If you’re hunting for a wholesome meal that’s packed with flavor but doesn’t demand hours in the kitchen, you’re going to adore this Ground Turkey Sweet Potato Skillet with Brussels Sprouts Recipe. I absolutely love how this dish comes together with minimal fuss but maximum satisfaction. Sweet potatoes and brussels sprouts bring cozy fall vibes, while lean ground turkey keeps it protein-rich and light. Stick around, and I’ll walk you through every step so you nail this skillet meal just right!
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Nutritious & Balanced: It blends lean protein with fiber-rich veggies and sweet potatoes for a filling, healthy meal.
- Simple Prep & Cleanup: Everything cooks in one skillet—perfect for busy weeknights when you want less mess.
- Versatile & Flavorful: You’ll enjoy the sweet-savory combo plus the option to customize ingredients to your liking.
- Family Friendly: My family goes crazy for this dish; it’s a great way to sneak in veggies everyone will actually eat.
Ingredients You’ll Need
The ingredients here balance each other beautifully, blending savory turkey with sweet potatoes and crisp brussels sprouts for a colorful, nutrient-packed skillet. When shopping, look for firm sweet potatoes and bright green brussels sprouts for the best texture after cooking.
- Ground lean turkey: I prefer lean turkey to keep things light but still giving you that meaty texture.
- Olive oil: Adds richness and helps everything brown nicely without sticking.
- Salt & pepper: Simple seasonings that bring out all the other flavors.
- Diced onion: Adds a mellow sweetness once softened.
- Minced garlic: Just a touch gives great aromatic depth—don’t skip this!
- Peeled and diced sweet potato: Sweet potatoes cook nicely in the skillet and soften perfectly alongside the other ingredients.
- Diced apples: This is my secret twist—adding diced apples brings a fresh sweetness that balances the savory turkey and bitter sprouts.
- Sliced brussels sprouts: These add a lovely crunch and earthiness; choose smaller sprouts for the best tenderness.
- Vegetable or chicken broth: A splash steams the veggies just right and keeps everything moist without oil overload.
Variations
I love how flexible this Ground Turkey Sweet Potato Skillet with Brussels Sprouts Recipe can be — you can tweak it based on what you’ve got in your kitchen or dietary needs. Don’t hesitate to get creative or swap out ingredients for variety!
- Use ground chicken or beef: I sometimes use ground chicken when turkey’s not on hand; it stays light but offers a slightly different flavor.
- Add spices like smoked paprika or cumin: When I want a little smoky warmth, a pinch of these spices transforms the skillet into something special.
- Swap apples for pears or butternut squash: Seasonal swaps keep the dish fresh. Pear adds subtle sweetness, while squash brings a creamier texture.
- Make it vegetarian: Replace turkey with cooked lentils or crumbled tempeh for a meat-free option that still has plenty of protein.
How to Make Ground Turkey Sweet Potato Skillet with Brussels Sprouts Recipe
Step 1: Brown the ground turkey with aromatics
Heat a large skillet over medium heat and add olive oil. Toss in the ground turkey, season with salt and pepper, and cook, breaking it apart with a spatula until there’s no pink remaining — about 5-7 minutes works for me. Add diced onions and minced garlic, stirring frequently for 3 more minutes until the onions soften and become fragrant. Then, scoop everything into a bowl and set aside. This step builds a wonderful flavor base that you’ll appreciate as the dish comes together.
Step 2: Cook the veggies and sweet potatoes
In the same skillet (no need to add more oil), toss in the sliced brussels sprouts, diced apples, and peeled and chopped sweet potatoes. Pour the broth over, cover with a lid, and let everything steam for about 15 minutes. Keep an eye on it — the sweet potatoes should be tender enough to pierce easily with a fork but not mushy. This steaming infuses the veggies with gentle moisture and brings out their natural sweetness.
Step 3: Combine everything and finish cooking
Return the reserved turkey, onions, and garlic mixture back into the skillet with the veggies. Stir everything to combine, cover, and cook for another 5 minutes so the flavors marry and any remaining liquid cooks off. That’s the magic moment when the dish comes together into a cozy, comforting meal. I always taste here to adjust salt or pepper if needed before serving.
Pro Tips for Making Ground Turkey Sweet Potato Skillet with Brussels Sprouts Recipe
- Don’t Overcrowd the Skillet: I learned this the hard way—crowding the pan steams veggies instead of browning them, which dulls flavor.
- Use a Lid When Steaming: Covering your skillet traps steam, helping the sweet potatoes and brussels sprouts become tender without drying out.
- Dice Uniformly: Cutting the sweet potatoes and apples into even pieces ensures everything cooks at the same pace and texture is consistent.
- Add Apples Last for Crunch: If you prefer your apples crisper, add them a few minutes after starting the veggies—you can control the texture that way.
How to Serve Ground Turkey Sweet Potato Skillet with Brussels Sprouts Recipe
Garnishes
I like to sprinkle fresh chopped parsley or a little chopped fresh thyme on top—herbs add brightness and color. Sometimes a light grating of Parmesan cheese adds a nice, nutty note that my family can’t resist.
