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    The Life Jolie » Main/Entree » Southwest Ground Turkey and Rice Skillet

    Southwest Ground Turkey and Rice Skillet

    Published: Sep 2, 2020 · Modified: Aug 31, 2022 by Jessy Freimann · This post may contain affiliate links · This blog generates income via ads.

    Jump to Recipe Print Recipe
    This Southwest Ground Turkey and Rice Skillet recipe is a deliciously easy throw-together dinner. It's full of great flavor with a kick to it and is a healthy way to mix things up in your dinner rotation!
    This Southwest Ground Turkey and Rice Skillet recipe is a deliciously easy throw-together dinner. It's full of great flavor with a kick to it and is a healthy way to mix things up in your dinner rotation!
    A close up of the southwest ground turkey rice on a plate.
    Give these other awesome ground turkey recipes a try: Turkey Meatloaf Muffins, 30 Minutes Turkey Chili and Easy Bahn Mi Sandwich.

    Southwest Turkey and Rice Skillet

    This post contains Affiliate Links. Please see the disclaimer here.

    I love a good skillet dinner! Combining meat and rice with all sorts of tasty things is totally my jam. And add to it the fact that is comes together really quickly- it's a total win! It's like healthy comfort food. The way I see it, you can never have enough ground turkey recipes!

    I love how this provides the ability to prep many of the ingredients ahead and use up any leftover rice that you may have from dinner the night before. It's quick and easy to make, with seriously delicious flavor and it's also pretty healthy! This is the stuff that winning weeknight dinners are made of!

    An overhead image of the Southwest Skillet Pan.

    Tips for making a Ground Turkey Southwest Rice Bowl

    • Use a non-stick skillet if you can- much easier clean up!
    • Try to break up the lean ground turkey quickly once you get it into the pan. I find that it's harder to break up once it's browned.
    • I wait to season the meat until after it's browned. This allows you to drain if needed without losing all the flavor.

    Do I have to use ground turkey?

    No- I personally love ground turkey, but any lean ground meat will work. Just be sure to drain the meat once it's browned through.

    Is there a way to make this not spicy?

    Yes, leave out the Chipotle powder and replace it with the same amount of additional chili powder. Also, use mild Rotel instead of Original.

    Can this be made ahead?

    Yes- it reheats very well. You can also prep the veggies, cook the rice and brown the turkey ahead and then throw them together.

    How long does Southwest Ground Turkey skillet last?

    This will last for up to 4 days covered in the refrigerator.

    A serving spoon holding a scoop of southwest rice skillet.

    Ingredients for making Ground Turkey Taco Skillet

    • Olive oil
    • Onion
    • Red bell pepper
    • Garlic
    • Ground Turkey
    • Kosher salt
    • Black pepper
    • Chili powder
    • Cumin
    • Chipotle powder
    • Dried cilantro
    • Rotel
    • Canned diced green chiles
    • Black beans
    • Frozen corn
    • Rice
    • Cheddar cheese
    • Scallion
    • Lime
    • Tortilla Chips

    Ingredients to prep ahead:

    • Dice onion
    • Dice pepper
    • Peel garlic
    • Cook rice
    • Shred cheese
    • Wash scallions

    Helpful tools

    1. Chef's knife
    2. Cutting board
    3. Measuring cups
    4. Measuring spoons
    5. Large saute pan
    6. Wooden spoon

    A plate of rice and ground turkey casserole.

    This Southwest Ground Turkey and Rice Skillet recipe is a deliciously easy throw-together dinner. It's full of great flavor with a kick to it and is a healthy way to mix things up in your dinner rotation!

