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Easy Ground Turkey Taco Skillet: Best 20-Minute Budget Dinner

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This easy ground turkey taco skillet is a quick, budget-friendly weeknight dinner that comes together in 20 minutes. It’s packed with flavor from simple pantry ingredients and is endlessly adaptable for the whole family.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 lb (450g) ground turkey (93% lean)
  • 1 tbsp (15ml) olive oil
  • 1 medium yellow onion, diced
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 2 tbsp (16g) chili powder
  • 1 tsp (3g) ground cumin
  • 1 tsp (3g) smoked paprika
  • 1/2 tsp (1g) dried oregano
  • Salt and black pepper to taste (start with 1/2 tsp salt and 1/4 tsp pepper)
  • 1 can (14.5 oz / 411g) fire-roasted diced tomatoes (undrained)
  • 2 tbsp (30g) tomato paste
  • 1/4 cup (60ml) low-sodium chicken broth
  • Optional garnishes: fresh cilantro, shredded cheese, sour cream, diced avocado, lime wedges

Instructions

  1. Prep your ingredients: Dice the onion, mince the garlic, and measure out your spices. Set aside a small bowl with chili powder, cumin, smoked paprika, oregano, salt, and pepper.
  2. Heat the skillet: Place a large skillet over medium-high heat and add olive oil. Let it shimmer for about 30 seconds.
  3. Sauté the aromatics: Add diced onion and cook, stirring occasionally, until soft and translucent (3-4 minutes). Add minced garlic and cook for 30 seconds until fragrant.
  4. Brown the turkey: Add ground turkey to the skillet. Break it up into crumbles and let it cook undisturbed for 2 minutes to develop a brown crust. Then stir and continue cooking until no pink remains (5-6 minutes total).
  5. Add the spices: Sprinkle chili powder, cumin, smoked paprika, oregano, salt, and pepper over the turkey. Stir well to coat and cook for 1 minute until fragrant.
  6. Add the tomatoes and paste: Pour in diced tomatoes (with juices) and add tomato paste. Stir until fully incorporated.
  7. Deglaze and simmer: Pour in chicken broth and scrape the bottom of the pan to release any stuck-on bits. Bring to a gentle simmer, then reduce heat to medium-low. Cook uncovered for 5 minutes, stirring occasionally, until sauce thickens slightly.
  8. Taste and adjust: Taste and add more salt, pepper, or heat (cayenne or hot sauce) as desired.
  9. Rest and serve: Remove from heat and let rest for 2 minutes. Serve immediately with desired toppings.

Notes

For best results, use 93% lean ground turkey to avoid dryness. Fire-roasted tomatoes add extra flavor. Let the turkey develop a brown crust before stirring for deeper flavor. The recipe can be made ahead and tastes even better the next day. Freezes well for up to 3 months.

Nutrition

Keywords: ground turkey taco skillet, easy taco skillet, 20-minute dinner, budget dinner, weeknight dinner, ground turkey recipe, taco filling

Find it online: https://daintydine.com/easy-ground-turkey-taco-skillet-best-20-minute-budget-dinner/