Quick Ground Turkey Taco Skillet: Speedy Dinner Fix (Print Version)

Quick Ground Turkey Taco Skillet is your answer for busy weeknights. Zesty, satisfying, and ready in a flash, it's a comforting meal everyone loves.

# Recipe Info:

Prep Time: 10 Minutes minutes
Cook Time: 25 Minutes minutes
Total Time: 35 minutes
Servings: 4 Servings
Difficulty: Beginner
Cuisine: Tex-Mex
Dietary: Gluten-Free (if using GF seasoning/tortillas)

# Ingredients:

→ Base Ingredients

01 - 1 lb lean ground turkey
02 - 1 yellow onion, diced
03 - 1 bell pepper (any color), diced

→ Flavor Boosters

04 - 1 (14.5 oz) can diced tomatoes, undrained
05 - 1/2 cup low-sodium chicken broth
06 - 2 tbsp taco seasoning (store-bought or homemade)

→ Finishing Touches

07 - 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese

→ Optional Garnishes

08 - Fresh cilantro, chopped
09 - Sour cream or Greek yogurt
10 - Sliced green onions
11 - Avocado slices

# Instructions:

01 - Okay, first things first for this Quick Ground Turkey Taco Skillet. Get your largest skillet, the one you always reach for, heating over medium-high heat. A little drizzle of olive oil, then toss in your diced onion and bell pepper. Listen to that sizzle! It's the sound of dinner starting right. Stir them around for about 5-7 minutes, until they start to soften and get a little translucent. You want them fragrant; that’s the base of all our yummy flavors. Don't rush this step, it really makes a difference, honestly.
02 - Now, push those veggies to one side of the pan and add your ground turkey to the other. Break it up with your spoon and let it brown for about 5-7 minutes. You're looking for that lovely golden-brown color, no pink bits, please! As it cooks, the kitchen starts to smell amazing, like a proper dinner is on its way. This is where I sometimes get impatient and don't let it brown enough, but trust me, that caramelization adds so much depth to the Quick Ground Turkey Taco Skillet.
03 - Once your turkey is beautifully browned, drain any excess fat – I usually just tilt the pan and scoop it out with a spoon, being careful not to lose all the good bits! Then, stir the cooked turkey and softened veggies together. Now for the flavor explosion: add your canned diced tomatoes (undrained!), chicken broth, and that glorious taco seasoning. Give it a good stir until everything is perfectly combined and coated. It should look saucy and smell absolutely incredible.
04 - Bring your Quick Ground Turkey Taco Skillet mixture to a gentle simmer. Once it's bubbling nicely, reduce the heat to medium-low, cover the skillet, and let it cook for about 10-15 minutes. This simmering time is crucial; it allows all those amazing flavors to meld together and deepen, making the sauce rich and delicious. I usually peek once or twice, just to make sure it’s not sticking, and give it another stir. Honestly, patience here pays off big time!
05 - Alright, almost there! Uncover your Quick Ground Turkey Taco Skillet. Give it one last stir, then sprinkle that shredded cheddar cheese generously over the top. Don't be shy! Cover the skillet again, or if your lid doesn't quite fit, just let it sit for another 2-3 minutes, or until the cheese is beautifully melted and gooey. That melty cheese blanket is what takes this from "good" to "oh-my-goodness-yes."
06 - And just like that, your Quick Ground Turkey Taco Skillet is ready! Remove it from the heat. I love to garnish mine with a sprinkle of fresh cilantro, a dollop of sour cream, and maybe some sliced green onions – honestly, it just makes it look so much more inviting. Serve it warm, straight from the skillet, with your favorite taco toppings. It’s messy, it’s comforting, and it’s always a huge hit. Enjoy every single bite!

# Notes:

01 - Let the turkey really brown for maximum flavor; don't rush that step, I learned that the hard way.
02 - This skillet keeps beautifully in the fridge for 3-4 days, making it a fantastic meal-prep option for lunches.
03 - If you're out of bell peppers, diced zucchini or corn can be a surprising but delicious addition.
04 - A squeeze of fresh lime juice at the end brightens up all the flavors, honestly, it's a game-changer.

# Equipment Needed:

01 - Large skillet
02 - cutting board
03 - knife

# Nutrition (Per Serving):

Calories: 350 kcal
Total Fat: 15g
Total Carbohydrate: 25g
Protein: 30g

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