5 Min Turkey and Sweet Potato Skillet Hash

Are you staring down the barrel of a Tuesday night dinner and realizing you need something satisfying, packed with flavor, and ready before you even start thinking about leftovers? Trust me, I have been there a million times. That’s why I love leaning into simple brilliance, and nothing beats my go-to **Turkey and Sweet Potato Skillet Hash**.

This dish is the ultimate high-protein solution for those hectic moments. It pulls together lean ground turkey and naturally sweet potatoes for a fantastic, vibrant hash that feels like comfort food but keeps you fueled.

I remember the first time I made this for my family; it was a typical hectic weeknight, and I needed something quick yet nutritious. I threw together the ingredients, filling the kitchen with inviting aromas, and when I served it, my kids dove right in. The best part? They didn’t even realize they were eating something healthy! That night not only reminded me how powerful simple ingredients can be but also how the right recipe can turn an ordinary evening into a memory. Now, that skillet hash is a staple in our home, showing how easy it can be to make delicious meals that fuel our active lifestyles without the guilt. As The Keto Performance Chef, I promise this recipe is straightforward—no complicated steps, just pure, honest nutrition!

Why This Turkey and Sweet Potato Skillet Hash Works for You

Listen, you don’t need fussy techniques or a stocked gourmet pantry to eat well, especially when life gets crazy busy. This hash is built for speed and real results. It’s a winner because it ticks all the boxes we always look for when planning out those tough nights.

If you’re trying to keep things clean, this recipe is fantastic. It’s naturally gluten free, high in protein thanks to the ground turkey, and comes together so fast—just thirty minutes total! That speed means you get to spend less time over the stove and more time doing what matters.

• Breakfast Power-Up: Seriously, try topping this with a fried egg. It’s the perfect high-protein breakfast to kickstart any day.
• Dinner Done Right: It’s hearty enough for a satisfying high protein dinner idea, proving that sweet potato dinners don’t need heavy sauces.
• Meal Prep King: This holds up beautifully in the fridge, which is why I always double the batch. Check out my guide on quick dinner ideas for busy weeknights for more tips on making life simpler!

Gathering Ingredients for Your Turkey and Sweet Potato Skillet Hash

Okay, getting ingredients together is never the most glamorous part of cooking, but for this Turkey and Sweet Potato Skillet Hash, the list is short and sweet, which already gets us a huge win! Seriously, you probably have half this stuff already sitting in your pantry.

When you’re aiming for something this healthy and fast, precision matters just a tiny bit, especially measuring out those spices to get that perfect warm aroma. I’ve organized everything so you can check your counters quickly. If you love speedy cooking, you should definitely check out my tips on dinner ideas in 20 minutes for more inspiration!

Main Ingredients for the Turkey and Sweet Potato Skillet Hash

This is the hearty stuff that brings the whole meal together. Don’t skip skinning the potatoes if you’re trying to manage texture, but I leave mine on for speed and extra fiber!

• 1 lb. lean ground turkey (93/7 is what I reach for)
• 2 large sweet potatoes, chopped into bite-sized pieces, skin on
• 1/2 large yellow onion, diced
• 1 Tbsp. Olive Oil
• 1/4 cup water, for simmering potatoes
• 2 garlic cloves, minced
• Salt and fresh cracked pepper, to taste

Turkey Seasoning Mix Components

This little spice blend is where the magic happens. The cinnamon and nutmeg against the savory turkey? Perfection! Getting this seasoning right is what elevates this from just ‘turkey and potatoes’ to a really memorable dish.

• 1/2 tsp. cinnamon
• 1/2 tsp. smoked paprika
• 1/2 tsp. salt
• 1/4 tsp. nutmeg
• 1 Tbsp. water, for mixing seasoning

Step-by-Step Instructions for the Turkey and Sweet Potato Skillet Hash

Alright, now that we have our ingredients looking sharp, let’s get cooking! Trust me, this is where the magic happens, and frankly, it’s so fast you won’t even get a chance to get distracted. We want those sweet potatoes tender but not mushy, and that ground turkey recipe needs to be perfectly seasoned. Before starting, make sure you have your skillet heating up over medium heat. If you want to see how I guarantee success every single time, check out my tips on making dinner ideas foolproof.

