This healthy Ground Turkey and Potato Skillet with broccoli makes for a nutritious, delicious, and nourishing one pan meal in around 40 minutes. It’s gluten free, high fiber, high protein, and easy to make!
I love to use lean ground turkey to make healthy, protein dense meals. For example, ground turkey meatloaf, ground turkey tacos, and turkey stuffed acorn squash!
Table of contents
If you’re looking for a simple, nutritionally balanced meal, this one pan ground turkey and potato skillet has your back.
The potatoes are full of fiber plus complex carbs and broccolini packs in fiber, nutrients and antioxidants. Lean turkey makes for a low fat, high protein addition, for a hearty, nourishing meal with 27 grams of protein per portion.
Potatoes and broccoli skillet recipe is versatile, too. Swap out baby potatoes for sweet potato, swap turkey for ground chicken or ground beef, and experiment with extra veggies.
All you need is 10 minutes prep time and 30 minutes cooking time to prepare this for dinner. Then enjoy it alone or with extra veggies or complex carbs.
If you want more simple meat and potatoes inspiration, you might like Instant Pot chicken and potatoes, one pan chicken and potatoes, and roasted chicken thighs and potatoes.
You may also love to browse these 45 ground turkey recipes!
Ingredients
All you need is 9 ingredients, plus salt and pepper, for this one pot skillet recipe.
- Ground turkey: I use lean ground turkey, but use your preferred fat level.
- Potatoes: I used baby potatoes, but you could also use larger regular or sweet potatoes.
- Broccolini: I love the slightly sweeter flavor of broccolini over broccoli. Alternatively, use regular broccoli, and cut it down into small florets.
- Oil: Use any neutral cooking oil, such as coconut oil or avocado oil.
- Aromatics: A combination of garlic and onion for tons of added flavor.
- Lemon juice: Use fresh lemon juice for the best flavor.
- Soy sauce: For a gluten free option, use tamari or coconut aminos. If preferred, use reduced sodium soy, but dark soy will add the deepest flavor.
- Salt and black pepper: Season to taste.
- Water: For more flavor, use vegetable broth.
- Green onions: Alternatively, chives would work well.
How to Make Ground Turkey and Potato Skillet
Chop:
- Thinly slice the garlic, dice the onion, and chop the potatoes down into small, even sized, 1 inch pieces. Also, cut the broccolini into 2 inch long pieces.
Sauté:
- Heat a large Dutch oven, heavy bottomed stainless steel pan, or non-stick skillet over medium high heat and add a tablespoon swirl of oil. Once hot, add 5 of the cloves of garlic and the broccolini. Cook for 4-5 minutes, stirring every 45 seconds. When ready, they should be lightly browned on all sides. Then add the lemon juice and salt and pepper, transfer everything to a medium bowl, and set aside.
- Add another tablespoon of oil to the pan with the remaining 2 garlic cloves and sauté for 2 minutes, stirring frequently. Then, add the ground turkey, cooking it for 5 minutes, using your spatula to break it into small pieces.
Cover and Cook:
- Add the soy sauce, potatoes, and water and stir gently. Bring to a boil, cover with a lid, then reduce the heat to medium low and simmer for 20 minutes, or until the potatoes are tender.
Assemble:
- Mix in the previously cooked broccolini and the finely chopped green onion, and serve!
Tips and Notes
- Experiment with ingredient pairings: This recipe method will work with several variations of the ingredients and seasonings. This includes making a sweet potato turkey skillet or ground beef potato skillet.
- If using sweet potato: Ensure you cut it into ½-inch pieces to cook within the timeframe. It may still take slightly longer.
- Cooking time may vary: Based on how large the pieces of potato are and size of your pan.
- Don’t overcrowd the pan: Otherwise, the potato won’t cook properly and will take longer than specified. If necessary, cook in batches.
- To omit the soy sauce: I love the extra umami rich depth of flavor it adds. However, you could omit it entirely and use more salt.
