Turkey Taco Stuffed Sweet Potatoes

Name: Turkey Taco Stuffed Sweet Potatoes
Prep time: 5 min
Cook time: 30 min
Total time: 35 min
Ingredients: 2 medium sweet potatoes, (cleaned and halved); 2 tablespoons olive oil; 1 pound ground turkey; 2 tablespoons taco seasoning mix; 10-15 cherry (or grape) tomatoes, (quartered); 1 cup black beans, (drained and rinsed); 1 cup whole kernel corn; 2 cups arugula; sour cream; pickled peppers, (diced); crumbled goat cheese; green onion, (chopped); avocado, (diced); cilantro

If your weeks are like ours, finding healthy, easy dinner recipes is a win. Our turkey-stuffed sweet potato is a lighter spin on taco night. It’s also perfect for meal prep -cook the sweet potatoes and turkey ahead of time, and you have easy lunches ready.

sweet potato stuffed with turkey taco meat on plate with arugula and topped with corn, black beans, sour cream, pickled peppers, avocado

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For more healthy dinner ideas, try our turkey burger with mushrooms or our cranberry turkey salad sandwich for another quick meal.

Key Ingredients

The complete ingredient list and measurements are listed in the printable recipe below.

Sweet Potatoes: Orange and purple varieties work best in this recipe for their rich flavor and nutrients. These nutritious root vegetables offer Vitamin A, antioxidants, and support gut health. When roasted cut-side down with olive oil, they develop a lovely caramelized edge that complements the taco seasoning.
Ground Turkey: We use 93% lean ground turkey for its balanced fat content and flavor. The moderate fat level helps the taco seasoning adhere to the meat. You can substitute with 99% lean turkey (add olive oil when cooking) or ground beef if preferred.
Olive Oil: This helps caramelize the sweet potatoes during roasting and helps the seasonings stick to leaner meat options. Use a light coating for best results.
Taco Seasoning: This seasoning blend adds Mexican-inspired flavors to the turkey and complements the potatoes’ natural sweetness. You can use store-bought or your favorite homemade version.

How to Make Turkey Taco-Stuffed Sweet Potatoes

Here are the quick, step-by-step instructions with visuals; you can find the full instructions, including the exact ingredients, in the recipe card below.

Pro-tip: Make extra servings for easy, go-to, nutritious lunches during the week.

1. Prepare and Cook the Sweet Potatoes: Preheat the oven to 350° F. Scrub and clean the sweet potatoes, then cut them in half lengthwise. Coat the sweet potatoes with olive oil and place the flesh side down on a baking sheet. Bake sweet potatoes for 30-40 minutes or until the flesh is fork-tender. Note: cooking time will vary based on the size of the sweet potatoes.

2. Cook the Turkey: Heat a large skillet on medium heat while the sweet potatoes are cooking. Cook the ground turkey for approximately 5 minutes, or until it begins to lightly brown, then add the taco seasoning mix and quartered cherry tomatoes. Stir the turkey, taco seasoning, and tomatoes until completely combined. Continue cooking for another 5-10 minutes, or until the turkey is fully cooked.

process shot for step 1 and 2 - cooked sweet potatoes on sheet pan and cooked turkey in a skillet

3. Prepare Corn and Black Beans: In medium-size microwave-safe bowls, heat corn and black beans until warm, approximately 2 minutes.

4. Assembly: Using a fork, gently mash the flesh of the sweet potato without damaging the skin. Place approximately ½ cup of arugula on each plate, then place half of one sweet potato on top of the arugula. Top each sweet potato with approximately ½ cup of taco turkey mixture and 1-2 tablespoons each of corn and black beans. Serve with additional toppings.

Make-Ahead and Storage

Make-Ahead: You can cook the turkey up to 24 hours ahead and store it in an airtight container in the refrigerator. You can also pre-bake the sweet potatoes and refrigerate them in an airtight container.

How to Store: Cooled sweet potatoes and cooked ground turkey can be stored in an air-tight container in the refrigerator.

How to Reheat: You can reheat the ground turkey and the sweet potato in a microwave at 30-second intervals until warm.

Recipe Tips and Notes

Be careful not to undercook the sweet potatoes. You want tender, moist, and fluffy sweet potatoes, not hard and crunchy.
Start by cooking the sweet potatoes in the oven, then cook the turkey.
Customize with your favorite toppings. We love green onions, guacamole, sour cream, and pickled peppers.
To make cleanup easy, cover the baking sheet with aluminum foil.

Frequently Asked Questions

Sweet potatoes with cuts, gouges, bruises, or blemishes may already be on their way out. Pick sweet potatoes that have smooth, taut skin. Choose sweet potatoes in the 4-8-ounce range since they tend to be less starchy and moister than larger ones.

Yes, however, you will not get the caramelization when cooked in the oven. To cook in the microwave, pierce your washed sweet potatoes with a fork 6 to 8 times, then cook on high for 5 minutes. They will be very hot, so handle them carefully when checking for doneness. Check if they are fork-tender; if not, place them back into the microwave for an additional minute.

More 30-Minute Dinner Recipes To Try

Looking for more quick and easy dinner recipes? Try these other favorites:

Creamy Mushroom Pasta – This pasta recipe combines the earthy, umami-rich flavors of fresh mushrooms with a luscious, velvety sauce, all draped over perfectly cooked pasta. This comforting and flavorful pasta dish is a favorite for pasta enthusiasts and mushroom lovers.
Gnocchi with Asparagus in Lemon Cream Sauce – This one-pan recipe combines a lemon cream sauce, pillowy gnocchi, and crispy-tender asparagus, then topped with a light dusting of beetroot powder.
Rotisserie Chicken Tortilla Soup – It is flavorful, quick, and perfect for leftovers. Made from tender rotisserie chicken, black beans, corn, and spices in a smoky tomato broth. Top with crispy tortillas and lime for a delicious weeknight dinner.