This ground turkey enchilada skillet is one of our weekly staples! It’s a favorite in our household because it’s a nutritious, satisfying, and filling meal you can easily make in one skillet! This enchilada skillet is packed with the irresistible flavors of enchiladas while being a lighter option. Simply cook all the ingredients in a skillet, top with melty, gooey cheese, and enjoy the deliciousness of this dish!
Why You Will Love This Ground Turkey Enchilada Skillet
- This recipe is easy to make and everything is cooked in one skillet! This makes for an easier clean-up and less hassle.
- This recipe doesn’t require a lot of prep work.
- It’s healthier and lightened up. We used ground turkey rather than ground beef.
- There are so many delicious toppings you can add such as cheese, avocado, or cilantro.
- This enchilada skillet has the crave-worthy flavors of enchiladas while being healthier and easier to make.
- Leftovers store well and are perfect for meal prep!
- There’s something incredibly comforting about this skillet meal. It’s topped with gooey melted cheese and is packed with flavor.
What Is An Enchilada Skillet?
This enchilada skillet is a twist on traditional enchiladas, made in one skillet! This enchilada skillet is made with ground turkey. It is reminiscent of the classic flavors of enchiladas while being lightened up. Rather than using tortillas, all the ingredients are cooked in one skillet on the stove. It is a delicious and easy one-pan meal with the flavors of enchiladas!
Ingredients Needed
- Ground Turkey: Use one pound of ground turkey breast for this recipe.
- Onion: Dice a white or sweet onion.
- Garlic: Crush a clove of garlic for flavor.
- Cumin: Season the ground turkey with cumin for another layer of flavor.
- Salt and Pepper: Also season the ground turkey with salt and pepper.
- Enchilada Sauce: Use homemade or your favorite store-bought enchilada sauce.
- Chipotle Peppers: Finely chop the chipotle peppers in adobo sauce. They add incredible flavor to this recipe.
- Black Beans: Rinse and drain the canned black beans.
- Corn: Add frozen corn to this enchilada skillet.
- Cheese: Add light cheddar or Mexican light cheese blend to this enchilada skillet.
- Cilantro: Sprinkle with chopped fresh cilantro once done.
- Green Onions: Slice the green onions. Garnish with them once done.
How To Make This Ground Turkey Enchilada Skillet
Step 1: Lightly spray a nonstick large skillet or pan with olive oil. After that, add the diced onion and crushed garlic, and sauté them. Then, move them to one side of the skillet.
Step 2: Add the ground turkey breast to the skillet. Season both sides with cumin, salt, and pepper. Cook the turkey over medium heat and use a spatula to break it up into small pieces.
Step 3: Once the ground turkey is fully cooked add the enchilada sauce, chopped chipotle peppers in adobo sauce, rinsed and drained black beans, and frozen corn to the skillet. Next, mix to combine all the ingredients. Then, let everything simmer for 5-10 minutes.
In the last few minutes sprinkle the shredded cheese over top and place the lid on the pan so it melts.
Step 4: Once done, serve and top with chopped fresh cilantro and sliced green onions.
Serving Suggestions
There are so many delicious ways to serve this enchilada skillet. Enjoy it as is and serve it in bowls. For another option, you can serve it over cooked brown rice, cauliflower rice, or lettuce. Or, you can assemble everything in flour or corn tortillas when ready to serve for the classic flavors of enchiladas. Dig into this enchilada skillet with your favorite tortilla chips for a crunchy texture or top with baked tortilla strips. Also, you can add your favorite toppings, if desired, such as cheese, avocado, guacamole, sour cream, cilantro, green onions, Pico de Gallo, cottage cheese queso, or avocado crema.
Expert Tips
- Enchilada Sauce To Use: You can make this recipe with homemade or store-bought enchilada sauce. Use your favorite red enchilada sauce. Or, use green enchilada sauce if you prefer the taste.
- Prep The Ingredients: I recommend doing the minimal prep work for this recipe first so everything comes together quickly and easily in the skillet. Dice the onion, rinse and drain the black beans, and chop the chipotle peppers in adobo so they are ready to be added.
