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Ground Turkey Taco Skillet, high protein dinner recipes easy
Brittany Stage

Ground Turkey Taco Skillet

Seasoned ground turkey, black beans, bell pepper, and corn come together in one skillet in about 25 minutes for a high-protein weeknight dinner the whole family will scoop up. Serve it however your crew likes it: over rice, in tortillas, or straight from the pan.
Prep Time 8 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Total Time 28 minutes
Servings: 4 servings
Course: Dinner
Cuisine: Tex-Mex
Calories: 370

Ingredients
  

  • 1 lb ground turkey 93% lean recommended
  • 1 medium yellow onion diced small
  • 1 bell pepper any color, diced small
  • 3 cloves garlic minced
  • 1 packet taco seasoning about 1 oz, or use homemade blend
  • 1 can black beans 15 oz, drained and rinsed
  • 1 can diced tomatoes 14.5 oz, with juices
  • 1 cup frozen corn no need to thaw
  • 1/4 cup water or chicken broth to help simmer the sauce
  • 1 tbsp olive oil for cooking
  • 1/2 tsp kosher salt adjust to taste
  • shredded cheese sour cream, lime wedges, cilantro, for serving, optional

Equipment

  • large deep skillet or saute pan
  • wooden spoon or spatula
  • can opener

Method
 

  1. Heat the olive oil in a large deep skillet over medium-high heat. Once the oil shimmers, add the diced onion and bell pepper. Cook, stirring occasionally, for 3 to 4 minutes until the onion softens and starts to turn translucent at the edges.
  2. Add the minced garlic and cook for 30 seconds, stirring constantly, until it smells fragrant. Do not let it brown or it will turn bitter.
  3. Add the ground turkey to the skillet. Break it apart with your spoon and spread it out across the pan. Cook without stirring for about 2 minutes so it can brown against the pan, then stir and continue breaking it up. Keep cooking until the turkey is no longer pink and you see some golden-brown bits on the bottom, about 6 to 7 minutes total. This browning is what builds flavor, so do not rush past it.
  4. Sprinkle the taco seasoning evenly over the cooked turkey and stir it in for 30 seconds. Pour in the can of diced tomatoes with all their juices, the drained black beans, and the water or broth. Stir everything together to combine.
  5. Reduce the heat to medium and let the mixture simmer uncovered for 5 to 6 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the liquid reduces slightly and the sauce clings to the turkey and beans rather than pooling at the bottom.
  6. Stir in the frozen corn and cook for 2 more minutes until the corn is heated through. Taste the skillet and add the salt if needed. The taco seasoning packet already has salt, so add slowly and taste as you go.
  7. Serve directly from the skillet over rice, spooned into warm tortillas, or with tortilla chips on the side. Top with shredded cheese, sour cream, fresh cilantro, and a squeeze of lime if you like.

Notes

If the mixture looks too dry before the corn goes in, add another splash of broth to loosen it. For a spicier version, add 1/4 teaspoon of cayenne pepper along with the taco seasoning.