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Ground Turkey Taco Skillet

Ground Turkey Taco Skillet

A quick and flavorful one-pan meal with lean ground turkey, colorful bell peppers, black beans, and sweetcorn in a spiced tomato sauce. Perfect for busy weeknights.
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 30 minutes
Total Time 45 minutes
Servings: 4 servings
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: American
Calories: 350

Ingredients
  

  • 500 g lean ground turkey
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 1 medium onion finely diced
  • 2 cloves garlic minced
  • 1 red bell pepper diced
  • 1 green bell pepper diced
  • 400 g can chopped tomatoes
  • 100 g tomato puree
  • 2 teaspoons ground cumin
  • 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
  • 1 teaspoon dried oregano
  • ½ teaspoon chilli powder adjust to taste
  • 200 ml chicken stock
  • 400 g can black beans drained and rinsed
  • 150 g sweetcorn tinned or frozen
  • Salt and black pepper to taste

Method
 

  1. Brown the turkey: Heat the olive oil in a large frying pan over medium-high heat until it shimmers. Add the turkey mince and break it apart with a wooden spoon. Cook for 5-6 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the meat turns a pale golden brown and you hear a gentle sizzle. The turkey should look crumbly with no pink spots remaining.
  2. Sweat the aromatics: Reduce the heat to medium. Add the diced onion and both bell peppers. Stir everything together, scraping up any browned bits from the bottom. Cook for 3-4 minutes until the onions turn translucent and the peppers soften — you'll smell a sweet, savoury fragrance rising from the pan.
  3. Bloom the spices: Tip in the minced garlic, cumin, smoked paprika, oregano, and chilli powder. Stir constantly for about 1 minute until the spices become fragrant and the mixture takes on a deep, rusty red colour. The aroma at this stage should be rich and warming.
  4. Build the sauce: Pour in the chopped tomatoes, tomato puree, and chicken stock. Stir well to combine, scraping the bottom of the pan again. Bring the mixture to a gentle bubble — you should see small bubbles breaking across the surface, not a violent boil.
  5. Simmer the skillet: Reduce the heat to low and let the mixture simmer uncovered for 8-10 minutes. Stir occasionally. The sauce will thicken and reduce slightly, and the colour will deepen to a rich brick red. You'll know it's ready when the liquid no longer looks watery and coats the back of a spoon.
  6. Add the beans and corn: Fold in the drained black beans and sweetcorn. Continue cooking for another 3-4 minutes until everything is heated through. The beans should be tender but hold their shape, and the corn will add little pops of sweetness.
  7. Season and rest: Taste the mixture and add salt and pepper as needed. Remove the pan from the heat and let it sit for 5 minutes. This short rest allows the flavours to meld together and the sauce to thicken further. The final texture should be saucy but not soupy, with tender turkey and vegetables throughout.

Notes

Adjust chili powder to your preferred heat level. Serve with tortilla chips, rice, or in lettuce wraps. Leftovers keep well in the fridge for up to 3 days.