Ground Turkey Zucchini Skillet Recipe

This Ground Turkey Zucchini Skillet is bursting with savory, umami flavor and just the right hint of kick. It’s a one-pan wonder loaded with lean ground turkey, crisp zucchini, and a sticky soy-ginger sauce that will have you licking the spoon—and asking for seconds.

Ingredients You’ll Need

It doesn’t get much simpler—every ingredient here is chosen for maximum flavor and freshness, and each one plays a special role in creating the vibrant taste and texture of this Ground Turkey Zucchini Skillet. Don’t skip the sauce ingredients: that’s where the magic happens!

• Soy sauce: Lends the classic salty, umami backbone and richness to the dish’s sauce.
• Brown sugar: Adds a perfect touch of sweetness to balance the salty and spicy notes.
• Sesame oil: Just a teaspoon infuses the sauce with that unmistakable toasted, nutty aroma.
• Garlic (grated): Freshly grated for bold, savory depth—one clove goes a long way!
• Ginger (grated): Brings a pop of zesty brightness; don’t be shy with the fresh ginger.
• Cornstarch: Thickens the sauce to glossy, silky perfection.
• Water: Loosens the sauce just enough for all the flavors to mingle and coat every bite.
• Chili garlic sauce: Adds a gentle heat and layers of garlicky flavor—adjust to taste for spice lovers.
• Onion: Once diced and sautéed, onion offers sweet, savory undertones and texture.
• Zucchini: The star veggie—choose a firm, vibrant zucchini for fresh flavor and tender bite.
• Cooking oil: For sautéing the veggies and keeping everything from sticking.
• Ground turkey: Lean, mild, and quick-cooking, it soaks up all the sauce and makes the dish protein-packed.

Variations

You can have so much fun making this Ground Turkey Zucchini Skillet your own. Whether you swap out the protein or dial up the veggies, this recipe welcomes all your creative tweaks and adapts easily to a variety of dietary needs and flavor preferences.

• Make it low-carb: Skip the brown sugar or swap in a low-calorie sweetener for a carb-friendly dinner.
• Swap the protein: Use ground chicken, pork, or even extra-firm tofu for a tasty twist and different flavors.
• Add more veggies: Bell peppers, mushrooms, or snap peas are all delicious additions to bulk up the skillet and add color.
• Adjust the heat: Increase or decrease the chili garlic sauce to make it as mild or fiery as you wish.

How to Make Ground Turkey Zucchini Skillet

Step 1: Whisk Together the Sauce

Start by grabbing a small bowl and adding in your soy sauce, brown sugar, sesame oil, grated garlic, grated ginger, cornstarch, water, and chili garlic sauce. Give everything a quick whisk until combined and glossy—the cornstarch will help the sauce thicken up beautifully later on. Set this aside; you’ll want it ready to go when the skillet is sizzling!

Step 2: Chop and Prep Your Veggies

Dice the onion into small pieces for even sweetness as it cooks. For the zucchini, slice it into round coins, then quarter each coin for chunky little triangles—they cook quickly but still hold a pleasant bite. Keep the veggies handy; they’ll be first up in the skillet.

Step 3: Sauté the Veggies

Heat your favorite large skillet over medium. A splash of cooking oil creates the perfect base for the diced onion and chopped zucchini. Sauté for 4 to 5 minutes, stirring now and then, until the onion is turning translucent and both veggies have a hint of golden brown. Once they’re just tender, scoop them onto a plate and set aside—don’t worry, they’ll come back soon!

Step 4: Brown the Ground Turkey

In the same skillet (no need to clean it!), add the ground turkey. Use a spatula to crumble the turkey and let it cook, undisturbed at first, so it browns nicely. Stir and continue cooking until there’s no more pink and little flavorful browned bits have formed on the bottom—these add so much extra flavor to your Ground Turkey Zucchini Skillet.

Step 5: Combine Everything & Add the Sauce

Take the sautéed veggies and tip them back into the skillet with the ground turkey. Give the sauce another good stir—cornstarch can settle at the bottom—then drizzle it over the skillet. Toss and stir so everything gets coated in that luscious, shiny sauce. Keep the pan over medium and let it simmer for 2 minutes to thicken and bring all the flavors together.

Step 6: Serve & Enjoy

Once your sauce is thickened and glossy, remove the pan from heat. Spoon the Ground Turkey Zucchini Skillet over steamed rice or enjoy straight from the skillet, topped with green onions, a sprinkle of sesame seeds, or a pinch of red pepper flakes if you like an extra kick. Dig in while it’s hot!

How to Serve Ground Turkey Zucchini Skillet

Garnishes

Brighten things up with a generous sprinkling of sliced green onions for freshness and a pop of color. Toasted sesame seeds lend just the right crunch and nutty aroma, while a pinch of red pepper flakes takes the heat up a notch for spice seekers. Don’t forget a squeeze of lime or a drizzle of extra sesame oil for even more layers of flavor!

Side Dishes

This skillet practically begs to be served over a bed of fluffy white or brown rice, but it’s also right at home alongside steamed quinoa or cauliflower rice. A simple green salad with a zippy vinaigrette or some roasted broccoli makes a crisp, refreshing counterpoint to the savory richness of the main dish.

Creative Ways to Present

Spoon your Ground Turkey Zucchini Skillet into lettuce cups for a fun, handheld option, or top with a soft-fried egg and serve in a shallow bowl for an extra-comforting twist. For meal prep, portion into containers with rice and sprinkled toppings—your future self will thank you at lunchtime!

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Cool any leftovers to room temperature, then transfer them to an airtight container in the fridge. Your Ground Turkey Zucchini Skillet will keep fresh for up to 3–4 days, making it an ideal candidate for meal prep or lunches throughout the week.

Freezing

You can freeze this skillet meal, although zucchini may release a bit of extra liquid after thawing. To freeze, portion into freezer-safe containers, cool completely, and freeze for up to 2 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge for best results.

Reheating

For best texture, reheat gently in a skillet over medium heat with a splash of water to loosen the sauce. You can also microwave individual portions in 30-second bursts, stirring in between to make sure everything heats evenly.

FAQs

Final Thoughts

I can’t recommend this Ground Turkey Zucchini Skillet enough—it’s the sort of recipe you’ll look forward to making again and again. Give it a try the next time you need something quick, hearty, and nourishing; I promise, your kitchen will smell irresistible, and your dinner will be a total hit!

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