Ground Turkey and Rice Skillet

Prep 10 minutes
Cook 25 minutes
Servings 5

Lean ground turkey, rice, green beans, tomatoes, and delicious seasonings are combined for a quick and easy all-in-one Ground Turkey Skillet meal!

Looking for more ways to use ground turkey? Don’t miss our turkey meatballs, turkey burgers, and turkey keema.

overhead ground turkey skillet with rice and green beans and wooden spoon

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Easy Ground Turkey Skillet Recipe

This ground turkey skillet recipe is a family favorite and never disappoints. The turkey and rice soak up all the tasty liquid from chicken broth and canned tomato juice, and the green beans provide a built in vegetable. Flavor-packed, made all in one pan, itโ€™s a great weeknight meal thatโ€™s so delicious and hearty. If you’re lucky enough to have leftovers, they reheat nicely for the next day, too.

overhead cooked ground turkey, rice, and green beans in bowl

Ingredients Needed

Hereโ€™s what youโ€™ll need to make this easy skillet dish.
(Scroll below to the printable recipe card for details and measurements.)

  • Ground turkey – Lean ground turkey keeps this dish lighter and healthier without compromising flavor that you get from ground beef.
  • Onion & Garlic – For aromatics and great flavor.
  • Olive oil – Used to sautรฉ the onion and turkey.
  • Rice – Dry uncooked short grained white rice is used. Long grained white rice is also fine. (See note below regarding brown rice.)
  • Green beans – Fresh cut green beans are our vegetable of choice for this dish.
  • Canned diced tomatoes – The tomatoes and their liquid are both added, creating even more flavor.
  • Chicken broth – The uncooked rice absorbs the chicken broth as it cooks, adding an extra layer of flavor. Use low-sodium so the dish isn’t overly salty.
  • Mustard – For a subtle tangy taste. You can use spicy brown, grainy, or Dijon.
  • Worcestershire sauce – Adds depth of flavor.
  • Seasonings – Salt, pepper, garlic powder, dried Italian herbs, and cracked red pepper flakes season the dish.

Recipe Variations

  • Brown Rice. Brown rice is not our preference, since it takes double the amount of time to cook and doesn’t seem to soak up all the great flavor that white rice does, but it can be substituted, if preferred. You’ll need an additional 1 & 1/2 cups broth to account for the longer simmer time. Also be aware that the longer the green beans cook, they will break down and lose their texture.
  • Canned green beans. Fresh green beans are best for this dish, but canned green beans can be used. Make sure to drain them fully and only add them to the skillet toward the last few minutes of cooking, otherwise they’re get too mushy.
  • Use Italian diced tomatoes – Swap out the diced tomatoes for Italian diced tomatoes, which is an easy way to add more seasoning.
  • Add some heat with Rotel. Many times I’ll use a can of Mexican Rotel instead of canned diced tomatoes, which is a nice combination of tomatoes and chiles. You can vary the heat level by using, mild, medium, or hot.
  • Soy sauce. If you don’t have Worcestershire sauce, soy sauce is a great alternative.
cooked ground turkey, rice, and green beans in bowl with spoon

How to Make Ground Turkey Skillet

This one pan dish is so easy to make and is flavor-packed. Here’s a summary.
(Scroll down to the printable recipe card for details and measurements, and don’t miss the video below.)

  1. Sautรฉ the turkey and onion. Add the ground turkey and onion to a nonstick skillet with the olive oil. Brown the turkey, breaking it up into small crumbles, cooking until no pink remains and onion is soft. Drain off the grease. Add in the garlic and cook until fragrant, then season with a touch of salt and pepper.
  2. Add other ingredients. Add in all the other ingredients, including the seasonings; mix to combine.
  3. Cover and simmer. Bring the liquid to a boil, cover with lid, then reduce heat to a gentle simmer. Cook for about 22 minutes until rice is tender.
  4. Serve. Remove from the heat, taste and adjust seasoning if necessary. Serve immediately and enjoy!
cooked rice and green beans on spoon

Video: Ground Turkey and Rice Skillet

Serving Suggestions

This one pan skillet dish provides protein, vegetables, and grains all in one so it’s a pretty hearty meal, but it does pair nicely with a side salad, cucumber salad, or dinner rolls on the side.

Storing Leftovers

  • Store leftovers. Allow to cool completely, then store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days.
  • To freeze. Cool completely, then store in an airtight, freezer-safe container for up to 2 months. Thaw in the fridge overnight before reheating. Note that the cooked green beans will have a much softer texture after being frozen and thawed.

More Easy Skillet Recipes:

I hope you love this delicious and easy recipe โ€“ be sure to give it a review below! Also donโ€™t forget to follow Belly Full on TikTok, Facebook, Instagram, Pinterest, and YouTube!

