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

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A quick and easy one-pan taco skillet made with ground turkey, black beans, corn, and melted cheese. Ready in under 20 minutes, it’s perfect for busy weeknights and sure to please the whole family.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 lb (450g) ground turkey (93% lean)
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 1 medium yellow onion, diced
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 2 tablespoons taco seasoning
  • 1 can (10 oz / 283g) diced tomatoes with green chiles (e.g., Rotel), undrained
  • 1 can (15 oz / 425g) black beans, drained and rinsed
  • 1 cup frozen or canned corn (drained if canned)
  • 1 cup (120g) shredded Mexican blend cheese (Monterey Jack, cheddar, asadero)
  • Optional toppings: fresh cilantro, diced avocado, sour cream, sliced jalapeños, hot sauce, crushed tortilla chips

Instructions

  1. Heat olive oil in a large skillet (12-inch / 30cm) over medium-high heat. Add diced onion and cook, stirring occasionally, for 3–4 minutes until softened and translucent.
  2. Add minced garlic and stir constantly for about 30 seconds until fragrant.
  3. Add ground turkey to the skillet. Break it into crumbles with a wooden spoon. Let it sit undisturbed for 2 minutes to sear, then continue cooking for 5–7 minutes total until cooked through and no longer pink. Let any excess liquid cook off.
  4. Sprinkle taco seasoning over the cooked turkey. Stir well to coat and cook for 30 seconds to bloom the spices.
  5. Add the undrained diced tomatoes with green chiles, drained black beans, and corn. Stir to combine. Bring to a gentle simmer and cook for 3–4 minutes, stirring occasionally, until slightly thickened.
  6. Sprinkle shredded cheese evenly over the top. Reduce heat to low, cover the skillet, and let sit for 2–3 minutes until cheese is fully melted and bubbly.
  7. Remove from heat. Let rest for 1 minute. Garnish with desired toppings and serve straight from the skillet with tortilla chips, warm tortillas, or over rice.

Notes

For meal prep, stop after step 5 and refrigerate. Add cheese when reheating. To make your own taco seasoning: mix 1 tablespoon chili powder, 1 teaspoon cumin, 1 teaspoon smoked paprika, ½ teaspoon garlic powder, ½ teaspoon onion powder, ½ teaspoon oregano, ¼ teaspoon cayenne (optional), salt and pepper to taste. This makes about 2 tablespoons.

Nutrition

Keywords: ground turkey taco skillet, easy cheesy taco skillet, 20-minute dinner, weeknight dinner, one-pan meal, ground turkey recipe, taco skillet

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