If you’re craving a cozy, wholesome meal that comes together without a fuss, this Ground Turkey with Potatoes and Peas Recipe is exactly what you need. I love how the simple ingredients meld into something comforting yet light, making it perfect for those busy weeknights when you want something nourishing but quick. The combination of lean ground turkey with tender potatoes and fresh peas creates a beautiful harmony of textures and flavors you’ll keep coming back to.
When I first tried this recipe, I was amazed at how the cumin and fresh cilantro brightened up the dish, giving it a subtle, satisfying warmth without overpowering that natural freshness. If you’re looking for a meal that’s both family-friendly and healthy, this recipe delivers on all fronts — plus, it’s versatile enough to fit into lunch or dinner with ease. Trust me, once you make this Ground Turkey with Potatoes and Peas Recipe, it’ll become one of those go-to dishes you’ll want to bookmark.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Quick and Easy: Perfect for weeknights when you want a nutritious meal without spending hours in the kitchen.
- Balanced Flavors: The cumin and cilantro add just the right zing to complement the mild turkey and potatoes.
- Nutritious and Filling: Lean protein, fiber-rich potatoes, and fresh peas make it satisfying and healthy.
- Adaptable: Easily modified with your favorite herbs or veggies to suit your taste or whatever’s in your fridge.
Ingredients You’ll Need
This Ground Turkey with Potatoes and Peas Recipe shines because each ingredient brings something special to the table — from the earthiness of cumin to the brightness of fresh cilantro. When shopping, look for fresh, firm potatoes and peas to keep that vibrant, comforting vibe.
- Tomato: Fresh and ripe for that natural sweetness and acidity.
- Garlic: A flavor punch that lifts everything up.
- Fresh cilantro: Adds a lovely herbaceous brightness; chop it finely for best results.
- Ground turkey: Lean and healthy, it soaks up all the spices beautifully.
- Scallions: Mild onion flavor that adds freshness and color.
- Fresh peas: They bring a slight pop and hint of sweetness; frozen peas work in a pinch too.
- Potato: Diced into half-inch cubes for even cooking and hearty texture.
- Tomato sauce (canned): Helps create a saucy, comforting base.
- Water: To simmer everything perfectly without drying out.
- Cumin: The secret magic that ties all the flavors together.
- Kosher salt: Enhances all the natural flavors.
- Bay leaf: Adds subtle earthy depth; remember to remove before serving.
Variations
One of the best things about this Ground Turkey with Potatoes and Peas Recipe is how easy it is to tweak based on your mood or pantry. I often swap in different herbs or add a twist of heat when I want to shake things up.
- Add spices like smoked paprika or chili flakes: I tried adding a pinch of smoked paprika once and it gave the dish a cozy, smoky undertone that my family loved.
- Swap fresh peas for frozen or edamame: In a pinch, frozen peas keep the flavor fine, and edamame adds a nice protein boost.
- Make it dairy-free or vegan: Replace ground turkey with cooked lentils or crumbled tofu for a plant-based twist.
- Substitute potatoes for sweet potatoes: This adds a hint of sweetness and extra vitamins—perfect for fall or winter evenings.
How to Make Ground Turkey with Potatoes and Peas Recipe
Step 1: Prep Your Fresh Ingredients
The first step is to finely chop your tomato, garlic, and fresh cilantro. I like using a mini food processor here because it saves time and ensures the herbs and tomato pieces are evenly chopped, which helps them melt into the dish perfectly. If you don’t have one, just chopping by hand works great too—taking your time here makes a difference in flavor.
Step 2: Brown the Ground Turkey with Seasoning
Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat, then add the ground turkey. Season it right away with kosher salt and cumin. Brown the meat thoroughly, breaking it apart with a spatula so it’s cooked evenly. You’ll want to cook until there’s no pink left and the turkey starts to develop a little golden color — that caramelization adds flavor depth that’s subtle but important.
Step 3: Combine and Simmer
Once your turkey is browned and flavorful, add the chopped scallions, the tomato-cilantro-garlic mixture, fresh peas, diced potatoes, tomato sauce, water, a pinch more cumin and salt, plus the bay leaf. Give everything a good stir to combine. Cover the pan and reduce the heat to medium-low. Let it simmer gently for about 25 minutes, stirring now and then to prevent sticking, until the potatoes are tender and the flavors meld.
If the liquid evaporates too quickly and the potatoes aren’t soft yet, just add a splash more water. Remember to remove the bay leaf before serving!
Pro Tips for Making Ground Turkey with Potatoes and Peas Recipe
- Use Fresh Herbs Wisely: Adding cilantro early in the cooking process blends flavors well, but add a handful of fresh chopped cilantro at the end too for a burst of brightness.
- Don’t Skip Browning: I learned that getting some color on the turkey before simmering adds so much more flavor than just cooking it pale and plain.
- Potato Size Matters: Cutting potatoes into uniform ½-inch cubes ensures they cook evenly without turning mushy, which is key for texture here.
- Simmer Gently: Keep the heat medium-low to avoid burning the bottom and to let those flavors develop slowly and beautifully together.
