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Turkey Picadillo with Spices and Vegetables Recipe

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4.1 from 72 reviews

A flavorful and hearty Turkey Picadillo recipe featuring lean ground turkey cooked with a blend of aromatic spices, fresh vegetables, and a rich tomato sauce. This dish can be quickly made on the stovetop for an easy weeknight dinner or adapted to a slow cooker for convenient meal prep. Serve alongside rice, tortillas, avocado, or chips for a satisfying meal packed with bold flavors.

Ingredients

For the turkey & veggies:

  • 2 teaspoons olive oil or avocado oil
  • 1 pound lean ground turkey (93% lean)
  • ½ cup very finely diced yellow onion
  • ½ cup very finely diced green bell pepper
  • ¼ cup very finely diced cilantro
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced

For the spices:

  • 1 teaspoon ground coriander
  • 1 teaspoon ground cumin
  • ½ teaspoon turmeric
  • ½ teaspoon garlic powder
  • ½ teaspoon dried oregano
  • ½ teaspoon salt
  • Freshly ground black pepper, to taste

Mix-ins:

  • 1 cup tomato sauce
  • 2/3 cup water or broth of choice
  • 1-3 tablespoons olive brine (optional, for added flavor)

To garnish:

  • Extra cilantro, chopped
  • Finely diced onion

Instructions

  1. Heat the oil and brown the turkey: Add 2 teaspoons of olive or avocado oil to a large skillet or pot and place over medium heat. Add the ground turkey, breaking it up with a spoon as it cooks. Continue cooking until the turkey is mostly browned and almost fully cooked through.
  2. Sauté the vegetables: Add the finely diced yellow onion, green bell pepper, cilantro, and minced garlic to the skillet. Cook for a few minutes, stirring occasionally, until the peppers and onions soften and become fragrant.
  3. Add the spices: Stir in the ground coriander, cumin, turmeric, garlic powder, dried oregano, salt, and freshly ground black pepper. Cook for about 30 seconds until the spices release their aroma.
  4. Add liquids and simmer: Immediately stir in the tomato sauce, water or broth, and optional olive brine. Bring the mixture to a gentle simmer, then cover the skillet or pot and cook for 15-20 minutes to allow the flavors to meld.
  5. Reduce liquid if needed and adjust seasoning: Remove the lid and check the consistency. If the mixture is too liquidy, continue cooking over low heat until most of the liquid is absorbed. Taste and adjust seasoning by adding more salt or pepper if necessary.
  6. Serve and garnish: Serve the Turkey Picadillo garnished with additional chopped cilantro and finely diced onion. Pair it with arroz con gandules, your favorite rice, tortillas, avocado slices, or chips for dipping to complete the meal.

Notes

  • Using lean ground turkey (93%) helps keep the dish healthier without sacrificing flavor.
  • The optional olive brine adds a unique salty tang but can be omitted if preferred or if reducing sodium.
  • Add more or less water/broth to adjust the sauce to your desired consistency.
  • For a slow cooker option, brown the turkey and sauté the vegetables first, then combine all ingredients in the slow cooker and cook on low for 4-6 hours or high for 2-3 hours.
  • Adjust spices to your taste preferences, adding more cumin or chili powder for extra heat.

Find it online: https://justsosavory.com/turkey-picadillo-with-spices-and-vegetables-recipe/