Brussels Sprouts Ground Turkey Skillet (Printable Version)

Crisp Brussels sprouts with seasoned ground turkey, aromatic garlic, paprika, and fresh lemon in one satisfying pan.

# What You'll Need:

→ Proteins

01 - 1 pound ground turkey, lean

→ Vegetables & Aromatics

02 - 1 pound Brussels sprouts, trimmed and halved
03 - 1 small yellow onion, diced
04 - 3 cloves garlic, minced

→ Oils & Liquids

05 - 2 tablespoons olive oil, divided
06 - ¼ cup low-sodium chicken broth or water
07 - 1 tablespoon freshly squeezed lemon juice

→ Seasonings

08 - ½ teaspoon kosher salt, plus more to taste
09 - ¼ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper, plus more to taste
10 - ½ teaspoon paprika
11 - ¼ teaspoon red pepper flakes, optional

→ Garnishes

12 - 2 tablespoons grated Parmesan cheese
13 - Fresh parsley, chopped

# Steps:

01 - Rinse Brussels sprouts thoroughly, trim off tough ends, and cut in half. Dice the onion into uniform pieces and mince the garlic cloves.
02 - Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add 1 tablespoon olive oil and allow it to shimmer before adding ingredients.
03 - Add ground turkey to the hot skillet. Break apart with a spatula and season with ¼ teaspoon salt, ⅛ teaspoon black pepper, paprika, and red pepper flakes if using. Cook until no longer pink, approximately 5 to 6 minutes.
04 - Transfer cooked turkey to a clean plate. Wipe out excess liquid from the skillet while preserving the browned fond at the bottom.
05 - Add the remaining 1 tablespoon olive oil to the skillet and reduce heat to medium. Add diced onion and sauté until translucent, about 3 minutes. Stir in minced garlic and cook until fragrant, approximately 30 seconds.
06 - Place halved Brussels sprouts cut-side down in the skillet. Season with remaining salt and pepper. Cook undisturbed for 4 minutes until edges turn golden brown.
07 - Stir Brussels sprouts together with onions and garlic. Add broth or water and cover the skillet. Steam for 4 to 5 minutes until sprouts are fork-tender.
08 - Remove the lid and return cooked turkey to the skillet. Stir to combine all components and cook for 2 minutes until heated through and most liquid has evaporated.
09 - Turn off heat. Stir in lemon juice and adjust seasonings to taste. Top with grated Parmesan cheese and chopped fresh parsley if desired.
10 - Serve immediately directly from the skillet or transfer to a serving dish and serve hot.

# Expert Insights:

01 -
  • Everything cooks in one skillet, so cleanup is as easy as dinner itself.
  • The Brussels sprouts get golden and caramelized instead of soggy or bland.
  • High protein and naturally gluten-free, it fits into almost any eating style without compromise.
  • Fresh lemon juice at the end wakes up every flavor and keeps it from feeling heavy.
02 -
  • Don't skip the step of cooking the Brussels sprouts cut-side down undisturbed, that's where the caramelization happens and transforms them from bland to sweet.
  • If your skillet isn't large enough to fit all the sprouts in one layer, work in batches or they'll steam instead of sear.
  • Add the lemon juice only after turning off the heat so its brightness doesn't cook away.
03 -
  • If your skillet is oven-safe, finish the dish under the broiler for 1 to 2 minutes to crisp up the top layer and add extra texture.
  • Use a heavy-bottomed skillet for even heat distribution and better caramelization on the Brussels sprouts.
  • Taste the sprouts before adding the turkey back in, if they're still firm, give them another minute or two of steaming.
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