5 from 45

Ground Turkey and Rice Skillet

Prep: 10 minutes
Cook: 25 minutes
Total: 35 minutes
Servings: 5
Lean ground turkey, rice, green beans, tomatoes, and delicious seasonings are combined for a quick and easy all-in-one Ground Turkey Skillet meal!

Ingredients 

  • 1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
  • 1 pound lean ground turkey
  • 1 small sweet onion, , diced
  • 2 cloves garlic, , minced
  • 15 ounce can diced tomatoes, , undrained
  • 6 ounces fresh green beans, , cut into 2-inch pieces (about 1 & 1/2 cups)
  • 1 & 1/2 cups uncooked short or long grain white rice
  • 2 & 1/2 cups low sodium chicken broth
  • 1 teaspoon coarse salt
  • 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
  • 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon dried Italian herbs
  • 1/8 teaspoon cracked red pepper flakes
  • 2 teaspoons grainy mustard
  • 2 teaspoons worcestershire sauce

Instructions 

  • In a large nonstick skillet, heat the oil over medium-high. Add the turkey and onion; sautรฉ breaking up the turkey into crumbles and cook until onions become soft and no pink remains with the turkey (about 3 minutes), stirring occasionally. Add in the garlic and cook until fragrant, about 20 seconds. Season with some salt and pepper, to taste. Drain off fat; return to heat.
  • Stir in all the other ingredients.
  • Bring to boil, cover with lid, then reduce heat to medium-low, simmer for 20-22 minutes until rice is cooked and tender.
  • Remove from the heat, taste and adjust seasoning if necessary. Serve immediately and enjoy!

Notes

Brown Rice. Brown rice is not our preference, since it takes double the amount of time to cook and doesn’t seem to soak up all the great flavor that white rice does, but it can be substituted, if preferred. You’ll need an additional 1 & 1/2 cups broth to account for the longer simmer time. Also be aware that the longer the green beans cook, they will break down and lose their texture.
Canned green beans. Fresh green beans are best for this dish, but canned green beans can be used. Make sure to drain them fully and only add them to the skillet toward the last few minutes of cooking, otherwise they’re get too mushy.
Add some heat with Rotel. Many times I’ll use a can of Mexican Rotel instead of canned diced tomatoes, which is a nice combination of tomatoes and chiles. You can vary the heat level by using, mild, medium, or hot.
Soy sauce. If you don’t have Worcestershire sauce, soy sauce is a great alternative.

Nutrition

Calories: 398kcal | Carbohydrates: 57g | Protein: 30g | Fat: 6g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 3g | Trans Fat: 0.02g | Cholesterol: 50mg | Sodium: 733mg | Potassium: 772mg | Fiber: 3g | Sugar: 7g | Vitamin A: 380IU | Vitamin C: 16mg | Calcium: 83mg | Iron: 3mg

Nutritional information given is an automatic calculation and can vary based on the exact products you use and any changes you make to the recipe. If these numbers are very important to you, I would recommend calculating them yourself.

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About Amy Flanigan

Well, hey there! Amy here, founder and COO at BellyFull. If youโ€™re looking for tried and true, fuss-free, budget-friendly, delicious, every day recipes, youโ€™ve come to the right place.

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68 Comments

  1. Barb Garrison says:

    5 stars
    This was very good! Looks can be deceiving- surprisingly good flavor!

  2. J Jones says:

    5 stars
    My entire family loves this dish. It is super easy to make, delicious and it’s even great the next day to take to work or school for lunch. A must try!

  3. Janel says:

    5 stars
    I really like one pot/skillet dinners and this was easy to make (not too much prep), pretty fast and delicious!

  4. Cindy says:

    5 stars
    I just subscribed and Iโ€™m thrilled with the amount of recipes and the fact that I can search the categories. I think my first recipe to try is Italian meat balls. Thank you so much for sharing.

  5. T. Schall says:

    5 stars
    My family loved this. I had to use frozen green beans, and just used 2-10 Oz cans of Rotel. I have picky eaters but I really wanted something different from the routine meals. I also loved this is a meal actually done in a half hour start to finish. I am bothered by ppl saying a half hour and it ends up 1 1/2 hrs with the prep, throwing it together and cooking. Thank you super easy and will now be a regular.

  6. Luann Cope says:

    5 stars
    Delicious! Definitely a keeper.

  7. Dody says:

    5 stars
    This is a great recipe. I love green beans so I will probably double them and reduce the rice (adjust broth used too).

  8. Margaret says:

    5 stars
    This was simply delicious and so easy! Whole family loved it and will make again.

