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Easy Ground Turkey Taco Skillet: 20-Minute Healthy Dinner

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A quick and healthy ground turkey taco skillet loaded with black beans, fire-roasted tomatoes, and melted cheese. Ready in just 20 minutes, this one-pan dinner is perfect for busy weeknights and packed with bold taco flavor.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 lb (450g) ground turkey (93% lean)
  • 1 can (15 oz / 425g) black beans, drained and rinsed
  • 1 can (14.5 oz / 411g) fire-roasted diced tomatoes, undrained
  • 1 medium yellow onion (about 150g), diced
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 tablespoon chili powder
  • 1 teaspoon ground cumin
  • 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
  • ½ teaspoon dried oregano (Mexican oregano preferred)
  • ⅛ teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • ½ teaspoon salt (or to taste)
  • ¼ teaspoon black pepper
  • ¼ cup (60ml) chicken broth
  • ½ cup (60g) shredded cheddar or Monterey Jack cheese (optional)
  • ¼ cup fresh cilantro, chopped (for garnish)
  • Lime wedges (for serving)
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil (for cooking)

Instructions

  1. Heat the skillet: Place a large skillet over medium-high heat and add about 1 tablespoon of olive oil. Heat until shimmering, about 1 minute.
  2. Cook the aromatics: Add diced onion and cook for 3-4 minutes, stirring occasionally, until translucent and starting to brown. Add minced garlic and cook for 30 seconds until fragrant.
  3. Brown the turkey: Add ground turkey to the skillet. Break it apart with a wooden spoon into small crumbles. Let cook undisturbed for 2 minutes to develop a golden crust, then stir and continue cooking for 4-5 minutes until no pink remains.
  4. Season the meat: Sprinkle chili powder, cumin, smoked paprika, oregano, cinnamon, salt, and pepper over the turkey. Stir well to coat and cook for 1 minute to bloom the spices.
  5. Add tomatoes and broth: Pour in fire-roasted tomatoes (with juices) and chicken broth. Scrape the bottom of the skillet to release browned bits. Stir to combine.
  6. Add the beans: Stir in drained and rinsed black beans. Bring the mixture to a gentle simmer.
  7. Simmer and thicken: Reduce heat to medium-low, cover the skillet, and let simmer for 8-10 minutes until flavors meld and sauce thickens slightly. Add more broth if too dry; remove lid if too soupy.
  8. Add the cheese: Sprinkle shredded cheese evenly over the top. Cover the skillet for 1-2 minutes until cheese is melted and bubbly.
  9. Finish and serve: Remove from heat. Garnish with fresh cilantro and serve immediately with lime wedges on the side.

Notes

For best results, use 93% lean ground turkey (not 99% lean) to prevent dryness. Let the skillet rest for 5 minutes before serving to allow flavors to settle. If doubling the recipe, use a larger skillet or cook in batches to avoid overcrowding. For a dairy-free version, skip the cheese or use plant-based shreds. Leftovers keep in the refrigerator for up to 4 days and freeze well for up to 3 months.

Nutrition

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

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