Looking for an easy healthy ground turkey recipe for busy nights? This flavorful ground turkey dinner is a one-skillet meal packed with protein, fiber, and Mediterranean flavors—perfect for a quick and satisfying weeknight dinner!
When it comes to weeknight dinners, this ground turkey recipe is at the top of my list for so many reasons—but most of all, because it’s easy!
One-skillet meals make the dinnertime rush a breeze, and who doesn’t want a simplified dinner routine? This ground turkey dinner is packed with protein from the turkey and cannellini beans, plus a boost of fiber, color, and bold Mediterranean flavors from spinach, cherry tomatoes, roasted red peppers, onion, and garlic. And the best part? It’s a great way to use up any leftover bits of crusty bread, making every bite satisfying and delicious.
If you’re looking for a simple yet flavor-packed ground turkey dinner, this one will surely be a weeknight favorite! It’s a complete meal on its own but you can always end it with something sweet like this berry fruit salad.
Table of Contents
What’s In this Ground Turkey Dinner Recipe?
This is basically a pantry recipe. It uses up staples you probably have around your house anyway—ground turkey, day-old bread, beans, and vegetables. Toss in a few spices from the cabinet and dinner is served!
- Olive oil: Provides richness and helps sauté the ingredients for depth of flavor. Any variety will do as long as you have a good, high-quality extra virgin olive oil. We offer many from around the globe in our shop.
- Kosher salt: Enhances and balances all the flavors in the dish.
- Freshly ground pepper: Adds a mild heat and complexity to the seasoning.
- Crusty bread: Soaks up flavors while adding texture and crunch. You can use any crusty day-old bread for this. If you don’t have any or you are gluten-free you can leave it out.
- Yellow onion: Creates a savory base with natural sweetness when cooked.
- Garlic: Infuses the dish with aromatic, bold flavor.
- Ground turkey: Acts as the protein-rich centerpiece of the meal.
- Ground fennel: Lends a slightly sweet, anise-like warmth to the dish.
- Oregano: Contributes an earthy, slightly lemony Mediterranean essence. My favorite is our Greek Oregano.
- READ MORE: To learn more about different kinds of oregano read our helpful guide to this essential Mediterranean herb.
- TRY IT: Once I tried this Greek Oregano the grocery store variety didn’t stand a chance.
- Thyme: Brings a subtle woodsy and floral note to the seasoning.
- Aleppo pepper: Adds a gentle warmth and mild fruity flavor. You can use red pepper flakes instead, but keep in mind they are spicier than Aleppo pepper.
- Grape tomatoes: Provide bursts of sweetness and acidity to balance the dish.
- Baby spinach: Wilts into the skillet for a fresh, nutritious boost and a fun pop of color.
- Roasted red peppers: Offer a smoky sweetness that complements the other flavors.
- Cannellini beans: Add a creamy, hearty element to the dish plus added fiber and plant-based protein.
- Red wine vinegar: Brightens everything with a slight tangy acidity. This is especially important if you use a fattier ground meat because it cuts through the fat in the dish. I used a low-fat ground turkey, so in this case vinegar act like salt by enhancing the other ingredients in the dish.
Ingredient Spotlight
Aleppo pepper has a mild, complex heat. It’s less spicy than cayenne or red pepper flakes, but warmer than black pepper. It has a warm, almost fruity spice that enhances whatever you use it on without overwhelming the dish.
Use it in this ground turkey recipe, but don’t stop there. I love to sprinkle it on avocado toast, my morning eggs, or mango (grilled or fresh). It’s also pretty amazing sprinkled over cottage cheese.
- READ MORE: What Is Aleppo Pepper?
- TRY IT: Pick up some Aleppo Pepper from our shop and get ready to meet your new favorite spice.
How to Make this Ground Turkey Recipe
This is what I make when everyone in the family is going in five different directions. Grab your trusty skillet toast up some bread and then it’s just about layering ingredients from there. One pan means fewer dishes to wash and more time to relax!
Make the croutons: Heat 2 tablespoons olive oil in a large skillet set over medium-high heat. Add 2 cups 1-inch cube crusty bread, 1 teaspoon Kosher salt, and freshly ground pepper. Toast, stirring occasionally, until lightly browned and mostly crisp, 3 to 4 minutes. The croutons should be crunchy on the outside but chewy on the inside. Transfer the croutons to a plate and return the skillet to the stove.