    Southwest Ground Turkey and Rice Skillet

    Jessy Freimann
    This Southwest Ground Turkey and Rice Skillet recipe is a deliciously easy throw-together dinner. It's full of great flavor with a kick to it and is a healthy way to mix things up in your dinner rotation!
    4.96 from 24 votes
    Print Recipe Pin Recipe
    Prep Time 10 mins
    Cook Time 20 mins
    Total Time 30 mins
    Course dinner, Main, Main Course, Main dish
    Cuisine American
    Servings 6 servings

    Ingredients
      

    • 1 Tablespoon Olive oil
    • ½ cup finely diced onion
    • 1 cup finely diced red bell pepper
    • 2 cloves garlic, minced
    • 1 pound ground turkey
    • 1 Teaspoon kosher salt
    • ¼ teaspoon ground black pepper
    • 1 teaspoon chili powder
    • ½ teaspoon cumin
    • ¼ teaspoon Chipotle powder
    • 1 teaspoon dried cilantro
    • 1 10 ounce can Rotel
    • 1 4 ounce can mild diced green chiles
    • 1 14 ounce can black beans, rinsed and drained
    • 1 cup frozen corn
    • 2 cups cooked rice
    • 1 ½ cups shredded cheddar cheese, divided
    • Chopped scallions (for garnish)
    • lime juice
    • Tortilla chips (for garnish)

    Instructions
     

    • Heat oil in large skillet over medium high heat.
    • Saute onion and bell pepper for 2-3 minutes to soften, stirring frequently.
    • Add garlic and saute for 30 more seconds until fragrant.
    • Add ground turkey and sauté to brown, breaking it up. About 5 minutes
    • Once browned , drain if needed and chili powder, cumin, chipotle powder, salt, black pepper, and dried cilantro. Cook 2 minutes.
    • Add Rotel, diced chiles, black beans, corn, cooked rice and ½ cup shredded cheddar. Stir and cook 2 minutes to combine and heat through.
    • Top with remaining shredded cheddar, cover and turn off heat. Melt for 5 minutes and serve. Garnish with crushed tortilla chips, chopped scallions and a squeeze of lime juice.
    Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!

    A close up of rice and ground turkey on a plate with a fork in it.

    If you tried this recipe please comment and rate it 🙂 I love hearing your feedback and answering your questions! And if you make this please tag me on Instagram with @thelifejolie so I can share it <3

    You can find a full index of my recipes here.

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    Comments

    1. Maggie says

      March 29, 2021 at 8:46 pm

      Loved your directions and prep list--very, very helpful. The recipe was flavorful from the chili powder, but I added more spices to round out the flavor, easy fix. Thanks for a hearty, fast meal!
      Reply
      • Jessy Freimann says

        April 05, 2021 at 1:35 pm

        Thanks Maggie- I'm so glad you liked it!
        Reply
    2. Lo says

      April 19, 2021 at 7:01 pm

      So easy and delicious! I didn’t have all the ingredients on hand, but even missing a few things my whole family loved this! We added crushed blue corn tortilla strips, guacamole and sour cream on top. Delish!
      Reply
      • Jessy Freimann says

        April 22, 2021 at 11:26 am

        SO glad you loved it Lo! Sounds like you had some delicious toppers!
        Reply
    3. Bobbi says

      October 20, 2021 at 9:39 pm

      I used Trader Joe's Spicy Mexican-style riced cauliflower inst4ad of rice and it was delicious and low carb!
      Reply
      • Jessy Freimann says

        October 25, 2021 at 10:54 pm

        Yuuuummmmm! What a delicious add-on! Thanks for sharing :)
        Reply
    4. Michele says

      October 25, 2021 at 7:02 pm

      Made it with hamburger and left out the corn. It was delicious and fast! Will add guacamole as a garnish next time. Definitely a keeper!
      Reply
      • Jessy Freimann says

        October 25, 2021 at 10:52 pm

        So glad you loved it! Guacamole is ALWAYS a good idea!
        Reply
    5. Anthony says

      December 30, 2021 at 6:52 pm

      Delicious
      Reply
      • Jessy Freimann says

        January 13, 2022 at 8:12 pm

        Why thank you!
        Reply

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