Side Dishes
This skillet stands strong as a one-pan meal, but I often pair it with a fresh green salad or some warm crusty bread to make it more filling. Roasted carrots or a tangy coleslaw make tasty companions too if you’re serving more people.
Creative Ways to Present
For a fun twist, I’ve used this mixture as a stuffing for roasted peppers or even inside warm tortillas for easy tacos. You can even top a crisp salad with it for a hearty lunch option that feels fresh and new.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Leftovers store beautifully in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. I find the flavors actually deepen overnight, so it’s even better the next day—a win for busy weekday lunches!
Freezing
I’ve frozen this skillet recipe in portion-sized containers and it reheats well. Just make sure to cool it completely before freezing to avoid sogginess. It stays tasty for up to 3 months in the freezer.
Reheating
To reheat, I usually warm it gently in a skillet with a splash of water or broth to keep the veggies moist. Microwaving works too—just stir halfway through heating so it warms evenly without drying out.
FAQs
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Can I use frozen brussels sprouts in this recipe?
Absolutely! Frozen brussels sprouts work fine here, though I recommend thawing them a bit first and patting dry to minimize extra water in the skillet. Just adjust the cooking time slightly if needed until they’re tender.
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Is this recipe gluten-free?
Yes, this Ground Turkey Sweet Potato Skillet with Brussels Sprouts Recipe is naturally gluten-free as long as you use gluten-free broth. It’s a great option for those with gluten sensitivities.
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Can I prep ingredients in advance?
Definitely! You can dice the sweet potatoes, apples, onions, and brussels sprouts a day ahead and store them in airtight containers in the fridge. That really speeds up cooking when you’re ready to make the skillet.
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What can I serve instead of broth if I don’t have any on hand?
If you’re out of broth, water works in a pinch—just add a bit more seasoning to compensate. Alternatively, a splash of apple cider or white wine adds a nice layer of flavor too.
Final Thoughts
This Ground Turkey Sweet Potato Skillet with Brussels Sprouts Recipe has become one of my go-to comfort meals—it’s just that satisfying blend of savory and sweet, fast and nutritious. I’m confident you’ll find yourself coming back to it again and again, whether you’re meal prepping for the week or cooking a cozy dinner for your family. Trust me, once you try it, it’s going to be one of those recipes you love to share with friends too!
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Ground Turkey Sweet Potato Skillet with Brussels Sprouts Recipe
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Total Time: 35 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings
- Category: Main Dish
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Low Fat
Description
This Ground Turkey Sweet Potato Skillet with Brussels Sprouts is a hearty, nutritious, and flavorful one-pan meal perfect for any time of day. Combining lean ground turkey, sweet potatoes, Brussels sprouts, and crisp apples, this dish offers a balance of savory and sweet notes. It is quick to prepare, ideal for meal prepping, and versatile enough to serve as a breakfast scramble, lunch bowl, or dinner entrée.
Ingredients
Protein
- 1 pound ground lean turkey
Vegetables & Fruits
- 2/3 cup diced onion
- 1 teaspoon minced garlic
- 3.5 cups peeled and diced sweet potato
- 1.5 cups diced apples
- 1.5 cups sliced brussels sprouts
Others
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/8 teaspoon pepper
- 1/2 cup vegetable or chicken broth
Instructions
- Cook the Turkey: Heat a large skillet over medium heat and add olive oil. Add the ground turkey along with salt and pepper. Cook until the turkey is fully browned and no pink remains, breaking it up as it cooks.
- Sauté Onions and Garlic: Add the diced onions and minced garlic to the skillet with the turkey. Continue cooking for about 3 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the onions soften. Then, transfer the turkey, onions, and garlic mixture into a bowl and set aside.
- Cook Vegetables and Apples: In the same skillet, place the sliced Brussels sprouts, diced apples, and diced sweet potatoes. Pour in the vegetable or chicken broth and cover the skillet with a lid. Allow it to cook for 15 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the sweet potatoes and Brussels sprouts are tender.
- Combine and Finish Cooking: Return the cooked turkey and onion mixture back into the skillet. Mix everything well, cover again, and cook the combined ingredients for an additional 5 minutes to let flavors meld and ensure everything is heated through.
- Serve and Enjoy: Once cooked, remove from heat and serve your Ground Turkey Sweet Potato Skillet warm. It can be enjoyed on its own or incorporated into egg burritos, stuffed peppers, tacos, or as a salad topping.
Notes
- This skillet dish is an excellent fall harvest meal full of seasonal flavors.
- It’s easy to prepare in advance and meal prep for breakfast, lunch, or dinner.
- Serve leftovers in an egg burrito for breakfast, as a stuffed pepper filling, taco stuffing, or as a hearty salad topper for variety.
- You can use either vegetable or chicken broth depending on your preference or dietary needs.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 227 kcal
- Sugar: 8 g
- Sodium: 263 mg
- Fat: 6 g
- Saturated Fat: 1 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 4 g
- Trans Fat: 1 g
- Carbohydrates: 24 g
- Fiber: 4 g
- Protein: 20 g
- Cholesterol: 42 mg
