Print

Easy Ground Turkey Taco Skillet: Best 20-Minute Dinner

ground turkey taco skillet - featured image
Print Recipe

A quick and flavorful one-pan ground turkey taco skillet that comes together in just 20 minutes. Perfect for busy weeknights, this recipe uses simple ingredients and delivers bold taco flavor with minimal cleanup.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 pound (450g) ground turkey (93% lean recommended)
  • 1 tablespoon (15ml) olive oil
  • 1 medium yellow onion, diced (about 1 cup)
  • 1 medium bell pepper, diced (any color)
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 tablespoon chili powder
  • 1 teaspoon ground cumin
  • 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
  • 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano (Mexican oregano preferred)
  • 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
  • 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
  • 1 cup (240ml) salsa (medium-heat chunky preferred)
  • 1 can (14.5 ounces / 400g) fire-roasted diced tomatoes, slightly drained
  • 1/2 cup (60g) shredded cheddar cheese (sharp cheddar recommended)
  • 1/4 cup fresh cilantro, chopped (for garnish)
  • Optional toppings: sour cream, diced avocado, sliced jalapeños, hot sauce, lime wedges

Instructions

  1. Prep your ingredients: Dice the onion and bell pepper into roughly 1/4-inch pieces. Mince the garlic. Drain the can of fire-roasted tomatoes slightly—pour off about a quarter of the liquid. Measure out spices and salsa. Shred cheese if using a block.
  2. Heat the oil: Place a large 12-inch skillet over medium-high heat. Add olive oil and let it shimmer for about 30 seconds until hot but not smoking.
  3. Sauté the aromatics: Add diced onion and bell pepper. Cook for 3-4 minutes, stirring occasionally, until onion is translucent and pepper softens. If pan seems dry, add a tiny splash of water.
  4. Add garlic and spices: Add minced garlic, chili powder, cumin, smoked paprika, dried oregano, salt, and black pepper. Stir constantly for about 30 seconds until fragrant. Be careful not to burn the garlic.
  5. Cook the ground turkey: Add ground turkey to the skillet. Break it up with a wooden spoon into small crumbles. Cook for 5-6 minutes, stirring occasionally, until turkey is no longer pink and some browning occurs. Let excess liquid cook off.
  6. Add salsa and tomatoes: Pour in salsa and drained fire-roasted diced tomatoes. Stir to combine. Bring to a gentle simmer, then reduce heat to medium-low. Cook for 5-7 minutes, stirring once or twice, until sauce thickens slightly and flavors meld.
  7. Taste and adjust: Taste the mixture and adjust seasoning as needed—add more salt, a dash of hot sauce, or cayenne for extra heat.
  8. Top with cheese and cover: Sprinkle shredded cheddar cheese evenly over the top. Cover the pan with a lid or aluminum foil. Let sit off the heat for 2-3 minutes until cheese melts.
  9. Garnish and serve: Sprinkle fresh cilantro over the top. Serve immediately with desired toppings such as sour cream, diced avocado, sliced jalapeños, or lime wedges.

Notes

Don’t skip browning the turkey for maximum flavor. Let the cheese melt off the heat to avoid greasiness. Toast spices in hot oil for a few seconds before adding turkey to intensify flavor. Use a flat-edged spatula to break up meat into even crumbles. Drain tomatoes slightly but not completely to achieve perfect saucy consistency.

Nutrition

Keywords: ground turkey taco skillet, easy taco skillet, 20-minute dinner, one-pan meal, weeknight dinner, ground turkey recipe, taco recipe

Find it online: https://lucastable.com/easy-ground-turkey-taco-skillet-best-20-minute-dinner/