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Best Easy Ground Turkey Taco Skillet with Black Beans

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A quick and easy ground turkey taco skillet with black beans that comes together in about 20 minutes. Perfect for busy weeknights, this forgiving recipe uses mostly pantry staples and delivers delicious comfort food magic.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 lb ground turkey (93% lean)
  • 1 can black beans (drained and rinsed)
  • 1 medium yellow onion (diced)
  • 3 cloves garlic (minced)
  • 2 tablespoons tomato paste
  • 1 can diced tomatoes (14.5 oz, undrained)
  • 1 tablespoon chili powder
  • 1 teaspoon cumin
  • 1 teaspoon smoked paprika (optional)
  • Salt and pepper to taste
  • 1 cup shredded cheese (sharp cheddar or Mexican blend)
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • Fresh cilantro for garnish (optional)

Instructions

  1. Heat the oil: Place your skillet over medium-high heat and add 1 tablespoon of olive oil. Let it shimmer for about 30 seconds.
  2. Sauté the onion: Add the diced onion and cook for 3-4 minutes, stirring occasionally, until it turns translucent and starts to soften.
  3. Add the garlic: Toss in the minced garlic and cook for 30 seconds. Don’t walk away — garlic burns fast and gets bitter.
  4. Brown the turkey: Add the ground turkey to the skillet. Break it up with your spoon and cook for 5-7 minutes, until no pink remains. Let it sit undisturbed for a minute before stirring to get some nice browning.
  5. Season it up: Sprinkle in the chili powder, cumin, smoked paprika, salt, and pepper. Stir everything together and let it cook for 1 minute to bloom the spices.
  6. Add the tomatoes and paste: Stir in the tomato paste first, then pour in the diced tomatoes with their juices. Scrape up any browned bits from the bottom of the pan.
  7. Add the black beans: Gently fold in the drained and rinsed black beans. Reduce the heat to medium-low and let everything simmer for 8-10 minutes until the sauce thickens slightly.
  8. Top with cheese: Sprinkle the shredded cheese evenly over the top. Cover the skillet with a lid and let it sit for 2-3 minutes, until the cheese is melted and gooey.
  9. Garnish and serve: Remove from heat, sprinkle with fresh cilantro if using, and serve straight from the skillet.

Notes

If the mixture seems too dry at any point, add a splash of chicken broth or water. If it’s too watery, let it simmer uncovered for a few extra minutes. This recipe freezes beautifully for up to 3 months.

Nutrition

Keywords: ground turkey taco skillet, black beans, quick dinner, weeknight meal, easy recipe, healthy, gluten-free

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