You just can’t beat the combination of high-protein ground turkey and nutritious, soft, perfectly-seasoned sweet potato! There are so many ways to turn these two humble ingredients into a delicious meal that’s low in calories and high in protein with plenty of fibre and antioxidants. From tacos to burgers, healthy doesn’t have to be boring!
When hunger is calling, it’s not often that the food we crave and the food we have available line up. With these ground turkey and sweet potato recipes, you can satisfy your craving for stuffed potatoes, chili, pasta bakes and more, and you can rest easy knowing you’re getting plenty of goodness with each one. So get ready to change up the boring dinners you’re already sick of and try some of these family-friendly and nourishing dishes this week.
A twist on the classic, this version of shepherd’s pie uses ground turkey instead of traditional lamb and replaces the potato with a fluffy mashed sweet potato. It only uses a couple of everyday ingredients but packs a flavor punch, and it ends up being a lot lighter than other meat versions. Plus it makes great leftovers for the freezer so you can just whip some out on a chilly weekend and reheat for hungry teens and adults alike.
This is one delicious 20-minute meal! Sweet potatoes cook faster than regular potatoes so these end up fluffy, cheesy, meaty and delicious in practically no time at all! They are super easy and quick to cook when you’re short on time and tummies are rumbling. Simply zap the sweet potatoes in the microwave, scoop out and mash the flesh with some spices, tomatoes and the ground turkey. You can also stuff in advance and bake in a toaster oven or air fryer to melt some cheese on the top for lunch in the office. All the flavors of a taco in a sweet potato!
This is one of those classic turkey recipes that everyone has made at least once. But this one is perfectly flavored and has a 2-ingredient sauce that ties everything together. A skillet full of meat and vegetables with only a few ingredients, this recipe only has 10 minutes prep time so dinner or lunch will be on the table in a flash.
A delightful and healthy recipe to cook up on a chilly winter’s evening, this chili is thick, rich and delicious. It’s the perfect combination of sweet potato, ground chili, corn and black beans cooked in a delicious sweet and spicy sauce. This chili is super simple and quick to prepare and could be easily made in the slow-cooker or instant pot.
This twist on the traditional pasta bake keeps all the gooey cheesiness but swaps potato for sweet potato and increases the protein by adding ground turkey. It only takes a few ingredients that you probably have on hand and is gluten-free, with plenty of vegetables. Another great all-in-one meal that keeps time in the kitchen to a minimum so you can stress less at dinner time.
Ready in under half an hour, this healthy twist on the classic hash has more protein, less calories and saturated fat and tastes 100% as good as the traditional corned beef and potato hash. It’s a fabulous option for breakfast or brunch but it has all the good stuff in it so you can also make it for a quick, easy dinner. Everything’s cooked up in one pan and it’s a great way to pack plenty of vegetables into a sweet, savory and super healthy meal for the family dinner roster.
A deliciously spiced, indian-inspired dish that’s quick and easy to make and is on the table in 30 minutes. This is the perfect recipe to try next time you need inspiration for the pack of ground turkey in the freezer! It uses store cupboard ingredients and a blend of smoky and sweet Indian spices and tastes warming and delicious. Serve with steamed rice or cauliflower rice for a complete meal or if you have a little more time, try your hand at making homemade dosas (a thin Southern-Indian pancake used as a roll!).
A little bit fancy, a whole lot healthy, these burgers are absolutely packed with nutrition! Made with ground turkey, sweet potato and plenty of chipotle flavor, they are super juicy and tender. Perfect for throwing on the grill in summer or for a quick, easy dinner or weekend lunch with friends. Low-fat, high-protein and the patties themselves are gluten-free, the perfect recipe to try for your next burger night!
This zesty, flavor-packed bowl contains ground turkey, pieces of tender sweet potato and a slightly spicy southwest coating, all drizzled with a fresh chili lime crema for a perfectly balanced meal. If you like things spicy add a diced jalapeno to the turkey when browning. Another meal to make weeknights flavorful with minimal effort, this one should be on your next meal plan!
Tacos are the ultimate family meal, and the filling potions are practically endless! This recipe makes tacos with a tender ground turkey and sweet potato mixture with a chipotle pepper sauce that will surely be a hit at your next taco night. Plus, the kids will love them and you’ll know they’re getting a hearty serving of vegetables in each bite!
FAQs
If you enjoy sweet potatoes, you can absolutely enjoy them daily. However, eating multiple sweet potatoes every day could cause a harmless condition called carotenodermia, where your skin turns yellow-orange. You may also want to be cautious about your sweet potato intake if you have a history of kidney stones.
How much sweet potato per day to lose weight? ›
Mindful portions: While sweet potatoes are nutritious, they still contain calories. Pay attention to portion sizes to avoid overconsumption. Aim for one medium-sized sweet potato per serving, which is approximately 130-150 grams or about the size of your fist.