Preparing the Sweet Potatoes and Aromatics

First things first—wash those sweet potatoes! Remember, we’re leaving the skin on for speed and extra goodness. Chop them into nice, bite-sized cubes; smaller pieces mean quicker cooking, which we love! Dice up your onion finely and get those garlic cloves minced up and ready to go. Heat up one tablespoon of olive oil in your skillet. Toss in the garlic and onion and let them sizzle until you can really smell that amazing aroma—usually just a minute or so.

Now, add those sweet potatoes to the pan with the onions and garlic. Here’s a little trick I use so they soften up nicely without burning: add the 1/4 cup of water, a good pinch of salt, and pepper. Put a lid on it and let them simmer right there on medium heat for about five to seven minutes until they start feeling tender when you poke them with a fork. Keep stirring occasionally!

Cooking and Seasoning the Ground Turkey Recipe

While those potatoes are getting happy under the lid, grab your separate pan. We cook the ground turkey in this second pan over medium heat until it’s completely browned through. It’s important to keep them separate at this stage so the turkey sears nicely instead of just steaming with the potatoes.

While that cooks, mix up your spice packet! In a tiny little dish, combine that cinnamon, smoked paprika, salt, and nutmeg. Add that teaspoon of water and stir it into a little wet paste. Once the turkey is cooked through, pour this seasoning mix right over the meat and stir it around until every little bit is coated. Wow, the smell in your kitchen right now is incredible!

Finishing the Turkey and Sweet Potato Skillet Hash

Time for the grand finale! Take the seasoned turkey and dump it right into the skillet with those tender sweet potatoes and onions. Give everything a really good stir so all those lovely flavors marry together perfectly. You are basically done!

Serve this up piping hot right out of the skillet. Honestly, serving it with a perfectly runny egg on top turns this Turkey and Sweet Potato Skillet Hash into a five-star meal, but it’s fantastic on its own or even tossed into a green salad later. You can find more inspiration for ways to serve this hash over at Oh Snap Macros too!

Tips for the Perfect Turkey and Sweet Potato Skillet Hash

I’ve made this Turkey and Sweet Potato Skillet Hash so many times now that I’ve figured out the little secrets that make the difference between a good hash and an absolutely fantastic one. Since we are working with potatoes here, texture control is everything! If you want to dive deeper into temperatures and techniques that guarantee success in all your cooking, check out my ultimate dinner ideas guide.

My biggest piece of advice, and this covers everything, is patience during the potato simmer—but not too much patience! Remember, we are using medium heat and covering the pan. We want them fork-tender, but if you overcook them at this stage, they just turn into mush when you finally stir in that ground turkey recipe.

Don’t Rush the Dry Seasoning Paste: When you make that little spice paste for the turkey, don’t just dump the dry spices into the meat. Mixing them with that tiny bit of water first helps them bloom immediately when they hit the hot ground turkey. It ensures you don’t get those little pockets of just-cinnamon tasting meat, which ruins the balance of our sweet potato dinners.

Here’s my personal trick, which I learned from burning things when I was younger: After the potatoes are tender and you’ve added the turkey, turn the heat up just a hair to medium-high for maybe the last two minutes. Stir constantly. This final blast of heat evaporates any extra steam or water left over from simmering the potatoes AND helps slightly caramelize the edges of those sweet potato cubes. That little bit of crisp edge against the soft turkey? That’s pure gold, folks.

Also, always use the lean turkey—like 93/7. If you use the 99% lean stuff, the hash ends up dry no matter what you do. The fat content in that small percentage is just enough to keep everything juicy and flavorful!

