Taco turkey and potato skillet has your favorite taco flavors in a mixture of ground turkey, diced potatoes and veggies. This is an easy one-pot dinner!
This post has been updated with new photos.
I've got a great, easy, one-pot dinner recipe for you today.
It's a healthy taco turkey and potato skillet that combines my undying love of potatoes with tasty taco goodness.
Easy, healthy, delicious - all the things I'm after in a meal!
(You might also like this one-pan cheesy skillet chicken and potatoes for a different twist.)
This family friendly and budget friendly dinner is sure to be a hit. And it's my favorite way to use ground turkey and potatoes, which I almost always have on hand.
OK, let's get cooking so you can enjoy this too.
Recipe Tips and Notes:
I think it's important to season each layer as you're cooking -- first the potato mixture then the ground turkey -- and then combine and season everything again. It really helps infuse the taco flavor throughout the dish.
Make sure the potatoes are chopped very small - about ¼-inch cubes -- so they cook all the way through. If they are too big, they'll still be a bit crunchy, and that's not good.
I use a lean ground turkey (because I always do with our tacos) but you could certainly sub ground beef if that's what you prefer. (You might need to drain any excess grease.) Or you could try using ground chicken, ground pork or a mix of meats.
I use and prefer homemade taco seasoning so I can control the amount of sodium. Store-bought is fine, too, just reduce the amount of salt you use in the recipe and taste near the end to adjust.
And don't forget to add your favorite toppings, just as you would if you were eating tacos. You know I love some toppings so everyone can make it their own!
Leftovers keep really well. There are details are in the recipe card below.
And they are seriously great any time of day.
I will make them with a fried egg on top as a hash for breakfast or wrapped in a tortilla for lunch or just reheated as is for dinner another night.
Variations:
You can substitute black beans for the ground turkey and make a vegetarian taco dinner. (It could also be vegan without the cheese or with a vegan cheese substitute.)
Or you can add black beans to this mix and make it an even more hearty meal. It's a good way to stretch it, too, if you have a couple of extra mouths to feed or want to have leftovers.
You could also substitute sweet potatoes or russet potatoes for the Yukon potatoes. I don't discriminate when it comes to potatoes, I just love them all!
Any way you make it, any way you serve it, this healthy taco potato skillet is an easy, fun twist to get your taco cravings met.
Because you cannot, should not, resist a taco craving.
Enjoy!
XO,
Kathryn
Healthy Taco Turkey and Potato Skillet
Ingredients
- 2 teaspoons extra virgin olive oil
- 1 small onion, chopped
- 1 cup chopped bell pepper (green, red or a mix of colors)
- 3 medium Yukon Gold potatoes, diced very small (¼-inch cubes) - about 3 ½ cups total
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt, divided (see notes)
- ½ teaspoon black pepper, divided
- 3 tablespoons taco seasoning, divided
- ¾ cup water, divided
- 1 lb. lean ground turkey (see notes)
For serving:
- Shredded lettuce, chopped tomato or salsa or pico de gallo, shredded cheddar cheese, Greek yogurt or sour cream, avocado or guac, chopped cilantro, jalapenos, etc.
Instructions
- Heat oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add onion, peppers and potatoes and cook for 10 minutes, stirring occasionally. Add garlic and cook for another 30 seconds.
- Season with ½ teaspoon salt, ¼ teaspoon black pepper and 1 tablespoon taco seasoning. Add ¼ cup water and let simmer on medium-low for 3-4 minutes, until liquid is absorbed.
- Remove the potato mixture to a bowl.
- Turn the heat up to medium again and add the ground turkey to the same skillet (I find there's no need to add more oil). Season with remaining salt and pepper and cook until no pink remains, breaking it up with a spatula as it cooks, about 8-9 minutes total.
- Season turkey with one tablespoon of taco seasoning and add ¼ cup water. (You can use a little less if there's a lot of liquid in the pan.) Let simmer on medium-low heat for 3-4 minutes.
- Add the potato mixture back to the skillet and stir to get everything well combined. Add remaining tablespoon of taco seasoning and another 2-3 tablespoons of water. Simmer on medium-low heat for 5-6 minutes, stirring occasionally.
- Serve piled high with your favorite taco toppings and enjoy!
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Notes
Nutrition
Love all things taco like we do?
Other favorite taco meals in our house are this taco pasta, these baked shredded chicken tacos and baked taco mac and cheese with a crunchy tortilla chip topping.
We even make taco pizza and breakfast tacos! I told you, we are taco obsessed.
Here's an earlier photo of this recipe for reference.
Dawn @ Girl Heart Food says
What a great twist on Taco Tuesday, Kathryn! Love that this is one skillet and love your suggestion of leftovers with a fried egg or even adding black beans to make it more hearty. Would definitely do that. This is my kinda recipe and would have absolutely no problem making a double batch and then hubby and I eating throughout the week. We could totally change it up a bit with toppings. Love and Pinned! Thanks for sharing, girl!
Kathryn says
Yes, they are so many ways to eat this! A double batch is definitely a good plan 🙂
Jeannie@jeanniestriedandtruerecipes says
This looks delicious! My family loves taco night so will have to try this recipe soon!
