Ground Turkey and Peppers
A quick, easy, and flavorful weeknight dinner featuring ground turkey and colorful bell peppers, seasoned with a blend of spices and finished with fresh herbs.
Equipment
- Skillet A nice big skillet.
- Knife
- Cutting board
- Airtight container For storing leftovers.
- apron Optional, but recommended for chefs!
Ingredients
Main ingredients
- 1 lb Ground Turkey A lean protein that cooks up beautifully.
- 3 Bell Peppers yellow, green, red. For a burst of color and a touch of sweetness. The mix makes it so pretty!
- 1 bunch Fresh Cilantro or Parsley We’ll use this as a fresh, bright garnish at the end. Cilantro lovers, rejoice! Parsley is a great alternative if that's more your jam.
- 3 cloves Garlic The flavor powerhouse! Mince it up nice and fine.
- 0.5 Lime, juiced A little acidity at the end really wakes everything up.
- 1 small Onion Adds a foundational sweetness and depth of flavor.
- 0.25 cup Low-sodium Chicken Broth Just enough liquid to create a lovely, light sauce.
- 1 tbsp Tomato Paste This adds a concentrated tomato flavor and helps thicken the sauce beautifully.
- 0.5 tsp Black Pepper A classic for a little zing.
- 0.5 tsp Chili Powder For a gentle warmth, not too spicy!
- 1 tsp Smoked Paprika This is my secret weapon for that smoky, savory depth. It's a game-changer!
- 0.5 tsp Salt To enhance all those delicious flavors.
- 1 tbsp Olive Oil For getting everything started in the pan.
- 1 tsp Ground Cumin Adds that earthy, aromatic quality that pairs so well with turkey.
- 1 tbsp Soy Sauce or Coconut Aminos For that umami goodness. Coconut aminos are a great soy-free option!
Instructions
- Prep Your Veggies: First things first, let's get our chopping done. Finely chop your onion. Then, chop up those gorgeous bell peppers – any size you like, but I usually go for about 1/2-inch pieces. Mince your garlic cloves until they're tiny flavor bombs. Lastly, give your fresh cilantro or parsley a good chop. Set all these pretty ingredients aside.
- Heat the Pan: Grab a nice big skillet – the kind you can really move around in. Drizzle in your olive oil and let it warm up over medium-high heat. You want it hot enough to sizzle, but not so hot that it smokes.1 lb Ground Turkey
- Brown the Turkey: Add your ground turkey to the hot skillet. Break it up with your spoon as it cooks. We're looking for nice golden-brown bits! Once it's all cooked through, carefully drain off any excess fat. Nobody likes a greasy meal!1 lb Ground Turkey
- Soften the Veggies: Now, toss in your chopped onion and bell peppers with the browned turkey. Give it a good stir and let them cook for about 5-7 minutes. You want them to start getting tender and a little softened.1 lb Ground Turkey
- Spice it Up: Time for the magic! Stir in your minced garlic, chili powder, smoked paprika, ground cumin, salt, and black pepper. Cook for just about 1 minute, stirring constantly. This wakes up those spices and makes them smell absolutely divine.1 lb Ground Turkey
- Build the Sauce: Pour in the tomato paste, chicken broth, soy sauce (or coconut aminos, if you're using them), and the juice from your lime. Stir everything together really well, making sure that tomato paste is fully incorporated.1 lb Ground Turkey
- Simmer and Thicken: Bring this lovely mixture to a gentle simmer. Once you see those little bubbles, reduce the heat to low, pop a lid on your skillet, and let it cook for 10-15 minutes. This is where the flavors meld together, the peppers become perfectly tender, and the sauce thickens up just right.
- Fresh Finish: Right before you're ready to serve, stir in that chopped fresh cilantro or parsley. It adds a beautiful pop of color and a burst of freshness that makes this dish sing!1 lb Ground Turkey
Notes
This dish is great as is, but also a wonderful base for creativity. Consider adding other vegetables like zucchini or mushrooms, or swapping the protein for ground chicken or beef. Adjust spice levels to your preference and serve with rice, quinoa, or crusty bread.