Ingredient Substitutions for Sweet Potato Dinners

One great thing about a versatile hash like this is that it’s much more of a template than a strict law, which is perfect for those crazy days when you run short on one specific thing. Don’t sweat it if your fridge is missing one component! The goal is always to keep that base of sweet potato dinners alive, but we can definitely play around with the protein and fat sources.

If you’re not feeling ground turkey, honestly, chicken works just as well, and ground beef brings a richer, deeper flavor—just know that if you go to a higher fat ground beef, you might need slightly less added oil. If you’re trying to keep the fat down even more, you can absolutely use 99% lean ground meat, but you’ll want to add an extra splash of water or broth when cooking the turkey to keep things from getting too dry in the pan.

Now, what about the oil? Olive oil is my go-to because of the flavor it adds when it mixes with the onion and garlic, but if you don’t have any handy, avocado oil is a wonderful neutral substitute, especially if you plan on serving this hash alongside something spicy. If you’re in a real pinch and have absolutely no oil, you can start the onions and garlic using just a tiny splash of water in a good non-stick skillet until they soften, then proceed. It’s not my favorite way, but hey, it gets the job done in a pinch!

These little swaps keep you making delicious, nutrient-dense meals without an emergency trip to the store. If you’re trying to streamline even more of your cooking, go take a peek at my list of 5-ingredient dinner ideas—sometimes less really is more!

Making Your Turkey and Sweet Potato Skillet Hash Ahead of Time

Meal prep is my secret weapon for surviving busy weeks, and this Turkey and Sweet Potato Skillet Hash? It’s practically begging to be made ahead of time! It’s one of those glorious ground turkey recipes that tastes just as good, if not slightly better, on day two because all those warm spices have more time to mingle.

If you’re looking to get ahead for the week, I highly recommend building this in two parts. I find separating the components keeps the textures perfect, which is crucial for both breakfast or dinner.

For storage inspiration, you can always check my guide on make-ahead breakfast strata if you need more prep ideas, but here’s my specific hash strategy:

Storing the Components Separately

When I finish cooking the hash, I let everything cool down completely on the counter—don’t put hot food straight into the fridge, that’s just asking for condensation mush! Once cool, I store the cooked ground turkey seasoning mix in one airtight container and the soft, slightly caramelized sweet potatoes, onions, and garlic in another. Keeping them separate means you can control the texture when reheating.

For example, if you want crispy edges later, you can just crisp up the potatoes separately in a dry pan for a few minutes before combining everything. If you need a quick meal, just toss the turkey mix straight into the microwave, heat it through, and then fold it into the reheated potatoes.

Reheating for the Best Texture

How you reheat this hash totally depends on when you eat it. If you’re serving it for breakfast, I always opt for the stovetop. Scoop your desired portion into the skillet—no need for extra oil since we used a little in the original cooking process—and heat over medium heat until it’s steaming hot all the way through. This gently crisps up those sweet potato edges again.

If you’re grabbing this for a quick high protein dinner idea straight from the work fridge, the microwave will certainly work, but you’ll lose a bit of that lovely texture. If you microwave it, try leaving the lid slightly ajar or placing a paper towel over the top; this allows some of the steam to escape so your hash doesn’t get waterlogged. It still tastes amazing, though, and when you’re busy, flavor beats perfect crispiness every time!

Frequently Asked Questions About This Ground Turkey Recipe

I know when you’re pulling together a new favorite meal like this Turkey and Sweet Potato Skillet Hash, you always have a couple of little questions rattling around. That’s totally normal! I’ve rounded up the most common ones I hear from folks trying this out for the first time. Remember, this is designed to be simple, so don’t let questions stop you from getting dinner on the table tonight!

If you’re looking for more totally dependable, fast meals, you might want to save my post on planning quick breakfast casseroles for the weekend.

Is this Turkey and Sweet Potato Skillet Hash suitable for gluten free meals?

Yes, absolutely! This is one of the features I just love about this dish. Since we aren’t using any flour, breadcrumbs, or conventional thickeners in the hash itself, this Turkey and Sweet Potato Skillet Hash is naturally gluten free. It’s a fantastic, safe, and flavorful option when you’re navigating gluten free meals, whether for yourself or for the whole family. Just be sure that any store-bought spice blends you use are certified gluten free, just to be super cautious!

