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ground turkey enchilada skillet

Best Ground Turkey Enchilada Skillet

Delicious Best Ground Turkey Enchilada Skillet recipe with step-by-step instructions.
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 25 minutes
Total Time 35 minutes
Servings 6 servings
Calories 2250 kcal

Ingredients
  

For the turkey::

  • 1 lb ground turkey (I like Butterball for a leaner result)
  • 3/4 tsp cumin
  • 3/4 tsp oregano
  • 1/2 tsp salt
  • 1/4 tsp pepper
  • 1 tsp olive oil

For the vegetable base::

  • 2 tsp olive oil
  • 1/2 onion (diced into 1/4-inch pieces)
  • 1.5 bell pepper (stemmed and seeded, cut into 1/2-inch squares)
  • 3 garlic cloves (freshly minced for best aroma)
  • 1/2 tsp cumin
  • 1/2 tsp oregano
  • 1/4 tsp salt
  • 1/2 tsp chili powder

For the skillet mixture::

  • 2.5 cups enchilada sauce (I use Old El Paso mild for consistent flavor)
  • 3/4 cup salsa
  • 4 oz green chiles
  • 14 oz black beans (rinsed and drained well)
  • 3/4 cup corn
  • 3/4 cup brown rice (cooked and cooled to prevent mushiness)

For the assembly::

  • 4 corn tortillas (cut into 1-inch wide strips)
  • 1 cup cheese (I use Tillamook Mexican Blend for better melting)
  • 4 tbsp cilantro

Instructions
 

  • Heat 1 tsp olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the ground turkey along with half of the cumin, oregano, salt, and pepper. Break the turkey into small crumbles as it cooks, stirring frequently until it's completely cooked through and no pink remains, about 5-7 minutes. Transfer the cooked turkey to a bowl and set aside—I like to use Butterball ground turkey for a leaner result that won't leave excess grease in the pan.
  • Add 2 tsp olive oil to the same skillet and reduce heat to medium. Add the diced onion and cook for 3-4 minutes, stirring occasionally, until it becomes soft and translucent. Add the bell pepper squares and cook for 1 minute, then stir in the minced garlic along with the remaining cumin, oregano, salt, and chili powder. Cook for another minute, stirring constantly, until the garlic becomes fragrant. This layering of aromatics builds a deeper, more complex flavor base for the enchilada sauce.
  • Pour the enchilada sauce and salsa into the skillet, followed by the green chiles, drained black beans, corn, and cooked rice. Stir everything together until well combined, then return the cooked turkey from Step 1 to the skillet. Bring the mixture to a boil over medium-high heat, then reduce to a simmer and cook uncovered for 10 minutes, stirring occasionally. This simmering allows the flavors to meld and helps the rice absorb the sauce without becoming mushy since you're using pre-cooked rice.
  • Stir the tortilla strips into the skillet, distributing them evenly throughout the mixture. Immediately sprinkle the Mexican blend cheese evenly over the top of the skillet. Cover the skillet with a lid and reduce heat to low for about 1 minute, allowing the cheese to melt completely. For better melting coverage, I use Tillamook Mexican Blend cheese since it has a lower melting point and distributes more evenly than other varieties.
  • Remove the skillet from heat and carefully remove the lid. Sprinkle the fresh cilantro over the entire dish as a finishing garnish. Serve directly from the skillet into bowls, making sure each serving gets a portion of the tortilla strips, beans, and melted cheese.