Ground Turkey and Peppers Skillet Easy Weeknight Meal

October 12, 2025November 21, 2024 by Lillian

Looking for a quick and tasty weeknight meal? I’ve got you covered with this delicious Ground Turkey and Peppers Skillet. This colorful dish offers a mix of juicy turkey, fresh peppers, and rich spices, all cooked to perfection in one skillet. It’s simple to make and fills your kitchen with amazing smells. Let’s dive into the easy steps so you can enjoy a healthy dinner tonight!

Why I Love This Recipe

Quick and Easy: This dish comes together in just 30 minutes, making it perfect for busy weeknights.
Flavorful and Zesty: The combination of spices and fresh ingredients creates a deliciously vibrant flavor profile.
Healthy and Nutritious: Packed with lean protein, vegetables, and beans, this skillet meal is both satisfying and good for you.
Versatile and Customizable: You can easily swap in different veggies or spices to suit your taste preferences.

Ingredients

To make a delicious Ground Turkey and Peppers Skillet, you need a few simple items. Here’s what you will gather:

– 1 pound ground turkey

– 2 bell peppers (one red, one yellow), sliced

– 1 medium onion, chopped

– 3 cloves garlic, minced

– 1 teaspoon ground cumin

– 1 teaspoon smoked paprika

– 1 teaspoon chili powder

– 1/2 teaspoon salt

– 1/4 teaspoon black pepper

– 1 can (15 oz) black beans, rinsed and drained

– 1 cup corn kernels (fresh or frozen)

– 2 tablespoons olive oil

– Fresh cilantro, chopped (for garnish)

– Lime wedges (for serving)

These ingredients create a colorful and tasty dish. Ground turkey gives you lean protein. Bell peppers add crunch and sweetness. Onions and garlic give flavor that makes your meal pop. Spices like cumin and smoked paprika bring warmth. Black beans and corn add texture and nutrition. Olive oil helps cook everything nicely and adds richness. Finally, cilantro and lime brighten up the dish when you serve it.

When you combine these ingredients, you make a warm meal that feels good and tastes great.

Step-by-Step Instructions

Preparation Steps

1. Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat.

2. Add the chopped onion to the skillet. Sauté for about 3 minutes. The onion should look translucent.

3. Next, add the minced garlic and sliced bell peppers. Cook for 5 to 7 minutes. Stir occasionally until the peppers soften.

4. Push the veggies to one side of the skillet. Add the ground turkey to the other side. Break it apart with a spatula. Cook for 6 to 8 minutes until browned and cooked through.

5. Once the turkey is cooked, mix it with the vegetables. Sprinkle cumin, smoked paprika, chili powder, salt, and black pepper over the mix. Stir well to combine all the flavors.

6. Stir in the rinsed black beans and corn. Cook for another 4 to 5 minutes until everything is hot.

7. Taste the skillet mixture. Adjust the seasoning if needed. Remove from heat.

8. Serve the skillet warm. Garnish with fresh cilantro and lime wedges on the side.

Tips & Tricks

Best Cooking Practices

How to avoid dry turkey

To keep ground turkey moist, cook it on medium heat. This method helps it brown well without drying out. Breaking it apart with a spatula while it cooks also helps. You can add a splash of chicken broth if you feel it may dry out.

Tips for sautéing vegetables perfectly

Start with the onion. Sauté it for about three minutes until it is soft. Then, add garlic and peppers. Stir often to keep them from burning. Cooking them until they are soft makes the dish taste great.

Importance of seasoning adjustments

Taste your dish before serving. You can add more salt or spices if needed. Everyone’s taste is different, so feel free to adjust. Don’t forget to add lime juice before serving for a fresh kick!

Pro Tips

Use Fresh Ingredients: Fresh bell peppers and onions will provide the best flavor and texture. Choose vibrant, firm vegetables for optimal results.
Customize the Spice Level: Adjust the amount of chili powder to your taste. For a milder dish, reduce the quantity, or add some diced jalapeños for extra heat.
One-Pan Meal: This recipe is versatile; feel free to add other vegetables like zucchini or spinach to make it even heartier without adding additional pans to clean.
Perfect for Meal Prep: This skillet dish stores well in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. Reheat in the microwave for a quick and nutritious meal.

Variations

Ingredient Swaps

You can easily mix up this recipe with some smart swaps.

– Leaner ground meat options: Try ground chicken or lean beef for a different taste. Turkey is great, but these options can add new flavors.