When not to eat sweet potatoes? ›
How to tell if sweet potatoes have gone bad. If your sweet potato is soft in spots, smells rotten, or oozes a mysterious liquid, that potato should be discarded. Another sign that sweet potatoes have taken a turn for the worse is if they start growing stalky purplish sprouts.
Is a sweet potato enough for dinner? ›
That said, a plain sweet potato on its own is not enough for a meal. But Jones says it can make a fantastic base for a healthy, easy dinner. "Often I recommend clients bake their sweet potatoes as a part of food prep on the weekend and then they can slice open length-wise and quickly reheat during the week," she says.
What are the side effects of eating too much sweet potato? ›
Consuming sweet potatoes in excess can result in sweet potato side effects such as Vitamin A toxicity, which is manifested in skin rashes and headaches. Due to high fibre content, excess intake of sweet potatoes can result in bloating, stomach pain and diarrhoea.
What is the healthiest way to eat sweet potatoes? ›
Boiling may actually retain most of the antioxidant power of sweet potatoes, compared to roasting and steaming. If we compare baking to boiling microscopically, boiling helps thin out the cell walls and gelatinize the starch, which may enhance the bioavailability of nutrients.
Is sweet potato a carb or protein? ›
Sweet potatoes have a lot of carbohydrates. One 5-inch sweet potato has about 26 grams of carbohydrates. In a low-carb diet, one sweet potato has half of the calories from carbohydrates that you may be allowed. But that's still less than the carb content of a white potato: 35 grams, on average.
When's the best time to eat sweet potatoes? ›
Lunch: The best time to eat the sweet potato is to eat at lunch. After eating, calcium in sweet potatoes takes 4-5 hours to absorb into the body, 2 to 5 pm sunlight can promote calcium absorption. In addition, the ability to help the potatoes long enough to work to help you reduce appetite in the evening.
Which is better for weight loss potatoes or sweet potatoes? ›
Sweet potatoes are very low in calories, so they can be included in a weight-loss diet. Sweet potatoes are said to have about 86 calories per 100 g and roughly 100 calories per dish. However, a roughly equivalent amount (100 g) of peeled potato contains approximately 110 calories per serving, or 400 calories total.
What are the disadvantages of sweet potatoes? ›
Sweet potatoes contain high amounts of oxalates that may increase the risk of calcium-oxalate kidney stones. Sweet potatoes contain beta-carotene, and their excessive consumption can lead to hypervitaminosis A (vitamin A toxicity), in which excess vitamin A accumulates in the liver.
You really shouldn't store sweet potatoes in the fridge if you plan to eat them within a month or so, as refrigeration can bring on an unpleasant taste and a hard center. They technically will last longer if they're refrigerated, but they just won't taste great.
Is sweet potato bad for high blood pressure? ›
Eating potassium-rich sweet potatoes helps promote a healthy heart. Higher potassium intake allows you to excrete more sodium lower your blood pressure and reduce your risk for heart disease according to the American Heart Association.
What meat goes with sweet potatoes? ›
Let's delve into the meats that harmonize best with sweet potato mash, creating a perfect balance of savory and sweet.
- Pork Tenderloin: A Symphony of Flavors. ...
- Roasted Duck: An Opulent Pairing. ...
- Grilled Chicken: A Lighter Complement. ...
- Braised Beef Short Ribs: Comfort in Every Bite. ...
- Seared Salmon: An Unexpected Harmony.
If knowing the benefits of sweet potatoes has you ready to eat them regularly, you may be wondering if the adage “too much of a good thing” applies. While both our experts say eating a sweet potato a day is certainly healthy, they don't recommend more than that, since there are plenty of other vegetables to enjoy too.
What is the best time of day to eat sweet potatoes? ›
Lunch: The best time to eat the sweet potato is to eat at lunch. After eating, calcium in sweet potatoes takes 4-5 hours to absorb into the body, 2 to 5 pm sunlight can promote calcium absorption. In addition, the ability to help the potatoes long enough to work to help you reduce appetite in the evening.
Are sweet potatoes good for your kidneys? ›
Sweet potatoes are packed with fiber, beta-carotene, and numerous other vitamins and minerals that support the kidneys. They also are high in potassium. Eating potassium-rich foods may help balance sodium levels in the body, reducing strain on the kidneys.
Is sweet potato healthier than potatoes? ›
Though they can both be part of a healthy diet, sweet potatoes are generally healthier than regular potatoes, partly because of their incredibly high vitamin A content. Sweet potatoes are also lower on the glycemic index, meaning that they are less likely than regular potatoes to make your blood sugar spike.
Do sweet potatoes have a lot of carbs? ›
Sweet potatoes have a lot of carbohydrates. One 5-inch sweet potato has about 26 grams of carbohydrates. In a low-carb diet, one sweet potato has half of the calories from carbohydrates that you may be allowed. But that's still less than the carb content of a white potato: 35 grams, on average.
