Are you tired of the endless cycle of weeknight dinner dilemmas? We’ve all been there, staring into the fridge, hoping for inspiration to strike. Well, allow us to introduce your new hero: a vibrant, flavour-packed skillet meal that comes together in a flash and leaves everyone at the table asking for seconds. It’s a colourful explosion of savoury ground turkey, sweet, tender peppers, and a rich, aromatic tomato sauce that feels both wholesome and incredibly satisfying. This is more than just food; it’s a solution to your busy evenings.

This recipe for Ground Turkey And Peppers is one of those culinary gems that perfectly balances health, convenience, and pure, unadulterated deliciousness. We’ve designed it to be a one-pan wonder, which means minimal washing up – a victory in itself! The lean ground turkey keeps it light yet protein-packed, while a trio of colourful bell peppers not only makes the dish beautiful but also loads it with vitamins. The magic happens in the skillet, where simple, everyday ingredients transform into a deeply flavourful and cohesive meal.

So, who is this for? It’s for busy parents needing a quick and healthy family dinner. It’s for anyone looking for a brilliant meal-prep option that tastes just as good on day three. It’s for those seeking a low-carb-friendly meal that doesn’t compromise on taste. Honestly, it’s for anyone who loves a simple, rustic, and utterly comforting dish that brings a little bit of sunshine to the dinner table, any night of the week. Let’s get cooking!

Recipe Overview

This Ground Turkey and Peppers skillet is a rustic, Mediterranean-inspired dish that’s as easy to make as it is to love. We combine lean ground turkey with sweet bell peppers, onions, and garlic, simmering them all in a rich and herby tomato sauce. The flavour profile is savoury with a hint of sweetness from the peppers and a touch of smokiness from the paprika. It’s an incredibly straightforward recipe, making it perfect for beginners, yet the depth of flavour will impress even the most seasoned home cooks. Expect a hearty, comforting, and colourful meal that’s ready in under 40 minutes.

• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 25 minutes
• Total Time: 35 minutes
• Servings: 4 people
• Difficulty: Easy

Why You’ll Love This Ground Turkey And Peppers

• Incredible Flavour: The combination of savoury turkey, sweet peppers, smoky paprika, and aromatic oregano creates a wonderfully balanced and rich taste. The sauce reduces down to coat every single ingredient, ensuring each bite is bursting with flavour.
• Quick & Easy: This is the ultimate one-pan weeknight dinner. With just 10 minutes of prep and about 25 minutes of cooking, you can have a wholesome, home-cooked meal on the table in no time. Plus, less washing up is always a win!
• Versatile & Customisable: This recipe is a fantastic base for your own creations. You can add other vegetables like courgettes or mushrooms, turn up the heat with extra chilli, or serve it in a dozen different ways. It’s a true kitchen chameleon. If you love versatile one-pan meals, you might also enjoy our Sticky Chicken Rice Bowls.
• Perfect For Meal Prep: This dish tastes even better the next day as the flavours have more time to meld. It reheats beautifully, making it an excellent choice for work lunches or a quick dinner later in the week.
• A Crowd-Pleaser for Everyone: It’s naturally gluten-free and can easily be adapted for different dietary needs. It’s hearty enough to satisfy big appetites but light enough to not feel heavy, making it a guaranteed hit with the whole family.

Ground Turkey And Peppers

⏱️ 15 min prep  •  🍳 30 min cook  •  👥 4 servings

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Ingredients You’ll Need

We’re using simple, fresh ingredients that are easy to find at any local supermarket. The key to this dish is the quality of the bell peppers – look for firm, glossy ones as they will provide the best flavour and texture. Using a mix of colours not only makes the dish visually stunning but also adds a lovely spectrum of sweetness.

• 500g lean ground turkey (5% or 7% fat works best)
• 1 tbsp olive oil
• 1 large yellow onion, finely diced
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 red bell pepper, deseeded and sliced
• 1 yellow bell pepper, deseeded and sliced
• 1 orange bell pepper, deseeded and sliced
• 1 x 400g tin of chopped tomatoes
• 2 tbsp tomato purée
• 150ml chicken or vegetable stock
• 1 tsp dried oregano
• 1 tsp smoked paprika
• ¼ tsp red pepper flakes (optional, adjust to your spice preference)
• 1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
• ½ tsp salt, or to taste
• ¼ tsp freshly ground black pepper, or to taste
• A small bunch of fresh flat-leaf parsley, chopped
• 50g feta cheese, crumbled (optional, for serving)

Pro Tip: For an extra layer of flavour, try using fire-roasted tinned tomatoes. They add a lovely, subtle smokiness that complements the paprika and the browned turkey beautifully.

