20 minute meal! These Turkey Taco Stuffed Sweet Potatoes are a fantastic option when you need a quick dinner recipe.
This isn't the first time I've stuffed sweet potatoes, but each time I do, I wonder why I don't make them a regular item on my meal plans. The first version involved spinach, feta and hummus - an easy meatless meal option. The second time around, I stuffed the sweet potatoes with a hoisin turkey and broccoli mixture. One of my readers commented, "Tripled this recipe to freeze for lunches – absolutely delicious! Will definitely be a staple for lunch!"
Hopefully these turkey taco stuffed sweet potatoes will get such rave reviews. They certainly did at my house!
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While it can be very convenient to dump a package of taco seasoning in the ground turkey, I assure you that it takes no more than a minute to add the individual seasonings, which give you a lot more control over the sodium levels and flavor. In fact, this entire recipe takes just 20 minutes to make. While the sweet potatoes are cooking in the microwave, the turkey mixture cooks on the stovetop. Multi-tasking at its best!
Once the potatoes are cool enough to handle, cut them in half lengthwise, scoop out the flesh and mash it with some olive oil and cumin before scooping back into the skins. Top it all off with the cooked, seasoned ground turkey mixture.
We used pepper Jack on top of our stuffed sweet potatoes, but cheddar, Monterey Jack or even Parmesan cheese would work just as well.
Watch how easy it is to make these Turkey Taco Stuffed Sweet Potatoes:
Printable Recipe
Turkey Taco Stuffed Sweet Potatoes
Ingredients
- 2 medium sweet potatoes
- 1 teaspoon olive oil
- 1 ¼ teaspoons ground cumin divided
- ¼ + ⅛ teaspoon salt
- ¼ + ⅛ teaspoon ground pepper
- ¾ pound lean (93%) ground turkey
- 4 garlic cloves minced
- 1 teaspoon chili powder
- ½ teaspoon dried oregano
- ½ teaspoon paprika
- 1 ¼ cup canned crushed tomatoes
- ¼ cup grated pepper Jack cheese
- 2 tablespoons minced flat-leaf parsley
Instructions
- Pierce the sweet potatoes all over with a fork. Cook in the microwave on HIGH until tender when pierced with a fork, 4 to 5 minutes per side. Let the potatoes rest until cool enough to handle.
- Cut the potatoes in half lengthwise. Carefully scoop the flesh out of the potatoes and place in a medium-sized bowl. Reserve the skins. With the back of a fork, mash the potato flesh until most lumps are gone. Stir in the olive oil, ½ teaspoon cumin, ¼ teaspoons salt and ¼ teaspoon pepper. Divide the mashed sweet potato evenly between the potato skins. Place on a baking sheet.
- Heat a large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat. Lightly coat with cooking spray. Add the ground turkey and cook, breaking up with a wooden spoon, until cooked through. Stir in the garlic, chili powder, remaining ¾ teaspoon cumin, oregano, paprika, and remaining ⅛ teaspoon salt and pepper. Cook for 1 minute. Stir in the crushed tomatoes.
- Preheat the broiler. Spoon the turkey mixture into each sweet potato skin. Top each with 1 tablespoon grated cheese. Broil until the cheese is melted, about 30 seconds. Garnish with parsley. Serve.
Video
Notes
Nutrition
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Danielle
I’ve made these several times and they are delicious! Would they freeze well?
Dara
Hi Danielle, I'm so glad you enjoyed them! I haven't frozen this particular recipe, but have frozen twice-baked potatoes successfully. I suggest assembling the potatoes as instructed, leaving off the cheese. Wrap in foil and freeze - plus put into some sort of freezer bag or container to protect them from freezer burn. Bake them directly from frozen until thawed (probably about 15-20 mins), then unwrap, top with cheese and bake for an additional 15-20 minutes. Please report back if you try this!
Caszaundra
Thanks for posting this recioe. It was delicious!
Di
I went looking for a recipe for ground turkey and sweet potatoes and happened upon this one. What a lucky find. My husband and I both really liked this recipe - will definitely make this again. I did add black beans to the meat mixture because we really like them, but this was very tasty without them. Thank you for sharing!
Laura
I never leave comments on recipes but this one I felt compelled to! I roasted the sweet potatoes like you mentioned in the comments at 400 for 45 minutes. They came out so perfect! I also added black beans to the ground turkey mixture, it was just so SO good! Definitely adding this to my staple weekly recipes!
Dara
So great to hear! Thank you for commenting, Laura.
Georgiana Keeler
This recipe is so delicious and so healthy .
Caroline
This was delicious! I didn't stuff it back in the sweet potatoes because I didn't add cheese; we just ate it in tortillas/coconut wraps. Definitely a keeper!
Janis
Good morning!
Has anyone tried making these without the tomatoes? I'm allergic.
I feel they'd be ok. I could beef up the ingredients by adding diced zucchini maybe.
Thank you!
Dara
Hi Janis, I haven't tried them without the tomatoes, but the recipe is pretty forgiving, so I think you could make that work. Grated zucchini would be a great substitute! If you find it to still be a little dry, add a splash of chicken broth.
Aimee
Thank you for sharing this recipe! I made it and loved it!
Andrea
I don’t have a microwave, how can I do it?
Dara
Hi Andrea, bake the sweet potatoes in the oven. It will take a bit longer, but the flavor will be great! I usually bake them at 400 degrees F for 45 to 60 minutes, depending on the size of the potato.
Priscilla
Made these last night and topped with black beans and corn! Quick, delicious nutritious meal. Thanks for sharing!
Lauren
Made these last night and they were delicious and easy! Even our picky 15 month old devoured them (I did use less chili powder to cut the spice for her.) Will definitely make again!
Victoria
I love this recipe so much I crave it! It’s super easy and quick which I need because I do not like spending hours cooking. No one has the time for that these days.
Mary
We loved it. Sadly there were no leftovers for my lunch the next day!