers also work well. Fun fact: red peppers are an excellent source of vitamin C, a powerful antioxidant that can improve immune function and lower inflammation. 

• Taco seasoning. Here’s where I often take a shortcut in cooking by using a taco seasoning packet (this one’s my favorite!). Of course, you can make your own taco seasoning with fresh herbs or dried spices – check out my homemade taco seasoning recipe below!

• Black beans. Adding in a can of drained and rinsed black beans dramatically increases the fiber content of this meal. Fiber is great for improving gut health and keeping blood sugar levels more stable. If you don’t have black beans on hand, you can substitute pinto beans or red kidney beans.

• Cilantro. I’m a big cilantro lover and fresh cilantro really gives this dish a really fresh flavor! If you’re not a fan of cilantro, you can substitute other fresh herbs like parsley, chives, or green onions.  

• Your favorite taco toppings. No taco skillet recipe would be complete without your favorite toppings! Top with a squeeze of lime juice, green chiles, sour cream (or plain Greek yogurt), salsa, crushed tortilla chips, sliced avocado, or shredded cheese such as Mexican cheese or sharp cheddar cheese. 

How To Make Ground Turkey Taco Skillet

Alright, now the fun part! Here’s how you make this easy ground turkey taco skillet. 

First, you’re going to heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium high heat. Add the ground turkey to the pan, breaking the turkey apart with a wooden spoon as it cooks. Cook the turkey until it’s almost cooked through, about 5 minutes…turkey should still be a little pink. 

Next, you’re going to add the chopped onion and bell peppers right into the pan with the almost-cooked ground turkey. Continue to cook everything until the vegetables are softened and turkey is fully cooked through, about 5 more minutes. 

Reduce the heat to low, then stir in a taco seasoning packet and ⅓ cup of water (or the amount of water as directed on the taco seasoning packet). Stir in drained black beans and chopped cilantro. If the mixture seems too dry, add more water if needed. Simmer for 2-3 minutes while stirring frequently. 

Turn off the heat. Serve with your favorite toppings such as shredded cheese, sliced avocado, jalapenos, sour cream, salsa, green onion, Greek yogurt, or this avocado cilantro lime dressing.

You can eat this ground turkey taco skillet as is or use it to make tacos with corn tortillas, nachos, or add brown rice or cauliflower rice to make it into an easy burrito bowl. You could also serve it over a bed of leafy greens too with your favorite salad dressing. 

Variations & Substitutions

• Substitute ground turkey for ground beef or ground chicken. 

• To make it vegan, swap ground turkey for tofu crumbles or plant based meat crumbles.

• Use any color of bell peppers or any type of onion. 

• Increase the veggies by adding chopped zucchini, summer squash, mushrooms, fresh or canned tomatoes, or any vegetables you enjoy.

• Homemade Taco Seasoning: 1 tbsp chili powder, 2 tsp ground cumin, 1 tsp paprika, 1 tsp black pepper, ¾ tsp salt, ½ tsp garlic powder, ½ tsp onion powder, ½ tsp oregano, ⅛ tsp red pepper flakes (optional). 

• Serving Suggestions:
  • as taco filling in corn tortillas
  • as a topping on nachos
  • mixed with a side of rice or cauliflower rice
  • over a bed of dark leafy greens or iceberg lettuce with this taco salad dressing

Other Easy Recipes You’ll Love

Green Enchilada Chicken Soup

Beef Chili with Beans

Ground Turkey Sweet Potato Hash

Firecracker Meatballs (Hello Fresh Copycat Recipe)

If you make this Ground Turkey Taco Skillet recipe, please leave me a rating and review on this blog post. This is the best way to support me! Tag me on Instagram so I can repost you! You can also follow me on Pinterest to save this recipe there!