- Add Toppings: We love adding toppings to this enchilada skillet. Some great options are cheese, cilantro, and green onions. Or, feel free to add your favorite toppings!
Storage Instructions
Store leftovers of this ground turkey enchilada skillet in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 3-4 days. Reheat leftovers in the oven, microwave, or a saucepan over low-medium heat on the stove until warm.
Variations
- Ground Turkey To Use: We used 99% fat-free ground turkey breast in this recipe. You could use any ground turkey that you prefer.
- Use Ground Chicken Instead: You can substitute the ground turkey breast for ground chicken breast or lean ground chicken.
- Chipotle Peppers In Adobo: We love the flavor that the chopped chipotle peppers in adobo sauce add to this enchilada skillet. If you prefer, you can omit them, or add up to an additional tablespoon for more spice.
- Cheese Options: Top this enchilada skillet with your favorite cheese. Some options are cheddar, feta, Cotija cheese, Pepper Jack, or light Mexican blend cheese.
- Corn To Use: I like to use frozen corn in this recipe because it’s easy and convenient. If you prefer, you can use rinsed and drained canned corn or fresh grilled corn.
- Dairy-Free: To make this enchilada skillet dairy-free omit the cheese or sprinkle with your favorite dairy-free cheese.
- Add Chiles: For another burst of flavor, add a small can of diced green chiles.
- Which Beans To Use: We added black beans to this recipe, but if you prefer, you can swap them for pinto beans, or use a combination of both.
- Fresh Garlic Substitution: If you don’t have a fresh garlic clove, add 1/4 teaspoon of garlic powder when seasoning the ground turkey.
Frequently Asked Questions
How Long Does Ground Turkey Enchilada Skillet Last?
This ground turkey enchilada skillet will last up to four days when stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator. I love meal-prepping this recipe to enjoy throughout the week for an easy, quick, and delicious meal! You can easily reheat leftovers.
Is This Enchilada Skillet Gluten-Free?
Yes, this enchilada skillet is naturally gluten-free. Just ensure that you use a certified gluten-free enchilada sauce.
More Recipes To Try Next!
- Slow Cooker Enchilada Bowl
- French Onion Chicken Skillet
- Cilantro Lime Cauliflower Rice
- One Skillet Cream Of Mushroom Chicken
- Sheet Pan Tacos
- Vegetarian Enchilada Bowl
If you try this recipe please be sure to leave us a comment and star rating ★★★★★ letting us know how it turns out for you.
Nutrition Facts
4 servings per container
- Amount Per ServingCalories301
- % Daily Value *
- Total Fat
3.1g
5%
- Saturated Fat 1.1g 5%
- Cholesterol 74mg 25%
- Sodium 1996mg 84%
- Potassium 359mg 11%
- Total Carbohydrate
32.3g
11%
- Dietary Fiber 8.7g 32%
- Sugars 10.5g
- Protein 34.7g 68%
* The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.
I used some 90/10 ground beef we had in the freezer. I bought smoked paprika and a cilantro/lime dry seasoning to use since I wasn’t sure how hot Adobe peppers would be. We loved the skillet with light corn tortillas for a Sunday night fun meal!
Hi Susan, I am so glad you enjoyed the skillet! I am glad you were able to make delicious substitutions. We are huge fans of chipotle peppers in adobo sauce over here. It has a nice rich, smoky flavor and is mild in heat as long as you chop them and only use one tablespoon. The cilantro lime seasoning that you used sounds delicious, as well! We are so happy you enjoyed the enchilada skillet, thank you so much for letting us know how it went!
Quick and easy, and delicious!
Hi Marie, we are so happy to hear that you love the enchilada skillet! It’s a staple for us, I think we make it every week and it never gets old! Thanks for letting us know you enjoyed the recipe!
This is absolutely amazing!! I have fixed this before and love it every time I fix it. Your recipes never disappoint us and we appreciate all your hard work y’all do in putting our healthy recipes!! Thanks again!! 🥰
Hi Tracy, we appreciate you taking the time to leave a comment! We are so happy you love the enchilada skillet, it’s a favorite of ours, too!