Description
Ground Turkey and Zucchini Skillet: Quick, healthy, and delicious one-pan meal with lean turkey, fresh zucchini, and flavorful spices.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 pound (454g) lean ground turkey
- 2 medium zucchini (about 1 pound/454g), diced into ¼-inch pieces
- 1 medium yellow onion (about 1 cup/160g), finely diced
- 3 cloves garlic (about 1 tablespoon/9g), minced
- 2 tablespoons (30ml) olive oil, divided
- 1 teaspoon (5g) salt, adjusted to taste
- ½ teaspoon (2g) black pepper
- 1 teaspoon (2g) dried Italian herbs
- ½ teaspoon (1g) paprika
Instructions
- Step 1: Prepare Your Ingredients Begin by patting the ground turkey dry with paper towels to remove excess moisture—this helps with browning rather than steaming. Dice your zucchini into uniform ¼-inch pieces and finely chop the onion and garlic. Having everything prepped before starting ensures your Ground Turkey and Zucchini Skillet comes together quickly and cooks evenly.
- Step 2: Brown the Turkey Heat 1 tablespoon olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat until shimmering. Add the ground turkey, breaking it into small pieces with a wooden spoon. Season with half the salt and pepper. Cook for 5-7 minutes until no longer pink and starting to brown in spots. The caramelization adds significant flavor to your turkey zucchini dinner. Transfer the cooked turkey to a plate, leaving behind any rendered juices.
- Step 3: Sauté the Aromatics In the same skillet, add the remaining tablespoon of olive oil. Add the diced onion and cook for 2-3 minutes until translucent. Stir in the minced garlic and cook for another 30 seconds until fragrant, being careful not to burn it. If using tomato paste, add it now and cook for 30 seconds, stirring constantly to develop flavor.
- Step 4: Cook the Zucchini Increase heat to high and add the diced zucchini to the skillet. Season with remaining salt, pepper, dried Italian herbs, and paprika. Cook without stirring too frequently for 2-3 minutes to allow browning. The high heat helps evaporate moisture, preventing a soggy Ground Turkey and Zucchini Skillet.
- Step 5: Combine and Finish Return the cooked turkey to the skillet and stir to combine with the zucchini mixture. If using, add chicken broth or soy sauce and simmer for 1-2 minutes until most liquid has evaporated but the mixture remains moist. Taste and adjust seasoning if needed. For added richness, sprinkle with grated Parmesan and fold gently to incorporate.
- Step 6: Serve Remove your zucchini turkey skillet from heat and let it rest for 1 minute. Garnish with fresh herbs just before serving for a burst of color and flavor. Serve hot, either on its own as a low-carb meal or with your choice of sides.
Notes
Fresh ingredients will always yield the best flavor results.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1.5 cups
- Calories: 290
- Sugar: 6g
- Sodium: 780mg
- Fat: 15g
- Saturated Fat: 3g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 10g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 28g
- Cholesterol: 80mg