Kathryn says
We do too! This is one of our favorite twists on taco night 🙂
karrie@TastyEverAfter says
You know I love all things taco girl, so I'm extra loving this recipe!! Perfect for brunch too. YEEEEESSSSSS!!! Pinned 🙂
Kathryn says
Thanks Karrie 🙂 You'll love this, any time of day!
Nancy | Plus Ate Six says
This is perfect for a weekend brunch with cheese and sour cream. Love that it's all in one pot - I'd be eating it straight out of the pan 🙂
Kathryn says
I have been known to sneak several large spoonfuls from the pan before serving this up 😉
Kate @ Framed Cooks says
I am on a ground turkey kick myself these days - there must be something in the air! Looks delectable and I am PINNING!
Kathryn says
Thanks Kate! We're totally in sync 😉
Cheyanne @ No Spoon Necessary says
Yay for tacos AND potatoes IN a one pot meal!! This is totally a winning dish, Kathryn! I am a topping addict so I'm going to load mine up with all your suggested fixin's! Seriously yummy stuff going on here! Cheers, dear!
Kathryn says
It's a serious combination of my favorites! And I know you will load it sky high with the toppings Cheyanne 😉
Rachelle @ Beer Girl Cooks says
You just can't go wrong with easy, healthy, one pot dinners! And who doesn't love taco flavors?!?!
Kathryn says
Exactly! It's hitting all kinds of marks for me 😉 Thanks Rachelle!
Michelle | The Secret Ingredient Is says
I am always on board for more options for taco nights! We always use ground turkey too, but my biggest fear is that I'll never season it enough and it will make everything taste bland-- so I love the idea of throwing it all in one pot with the veggies and potatoes! Perfect way to get tons of great flavor. Also, leftovers with a fried egg? Yes please.
Kathryn says
Yes - totally agree! And seasoning each layer - the veggies, then the turkey, then everything mixed together, really infuses that flavor throughout! (And I'm all about making dinner leftovers into some crazy good breakfasts!)
Mary Ann | The Beach House Kitchen says
Perfect Taco Tuesday dinner Kathryn! Or for any day of the week really! Love that it's healthier than the usual items on the Taco Tuesday menu!
Kathryn says
Thanks Mary Ann! I'm all about the healthy and easy dinners 🙂
Martin @ The Why Chef says
I always make my tacos + other mince products with turkey to cut down on the calories. Plus this sounds like a healthy version of one of my favourite sin foods!! Double bonus with the taco seasoning recipe - I'll use that as well!
Kathryn says
Yay, using ground turkey is such a healthy swap that doesn't sacrifice flavor! And you must try homemade taco seasoning - so much better than the stale store-bought stuff! Thanks for stopping by Martin 🙂
Karen @ Seasonal Cravings says
Love a healthy twist on the taco. Sweet potatoes would be good too!
Kathryn says
Thanks Karen 🙂 I'm always looking for new and different ideas with tacos - love those flavors!
Vicky @ Avocado Pesto says
Love the sounds of this healthy dinner recipe. Would love to try it with black beans too and without the dairy for a vegan version! Happy to be hosting this giveaway with you! Pinning, tweeting, yumming!
Kathryn says
Thanks so much Vicky! I think the vegan version would be delicious too 🙂
Frugal Hausfrau says
There's just about everything I could ever want in there! Looks delish and thanks for sharing on Throwback Thursday!
Mollie
rachel @ atheltic avocado says
what a quick and easy meal! I love all things about tacos 🙂
Kathryn says
ME TOO! Thanks Rachel!
Sarah says
How many calories per serving?
Kathryn says
Hi Sarah! I don't post nutritional information on my site right now, but you can plug the recipe into a calorie counter if you're interested. Here's one that I have heard good things about: http://www.myfitnesspal.com/recipe/calculator Hope that helps!
Megan @ MegUnprocessed says
Love when I can get away with just using one pan!
Kathryn says
The best, right?! 😊
Deborah Funches says
I can hardly wait to try your Turkey potato tacos. I only cook with Turkey so it's nice to find new recipes in which to use up all of the Turkey meat. Thank you.
Kathryn Doherty says
I hope you love it Deborah! We don't eat much red meat so I cook with turkey A LOT too! You can check out my other turkey recipes here if you'd like: https://www.familyfoodonthetable.com/category/maindishes/turkey/ Enjoy!
Beth says
I’m very late to the party, but wanted to thank you for this great dish - made it last night. Next step - adjusting it for the Instant Pot, which I use for 90% of my cooking! : ) Thank you!
Kathryn Doherty says
I'm so happy to hear you loved this Beth, thanks for sharing! 😊 Would love to hear if you make it in the Instant Pot!
Beth says
Will do! BTW, we ate it in bowls - my husband added shredded cheese, lettuce and grape tomatoes to his. I ate mine plain because it was so good there was no way I was going to take the time to melt cheese on top and open the frig to get lettuce and tomatoes.
Kathryn Doherty says
Haha, love that! Sounds just like me and my husband, too 😊