Variations
- Alternative protein: Swap out the ground turkey for chicken or ground beef. You could also omit the ground meat from the skillet and serve the potatoes and broccoli alongside baked salmon in foil.
- Beans: Kidney beans or white beans will add extra fiber and protein, making for a heartier one pan meal.
- Spice: Either add a small amount of sauteed chili, a pinch of red pepper flakes, or some hot sauce.
- Meat free: Swap the turkey for crispy fried tofu recipe.
- Other vegetables: Swap out the broccolini for green beans or asparagus. You could also further boost the meal by adding spinach or kale, peas, bell pepper, and other quick cooking veggies.
- Alternative seasoning: These ingredients would pair well with cumin, taco seasoning, garam masala, or curry powder.
- Cheese: Add some shredded mozzarella, cheddar or pepper jack when serving.
How to Serve this Ground Turkey and Potato Skillet?
While this can easily be enjoyed as a complete one pan meal, there are several ways that you could add to it for a heartier meal.
For example, boost the nutrients by serving this alongside extra veggie sides such as garlic green beans.
You could also serve the turkey, potatoes, and broccoli over a portion of complex carbs such as brown rice or quinoa.
For a lower carb accompaniment, learn how to make cauliflower rice or try zucchini noodles.
If I want a lighter meal, I’ll often enjoy it alongside a green salad, such as lemon kale salad with garlic and parmesan, or this simple lettuce salad recipe.
FAQs
There are several ways you can cut down on prep. For example, you could chop the various vegetables 1-2 days in advance and store them in separate containers in the refrigerator.
You could also prepare the entire meal and save the leftovers as written below.
Allow the dish to cool and then store it in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 3 days.
I haven’t tried it, though all the elements should freeze fairly well. I recommend portioning it into freezer safe containers or Ziplock bags and freezing it for up to 3 months. Allow it to thaw in the fridge overnight before reheating.
Not at all. A deep non stick skillet or Dutch oven would also work for this dinner.
More Healthy Turkey Recipes
- One pot turkey tetrazzini
- Unstuffed cabbage rolls
- Ground turkey stew
- Turkey chili
- Spinach feta turkey burgers
- Ground turkey zucchini boats
More Broccoli Recipes to Try
- Ground turkey and broccoli pasta
- Healthy beef and broccoli
- Healthy broccoli salad
- Broccoli mushroom stir fry
Ground Turkey and Potato Skillet with Broccoli
Ingredients
- 2 tbsp avocado or coconut oil divided
- 7 large garlic cloves thinly sliced & divided
- 4 cups broccolini or broccoli cut into 2″ long pieces
- 1/3 lemon juice of
- 1/4 tsp salt
- Ground black pepper to taste
- 1 medium onion chopped
- 1 lb ground turkey lean
- 2 tbsp soy sauce I used Bragg liquid aminos
- 2 lbs baby potatoes 4-5 cups, cut into even sizes
- 1 cup water boiling
- 2 green onion sprigs chopped
Instructions
- Preheat dutch oven, large deep skillet or heavy bottom stainless steel pot on medium-high heat. Add 1 tbsp oil, 5 garlic cloves and broccolini. Cook for 4 – 5 minutes, stirring every 45 seconds or until garlic and broccolini get a nice char on each side. Add lemon juice, salt and pepper; stir and transfer to a medium bowl. Set aside.
- Return dutch oven to medium heat and add remaining 1 tbsp of oil. Add remaining 2 garlic cloves and onion; sauté for 2 minutes, stirring frequently. Add ground turkey and cook for 5 more minutes, breaking meat into pieces with a spatula.
- Add soy sauce, potatoes, water and stir gently to combine. Bring to a boil, cover and cook on low-medium heat for 20 minutes. Check potatoes for readiness and if necessary cook a bit longer. Then add previously cooked broccolini and green onion. Stir gently and serve hot.
Yum. Another big hit in my household. Thank you. Your recipes and techniques are reinvigorating my cooking repertoire with truly tasty, healthy, and satisfying meals.
