From skillet to table in 30 minutes, this sweet potato hash with ground turkey has become one of my go-to meals. It’s hearty enough for dinner on a busy weeknight, but it also doubles as a filling breakfast when topped with a fried egg.
I first started making this around Thanksgiving when my fridge was overflowing with leftover turkey, and now it’s a recipe I reach for throughout the year. It’s simple, colorful, and somehow always feels comforting no matter the season.
Why This Recipe Works
What I love most about this recipe is how adaptable it is. On a weeknight, I’ll use ground turkey because it cooks fast and feels lighter than beef or sausage. On weekends, I’ve tossed in leftover roasted turkey, and no one at the table has ever complained.
Sweet potatoes are the real star here. They add natural sweetness and a hearty bite that balances beautifully with the savory ground meat. I always keep a few sweet potatoes in my pantry—they last for weeks and can rescue dinner when I haven’t made it to the store.
And of course, everything cooks in one pan. My cast iron skillet is my kitchen workhorse—once it’s hot, it stays hot, which means evenly cooked potatoes and beautifully browned meat. If you don’t have cast iron, any oven-safe skillet will do the trick.
Tips I’ve Learned Along the Way
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Pre-chop the veggies: On busy nights, I like to dice up sweet potatoes, onions, and peppers in the morning and stash them in the fridge. That way, dinner comes together almost as quickly as opening a takeout container.
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Don’t rush the potatoes: Letting the sweet potatoes sit undisturbed in the pan for a few minutes helps them get that golden crisp on the edges.
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Adjust the spice: I sprinkle in a little cayenne for gentle heat, but you can swap it with smoked paprika if you prefer smoky over spicy. My family enjoys both versions depending on the mood.
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Use leftovers smartly: After Thanksgiving, I swap the ground turkey for shredded turkey, sometimes tossing in leftover green beans or corn too. It feels like a whole new dish but helps clear out the fridge.
Make Ahead and Meal Prep
This hash is surprisingly forgiving. You can prep everything a day in advance—chop your potatoes, onions, and peppers, and store them in an airtight container. I’ve even browned the turkey the night before when I knew I’d be short on time.
If you like meal prep, cook the hash fully and portion it into containers. It reheats really well in the microwave or in a skillet with just a splash of broth or water to loosen it back up. I’ve packed it into lunchboxes for work, and it always tastes satisfying.
How I Serve It
On weeknights, I usually serve it straight out of the skillet with a sprinkle of Parmesan and a handful of parsley for freshness. When I want to turn it into a weekend brunch, I crack a few eggs over the top and slide the whole skillet into the oven until the eggs set.
For a bigger spread, I’ve paired it with a simple green salad or even tucked it into tortillas to make hearty breakfast burritos. Once, when friends came over, I topped it with avocado slices and salsa, and everyone thought I’d planned it out when really it was just what I had on hand.
Storing Leftovers
Leftovers keep well in the fridge for about three days. I usually store them in glass containers so I can just reheat and eat. If you want to freeze it, skip adding the cheese and eggs—do those fresh when you reheat. Frozen portions will keep for up to two months.
Common Questions I Get
Can I use another meat?
Yes! I’ve swapped the turkey for ground chicken, beef, and even chorizo when I wanted something spicier.
Do I have to use sweet potatoes?
Not at all. Regular potatoes work, but I find sweet potatoes give it more depth. You could even try butternut squash if that’s what’s in your pantry.
What cheese works best?
Parmesan is my usual choice, but mozzarella melts beautifully, and cheddar gives it a sharper bite.
Is this really healthy?
Yes. Sweet potatoes are loaded with beta-carotene and vitamin A, and ground turkey is lean but still flavorful. It’s a balanced dish without feeling like “diet food.”
Ground Turkey Sweet Potato Hash
From skillet to table in just 30 minutes, this hearty ground turkey sweet potato hash is the perfect one-pan meal. It’s savory, a little sweet, and full of color thanks to bell peppers and fresh herbs. Whether you’re making it for a quick weeknight dinner or topping it with eggs for a weekend brunch, this hash is comfort food made simple.
Ingredients
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 1 tbsp garlic, minced
- 1 small sweet onion, diced (about 1 cup)
- 1 lb ground turkey
- 2 large sweet potatoes, peeled and cubed
- 1 sweet bell pepper, chopped
- 2 tsp chili powder
- ¼ cup Parmesan cheese
- 1 tsp dried parsley
- Salt & black pepper, to taste
Instructions
- Sauté aromatics: Preheat oven to 425°F (220°C). In a large cast-iron skillet, heat olive oil over medium heat. Add garlic and onion and cook until softened and fragrant.
- Cook the turkey: Add ground turkey to the skillet. Use a wooden spoon to break it apart and cook until no longer pink.
- Add veggies & spice: Stir in sweet potatoes, bell pepper, and chili powder. Toss everything together until coated.
- Bake until tender: Transfer the skillet to the oven and bake for 20 minutes, or until sweet potatoes are fork-tender.
- Finish & serve: Remove from oven, sprinkle with Parmesan cheese and parsley, and let the cheese melt before serving. Add extra chili powder if you like more heat.
Notes
- For a brunch twist, crack a few eggs on top before baking and let them cook into the hash.
- You can swap bell peppers for zucchini or mushrooms for a veggie-loaded variation.
- Leftovers reheat beautifully in a skillet or microwave for quick meals.
Nutrition Information
Yield
4Serving Size
1Amount Per Serving Calories 473Total Fat 25gSaturated Fat 7gTrans Fat 0gUnsaturated Fat 16gCholesterol 126mgSodium 434mgCarbohydrates 29gFiber 5gSugar 11gProtein 33g
Dinnerfocus.com, occasionally offers nutritional information for recipes contained on this site. This information is provided as a courtesy and is an estimate only. This information comes from online calculators. Although allchickenrecipes.com attempts to provide accurate nutritional information, these figures are only estimates.
Final Thought
This sweet potato hash with ground turkey is one of those recipes that feels like a safety net—reliable, flexible, and always delicious. Whether I’m using up Thanksgiving leftovers or just throwing together a quick weeknight meal, it’s the kind of skillet dish that never fails me.
Try other Ground Turkey recipes:
