Easy Ground Turkey with Potatoes

If you ask me, ground turkey with potatoes is one of those no-fail dinner combinations.

This hearty skillet meal brings together lean ground turkey and tender potatoes in a comforting, home-style dish. The meat gets nicely browned while the potatoes cook up soft and golden, soaking up all the good flavors along the way.

It’s the kind of meal that comes together with simple pantry ingredients and minimal prep work. A sprinkle of herbs and a few basic seasonings are all you need to make this dish shine.

It’s a reliable weeknight dinner that’s both filling and budget-friendly, perfect for those busy evenings when you want something satisfying but simple.

What Kind of Ground Turkey Should I Use?

For this recipe, you’ll want to look for lean ground turkey labeled as 93/7, which means it’s 93% lean meat and 7% fat – this gives you the perfect balance of flavor while keeping things on the healthier side.

Regular ground turkey (85/15) will work too, but you might end up with more fat in the pan that you’ll need to drain off.

If you’re shopping at the meat counter, ask for ground turkey breast if you want the leanest option, though keep in mind it can be a bit drier than regular ground turkey.

Just make sure your ground turkey is fresh – it should have a light pink color and no strong odors when you open the package.

Options for Substitutions

This recipe is pretty flexible and you can make several easy swaps depending on what you have in your kitchen:

• Ground turkey: You can easily swap the ground turkey with ground chicken, ground beef (80/20 or 90/10 work well), or even ground pork. If using beef or pork, you might want to drain some of the excess fat after browning.
• Potatoes: Any potato variety works here – russet, red, or Yukon gold. You could even try sweet potatoes for a different twist. Just keep the dice size consistent for even cooking.
• Tomato sauce: If you’re out of tomato sauce, you can blend up whole canned tomatoes, or mix together 1/2 cup tomato paste with 1/2 cup water. In a pinch, crushed tomatoes work too, though the sauce will be a bit chunkier.
• Dried herbs: Fresh herbs can replace dried ones – just triple the amount called for. If you’re missing one herb, you can increase the others slightly or skip it altogether – the dish will still taste good.
• Olive oil: Any neutral cooking oil works here – vegetable oil, canola oil, or even coconut oil can step in for olive oil or avocado oil.

Watch Out for These Mistakes While Cooking

The biggest challenge when cooking ground turkey with potatoes is ending up with dry, flavorless meat – to prevent this, avoid overcooking the turkey and make sure to season it well at the beginning of cooking.

A common error is cutting the potatoes in uneven sizes, which leads to inconsistent cooking times – aim for uniform, small dice (about 1/2 inch) so they cook evenly and become tender at the same time.

To keep the dish from becoming too watery, don’t cover the pan while cooking the potatoes, as this traps steam and prevents them from getting that perfect golden-brown exterior.

For the best results, let the tomato sauce simmer and reduce slightly before adding the water, which helps concentrate the flavors and creates a richer sauce that clings better to the meat and potatoes.

What to Serve With Ground Turkey and Potatoes?

This hearty ground turkey and potato dish pairs really well with simple vegetable sides that can soak up the tasty sauce.

A side of steamed broccoli or green beans works perfectly, and you can even spoon some of the sauce over them.

If you want to keep things super easy, a basic mixed green salad with your favorite dressing adds a fresh crunch to balance out the warm, filling main dish.

For extra hungry folks, you might want to warm up some crusty bread to help mop up all that delicious sauce – garlic bread would be especially good here!

Storage Instructions

Keep Fresh: This ground turkey and potato dish is perfect for meal prep! Pop it in an airtight container and keep it in the fridge for up to 4 days. The flavors actually get even better as they meld together over time, making your leftovers something to look forward to.

Freeze: If you want to make a bigger batch, this recipe freezes really well. Let it cool completely, then portion it into freezer-safe containers. It’ll stay good for up to 3 months in the freezer. Just remember that potatoes might be slightly softer after thawing, but they’ll still taste great!

Reheat: When you’re ready to enjoy your leftovers, warm them up in the microwave for 2-3 minutes, stirring halfway through. You can also heat it in a skillet over medium heat – this method helps maintain the texture of the potatoes better. Add a splash of water if needed to keep everything moist.

Ground Turkey with Potatoes FAQ

Why do my potatoes take longer to cook than the recipe states?

The cooking time for potatoes depends a lot on how small you dice them. I find that cutting them into 1/2-inch cubes works best – any larger and they’ll need more time to get tender. If your potatoes are still firm after the recommended cooking time, just let them simmer for a few more minutes until they’re fork-tender.

Do I need to brown the turkey before adding the other ingredients?

Yes, browning the ground turkey first is important for both flavor and texture. I always cook the turkey until it’s no longer pink and has some golden-brown spots. This step takes about 5-7 minutes and helps develop those tasty browned bits at the bottom of the pan that add extra flavor to the dish.

Why is my sauce too watery?

If your sauce seems too thin, it’s usually because the potatoes haven’t released enough starch to help thicken it. I like to let the dish simmer uncovered for a few extra minutes – the liquid will reduce and the sauce will naturally thicken up. Just keep an eye on it and stir occasionally to prevent sticking.

Preparation Time	10-15 minutes
Cooking Time	25-30 minutes
Total Time	35-45 minutes
Level of Difficulty	Easy

Estimated Nutrition

Estimated nutrition for the whole recipe (without optional ingredients):

• Calories: 800-900
• Protein: 70-80 g
• Fat: 40-50 g
• Carbohydrates: 60-70 g

Ingredients

For the meat:

• 1 pound lean ground turkey (93/7, or substitute with ground beef)
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
• 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1/2 teaspoon chili powder
• 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano

For the potatoes:

• 2 tablespoons olive oil or avocado oil
• 4 cups small diced potatoes

For the sauce:

• 1 cup canned tomato sauce (8 oz)
• 1/2 cup water
• 2 teaspoons minced garlic
• 1 teaspoon dried oregano
• 1 teaspoon dried basil
• 1/2 teaspoon dried parsley
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
• 1/2 teaspoon onion powder

Step 1: Cook the Ground Meat

• 1 pound lean ground turkey
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
• 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1/2 teaspoon chili powder
• 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano

Brown the meat in a skillet over medium-high heat.

Add salt, pepper, garlic powder, chili powder, and oregano.

Mix well, remove from pan, and set aside.

Step 2: Sauté the Diced Potatoes

• 2 tablespoons olive oil or avocado oil
• 4 cups small diced potatoes

Add oil to the same skillet and heat until shimmering.

Add diced potatoes and sauté for 5–10 minutes until browned.

Step 3: Combine Ingredients and Simmer

• 1 cup canned tomato sauce (8 oz)
• 1/2 cup water
• 2 teaspoons minced garlic
• 1 teaspoon dried oregano
• 1 teaspoon dried basil
• 1/2 teaspoon dried parsley
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
• 1/2 teaspoon onion powder

Reduce heat to medium.

Add cooked meat back to the skillet with potatoes.

Add tomato sauce, water, garlic, and all remaining seasonings.

Stir to combine, cover, and simmer for 5 minutes or until potatoes are tender.

Step 4: Final Seasoning and Serve

Taste and adjust seasoning if needed.

Serve over roasted vegetables, rice, or cauliflower rice.