Description
Turkey Taco Skillet is a flavorful and easy one-pan weeknight dinner featuring lean ground turkey cooked with aromatic spices, corn, pinto beans, and zesty salsa, topped with crunchy tortilla chips and melted Mexican cheese. Garnished with fresh cilantro, pickled red onions, tomatoes, and optional guacamole or sour cream, it’s a convenient and satisfying meal perfect for taco lovers.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients
- 1 teaspoon olive oil
- 1 yellow onion, finely chopped
- 1 jalapeno, seeds removed and diced
- 1 lb 93% lean ground turkey
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- 1 tbsp chili powder
- 1 tsp smoked paprika
- 1 tsp ground cumin
- ¼ tsp cayenne pepper
- 3/4 cup canned pinto beans, drained
- 3/4 cup corn kernels
- 12 oz jarred salsa (about 1 jar)
- 32 tortilla chips (about 4 oz)
- 1 cup shredded reduced-fat Mexican cheese blend
Toppings
- 2 tablespoons chopped cilantro
- Pickled red onions
- 1/4 cup chopped tomatoes
- Lime wedges, for serving
- Guacamole (optional)
- Sour cream (optional)
- Avocado slices (optional)
Instructions
- Heat the oil and sauté aromatics: In a large skillet over medium heat, warm the olive oil. When heated, add the finely chopped yellow onion and diced jalapeno. Sauté for 2 to 3 minutes until softened and fragrant.
- Cook the ground turkey: Add the ground turkey to the skillet and season with salt and pepper. Cook, breaking it apart with a spoon, until browned and cooked through.
- Add spices, beans, and salsa: Stir in the chili powder, smoked paprika, ground cumin, cayenne pepper, pinto beans, corn kernels, and salsa. Mix thoroughly and let the mixture cook for about 3 minutes to meld flavors.
- Add tortilla chips and cheese: Lightly crumble the tortilla chips over the top of the turkey mixture, then evenly sprinkle the shredded reduced-fat Mexican cheese blend over the chips.
- Melt the cheese: Cover the skillet with a lid and let it cook for 1 to 2 minutes on the stovetop until the cheese melts. Alternatively, place the skillet under the broiler for 2 to 3 minutes to achieve melted, slightly browned cheese.
- Garnish and serve: Remove the skillet from heat. Top with chopped cilantro, pickled red onions, and chopped tomatoes. Add optional toppings such as guacamole, sour cream, or avocado slices if desired. Serve warm with lime wedges on the side.
Notes
- This Turkey Taco Skillet is an easy, one-pan recipe perfect for quick weeknight dinners.
- Using lean ground turkey makes it a healthier alternative to traditional beef tacos.
- Feel free to adjust the spice level by modifying the amount of jalapeno and cayenne pepper.
- For a vegetarian version, substitute the ground turkey with plant-based crumbles and use vegetarian cheese.
- Serve with a side salad or extra veggies for added nutrition.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 1/2 cups
- Calories: 503 kcal
- Sugar: 9 g
- Sodium: 1081 mg
- Fat: 23.5 g
- Saturated Fat: 6.5 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 15 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 43.5 g
- Fiber: 5.5 g
- Protein: 37 g
- Cholesterol: 99 mg