How can I boost the protein in this high protein dinner idea?

That’s a great question, as we always want to maximize that staying power! The base recipe is already a solid high protein dinner idea thanks to the pound of lean ground turkey, but if you’re trying to bulk it up—maybe after a seriously grueling workout—I have two easy suggestions.

1. Double the Meat: The easiest way is to just use 1.5 lbs of ground turkey instead of one. You might need just an extra splash of that water when you mix the seasoning to make sure it coats everything evenly.
2. The Egg Topper: Seriously, adding one or even two fried or poached eggs on top of each serving of the finished hash is the fastest way to add high-quality, bioavailable protein. That runny yolk mixes right into the sweet potato goodness—perfection!

Can I use regular potatoes instead of sweet potatoes?

You totally can! While I love the sweetness and nutritional punch that sweet potatoes bring to this meal, russet or Yukon gold potatoes work fine. The main thing to watch out for is the cooking time. Russet potatoes are a little starchier, so they might soften up faster. Keep an eye on them during that five-to-seven-minute simmer time; if they start looking mushy before you add the turkey, pull them off the heat immediately so they don’t completely dissolve when you combine everything for the final hash.

What is the best temperature to cook the ground turkey?

I always recommend medium heat for the ground turkey in that separate pan. We want the moisture to evaporate out slowly while the meat browns nicely, not steam, which happens if the heat is too high. Medium heat ensures that when you add the seasoning paste, it sticks to the meat and doesn’t just boil in liquid. You want to cook it until there’s absolutely no pink left, which is key for any ground turkey recipe satisfaction!

Estimated Nutritional Snapshot for Turkey and Sweet Potato Skillet Hash

When you’re cooking something this wholesome—a real winner for high protein dinner ideas—it’s only natural to want to peek under the hood and see what macros you’re working with. I always keep things streamlined, so this breakdown is based on dividing the whole batch into four equal servings. It shows you just how effective this ground turkey recipe is for clean eating!

This information is just a guide, of course. You know how it is in a real kitchen—if you use fattier turkey or sneak in an extra glug of oil, those numbers shift a little. This snapshot is calculated using that lean 93/7 ground turkey, so think of it as a fantastic baseline for tracking your intake.

If you’re trying to keep a close eye on your intake, make sure you check out some of my other posts, like how to find calorie-smart recipes that still deliver maximum flavor!

Here is the breakdown:

• Calories: Around 254 per serving
• Protein: A solid 17 grams! That’s why I love this as a high protein dinner idea.
• Carbohydrates: 21 grams (Mostly natural sugars from the sweet potatoes!)
• Fat: About 11 grams
• Sodium: 437 mg
• Fiber: 3 grams

This is proof that you don’t have to sacrifice taste or feeling satisfied when you are following your plan, whether you’re aiming for keto goals or just trying to eat cleaner. It’s balanced, flavorful, and keeps you full!

Share Your Turkey and Sweet Potato Skillet Hash Creations

Whew! You made it! Now that you’ve got this incredible Turkey and Sweet Potato Skillet Hash cooling on your counter, I absolutely need to see what you’ve done with it. Cooking isn’t just about following steps; it’s about making the food your own, and I love seeing the little twists you all come up with in your own kitchens!

This meal is designed to be a weeknight lifesaver, so I really want to know how it worked for you. Were you super strict with the seasoning, or did you toss in some extra heat? Did you serve it as a hearty breakfast or a quick high protein dinner idea?

Please, please leave a comment below! Let everyone know what you thought, especially if you’re comparing notes on how it holds up for meal prep. Your feedback helps others feel confident jumping in and trying this out. And if you snap a quick picture, tag me on social media! I live for seeing happy faces diving into a plate of this fantastic ground turkey recipe. If you have any direct questions about the process, drop those in the comments too, or feel free to reach out through my contact page. Happy cooking, friends!