Some nights, the thought of cooking a big meal feels like a huge task. You want something nutritious and satisfying, but the energy just is not there. I get it completely. That’s when I turn to my favorite collection of Healthy Dinner Recipes that save the day.
This ground turkey skillet is a true hero on those evenings. It is full of color, flavor, and good for you ingredients. Everything comes together in one pan, which means cleanup is a breeze. It’s one of those amazing Lazy Dinners you will make again and again.
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Why You’ll Love This Recipe
First off, this dish is all about simplicity. We are talking one skillet, folks. Less mess means more time for you to relax after your meal. Who doesn’t love that?
It is also incredibly versatile. Think of this recipe as a starting point for all sorts of Healthy Meal Ideas. You can swap ingredients, add your favorite spices, and truly make it your own.
This skillet is packed with lean protein from the turkey and lots of fiber from the black beans and fresh vegetables. It keeps you full and satisfied without feeling heavy. It is a wonderfully balanced meal.
Best of all, it is fast. From start to finish, you are looking at about 20 minutes of cooking time. This makes it one of the best Quick Dinner Ideas for those super busy weeknights when you are short on time.
Ingredients
- 14 ounces zucchini (about 2 medium), quartered and sliced
- 1 pound 93% lean ground turkey
- 1/4 cup chopped onion
- 1 tablespoon tomato paste
- 3/4 cups canned black beans, rinsed and drained
- 3/4 cups corn kernels, fresh or frozen
- 1 large diced tomato
- 1 jalapeño, diced
- 1 clove garlic, minced
- 2 tablespoons chopped cilantro, plus more for garnish
- 1 1/4 teaspoon cumin
- 1 1/4 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1/4 cup water
- Lime wedges, optional for serving
Step By Step Instructions
Step 1: Brown The Turkey
First, get your large skillet and place it over high heat. Give it a quick spray with cooking oil. Add the ground turkey to the hot pan. You want to hear that sizzle.
Sprinkle it with 1 teaspoon of kosher salt and 1 teaspoon of cumin. Use a spoon or spatula to break the meat apart as it cooks. Keep it moving until it is completely browned. This should take about five minutes.
Step 2: Sauté The Aromatics
Once the turkey is cooked, push it all over to one side of the skillet. This creates a nice open space for our next ingredients. Add the chopped onion and the tomato paste to that empty spot.
Cook them for just about a minute, stirring them together. This step is a flavor builder. It toasts the tomato paste and softens the onion, creating a delicious base for our skillet meal.
Step 3: Combine The Veggies And Beans
Now it is time to bring everyone to the party. Add the rinsed black beans, corn, diced tomato, jalapeño, minced garlic, and chopped cilantro to the skillet. This is where the dish really starts to look vibrant.
Pour in the 1/4 cup of water and give everything a good stir. Mix it all in with the ground turkey until everything is beautifully combined. The water helps create a little bit of sauce.
Step 4: Add The Zucchini
Finally, add your sliced zucchini to the pan. Sprinkle in the remaining 1/4 teaspoon of salt and 1/4 teaspoon of cumin. Give it one last gentle stir to get the zucchini mixed in with everything else.
Cover the skillet with a lid and turn the heat down to low. Let it cook for about four to five minutes. You are looking for the zucchini to be tender but still have a slight crispness. Nobody likes mushy zucchini!
Step 5: Final Touches And Serving
And that is it! Your delicious and healthy dinner is ready. Serve it warm straight from the skillet. I love to garnish with a little extra fresh cilantro and offer some lime wedges on the side for squeezing over the top.
This is one of those fantastic Healthy Dinner Recipes that feels special but is secretly so simple.
How To Store Leftovers
If you have any leftovers, you are in luck. This dish tastes just as good the next day. Let the skillet cool down to room temperature first. This is an important step for food safety.
Then, transfer the mixture to an airtight container. It will keep well in the refrigerator for up to three or four days. It is great for lunches or another one of those Lazy Dinners during the week.
To reheat, you can simply microwave it for a minute or two until hot. Or, you can warm it up in a skillet over medium heat. Add a splash of water if it seems a little dry.
Tips
Feel free to get creative with this recipe. It is one of the most flexible Healthy Meal Ideas out there. Don’t have ground turkey? Ground chicken or lean ground beef work great too.
