Description
This Golden Ground Turkey and Rice Skillet is a wholesome one-pan dinner packed with lean ground turkey, fluffy turmeric-spiced rice, and warm Mediterranean-inspired flavors. Topped with a creamy garlic yogurt sauce and a refreshing cucumber tomato salad, this easy recipe delivers the perfect balance of comfort and freshness. Ideal for busy weeknights, meal prep, or family dinners, it’s a nutritious meal that’s as beautiful as it is delicious.
Ingredients
Scale
For the Turkey and Rice Skillet
- 1 lb lean ground turkey
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 1 medium yellow onion, diced
- 3 garlic cloves, minced
- 2 tbsp tomato paste
- 1 tsp ground turmeric
- 1 tsp ground coriander
- 1 tsp paprika
- 1 ½ cups long-grain white rice
- 3 cups chicken or vegetable broth
- 1 tsp kosher salt
For the Cucumber Salad
- 1/2 small red onion, thinly sliced
- 2 tbsp red wine vinegar
- 1 tsp sumac
- 1/2 tsp kosher salt
- 2 Persian cucumbers, diced
- 2 Roma tomatoes, diced
- 2 tbsp chopped fresh parsley
- 2 tbsp chopped fresh mint
- 1 tbsp olive oil
For the Yogurt Sauce
- 1 cup plain whole-milk Greek yogurt
- 1 tbsp lemon juice
- 1 garlic clove, grated
Instructions
- Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add onion and cook until softened, about 3–5 minutes.
- Stir in garlic, tomato paste, turmeric, coriander, and paprika. Cook for 1 minute until fragrant.
- Add ground turkey and cook, breaking it apart, until browned and fully cooked, about 6–8 minutes.
- Stir in rice and coat well with the spices. Toast for 1 minute.
- Season with salt and pour in broth. Bring to a boil.
- Cover, reduce heat to low, and simmer for 23–27 minutes until rice is tender and liquid is absorbed.
- Meanwhile, place sliced red onion in a bowl with red wine vinegar, sumac, and salt. Let sit for 15 minutes.
- In a separate bowl, combine Greek yogurt, lemon juice, and grated garlic. Set aside.
- Add cucumber, tomatoes, parsley, mint, and olive oil to the pickled onions. Toss to combine.
- Fluff the rice mixture with a fork.
- Divide into serving bowls and top with yogurt sauce and cucumber salad.
- Serve with lemon wedges if desired.
Notes
- Rinse the rice before cooking for fluffier results.
- Ground chicken or lean beef can be substituted for ground turkey.
- Fresh herbs provide the best flavor and shouldn’t be skipped.
- Store salad and yogurt sauce separately from the rice mixture for best texture.
- Add chickpeas or spinach for extra nutrition.
- Brown rice is not recommended since it requires a longer cooking time and more liquid.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 35 minutes
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Stovetop / One-Pan
- Cuisine: Mediterranean-Inspired
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bowl (¼ recipe)
- Calories: 485 kcal
- Sugar: 6 g
- Sodium: 720 mg
- Fat: 15 g
- Saturated Fat: 4 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 48 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 38 g
- Cholesterol: 85 mg