Quick & Easy Ground Turkey and Zucchini Skillet

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Looking for a dinner that’s fast, healthy, and won’t leave you with a mountain of dishes to wash? This Easy Ground Turkey and Zucchini Skillet is your answer. It’s a vibrant, one-pot wonder packed with lean protein and fresh vegetables like zucchini, bell pepper, and spinach. It comes together in just 30 minutes, making this Ground Turkey and Zucchini Skillet an absolute lifesaver for busy weeknights.

Zucchini is such a fantastic and versatile vegetable. It shines in savory dishes like this one, but it’s also a secret superstar in baked goods, adding incredible moisture to treats like our popular Chocolate Zucchini Muffins. But for tonight, let’s focus on this savory, satisfying meal that will quickly become a family favorite.

Table of Contents

Why You’ll Love This Ground Turkey and Zucchini Skillet

One-Pan Meal: The best kind of recipe is one that tastes amazing and leaves you with minimal cleanup. Everything cooks together in a single skillet.
Quick and Easy: From start to finish, this dish is ready in about 30 minutes. It’s the perfect solution for those hectic evenings when you need to get a healthy dinner on the table fast.
Healthy and Balanced: This recipe is loaded with lean protein from the turkey and a wealth of vitamins and fiber from the zucchini, bell pepper, and spinach. It’s a meal you can feel good about serving.
Highly Customizable: This skillet is incredibly forgiving and easy to adapt. You can swap the protein, add different vegetables, or change up the spices to suit your family’s tastes or use up what you have on hand.
Meal-Prep Friendly: It reheats beautifully, making it an excellent choice for weekly meal prep. Cook once and enjoy delicious, healthy lunches for days.

Ingredients

Here’s what you’ll need to bring this colorful skillet to life:

For the Ground Turkey:

1 pound lean ground turkey (93/7 is a great choice)
1 teaspoon salt
½ teaspoon black pepper
½ teaspoon chili powder
½ teaspoon dried oregano
¼ teaspoon paprika
1 teaspoon garlic, minced

For the Veggies:

1½ tablespoon olive or avocado oil
2 medium zucchini, cubed
1 bell pepper, any color, cut into 3/4 inch pieces
½ white or yellow onion, cut into 3/4 inch pieces
½ teaspoon salt
½ teaspoon garlic powder
½ teaspoon onion powder
½ teaspoon dried oregano
½ teaspoon dried basil
½ teaspoon paprika
¼ teaspoon black pepper
½ cup water
2 tablespoons tomato paste
5 ounces fresh baby spinach

How to Make This Ground Turkey and Zucchini Skillet

Ready to get cooking? Follow these simple steps for a perfect result.

Step one for the Ground Turkey and Zucchini Skillet: browning the seasoned ground turkey in a skillet.

First, add your ground turkey to a large skillet over medium-high heat. Use a spatula to break the meat apart as it cooks. Continue cooking and stirring occasionally until it’s nicely browned and no pink remains.
Next, stir in the salt, pepper, chili powder, oregano, paprika, and minced garlic. Let it all sauté for another minute until the garlic is fragrant. Remove the seasoned meat from the pan and set it aside.
Reduce the heat to medium and add the olive oil to the now-empty skillet. Add the cubed zucchini, bell pepper, and onion. Sprinkle the veggies with their own set of seasonings: salt, garlic powder, onion powder, oregano, basil, paprika, and pepper. Stir everything together and sauté for 5 to 10 minutes, until the onion is translucent and the peppers and zucchini are tender-crisp.
Now it’s time to bring it all together. Return the cooked ground turkey to the skillet with the vegetables. Add the water, tomato paste, and the fresh spinach. Stir to combine everything, then cover the skillet and let it simmer for 5 to 10 minutes. You’ll know it’s ready when the spinach has wilted and the flavors have melded together.

Tips and Tricks for the Perfect Skillet

These simple tips will help you make the best Ground Turkey and Zucchini Skillet every time.

Prevent Watery Zucchini: Zucchini has high water content, which can sometimes make skillet dishes soggy. To avoid this, be careful not to overcook it. You want the zucchini to be “tender-crisp,” meaning it’s cooked through but still has a slight bite. Sautéing it over medium-high heat also helps the moisture evaporate quickly.
Don’t Crowd the Pan: Use a large, 12-inch skillet to ensure the ingredients have enough space to sear rather than steam. This browning process, known as the Maillard reaction, is key to developing deep, rich flavor. If your skillet is too small, it’s better to cook the vegetables in batches.
Get a Good Sear on the Turkey: For maximum flavor, allow the ground turkey to develop a brown crust before you start breaking it apart. Let it cook undisturbed for a few minutes on the hot surface of the pan. Those caramelized bits are pure flavor!
Uniform Vegetable Size: The instructions mention cutting your veggies to a similar size for a reason. Aim for uniform 3/4-inch pieces for the zucchini, bell pepper, and onion. This ensures everything cooks at the same rate, giving you a consistent texture in every single bite.