For a vegetarian option, you can use plant based crumbles or just add an extra can of beans, like pinto or kidney beans. It’s a fantastic base for all sorts of meals.
Want to add more veggies? Go for it! Diced bell peppers, mushrooms, or even some spinach would be delicious additions. Just toss them in when you add the corn and beans.
You can easily adjust the spice level. If you like it hot, leave the seeds in the jalapeño or add a pinch of red pepper flakes. If you prefer it mild, you can omit the jalapeño entirely.
There are so many ways to serve this skillet. Enjoy it on its own for a low carb meal. Or, serve it over brown rice, quinoa, or even cauliflower rice. It is also amazing used as a filling for tacos or burritos.
Conclusion
So there you have it, one of my favorite go to Healthy Dinner Recipes for any night of the week. It is proof that you do not need a lot of time or complicated steps to make a tasty and nutritious meal.
With its fresh ingredients and simple preparation, this ground turkey skillet is a winner for the whole family. It is a fantastic option when you need some inspiration for Quick Dinner Ideas. I hope you enjoy it!
FAQ
Can I Use A Different Protein?
Absolutely! This recipe works wonderfully with lean ground chicken, ground beef, or even ground pork. For a vegetarian option, you could use a can of lentils or plant based meat crumbles.
Is This Recipe Spicy?
The heat comes from the single jalapeño. For a milder flavor, make sure to remove the seeds and white membranes before dicing it. For no spice at all, you can leave it out completely.
How Can I Make This A Low Carb Meal?
This skillet is already quite low in carbohydrates. To make it even more so, you can serve it over cauliflower rice or with a side salad instead of traditional rice or tortillas. The beans and corn do have carbs, so you could reduce their quantity if needed.
Can I Meal Prep This Dish?
Yes, this is a great recipe for meal prepping. You can cook a big batch on Sunday and portion it into containers for easy lunches throughout the week. It reheats very well, making it one of my favorite Healthy Meal Ideas for planning ahead.
Ground Turkey Skillet with Zucchini
This easy ground turkey skillet is a healthy, flavorful, one-pan meal, perfect for busy weeknights. It’s packed with lean protein and fresh vegetables, making cleanup a breeze.
Requirements
Ingredients
Instructions
- Place a large skillet over high heat and spray with cooking oil. Add the ground turkey, sprinkling with 1 teaspoon of kosher salt and 1 teaspoon of cumin. Break apart with a spoon and cook until browned, about 5 minutes.
- Push the cooked turkey to one side of the skillet. Add the chopped onion and tomato paste to the empty spot. Cook for about 1 minute, stirring together to soften the onion and toast the paste.
- Add the rinsed black beans, corn, diced tomato, jalapeño, minced garlic, and chopped cilantro to the skillet. Pour in 1/4 cup of water and stir everything together with the ground turkey until well combined.
- Finally, add the sliced zucchini to the pan. Sprinkle in the remaining 1/4 teaspoon of salt and 1/4 teaspoon of cumin. Stir gently to mix the zucchini with the other ingredients.
- Cover the skillet with a lid and reduce the heat to low. Cook for 4 to 5 minutes, or until the zucchini is tender-crisp. Avoid overcooking to prevent mushy zucchini.
- Serve warm, directly from the skillet. Garnish with extra fresh cilantro and offer lime wedges on the side for squeezing.
Notes
Feel free to get creative with this recipe. It is one of the most flexible healthy meal ideas out there. Don’t have ground turkey? Ground chicken or lean ground beef work great too.
For a vegetarian option, you can use plant based crumbles or just add an extra can of beans, like pinto or kidney beans. It’s a fantastic base for all sorts of meals.
Want to add more veggies? Go for it! Diced bell peppers, mushrooms, or even some spinach would be delicious additions. Just toss them in when you add the corn and beans.
You can easily adjust the spice level. If you like it hot, leave the seeds in the jalapeño or add a pinch of red pepper flakes. If you prefer it mild, you can omit the jalapeño entirely.
There are so many ways to serve this skillet. Enjoy it on its own for a low carb meal. Or, serve it over brown rice, quinoa, or even cauliflower rice. It is also amazing used as a filling for tacos or burritos.
Nutrition
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Sugar
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Carbs
