45 Best Ground Turkey Recipes: Low Carb Ground Turkey Skillet with Pesto
Low Carb Ground Turkey Skillet is one of the best ground turkey recipes ready in less than 30 minutes! Made with simple ingredients like zucchini, tomatoes and pesto, this skillet dinner is max on flavor and will become a new family favorite.
Servings: 6 servings
Calories: 356kcal
Ingredients
- 2 lbs lean or extra lean ground turkey
- 2.5-3 lbs zucchini cut into thin slices
- 1 medium onion finely chopped
- 1 pint grape tomatoes cut in halves
- 3/4 cup pesto
- 1/4 tsp salt
- 2 tbsp Parmesan cheese grated
- 1 tsp oil
Instructions
- On medium heat, preheat large ceramic non-stick skillet and swirl oil to coat. Add onion, cook for 3 minutes, stirring occasionally.
- Add ground turkey and cook for 5-7 minutes, constantly breaking into pieces and stirring.
- Add zucchini, stir and cook for another 3-4 minutes, stirring occasionally.
- Turn off heat, add tomatoes and pesto, then stir.
- Garnish with Parmesan cheese and serve on its own or over greens for a low carb meal, or with Instant Pot brown rice or Instant Pot quinoa for complete with complex carbs meal.
Video
Notes
- Store: Refrigerate in an airtight container for up to 3 days. Do not freeze as zucchini do not freeze well. If this recipe is too much, cut it in half.
- Reheat: Reheat on a skillet with a splash of water while covered. Simmer on low, check and stir every 3 minutes until warmed through.
- Tomatoes: Regular tomatoes will work too, they just break down more.
- Parmesan cheese: Freshly grated Parmesan adds more flavor.
- Onion: Replace with about 1 tbsp of onion powder or flakes.
- This recipe makes a lot: And since you can't freeze leftovers, if you are cooking for 2 people, cut recipe in half.
- Make sure you have proper cooking vessel: I use 14" Green Pan, this 12 " skillet might work too because it seems deeper. A Dutch oven would be great!
- Stop cooking zucchini before they look ready: Zucchini contains 90% if not more water, to avoid mushy veggies, do not overcook. Stop cooking while squash still looks firm and crisp, it will get there with residual heat.
- Other cheeses zucchini skillet: Instead of Parmesan cheese you can add slices of fresh mozzarella cheese and let them melt under the lid. Or even crumbled feta cheese or regular cheese.
- Ground meat: Ground chicken, beef, venison or lamb will work as well.
Nutrition
Calories: 356kcal | Carbohydrates: 13g | Protein: 41g | Fat: 16g | Saturated Fat: 3g | Cholesterol: 87mg | Sodium: 510mg | Fiber: 4g | Sugar: 9g