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Healthy Ground Turkey Veggie Skillet (One-Pan Meal) - Fast, Fresh, and Satisfying

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Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Total Time 30 minutes
Servings: 4 servings
Ingredients Method

Ingredients
  

  • 1 tablespoon olive oil (or avocado oil)
  • 1 pound lean ground turkey
  • 1 medium yellow onion, diced
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 red bell pepper, diced
  • 1 zucchini, halved and sliced
  • 1 cup broccoli florets, chopped small
  • 1 cup mushrooms, sliced (optional but recommended)
  • 1 medium carrot, diced or thinly sliced
  • 2 cups baby spinach or chopped kale
  • 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
  • 1 teaspoon ground cumin
  • 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
  • 1/2 teaspoon chili powder (adjust to taste)
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt, plus more to taste
  • 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
  • 1 tablespoon tomato paste
  • 1/3 cup low-sodium chicken broth (or water)
  • 1 tablespoon lemon juice (or apple cider vinegar)
  • Fresh parsley or cilantro, chopped, for garnish
  • Optional add-ins: 1/2 cup canned corn, 1/2 cup canned black beans (rinsed and drained), red pepper flakes for heat

Method
 

  1. Preheat and prep: Set a large skillet over medium heat. Chop all your vegetables so they’re ready to go.
  2. Sauté aromatics: Add olive oil to the pan. Cook the onion for 2–3 minutes until it softens, then add garlic and cook 30 seconds until fragrant.
  3. Brown the turkey: Add the ground turkey. Break it up with a spatula and cook 4–6 minutes until no longer pink. If excess liquid appears, let it simmer off to get light browning.
  4. Season the meat: Stir in smoked paprika, cumin, oregano, chili powder, salt, and pepper. Cook 1 minute to bloom the spices.
  5. Add sturdy veggies: Mix in bell pepper, carrot, broccoli, and mushrooms. Cook 4–5 minutes, stirring occasionally, until they start to soften.
  6. Add quick-cooking veggies: Stir in zucchini. Cook 2–3 minutes more.
  7. Make it saucy: Add tomato paste and stir to coat. Pour in chicken broth and simmer 2 minutes to bring everything together.
  8. Finish and brighten: Stir in spinach and cook until wilted, about 1 minute. Add lemon juice and adjust salt and pepper to taste.
  9. Optional add-ins: Fold in corn or black beans and heat through for 1–2 minutes.
  10. Serve: Top with chopped parsley or cilantro. Serve as-is, or over brown rice, quinoa, cauliflower rice, or whole-grain pasta.