Hearty Ground Turkey Taco Skillet for Busy Nights (Print Version)

Whip up this Easy Ground Turkey Taco Skillet! A flavorful, quick dinner with lean turkey and taco spices, perfect for weeknights.

# Recipe Info:

Prep Time: 10 Minutes minutes
Cook Time: 20 Minutes minutes
Total Time: 30 minutes
Servings: 4 Servings
Difficulty: Beginner
Cuisine: Tex-Mex
Dietary: High Protein

# Ingredients:

→ Skillet Base

01 - 1 lb lean ground turkey
02 - 1 yellow onion, chopped
03 - 1 bell pepper (any color), chopped
04 - 1 (14.5 oz) can diced tomatoes, undrained
05 - 1 (15 oz) can black beans, rinsed and drained

→ Taco Flavor Boosters

06 - 1 packet (1 oz) taco seasoning
07 - 2 cloves garlic, minced

→ Creamy Add-ins

08 - 4 oz cream cheese, softened
09 - 1/2 cup low sodium chicken broth

→ Fresh Toppings

10 - 1/4 cup fresh cilantro, chopped (optional)
11 - 1 cup shredded cheese (Cheddar or Mexican blend)

# Instructions:

01 - First things first, get your big skillet over medium-high heat. A little olive oil in there, then toss in your ground turkey. Break it up with a spoon, you know the drill. Cook it until it's no longer pink, maybe 5-7 minutes. This is where you get some lovely browning, which means flavor! Drain any excess fat if there's a lot, especially if you didn't go for super lean turkey. I always give it a good stir and make sure there are no big clumps.
02 - Now, push the turkey to one side of the skillet or scoop it out for a sec. Add your chopped onion and bell pepper to the empty space. Let them soften up for about 3-5 minutes, stirring occasionally. You want them tender-crisp, not mushy. I love how the kitchen starts smelling amazing right about now – that sweet onion and pepper aroma is just the best. Don't rush this part; it builds flavor for your Easy Ground Turkey Taco Skillet.
03 - Time for the good stuff! Stir the minced garlic into the veggies and cook for just a minute until it's fragrant – don't let it burn, that's a sad smell! Then, add the taco seasoning, diced tomatoes (undrained!), and rinsed black beans to the skillet. Give everything a really good stir, making sure all those spices are coating the turkey and veggies. This step is crucial for infusing that classic taco taste into your Easy Ground Turkey Taco Skillet.
04 - Stir in the chicken broth and bring the mixture to a gentle simmer. Once it's bubbling a bit, reduce the heat to low, then add the cream cheese. Stir, stir, stir until it's completely melted and creates this wonderfully creamy, dreamy sauce. It might look a little lumpy at first, but keep stirring, it will smooth out, I promise. This is what makes this Easy Ground Turkey Taco Skillet so comforting.
05 - Once that sauce is all smooth and luscious, sprinkle your shredded cheese evenly over the top of the skillet. Cover the skillet with a lid (or foil if you don't have a lid) and let it sit for about 3-5 minutes, or until the cheese is gloriously melted and bubbly. Oh, the anticipation! I always peek after a couple of minutes, honestly, because who can resist? The melted cheese just takes this Easy Ground Turkey Taco Skillet to the next level.
06 - Remove the lid, sprinkle with fresh cilantro if you're using it, and get ready to dig in! Serve your Hearty Ground Turkey Taco Skillet straight from the pan, or scoop it into bowls. It's fantastic on its own, but also amazing with tortilla chips, rice, or wrapped in warm tortillas. This is the moment where all that kitchen chaos pays off; a delicious, satisfying meal ready to devour.

# Notes:

01 - Personal cooking tip I've learned through experience: Don't skip rinsing the black beans; it really does make a difference in the sauce's clarity.
02 - Storage advice that actually works from my kitchen trials: Gently reheat leftovers on the stovetop with a splash of broth to maintain creaminess.
03 - Substitution I've tried that worked surprisingly well: Pinto beans are a great swap if you're out of black beans.
04 - Serving suggestion that makes this dish extra special: A dollop of sour cream and some crushed tortilla chips on top!

# Tools You'll Need:

01 - Large skillet with a lid

# Nutrition Facts (Per Serving):

Calories: 450 kcal
Total Fat: 25g
Total Carbohydrate: 25g
Protein: 35g

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