If you’re craving something hearty, colorful, and lightning-fast on a weeknight, you’ll fall in love with Mom’s Ground Turkey and Peppers! This skillet sensation is a time-tested favorite in my kitchen: juicy ground turkey, sweet bell peppers, and aromatics come together for an ultra-satisfying meal that feels both homey and fresh every single time.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

One-pan wonder: Mom’s Ground Turkey and Peppers lets you whip up a healthy, vibrant meal using just a single skillet—hello, easy clean-up!
Burst of fresh flavors: The mix of sweet peppers, fragrant onions, and just a hint of smoky chipotle makes every bite memorable and deeply satisfying.
30 minutes, start to finish: Perfect for busy nights, this recipe gets dinner on the table in half an hour (with minimal fuss but maximum comfort).
Customizable and healthy: Easy to adapt for your favorite veggies or spice level, all while using lean, protein-packed ground turkey.

Mom's Ground Turkey and Peppers Recipe - Recipe Image

Ingredients You’ll Need

You don’t need a mile-long shopping list to create delicious meals—Mom’s Ground Turkey and Peppers shines thanks to a handful of essentials. Each ingredient brings its own magic, whether it’s sweet, savory, or just the right hint of spice.

Extra virgin olive oil: Adds richness and helps coax all those beautiful flavors from your veggies and turkey.
Chopped yellow onion: Builds a mellow, slightly sweet base to keep things savory and satisfying.
Chopped green onion greens (optional): If you have them, a sprinkle of green onion brings a fresh finish and a little color.
Bell pepper (red or yellow preferred): Sweet, colorful peppers become meltingly soft and bring a lovely sweetness to the dish.
Garlic cloves, minced: Nothing beats the irresistible aroma and flavor of freshly sautéed garlic.
Kosher salt: A pinch seasons everything exactly right and helps the flavors shine.
Ground turkey (preferably thighs): Juicy, hearty, and a fantastic blank canvas for all the other flavors.
Chipotle powder or chili powder: Adds a subtle kick and smoky warmth—start mild and spice it up to your liking.
Chopped fresh parsley or cilantro: That final shower of herbs makes the whole skillet pop with freshness and color.

Note: You’ll find the complete list of ingredients, along with their exact measurements, in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.

Variations

One of the best things about Mom’s Ground Turkey and Peppers is how endlessly adaptable it is—feel free to riff based on what’s in your fridge, your favorite flavors, or however spicy (or mild) you like your dinner!

Add extra veggies: Throw in chopped zucchini, mushrooms, or spinach for more color and vitamins.
Make it cheesy: Top the finished skillet with a sprinkle of shredded Monterey Jack or mozzarella for extra comfort.
Give it a Tex-Mex twist: Stir in black beans, fresh corn, or a dash of cumin and oregano for southwest vibes.
Boost the heat: Swap chipotle powder for your favorite hot sauce or add a finely diced jalapeño with the peppers.

How to Make Mom’s Ground Turkey and Peppers

Step 1: Sauté the Onions, Peppers, and Garlic

Start by warming a couple of tablespoons of olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Toss in your chopped onions and bell pepper and let them sizzle until they’re soft and starting to caramelize—just a few minutes makes all the difference. Add the minced garlic and stir for another 30 seconds, just until fragrant, because burnt garlic waits for no one!

Step 2: Brown the Ground Turkey

Gently push the softened veggies to the edge of one side of your skillet and move that side slightly off the heat. Add another splash of olive oil to the hot, empty center, then break up your ground turkey into rough chunks (think hearty—not tiny crumbles!). Sprinkle with a generous pinch of salt and your chili powder or chipotle. Let the turkey brown undisturbed until the bottom is golden, then flip to quickly brown the other side for that deep, savory flavor.

Step 3: Combine and Finish

Once the turkey is no longer pink and nearly cooked through, mix the peppers and onions back into the center of the pan and stir everything together. Taste, add more salt and spice if you love a bolder bite, then take the skillet off the heat. Toss in the parsley or cilantro and those optional green onions. The result? Bright, richly flavored Mom’s Ground Turkey and Peppers, begging to be scooped over a fluffy pile of rice or noodles.

Pro Tips for Making Mom’s Ground Turkey and Peppers

Get that Golden Sear: Don’t stir the turkey too quickly—letting it sit gives those delicious caramelized edges and bigger flavor.
Don’t Overcrowd the Pan: Use a big enough skillet so the turkey and vegetables actually brown rather than steam—this makes all the difference in texture.
Spice Mindfully: Start with less chili or chipotle powder and build up; you can always add more heat at the end.
Finish with Fresh Herbs: Add the parsley or cilantro off the heat for the brightest flavor punch—those little green flecks bring everything alive.

How to Serve Mom’s Ground Turkey and Peppers

Garnishes

A flurry of fresh herbs—parsley or cilantro—on top is classic, but the real magic happens with a few sliced green onions or even a squeeze of fresh lime to bring out the dish’s brightness. For a little extra flair, sprinkle some flaky sea salt or a pinch of red pepper flakes just before serving!

Side Dishes

This dish is superb served over fluffy steamed rice, but it’s equally at home atop buttery noodles, quinoa, or even a simple bed of greens for a lighter spin. For a heartier meal, try adding a warm, crusty baguette to soak up all the flavorful juices.

Creative Ways to Present

Spoon Mom’s Ground Turkey and Peppers into lettuce cups for hand-held wraps, pile it into a grain bowl with avocado and roasted corn, or stuff it in bell pepper halves and broil with cheese for a fun, family-friendly twist—there’s really no wrong way to make it special!

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Leftovers keep beautifully in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. The flavors actually meld together and deepen, so you might even enjoy it more the next day!

Freezing

Mom’s Ground Turkey and Peppers is totally freezer-friendly—let it cool, pack into a freezer-safe container (or zipper bag), and freeze for up to 2 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge before reheating for best results.

Reheating

To reheat, pop it in a skillet over medium heat until warmed through, adding a splash of water or broth if it got a little thick. Or, microwave in short bursts for super-speedy lunches—just give it a stir halfway to keep everything evenly hot.

FAQs

Can I use ground chicken instead of ground turkey?

Absolutely! Ground chicken swaps seamlessly for turkey in this recipe—just expect a milder flavor and maybe a touch less moisture, so don’t skip the olive oil and watch your cooking time to keep it juicy.
How spicy is Mom’s Ground Turkey and Peppers?

It’s as mild or bold as you want! Using regular chili powder keeps it pretty gentle, while a heaped teaspoon of chipotle powder brings a smoky kick. Start with less and add to your taste—taste as you go.
What are some kid-friendly adaptations?

Omit the chipotle or spicy elements, and try using a medley of sweet peppers for maximum color and sweetness. Serve over noodles or rice with a sprinkle of cheese for extra kid appeal.
Can I double this recipe for meal prep?

No problem! Just use a larger pan and don’t overcrowd, or brown the turkey in batches. Store cooled portions individually—they’ll keep well and are perfect for grab-and-go lunches or fast dinners.

Final Thoughts

There’s something extra comforting about sharing a classic, foolproof recipe straight from Mom’s kitchen—and Mom’s Ground Turkey and Peppers is one of those dishes you’ll return to again and again. Whether you twist it your way or keep it pure and simple, give it a try tonight and fill your home with the warmth (and aroma!) of a true family favorite.

Mom’s Ground Turkey and Peppers Recipe