  9. MB says:

    5 stars
    Found this as a last minute/last ditch attempt to find a dinner recipe and *miracle* I actually had the beans! It was a hit, and really was easy to make. I didn’t turn it down low enough at first and ended up unintentionally toasting the rice on the bottom which added a thrilling little crunch – just shows that it’s even tough to mess up! :D

  10. Renee says:

    5 stars
    This was so easy to make and delicious! I was looking for a one pot meal with protein, carb, and veggie for my 13 month old and we both LOVE this! Iโ€™ve made it many times now and itโ€™s on rotation! Thanks for sharing

  11. Cass says:

    5 stars
    This was great! I made the rice separately in my rice cooker, so I omitted the broth. Also threw in some broccoli that I had. Next time, i think Iโ€™ll double the tomatoes

  12. Karen says:

    5 stars
    My family loved this recipe! Easy and tasty. Thanks for sharing on TikTok. Love your channel so much.

  13. MB R says:

    5 stars
    Amazing Saturday night meal! Overlooked the green beans in the recipe (oops!) and thatโ€™s why there was so much liquid. Iโ€™m looking forward to leftovers.

  14. Heather says:

    5 stars
    This was really good

  15. A Carter says:

    5 stars
    Followed this recipe with the exception of I was out of Worcestershire sauce and did a quick Google search for a substitute. (Ketchup, hot sauce, white wine vinegar and soy sauce). I also used frozen green beans. Family approved and happy to have a new meal to add to my dinner rotations!

  16. Kaila says:

    5 stars
    This was so yummy!! Even my picky kids are it. WIN!!

  17. Melissa says:

    5 stars
    I can see why you say this is an unsung hero – it was perfect! Super easy and delicious. Couldn’t stop eating the rice from the pan.

  18. Olivia says:

    5 stars
    Loved this meal

    1. Teri says:

      5 stars
      I added in PRE-COOKED brown rice and it worked great. Delicious recipe!

  19. Robin says:

    5 stars
    I had some ground Turkey and searched recipes. Found this one and itโ€™s absolutely delicious! So easy and full of flavor! Yum!!

  20. Megan says:

    5 stars
    I loved this easy recipe so much. so much flavour. thank you for sharing

  21. Lauren says:

    will this work with instant rice?

  22. Margie says:

    5 stars
    I loved it. Great flavor and easy to make. My family had seconds. This is definitely a keeper.

  23. Wordgirl says:

    5 stars
    Everyone loved it! I substituted Tuscan kale for the green beans (added about halfway through the 20 minute low simmer) and used a combo of turkey “sausage” and ground turkey – 2 lbs and added about a half cup more chicken broth. Perfect!

  24. Mikey 1 says:

    5 stars
    nice and easy to make. great taste, will use it again.

  25. Sandi says:

    5 stars
    Great quick meal! Used mild Rotel that I blended rather than diced tomatoes; gave it a nice zip. May add a bit more seasoning the next time. We enjoyed it!

  26. Rell says:

    5 stars
    Delicious

    1. Shannon says:

      5 stars
      Quick easy and flavorful! Because Iโ€™m such a huge fan of green beans Iโ€™d probably add a little bit more next time! The Worcestershire and the mustard definitely give it a beefy punch! Great for leftovers too!

  27. ElMau says:

    5 stars
    Delicious just as written!

  28. Jennie B. says:

    5 stars
    I bought some ground turkey on sale and was looking for a good, quick recipe and I sure found it! I added fresh green beans from the garden. I didn’t have the mustard so I left it out. I will definitely be making this great dish again.

  29. Melissa Henning says:

    5 stars
    We enjoyed this! We used brown basmati rice because thatโ€™s all I had and Italian diced tomatoes because we didnโ€™t have Italian seasoning. Ended up
    Needing to add about 1 1/2 cups more of chicken broth to account for the longer cooking time needed for the brown rice. Thanks for sharing!

  30. Elisheva says:

    5 stars
    Made this for my family for dinner tonight and everyone, even my picky 4 yr old granddaughter, loved it! It’s a keeper for sure! I added season salt and onion powder to ours as well.

  31. Remy says:

    Iโ€™ve made this with turkey before and itโ€™s great but I donโ€™t have any on hand tonight. Could i use 1.5 pounds of ground beef and sausage instead

    1. Amy @Belly Full says:

      Hi Remy – you can definitely replace the turkey with ground beef and/or sausage, but cut back the amount to 1 1/4 pounds, otherwise there won’t be enough liquid for the rice to cook properly.

    2. Kimberly Thomas says:

      5 stars
      Good stuff I also enjoy that the ingredients are already in the kitchen no need to run shopping this recipe save me time and money and my family loved it

  32. Courtney Wilson says:

    Trying to make it even more healthy lol would brown rice instead of white change how this needs to be cooked/how long?

  33. Beth says:

    Worcestershire sauce is full of salt. Any suggestions for a substitution?

    1. Running mom says:

      I am going to try this recipe tonight. Saw the question about replacing worchestershire. My daughter and I are GF and so I use balsamic vinegar and just a little salt. It is easier and cheaper than looking for GF worchestershire. I will be making that substitution in my version.

      1. Beth says:

        5 stars
        I used soy sauce instead because we were out of Worcestershire sauce and it was still delicious!

  34. Snug says:

    Hi! would spicy brown mustard and/or dijon work? I don’t have grainy (and don’t have dijon atm either, lol!) thanks!

    1. Amy @Belly Full says:

      Yep, either are fine!

  35. Susan Grottke says:

    5 stars
    Made this last night. Eating the leftovers for breakfast. Everyone LOVED it. Kids gobbled it down. 4 year old also had it for breakfast and is asking for more. I followed the recipe except I used frozen mixed Vegs as we just had green beans. Absolutely going in the rotation

    1. ila bhatnagar says:

      Awesome, thanks for the suggestion of the frozen mixed veggies…only ingredient I didn’t have on hand were the green beans, but I had the frozen mixed veggies…perfect!

  36. Baba Dre says:

    5 stars
    I just subbed black beans for green and I didn’t have grainy mustard, but it was still delish!

  37. Leah says:

    5 stars
    I used long grain white rice since that’s all I had. Didn’t change anything else. We loved it!

  38. Jeana says:

    5 stars
    Delicious. Even my picky kids ate it. Huge win!

  39. Carlotta Curry says:

    …. Just started making that eight now due to it’s the end of the month and as every adult knows food get low lol. Thanks for this skillet idea we been trying to cut back on the pork… And eating more lean meats chicken, turkey and beef. Pleased to know you create skillets like that

  40. Marsha says:

    5 stars
    I made this dish and it was a tasty dish. I did add other seasonings to this dish.

  41. Colleen says:

    5 stars
    This was very good and very easy on my touchy digestive system. Thanks for sharing.

  42. Mike says:

    5 stars
    After fasting for 2 days to calm my pancreas down, I made this healthy dish and it was delicious! I left the red pepper flakes out and subbed smoked paprika. Crazy good.

  43. Rochelle says:

    Will not using the grainy mustard alter the taste dramatically????

    1. Amy @Belly Full says:

      No, not dramatically, but for optimal flavor I would leave it in.

  44. Nathan Hunzeker says:

    5 stars
    Just made this…very good! I feel like it could be so flexible on ingredients!! Can’t wait to experiment with it. Thank you for the inspiration.

  45. Cara says:

    5 stars
    I made a double batch of this, and it was perfect. Thank you for sharing!

  46. Ashley says:

    Can you post the calories/nutrition info?

    Thanks!

  47. Angela Mattina says:

    I made turkey skillet but did something wrong. Was very liquidity. Was I suppose to drain tomatoes? I used about a puns of meat. Too much broth? Otherwise it was delish.

    1. Amy @Belly Full says:

      Hey Angela, sorry to hear that. As per the instructions you do not want to drain the tomatoes, so that is correct. However, you should have used 1 1/4 pounds of turkey. Maybe that was the issue, since the more meat will soak up more of the liquid. I don’t know, without me having watched you. I’ve made this countless times and it’s never watery.

  48. Sonya says:

    Ugh… i only have beef broth,… will this work?

    1. Amy @Belly Full says:

      Hi Sonya – you can use beef broth, but it will have a much stronger flavor. Which isn’t necessarily a bad thing. I just wouldn’t want it to drown out the other ingredients. Try it!

  49. Maria says:

    If I wanted to sub brown rice, which takes double the time to cook, should I cook the rice separately or will all ingredients be ok for that long?

    1. Amy @Belly Full says:

      Instructions for that are included in the article and recipe card. Thanks!

  50. Heather says:

    5 stars
    I only had canned green beans. I just added them in at the end. It was delicious!

  51. Jennifer Farley says:

    I love this skillet dish. What a wonderful weeknight dinner.

  52. Dorothy says:

    5 stars
    This is totally a keeper recipe!! LOVE.

  53. Aggie says:

    looooove the new space & name! Congrats girl, it’s beautiful! And your food looks amazing as always!

  54. Melissa says:

    Skillet dinners 4LYFE.

    And man, how much do I still love this white and the new fonts…

  55. Carrie@bakeaholicmama says:

    Amy I LOVE your new design, it’s so clean and fresh looking. Plus the rebrand. Great name!

    Also this skillet dinner is right up my ally, my kind of weeknight meal.

  56. Sues says:

    5 stars
    Delicious skillet dinner and one that has great leftovers. I brought leftovers to work the next day and couldn’t wait for lunchtime!