How to Serve Ground Turkey with Potatoes and Peas Recipe
Garnishes
I love topping this dish with a sprinkle of freshly chopped cilantro or scallions—it just brightens things up so nicely. Sometimes I add a squeeze of fresh lemon juice for a little zing at the table, which really lifts the whole meal.
Side Dishes
This recipe pairs beautifully with fluffy white or brown rice, which soaks up all the saucy goodness. If you’re in the mood for something lighter, a side salad with crisp cucumbers and lemon vinaigrette balances the richness perfectly.
Creative Ways to Present
For a casual dinner party, I like to serve this in individual ramekins topped with extra herbs and a dollop of plain yogurt or sour cream for a creamy touch. It also makes a great filling for soft pita bread or warm flatbreads if you want to turn it into handheld lunch bowls.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
I usually store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge where they keep well for about 3 to 4 days. The potatoes soak up more flavor as it sits, making leftovers even tastier the next day.
Freezing
This Ground Turkey with Potatoes and Peas Recipe freezes wonderfully. Just cool completely before transferring to freezer-safe containers or bags. When you’re ready to eat, thaw overnight in the fridge for best results.
Reheating
I reheat leftovers gently on the stovetop over low heat, stirring occasionally and adding a splash of water if needed to keep things juicy. Microwaving works too, but stirring halfway helps keep the potatoes from drying out.
FAQs
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Can I use ground chicken or beef instead of ground turkey?
Absolutely! Ground chicken or lean ground beef will work well here, but cooking times may vary slightly. Keep an eye on browning and adjust seasoning as needed to complement the meat’s natural flavors.
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Can I make this recipe vegetarian?
Yes! Substitute the ground turkey with cooked lentils, crumbled tofu, or a plant-based ground meat alternative. You might want to add a pinch more cumin and some vegetable broth to boost flavor.
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How do I know when the potatoes are perfectly cooked?
The potatoes should be tender enough to pierce easily with a fork but not falling apart. Check around the 25-minute mark by testing a cube—if it’s still firm, continue simmering a little longer.
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Can I prepare parts of this recipe in advance?
Yes! You can chop the tomato, garlic, and cilantro ahead of time and keep them in the fridge for a day. You can also brown the ground turkey in advance and refrigerate it, then combine and simmer all ingredients when ready to eat.
Final Thoughts
This Ground Turkey with Potatoes and Peas Recipe holds a special place in my weeknight rotation because it’s comforting, healthy, and incredibly satisfying without being complicated. I hope you enjoy making and sharing it as much as I do—it’s like wrapping yourself in a warm culinary hug after a busy day. Give it a try soon, and I promise it’ll become one of those recipes you turn to when you want a nourishing meal with minimal fuss.
Print
Ground Turkey with Potatoes and Peas Recipe
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Total Time: 35 minutes
- Yield: 5 servings
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Low Fat
Description
A comforting and quick weeknight dish featuring lean ground turkey, tender potatoes, fresh spring peas, and aromatic spices simmered together in a savory tomato sauce. This hearty skillet meal is simple to prepare and perfect served over rice.
Ingredients
Produce
- 1 medium tomato
- 3 cloves garlic
- 1/4 cup fresh cilantro
- 4 medium scallions, chopped
- 1 cup fresh peas
- 1 large potato, peeled and diced into 1/2 inch cubes
Meat
- 20 oz 93% lean ground turkey
Pantry
- 8 oz can tomato sauce
- 3/4 cup water
- 1 tsp cumin (or to taste)
- 1 tsp kosher salt (plus more to taste)
- 1 bay leaf
Instructions
- Prepare the fresh ingredients: Using a mini food processor or a knife, finely chop the tomato, garlic, and cilantro until well mixed and finely minced.
- Brown the ground turkey: Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat, add the ground turkey, and cook until browned and cooked through, breaking it up with a spatula. Season with kosher salt and cumin to taste during cooking.
- Add vegetables and liquids: To the browned turkey, add the chopped scallions, the tomato, garlic, and cilantro mixture, fresh peas, diced potatoes, canned tomato sauce, water, additional cumin, kosher salt, and the bay leaf.
- Simmer the mixture: Cover the skillet with a lid and reduce the heat to medium-low. Let the mixture simmer gently for about 25 minutes, stirring occasionally to prevent sticking and promote even cooking. Add more water if the mixture looks too dry.
- Finish and serve: Once the potatoes are tender and cooked through, remove the bay leaf. Serve hot over cooked rice if desired for a complete meal.
Notes
- Spring peas, ground turkey, cumin, cilantro, and potatoes combine to create a quick and flavorful weeknight dinner.
- Add more water as needed during simmering to avoid dryness or burning.
- Serve over rice or your favorite grain to make it a more filling dish.
- Adjust salt and cumin to suit your personal taste preferences.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup
- Calories: 209
- Sugar: 1.5 g
- Sodium: 332 mg
- Fat: 7 g
- Saturated Fat: 1.5 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 5 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 17 g
- Fiber: 3.5 g
- Protein: 21 g
- Cholesterol: 60 mg