Recipe Variations

One of the best things about this Ground Turkey and Zucchini Skillet recipe is its versatility. Here are a few ideas to change it up:

Switch Up the Protein: While we love lean ground turkey, this recipe is also fantastic with ground chicken, ground beef, or even spicy Italian sausage for a richer flavor.
Add More Vegetables: Feel free to toss in other vegetables you have on hand. Sliced mushrooms, canned corn (drained), halved cherry tomatoes, or chopped broccoli florets would all be delicious. Add heartier vegetables like broccoli at the same time as the peppers and onions.
Make It Cheesy: For a more indulgent meal, sprinkle 1 cup of shredded mozzarella, cheddar, or a Monterey Jack blend over the top of the skillet during the last 2-3 minutes of simmering. Cover the pan until the cheese is perfectly melted and bubbly.
Change the Spice Profile: Give your ground turkey and zucchini skillet a completely different culinary twist.
- Italian-Style: Use 1 tablespoon of Italian seasoning in place of the individual dried herbs and add a pinch of red pepper flakes for a little heat.
- Taco-Inspired: Swap the spices for a tablespoon of your favorite taco seasoning. Serve with avocado, salsa, and a dollop of sour cream.
- Smoky and Sweet: Use smoked paprika instead of sweet paprika and add a tablespoon of Worcestershire sauce for a deeper, more complex flavor.

Serving Suggestions

This versatile Ground Turkey and Zucchini Skillet can be served in many different ways to create a hearty, complete meal.

With Grains: Spoon it over a bed of fluffy white or brown rice, hearty quinoa, or even orzo or couscous to soak up the delicious, savory juices from the pan.
Low-Carb Options: To keep it low-carb and keto-friendly, serve the skillet over cauliflower rice, zucchini noodles (zoodles), or alongside a simple arugula salad with a lemon vinaigrette.
With Pasta: For a more substantial dinner, toss the mixture with your favorite cooked pasta, like penne, rotini, or fusilli.
As a Bowl: Enjoy it as is! This dish is perfectly balanced on its own for a simple, protein-packed, grain-free meal. Top it with a dollop of Greek yogurt for extra creaminess and a sprinkle of fresh parsley.
With Bread: Serve with a side of warm, crusty bread or garlic bread for dipping into the sauce.

How to Meal Prep This Ground Turkey and Zucchini Skillet

This Ground Turkey and Zucchini Skillet is a dream for meal prep! To prepare it for the week, simply allow the finished dish to cool slightly. Then, divide it evenly among 4-5 airtight containers. It will stay fresh and delicious in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. When you’re ready to eat, just reheat it in the microwave until warm.

Storage, Freezing, and Reheating for Ground Turkey and Zucchini Skillet

To Store: Place any leftovers in an airtight container and refrigerate for up to 4 days.
To Freeze: Yes, this ground turkey and zucchini skillet freezes well! Let it cool completely, then transfer it to freezer-safe containers or large zip-top bags, removing as much air as possible. It can be frozen for up to 3 months. Note that the texture of the zucchini may soften slightly upon thawing, but the dish will still be flavorful.
To Reheat: Reheat refrigerated leftovers in the microwave in 60-second intervals until hot. Alternatively, warm it in a skillet over medium heat, adding a splash of water if needed. For frozen portions, it’s best to thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Can I use ground beef or chicken instead of turkey?

This Ground Turkey and Zucchini Skillet recipe works wonderfully with lean ground beef (90/10) or ground chicken. Cooking times and instructions remain the same.

Is this ground turkey and zucchini skillet low-carb or keto-friendly?

Yes, it is! As written, this recipe is naturally low in carbohydrates and high in protein, making it an excellent choice for anyone following a low-carb or ketogenic diet. Based on our estimates, one serving contains just 11g of carbohydrates and 3g of fiber. For a delicious keto meal, serve it over cauliflower rice.

How do I keep my zucchini from getting mushy?

The key to firm zucchini is to avoid overcooking it. Sauté the zucchini until it is tender-crisp—cooked but still with a slight bite. It will continue to cook a little more when you return the turkey to the pan and let it simmer. Using a hot pan also helps sear the outside quickly, locking in a better texture. If you have extra zucchini, try our simple Baked Zucchini for another great side dish.

What other vegetables can I add?

This Ground Turkey and Zucchini Skillet is a great way to clean out your vegetable drawer! Sliced mushrooms, chopped asparagus, green beans, or even eggplant would be excellent additions. Adjust cooking times based on the density of the vegetable you’re adding.

conclusion

And there you have it—a perfectly balanced, flavorful, and incredibly easy one-pan meal. We are confident you’ll come back to this ground turkey and zucchini skillet recipe again and again.

If you’re on a real zucchini kick, don’t forget to try a sweeter take with our moist and zesty Lemon Zucchini Bread!

For more recipe inspiration and ideas, be sure to follow us on Pinterest!

Nutrition Information:
Calories: 272kcal, Carbohydrates: 11g, Protein: 25g, Fat: 15g, Saturated Fat: 3g, Cholesterol: 84mg, Sodium: 1060mg, Potassium: 872mg, Fiber: 3g, Sugar: 6g, Vitamin A: 4897IU, Vitamin C: 68mg, Calcium: 95mg, Iron: 4mg
Nutrition information is automatically calculated and should be used as an approximation.

Why You’ll Love This Ground Turkey and Zucchini Skillet

Ingredients