– Alternative vegetables to use: Use zucchini, mushrooms, or even spinach if you want. They add texture and color to the dish. You can get creative with what you have on hand.

– Different seasoning blends: Instead of cumin and chili powder, try Italian herbs or taco seasoning. They will change the dish’s flavor profile while keeping it tasty.

Each swap gives you a new meal experience. Enjoy experimenting with what you like!

Storage Info

Storage Guidelines

Refrigeration instructions:

After cooking, let the ground turkey and peppers cool. Place leftovers in an airtight container. Store in the fridge for up to three days. Always label the container with the date.

Freezing tips and duration:

You can freeze this dish for later use. Allow it to cool completely before freezing. Use a freezer-safe container or bag. It can last up to three months in the freezer. When ready to eat, thaw it in the fridge overnight before reheating.

Reheating suggestions:

To reheat, warm it on the stove over medium heat. Stir occasionally until heated through. You can also use a microwave. Heat in short bursts, stirring in between. Add a splash of water if it seems dry. Enjoy it warm with fresh lime juice on top!

FAQs

Common User Questions

Can I use frozen vegetables?

Yes, you can use frozen vegetables. They save time and are easy to use. Just add them to the skillet in place of fresh ones. They may need a minute or two more to cook through.

How can I make it spicier?

To make it spicier, add more chili powder or some red pepper flakes. You can also include fresh jalapeños or hot sauce to your taste. Start small and add more as you go.

Can I make this ahead of time?

You can make this dish ahead of time. Cook it, let it cool, and store it in the fridge. It stays good for up to three days. Just reheat it on the stove when you’re ready to eat.

What to serve with ground turkey and peppers skillet?

This skillet pairs well with rice or quinoa. You can also serve it with tortillas for a fun twist. Add a side salad for some crunch and freshness.

This blog post covered all the key steps to make a tasty ground turkey and peppers skillet. You learned about the main ingredients and how to prepare them. I shared tips on cooking and variations to suit your taste. Finally, we discussed storage and answered common questions.

With these insights, you can create a delicious meal that fits your style. Enjoy cooking and feel proud of your tasty dis

