Ground Turkey Zucchini Skillet has become my absolute go-to for a weeknight dinner that feels both incredibly healthy and satisfyingly simple. I remember the first time I whipped this up; I was looking for a quick way to use up some fresh zucchini from the garden, and I was amazed by how quickly it came together. The aroma of garlic and herbs filling my kitchen was just divine, and the tender zucchini paired with savory ground turkey was a match made in heaven. This easy ground turkey and zucchini recipe proves that delicious and nutritious meals don’t have to be complicated. Let’s get cooking!
Why You’ll Love This Ground Turkey Zucchini Skillet
You’re going to adore this versatile dish for so many reasons:
- It’s incredibly quick: Perfect for busy weeknights!
- Super healthy: Packed with lean protein and fresh veggies.
- So versatile: Easily customizable with different spices or veggies.
- Family-friendly: Even picky eaters usually love this simple skillet.
- Budget-friendly: Uses common, affordable ingredients.
- One-pan wonder: Minimal cleanup is always a win!
- An easy ground turkey zucchini skillet you can make in under 40 minutes.
- This makes for a truly healthy ground turkey zucchini dish.
Ingredients for Ground Turkey Zucchini Skillet
Here’s what you’ll need for this simple and delicious ground turkey and zucchini recipe:
- 1 pound ground turkey – I prefer using a lean blend, around 93/7, for the best flavor and texture.
- 2 medium zucchinis – These add wonderful moisture and nutrients without overpowering the dish.
- 1 tablespoon olive oil – Just enough to get things started in the pan.
- 1/2 medium onion, diced – This forms the flavor base, so don’t skip it!
- 2 cloves garlic, minced – For that essential aromatic punch.
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano – A classic herb that pairs beautifully with turkey and zucchini.
- 1/2 teaspoon salt – To enhance all the flavors.
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper – Freshly ground is always best.
- 1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes – For a little kick, adjust to your spice preference.
- 1/4 cup chicken broth – This helps create a light sauce and melds the flavors together.
- 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese – Adds a lovely salty, cheesy finish.
How to Make Ground Turkey Zucchini Skillet
Follow these simple steps to create a delicious and healthy skillet meal.
- Step 1: Heat the 1 tablespoon olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat.
- Step 2: Add the 1/2 medium onion, diced to the skillet. Sauté until it becomes soft and translucent, about 3-4 minutes.
- Step 3: Add the 2 cloves garlic, minced to the skillet and cook for another 30 seconds until fragrant.
- Step 4: Crumble the 1 pound ground turkey into the skillet, breaking it up with a spoon as it cooks. Cook the ground turkey for 6-8 minutes, stirring occasionally, until it is fully browned and no longer pink. This is the start of your amazing one-pan ground turkey zucchini creation.
- Step 5: While the turkey is cooking, wash the 2 medium zucchinis. Trim the ends and slice each into half-moon shapes about 1/4 inch thick.
- Step 6: Add the sliced zucchini to the skillet with the ground turkey mixture. Stir the zucchini into the meat and cook for 4-5 minutes, until the zucchini starts to soften but still retains some firmness.
- Step 7: Sprinkle the 1 teaspoon dried oregano, 1/2 teaspoon salt, 1/4 teaspoon black pepper, and 1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes over the skillet mixture.
- Step 8: Pour the 1/4 cup chicken broth into the skillet, stirring everything to combine. Reduce the heat to low and simmer for 3-4 minutes, allowing the flavors to meld together for a perfect skillet ground turkey zucchini dinner.
- Step 9: Once the zucchini is tender and the broth has reduced slightly, sprinkle the 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese over the skillet. Stir the cheese into the mixture until it melts and coats the turkey and zucchini evenly.
- Step 10: Taste and adjust the seasoning, adding more salt, pepper, or red pepper flakes if desired. Serve the dish immediately, garnishing with extra Parmesan if desired. You’ve just made a fantastic ground turkey zucchini stir fry!
