One-Pot Turkey Taco Zucchini (Printable)

Lean turkey and zucchini combine with classic spices for a fresh, flavorful one-pan summer dish.

# What You Need:

→ Meats

01 - 1 lb lean ground turkey

→ Vegetables

02 - 2 medium zucchinis, diced
03 - 1 red bell pepper, diced
04 - 1 small red onion, finely chopped
05 - 2 cloves garlic, minced
06 - 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
07 - 1 jalapeño, seeded and minced (optional)

→ Spices & Seasonings

08 - 2 teaspoons chili powder
09 - 1 teaspoon ground cumin
10 - 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
11 - 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
12 - 1/2 teaspoon salt, or to taste
13 - 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
14 - 1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes (optional)

→ Other

15 - 1/2 cup low-sodium chicken broth
16 - 1/2 cup shredded reduced-fat cheddar cheese
17 - 2 tablespoons fresh cilantro, chopped
18 - Juice of 1 lime
19 - 1 tablespoon olive oil

# How to Make It:

01 - Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add chopped red onion and cook 2–3 minutes until softened.
02 - Add minced garlic and cook 30 seconds until fragrant.
03 - Add ground turkey, breaking it apart with a spatula. Cook 4–5 minutes until browned and cooked through.
04 - Stir in red bell pepper, diced zucchini, and jalapeño if using. Cook 3–4 minutes until vegetables begin to soften.
05 - Sprinkle chili powder, cumin, smoked paprika, oregano, salt, black pepper, and red pepper flakes over the skillet. Mix thoroughly to coat meat and vegetables.
06 - Add cherry tomatoes and chicken broth. Stir well, bring to a simmer, and cook uncovered 5–7 minutes until most liquid evaporates and zucchini is tender.
07 - Remove from heat. Distribute shredded cheddar cheese evenly across the skillet and cover 1–2 minutes until melted.
08 - Garnish with fresh cilantro and squeeze lime juice over the top. Serve immediately while hot.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • Quick and Easy: Goes from prep to table in just 35 minutes.
  • Healthy and Balanced: High in protein with 32g per serving and low in carbs.
  • One-Pan Cleanup: Uses only one large skillet, minimizing time spent at the sink.
  • Fresh Flavors: Features a zesty combination of lime, cilantro, and seasonal zucchini.
02 -
  • Heat Control: Adjust the level of spice by including or excluding the jalapeño seeds and the crushed red pepper flakes.
  • Texture Secret: Make sure the skillet is hot before adding the turkey to get a good sear and extra flavor.
  • Label Check: If you are strictly gluten-free, always double-check the labels on your store-bought chicken broth and spices.
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