How to Make Ground Turkey And Peppers

The process for making this delicious skillet dinner is simple and straightforward. We’ll build layers of flavour in one pan, starting with the turkey and aromatics, then letting everything simmer together to create a rich, cohesive sauce. Just follow these steps for a perfect result every time.

1. Brown the Turkey: Place a large, deep frying pan or skillet over a medium-high heat. Add the olive oil. Once hot, add the ground turkey. Break it up with a wooden spoon and cook for 5-7 minutes, stirring occasionally, until it’s browned all over and cooked through. Use the spoon to crumble it into bite-sized pieces as it cooks. Once browned, transfer the turkey to a separate bowl and set it aside.
2. Sauté the Vegetables: In the same skillet, add the diced onion and the sliced bell peppers. There should be enough fat left from the turkey, but if the pan looks dry, add another splash of olive oil. Cook for 8-10 minutes, stirring frequently, until the onions are translucent and the peppers have softened and started to gain a little colour at the edges.
3. Add the Aromatics: Add the minced garlic, dried oregano, smoked paprika, and red pepper flakes (if using) to the skillet with the vegetables. Stir continuously for about 1 minute until everything is incredibly fragrant. This step is crucial for “blooming” the spices and deepening their flavour.
4. Create the Sauce Base: Stir in the tomato purée and cook for another minute. This helps cook out the raw tomato taste and intensifies the sauce’s richness. Pour in the Worcestershire sauce and give everything a good stir to combine.
5. Simmer Everything Together: Pour the tinned chopped tomatoes and the chicken stock into the skillet. Bring the mixture to a gentle bubble, scraping up any flavourful browned bits from the bottom of the pan.
6. Reunite and Season: Return the cooked ground turkey to the skillet. Stir everything together and season with salt and freshly ground black pepper. Reduce the heat to low, cover the skillet with a lid, and let it simmer gently for 10-15 minutes. This allows the flavours to meld together and the sauce to thicken slightly.
7. Finish and Serve: After simmering, remove the skillet from the heat. The sauce should have a rich consistency that clings to the turkey and peppers. Stir in most of the chopped fresh parsley, reserving a little for garnish. Give it a final taste and adjust the seasoning if necessary. Serve your Ground Turkey and Peppers hot, garnished with the remaining fresh parsley and a sprinkle of crumbled feta cheese, if desired.

Expert Tips for Perfect Results

• Get a Good Sear: When browning the turkey, make sure your pan is sufficiently hot before adding the meat. Don’t move it around too much initially; let it sit for a minute or two to develop a nice brown crust. This Maillard reaction adds a huge amount of flavour.
• Don’t Skip the Simmer: The final 10-15 minute simmer is essential. It might be tempting to serve it right away, but this time is what transforms a collection of ingredients into a truly cohesive dish. It allows the turkey to become tender and absorb the flavours of the sauce.
• Make It Ahead: This meal is a fantastic candidate for batch cooking. You can prepare the entire dish a day or two in advance. The flavours will actually deepen overnight. Simply store it in the fridge and gently reheat on the hob or in the microwave.
• Proper Storage: Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. According to the Food Standards Agency, it’s important to cool leftovers quickly and refrigerate them within 2 hours of cooking.

Delicious Variations to Try

One of the best things about this recipe is how easily it can be adapted. Here are a few of our favourite ways to switch things up:

• Spicy & Smoky: For a real kick, add a finely chopped fresh red chilli or a jalapeño along with the garlic. You can also add a teaspoon of chipotle paste to the tomato purée for a deep, smoky heat.
• Add More Veggies: This is a great “clean out the fridge” meal. Feel free to add diced courgette, mushrooms, or even a handful of spinach towards the end of the cooking time for an extra nutritional boost.
• Low-Carb Dream: This dish is already quite low in carbs, but to make it a complete low-carb meal, serve it over cauliflower rice, courgette noodles (courgetti), or with a side of steamed green beans. For more inspiration, check out our popular Low Carb Chicken Casserole.
• Italian-Style: Add a splash of red wine after sautéing the vegetables and let it reduce. Stir in a teaspoon of balsamic vinegar at the end for a touch of acidity and finish with grated Parmesan cheese instead of feta.