Pro Tips for the Best Ground Turkey Zucchini Skillet
Elevate your skillet meal with these simple tricks for an even better flavor and texture:
- Don’t overcrowd the pan when cooking the turkey; cook in batches if necessary to ensure it browns properly.
- Slice the zucchini evenly to ensure it cooks at the same rate.
- Taste and adjust seasonings at the end – this is crucial for a perfectly balanced dish.
- Consider adding a splash of lemon juice at the very end for a bright finish.
What’s the secret to perfect Ground Turkey Zucchini Skillet?
The key to a perfect best ground turkey zucchini skillet is proper zucchini preparation. Slice it evenly, and don’t overcook it initially. You want it tender-crisp, not mushy. This ensures it holds its shape and texture in the final dish. For more on cooking vegetables, check out this guide on how to cook vegetables.
Can I make Ground Turkey Zucchini Skillet ahead of time?
Yes, you can prep ingredients ahead! Dice the onion and mince the garlic up to 2 days in advance and store them in airtight containers in the fridge. The cooked skillet also stores well in the refrigerator for 3-4 days.
How do I avoid common mistakes with Ground Turkey Zucchini Skillet?
A common pitfall is watery zucchini. To prevent this, ensure you don’t overcook the zucchini in the initial sauté. Also, make sure the ground turkey is fully browned before adding other ingredients. These steps help create a delicious, simple ground turkey zucchini skillet.
Best Ways to Serve Ground Turkey Zucchini Skillet
This versatile dish is fantastic on its own, but here are a few ideas to make your ground turkey zucchini dinner ideas even more exciting. For a light and healthy meal, enjoy the skillet just as it is – the combination of savory turkey and tender zucchini is satisfying enough. If you’re looking for something a bit more substantial, serving it over fluffy white rice or brown rice is a wonderful option. Alternatively, a side of crusty bread is perfect for soaking up any delicious pan juices. You could also pair it with a simple side salad for a complete and balanced meal. For more dinner inspiration, explore our dinner recipes.
Nutrition Facts for Ground Turkey Zucchini Skillet
This healthy dish is packed with flavor and nutrients. Here’s a breakdown of what you can expect per serving:
- Calories: 320
- Fat: 14g
- Saturated Fat: 3g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Protein: 35g
- Carbohydrates: 10g
- Fiber: 2g
- Sugar: 3g
- Sodium: 400mg
- Cholesterol: 100mg
Nutritional values are estimates and may vary based on specific ingredients used in your ground turkey zucchini skillet.
How to Store and Reheat Ground Turkey Zucchini Skillet
Leftovers of this delicious ground turkey zucchini skillet are fantastic, making it perfect for meal prep. Once the skillet has cooled completely, transfer it into an airtight container. Store it in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. If you want to keep it even longer, this skillet freezes beautifully! Portion it into freezer-safe containers or bags and freeze for up to 3 months. It’s a wonderful way to ensure you always have a quick ground turkey zucchini meal ready to go.
Reheating is just as simple. For individual portions, the microwave is your best friend. Reheat on high for 1-2 minutes, stirring halfway through, until heated through. If you’re reheating a larger batch or prefer a crisper texture, use the stovetop. Place the skillet contents in a non-stick pan over medium-low heat, adding a tablespoon of water or broth if needed, and stir occasionally until warmed through. This method helps revive the textures beautifully.
Frequently Asked Questions About Ground Turkey Zucchini Skillet
How to make ground turkey zucchini skillet with vegetables?
It’s so easy to add more veggies to this ground turkey zucchini skillet! Simply chop them up and add them along with the zucchini. Bell peppers, mushrooms, chopped carrots, or even a handful of fresh spinach stirred in at the end all work wonderfully. Just be sure to cut denser vegetables like carrots or peppers a little smaller so they cook through.
What is the best way to cook ground turkey zucchini skillet for weight loss?
This ground turkey zucchini skillet for weight loss is already a great choice because it’s packed with lean protein and fiber. To maximize its weight-loss benefits, stick to lean ground turkey (93/7 or leaner) and use minimal oil. Be mindful of portion sizes, and consider serving it on its own or with a large side salad instead of rice or bread. The natural flavors are so good, you won’t miss the extras!