$To make a delicious Ground Turkey and Peppers Skillet, you need a few simple items. Here’s what you will gather: - 1 pound ground turkey - 2 bell peppers (one red, one yellow), sliced - 1 medium onion, chopped - 3 cloves garlic, minced - 1 teaspoon ground cumin - 1 teaspoon smoked paprika - 1 teaspoon chili powder - 1/2 teaspoon salt - 1/4 teaspoon black pepper - 1 can (15 oz) black beans, rinsed and drained - 1 cup corn kernels (fresh or frozen) - 2 tablespoons olive oil - Fresh cilantro, chopped (for garnish) - Lime wedges (for serving) These ingredients create a colorful and tasty dish. Ground turkey gives you lean protein. Bell peppers add crunch and sweetness. Onions and garlic give flavor that makes your meal pop. Spices like cumin and smoked paprika bring warmth. Black beans and corn add texture and nutrition. Olive oil helps cook everything nicely and adds richness. Finally, cilantro and lime brighten up the dish when you serve it. When you combine these ingredients, you make a warm meal that feels good and tastes great. {{ingredient_image_1}} 1. Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. 2. Add the chopped onion to the skillet. Sauté for about 3 minutes. The onion should look translucent. 3. Next, add the minced garlic and sliced bell peppers. Cook for 5 to 7 minutes. Stir occasionally until the peppers soften. 4. Push the veggies to one side of the skillet. Add the ground turkey to the other side. Break it apart with a spatula. Cook for 6 to 8 minutes until browned and cooked through. 5. Once the turkey is cooked, mix it with the vegetables. Sprinkle cumin, smoked paprika, chili powder, salt, and black pepper over the mix. Stir well to combine all the flavors. 6. Stir in the rinsed black beans and corn. Cook for another 4 to 5 minutes until everything is hot. 7. Taste the skillet mixture. Adjust the seasoning if needed. Remove from heat. 8. Serve the skillet warm. Garnish with fresh cilantro and lime wedges on the side. How to avoid dry turkey To keep ground turkey moist, cook it on medium heat. This method helps it brown well without drying out. Breaking it apart with a spatula while it cooks also helps. You can add a splash of chicken broth if you feel it may dry out. Tips for sautéing vegetables perfectly Start with the onion. Sauté it for about three minutes until it is soft. Then, add garlic and peppers. Stir often to keep them from burning. Cooking them until they are soft makes the dish taste great. Importance of seasoning adjustments Taste your dish before serving. You can add more salt or spices if needed. Everyone’s taste is different, so feel free to adjust. Don’t forget to add lime juice before serving for a fresh kick! Pro Tips Use Fresh Ingredients: Fresh bell peppers and onions will provide the best flavor and texture. Choose vibrant, firm vegetables for optimal results. Customize the Spice Level: Adjust the amount of chili powder to your taste. For a milder dish, reduce the quantity, or add some diced jalapeños for extra heat. One-Pan Meal: This recipe is versatile; feel free to add other vegetables like zucchini or spinach to make it even heartier without adding additional pans to clean. Perfect for Meal Prep: This skillet dish stores well in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. Reheat in the microwave for a quick and nutritious meal. {{image_2}} You can easily mix up this recipe with some smart swaps. - Leaner ground meat options: Try ground chicken or lean beef for a different taste. Turkey is great, but these options can add new flavors. - Alternative vegetables to use: Use zucchini, mushrooms, or even spinach if you want. They add texture and color to the dish. You can get creative with what you have on hand. - Different seasoning blends: Instead of cumin and chili powder, try Italian herbs or taco seasoning. They will change the dish's flavor profile while keeping it tasty. Each swap gives you a new meal experience. Enjoy experimenting with what you like! Refrigeration instructions: After cooking, let the ground turkey and peppers cool. Place leftovers in an airtight container. Store in the fridge for up to three days. Always label the container with the date. Freezing tips and duration: You can freeze this dish for later use. Allow it to cool completely before freezing. Use a freezer-safe container or bag. It can last up to three months in the freezer. When ready to eat, thaw it in the fridge overnight before reheating. Reheating suggestions: To reheat, warm it on the stove over medium heat. Stir occasionally until heated through. You can also use a microwave. Heat in short bursts, stirring in between. Add a splash of water if it seems dry. Enjoy it warm with fresh lime juice on top! Can I use frozen vegetables? Yes, you can use frozen vegetables. They save time and are easy to use. Just add them to the skillet in place of fresh ones. They may need a minute or two more to cook through. How can I make it spicier? To make it spicier, add more chili powder or some red pepper flakes. You can also include fresh jalapeños or hot sauce to your taste. Start small and add more as you go. Can I make this ahead of time? You can make this dish ahead of time. Cook it, let it cool, and store it in the fridge. It stays good for up to three days. Just reheat it on the stove when you’re ready to eat. What to serve with ground turkey and peppers skillet? This skillet pairs well with rice or quinoa. You can also serve it with tortillas for a fun twist. Add a side salad for some crunch and freshness. This blog post covered all the key steps to make a tasty ground turkey and peppers skillet. You learned about the main ingredients and how to prepare them. I shared tips on cooking and variations to suit your taste. Finally, we discussed storage and answered common questions. With these insights, you can create a delicious meal that fits your style. Enjoy cooking and feel proud of your tasty dish!$

Zesty Ground Turkey and Peppers Skillet

A flavorful skillet dish featuring ground turkey, bell peppers, and spices, perfect for a quick weeknight meal.

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 10

Cook Time 20

Total Time 30

Course Main Course

Cuisine American

Servings 4

Calories 350 kcal

Ingredients

1 pound ground turkey
2 count bell peppers (one red, one yellow), sliced
1 medium onion, chopped
3 cloves garlic, minced
1 teaspoon ground cumin
1 teaspoon smoked paprika
1 teaspoon chili powder
0.5 teaspoon salt
0.25 teaspoon black pepper
1 can (15 oz) black beans, rinsed and drained
1 cup corn kernels (fresh or frozen)
2 tablespoons olive oil
None to taste Fresh cilantro, chopped (for garnish)
None to serve Lime wedges

Instructions

Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the chopped onion and sauté for about 3 minutes until translucent.
Add the minced garlic and sliced bell peppers to the skillet. Cook for an additional 5-7 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the peppers are softened.
Push the vegetables to one side of the skillet and add the ground turkey to the other side. Cook the turkey, breaking it apart with a spatula, until browned and fully cooked, about 6-8 minutes.
Once the turkey is cooked, mix it with the vegetables. Sprinkle the cumin, smoked paprika, chili powder, salt, and black pepper over the mixture and stir well to combine.
Stir in the black beans and corn, and continue cooking for another 4-5 minutes until everything is heated through.
Taste and adjust seasoning if necessary. Remove from heat.
Serve the skillet warm, garnished with fresh cilantro and lime wedges on the side.