Cook the ground turkey: Add the remaining 1 tablespoon olive oil to the pan. Add 1 medium yellow onion, diced, and sauté for about 5 minutes, just until it begins to turn translucent and soften. Add 3 cloves garlic, minced, 1 pound 90/10 ground turkey, 1 teaspoon ground fennel, 1 teaspoon oregano, 1/2 teaspoon thyme, 1/2 teaspoon Aleppo pepper or red pepper flakes, 1/2 teaspoon Kosher salt, and freshly ground black pepper. Break up the turkey into small bits. Add 1 pint grape tomatoes and cook for 15 minutes until the ground turkey is browned and the tomatoes start to burst and blister. (If the tomatoes don’t collapse, puncture them with a knife.)
Finish: Add 2 roasted red peppers, roughly chopped, 2 to 3 handfuls of baby spinach, and 1 (15.5-ounce) can of cannellini beans, drained and rinsed. Stir gently until everything is combined, warmed through, and the spinach has wilted. Add 2 tablespoons red wine vinegar and the croutons. Stir to combine. Taste and add more Kosher salt and freshly ground pepper if needed.
Serve: Divide into individual plates or bowls and enjoy. Sprinkle with parmesan cheese if you wish, but its not necessary.
Ways to Make This Recipe Your Own
I like to think of this recipe as a back-pocket recipe. It’s easy to adapt by switching out the meat, the vegetables, and even the spices. If you’re gluten-intolerant you can skip the croutons or use gluten-free bread. Here are some ideas:
- Ground Turkey: Swap in Italian seasoned ground turkey and skip the spices, use ground chicken or pork.
- Spinach: Swap in kale or Swiss chard
- Spices: Use 3 teaspoons of Italian seasoning instead.
- Crusty bread: I typically use sourdough, but this No Knead Olive Bread or even focaccia will work too.
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Ground Turkey Skillet Dinner with Spinach, Tomatoes, White Beans and Homemade Croutons
Ingredients
- 3 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
- 1 1/2 teaspoons Kosher salt
- Freshly ground pepper
- 2 cups 1-inch cube crusty bread
- 1 medium yellow onion
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 pound lean ground turkey
- 1 teaspoon ground fennel
- 1 teaspoon oregano
- 1/2 teaspoon thyme
- 1/2 teaspoon Aleppo pepper or red pepper flakes
- 1 pint grape tomatoes
- 2 to 3 handfuls baby spinach
- 2 roasted red peppers, roughly chopped
- 1 (15.5 ounce) can cannellini beans, drained and rinsed
- Kosher salt
- freshly ground pepper
- 2 tablespoons red wine vinegar
Instructions
- Make the croutons: Heat two tablespoons of oil in a large skillet set over medium-high heat. Add the bread cubes, 1 teaspoon salt and pepper. Toast, stirring occasionally, until lightly browned and mostly crisp, 3 to 4 minutes. The croutons should be crunchy on the outside, but chewy on the inside. Transfer the croutons to a plate and return the skillet to the stove.
- Cook the ground turkey: Add the remaining tablespoon of olive oil to the pan. Add the onion, and saute for about 5 minutes, just until it begins to turn translucent and soften. Add the garlic and ground turkey, ground fennel, oregano, thyme, Aleppo pepper, 1/2 teaspoon Kosher salt, and freshly ground black pepper. Break up the turkey into small bits. Add the cherry tomatoes. Cook for 15 minutes until the ground turkey is browned and the tomatoes start to burst and blister. (If the tomatoes don’t collapse puncture with a knife.)
- Finish: Add the chopped roasted red peppers, spinach, beans. Stir until everything is combined, warmed through and the spinach has wilted. Add the vinegar and croutons. Stir to combine. Taste and add more salt and pepper if you would like.
- Serve: Divide into individual plates or bowls and enjoy.
Notes
Nutrition
Exotic 4-Pack
Bring the vibrant seasonings of the Mediterranean to your kitchen with Sumac, Aleppo pepper, Ras el Hanout, and Baharat.