Is ground turkey zucchini bake a good alternative?
A ground turkey zucchini bake is a delicious option if you prefer oven-cooked meals! It often involves layering ingredients or baking them in a casserole dish. However, the skillet version is significantly faster and requires less cleanup. For a quick weeknight meal, the skillet method is usually the winner, offering similar flavors with much less fuss. The skillet is also great for achieving tender-crisp zucchini without it becoming mushy. If you enjoy baking, you might like our easy cheesy zucchini bake.
Variations of Ground Turkey Zucchini Skillet You Can Try
This versatile ground turkey and zucchini recipe is a fantastic base, and you can easily switch things up to suit your taste or dietary needs. Here are a few ideas to get you inspired:
- Italian Herb Delight: Amp up the Italian flavors by adding a pinch of dried basil and thyme along with the oregano. A tablespoon of tomato paste sautéed with the garlic can also add a wonderful depth of flavor for an Italian-inspired ground turkey zucchini dish.
- Mexican Fiesta: Introduce some south-of-the-border flair by adding a teaspoon of chili powder and a pinch of cumin with the other spices. You can also stir in a can of drained black beans or some corn towards the end for a heartier meal.
- Low Carb Wonder: For a satisfying low carb ground turkey zucchini meal, simply omit the chicken broth and Parmesan cheese. You can add a splash of lemon juice at the end for brightness, or serve it over cauliflower rice to keep carbs even lower.
- Creamy Comfort: If you’re craving something a bit richer, stir in a couple of tablespoons of heavy cream or a dollop of plain Greek yogurt at the very end, after removing the skillet from the heat. This makes for a wonderfully creamy ground turkey zucchini dinner.
Ground Turkey Zucchini Skillet: Amazing 40-Min Meal
- Total Time: 35 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Diet: Low Fat
Description
A quick and healthy skillet dish featuring ground turkey and zucchini, perfect for a nutritious meal.
Ingredients
- 1 pound ground turkey
- 2 medium zucchinis
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1/2 medium onion
- 2 cloves garlic
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
- 1/4 cup chicken broth
- 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
Instructions
- Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat.
- Peel and finely chop the onion. Add the chopped onion to the skillet and sauté until it becomes soft and translucent, about 3-4 minutes.
- Peel and mince the garlic cloves. Add the minced garlic to the skillet and cook for another 30 seconds until fragrant.
- Crumble the ground turkey into the skillet, breaking it up with a spoon as it cooks. Cook the ground turkey for 6-8 minutes, stirring occasionally, until it is fully browned and no longer pink.
- While the turkey is cooking, wash the zucchinis. Trim the ends of the zucchinis and cut them in half lengthwise. Slice each half of zucchini into half-moon shapes about 1/4 inch thick.
- Add the sliced zucchini to the skillet with the ground turkey mixture. Stir the zucchini into the meat and cook for 4-5 minutes, until the zucchini starts to soften but still retains some firmness.
- Sprinkle the dried oregano, salt, black pepper, and crushed red pepper flakes over the skillet mixture.
- Pour the chicken broth into the skillet, stirring everything to combine. Reduce the heat to low and simmer for 3-4 minutes, allowing the flavors to meld together.
- Once the zucchini is tender and the broth has reduced slightly, sprinkle the grated Parmesan cheese over the skillet. Stir the cheese into the mixture until it melts and coats the turkey and zucchini evenly.
- Taste and adjust the seasoning, adding more salt, pepper, or red pepper flakes if desired. Serve the dish immediately, garnishing with extra Parmesan if desired.
Notes
- Feel free to customize with your favorite spices or additional vegetables.
- This dish can be served over rice or with crusty bread for a more filling meal.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Main Dish
- Method: Skillet
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 320
- Sugar: 3g
- Sodium: 400mg
- Fat: 14g
- Saturated Fat: 3g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 10g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 35g
- Cholesterol: 100mg