What to Serve With Ground Turkey And Peppers

This versatile skillet meal pairs beautifully with a variety of sides. Here are some suggestions to turn it into a complete and satisfying dinner:

• Grains: Serve it over a bed of fluffy white or brown rice, hearty quinoa, or even creamy polenta to soak up every last drop of the delicious sauce.
• Bread: A slice of warm, crusty sourdough or a chunk of ciabatta is perfect for mopping up the skillet. Garlic bread would also be a fantastic and indulgent accompaniment.
• Potatoes: For a truly comforting meal, serve it alongside creamy mashed potatoes or crispy roasted potato wedges.
• Beverage Pairing: A light-bodied red wine like a Pinot Noir or a Gamay complements the savoury turkey and tomato sauce without overpowering it. For a non-alcoholic option, a sparkling water with a squeeze of lemon is wonderfully refreshing.

Frequently Asked Questions

Ground Turkey And Peppers

A quick, flavorful, and healthy one-pan meal featuring lean ground turkey and colorful bell peppers simmered in a rich, savory tomato sauce. Perfect for a busy weeknight dinner.

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Prep Time 15 minutes mins

Cook Time 30 minutes mins

Total Time 45 minutes mins

Servings: 4 servings

Course: Main Course

Cuisine: American

Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients

  

• 500 g lean ground turkey 5% or 7% fat works best
• 1 tbsp olive oil
• 1 large yellow onion finely diced
• 3 cloves garlic minced
• 1 red bell pepper deseeded and sliced
• 1 yellow bell pepper deseeded and sliced
• 1 orange bell pepper deseeded and sliced
• 1 x 400g tin of chopped tomatoes
• 2 tbsp tomato purée
• 150 ml chicken or vegetable stock
• 1 tsp dried oregano
• 1 tsp smoked paprika
• ¼ tsp red pepper flakes optional, adjust to your spice preference
• 1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
• ½ tsp salt or to taste
• ¼ tsp freshly ground black pepper or to taste
• A small bunch of fresh flat-leaf parsley chopped
• 50 g feta cheese crumbled (optional, for serving)

Method

 

1. Brown the Turkey: Place a large, deep frying pan or skillet over a medium-high heat. Add the olive oil. Once hot, add the ground turkey. Break it up with a wooden spoon and cook for 5-7 minutes, stirring occasionally, until it’s browned all over and cooked through. Use the spoon to crumble it into bite-sized pieces as it cooks. Once browned, transfer the turkey to a separate bowl and set it aside.
2. Sauté the Vegetables: In the same skillet, add the diced onion and the sliced bell peppers. There should be enough fat left from the turkey, but if the pan looks dry, add another splash of olive oil. Cook for 8-10 minutes, stirring frequently, until the onions are translucent and the peppers have softened and started to gain a little colour at the edges.
3. Add the Aromatics: Add the minced garlic, dried oregano, smoked paprika, and red pepper flakes (if using) to the skillet with the vegetables. Stir continuously for about 1 minute until everything is incredibly fragrant. This step is crucial for "blooming" the spices and deepening their flavour.
4. Create the Sauce Base: Stir in the tomato purée and cook for another minute. This helps cook out the raw tomato taste and intensifies the sauce's richness. Pour in the Worcestershire sauce and give everything a good stir to combine.
5. Simmer Everything Together: Pour the tinned chopped tomatoes and the chicken stock into the skillet. Bring the mixture to a gentle bubble, scraping up any flavourful browned bits from the bottom of the pan.
6. Reunite and Season: Return the cooked ground turkey to the skillet. Stir everything together and season with salt and freshly ground black pepper. Reduce the heat to low, cover the skillet with a lid, and let it simmer gently for 10-15 minutes. This allows the flavours to meld together and the sauce to thicken slightly.
7. Finish and Serve: After simmering, remove the skillet from the heat. The sauce should have a rich consistency that clings to the turkey and peppers. Stir in most of the chopped fresh parsley, reserving a little for garnish. Give it a final taste and adjust the seasoning if necessary. Serve your Ground Turkey and Peppers hot, garnished with the remaining fresh parsley and a sprinkle of crumbled feta cheese, if desired.

Notes

Serve hot over rice, pasta, or quinoa for a complete meal. Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.

We truly hope you fall in love with this simple yet spectacular Ground Turkey and Peppers skillet. It’s a testament to the fact that you don’t need complicated techniques or fancy ingredients to create a memorable and satisfying weeknight dinner. It’s fast, flavourful, and endlessly adaptable – everything a modern home-cooked meal should be. Give it a try this week, and don’t forget to let us know how it turned out in the comments below. We love hearing about your kitchen adventures!