You are welcome.:) We all have different kitchen secrets and cooking techniques. Quite often I go like “yeah, that’s so cool, tasty and different”.:) I really like to keep my recipes simple like I would do for my family, probably breaking the rules of professional cooks often LOL. Enjoy!
Hi Olena! Great recipes you have here- I’m so glad I found your site! Do you think I could substitute sweet potatoes with the same results?
Hi Amber. Thank you!:) Yes, you can. Just make sure to cut sweet potatoes in large cubes and you might have to cook them for less than 20 minutes like the recipe tells you to cook white potatoes. Check after 15 mins. .:)
Honestly, I did’t used to like being in the kitchen but with these recipes are just awesome. The way we women love shopping is the same way I’m beginning to love cooking. Your recipes are healthy and then easy too. You have motivated me to start my own personal cook book. I always look forward to what I am going to cook the next day. I also have two kids and I need them to get used to eating healthy. Thanks
Good for you!!! I’m so happy to hear I could make a positive change on someone’s family. Cooking is easy and fun! healthy food is everything but mainly – health! In our days so many people are out of touch with real food eating from packages, which is not even food! So, good for you and your kids! Enjoy!
This is the third recipe that I have taken from this site and so far I have not been disappointed. Im trying to increase my own personal cookbook with these awesome recipes.
Awesome! The best comment on Monday morning.LOL
As soon as I saw the potatoes I knew I had to make this ( plus I had ground turkey in the fridge) As a fellow Ukrainian I ♡ potatoes. Such a comfort food! This is another keeper. 🙂
So you made it?!:) Who doesn’t like potatoes?!:)
I sure did! I made it yesterday and had enough for lunch leftovers today
I made this today and it turned out just delicious! I’m actually in love with your blog and your recipes, it’s one of the few blogs that actually inspire me to cook, keep the great job!
Haha, I’m glad I didn’t ruin your dinner.:) Cooking is really easy and so much fun. Glad I could make you feel that way.:) Enjoy and thank you so much for your kind words!
“Potatoes are good for you” is the best bit of news I’ve heard in a while. This looks delicious.
Means a lot for us, Russians, right?! We are such potato lovers!:)
Oh my goodness I totally agree with you about ignoring the mess. That can be so hard for a clutter hater like me, but so very wise or you will certainly go insane. Carolyn and I both have 3 kids and I can tell you it is pure chaos!! Thankfully I have learned to delegate to my oldest two and that helps a bunch! Love your recipe too!
I hate clutter too. My cupboards and drawers used to be 100% organized. Now, maybe 70% is and the rest is hiding. I used to do spring cleaning way more. Things like that. I ignore, do less often or hire people. 3 kids…I have no idea how you can manage. Your kids are older now, so that’s easier…in a way. Is it ever easy though?!:)
Ignore the mess indeed! The best thing I ever did for myself as a parent was to get some cleaners in every two weeks. Now I truly ignore the mess a lot more, knowing that someone will be in to clean soon. And like you, we don’t have family in the area at all so it’s just me and my husband! We need all the help we can get.
No family in the area really sucks…or not. Kidding.:) Maybe one day I will get cleaners again. I used to have a cleaning lady and it was wonderful…I gotta admit it was amazing!
The mess! Yes, this is a major source of strife and much energy wasted in our house. You are so right to not focus on it. I think I would magically have two more hours in the day if I didn’t. I agree, food blogging isn’t the hardest job. That is true. I often don’t feel like it is work since i love it so much. I just need to fix my schedule! Great recipe. We don’t eat enough broccolini. It is one of my favorite veggies to use for photo shoots though. 🙂 Thanks for your tip Olena!
I think food blogging is a dream job if you love cooking and are good with technical stuff and marketing yourself.:) I have been buying broccolini a lot since Costco always seem to have it. And it fills me up magically! Looking great in pictures is an added bonus. Sometimes food tastes awesome but looks yuk, right?!:) Keep it up, mommy!:)