If you’re ready for a hearty, wholesome dinner that fits beautifully into your healthy lifestyle, this Low Carb Ground Turkey and Zucchini Skillet is a true weeknight hero! With savory ground turkey, tender zucchini, vibrant tomatoes, and a pop of herby pesto, this one-pan wonder turns simple ingredients into a feel-good meal that never disappoints.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Full of Flavor, Light on Carbs: The classic combo of pesto, zucchini, and tomatoes makes each bite herby, bright, and deeply satisfying—without weighing you down.
- One-Pan Wonder: Less stress, less mess! Everything comes together in a single skillet for the ultimate busy-weeknight lifesaver.
- Super Versatile: Enjoy the Low Carb Ground Turkey and Zucchini Skillet solo, add your favorite grains for a heartier twist, or spoon it over greens for a light, nourishing bowl.
- Family Approved: Even picky eaters can’t resist the savory ground turkey and melty Parmesan topping (and they’ll never guess how many veggies are packed inside!).
Ingredients You’ll Need
The beauty of this Low Carb Ground Turkey and Zucchini Skillet is its simplicity—you only need a handful of ingredients, each one bringing something delicious to the table. Every flavor and texture, from the juicy tomatoes to the fresh pesto, plays a starring role!
- Lean or extra lean ground turkey (2 lbs): Protein-packed and mild, it soaks up all the seasonings and keeps this dish super satisfying.
- Zucchini (2.5–3 lbs, sliced thin): Adds bulk and a gently sweet, tender quality—perfect for soaking up pesto and tomatoes.
- Medium onion (finely chopped): A flavor base that brings subtle sweetness and depth to the skillet.
- Grape tomatoes (1 pint, halved): Look for the ripest you can find; they bring juicy pops of color and fresh flavor.
- Pesto (3/4 cup): The heart of this recipe; it infuses everything with basil, garlic, and cheesy richness.
- Salt (1/4 tsp): Draws out all those savory flavors and balances the zucchini.
- Parmesan cheese, grated (2 tbsp): For a nutty, salty finish—freshly grated takes this from good to wow.
- Oil (1 tsp): Just enough to sauté the onion and get things sizzling.
Variations
The Low Carb Ground Turkey and Zucchini Skillet is endlessly customizable. Feel free to switch things up to suit your taste, make use of what you have in the fridge, or adapt the recipe for various diets with just a few tweaks.
- Swap the Protein: Ground chicken or lean beef both work beautifully in place of turkey, if that’s what you have on hand.
- Different Veggies: Add bell peppers, baby spinach, or extra tomatoes to bump up the veggies and variety.
- Go Dairy-Free: Use a vegan pesto and skip the Parmesan, or try a dairy-free alternative like nutritional yeast.
- Add Some Heat: Stir in a pinch of red pepper flakes with the onions for a gentle kick.
How to Make Low Carb Ground Turkey and Zucchini Skillet
Step 1: Sauté the Onions
Fire up a large, ceramic non-stick skillet over medium heat and swirl in the oil to coat the bottom. Add the chopped onions and let them cook for about 3 minutes, stirring occasionally, until they’re soft and a little translucent—the aroma at this stage is so inviting!
Step 2: Brown the Ground Turkey
Add the ground turkey to your skillet, breaking it up with a spoon as it cooks. Let it brown for 5–7 minutes, stirring regularly so you get those delicious little crumbles all over. This is where all those savory flavors really start to build.
Step 3: Cook the Zucchini
Now, stir in the sliced zucchini. Let everything cook together for another 3–4 minutes, stirring occasionally so the zucchini softens but still keeps a bit of bite—it should be bright and tender, not mushy.
Step 4: Add Tomatoes and Pesto, Then Finish
Turn off the heat and stir in your halved grape tomatoes and the vibrant pesto. Give everything a good toss so that those juicy tomatoes and fragrant basil flavors coat every single bite. Right before serving, sprinkle on your freshly grated Parmesan for that final irresistible flourish!
Pro Tips for Making Low Carb Ground Turkey and Zucchini Skillet
- The Thin Slice Secret: Cut your zucchini as thinly as possible for even, speedy cooking and a lovely texture that soaks up pesto flavor.
- Fresh Parmesan, Always: Grate the cheese yourself for the best taste and melt—it’s worth the extra minute and truly transforms the skillet.
- Pesto Matters: If you can, splurge on a high-quality pesto or make your own—bright, herby, and garlicky flavors really sing in this dish.
- Careful Not to Overcook: Zucchini is delicate! Turn off the heat once it’s just tender to avoid a watery skillet and keep veggies at their peak.
How to Serve Low Carb Ground Turkey and Zucchini Skillet
Garnishes
Scatter more freshly grated Parmesan on top, or add a few ribbons of fresh basil for a bright, aromatic finish. Even a light sprinkle of cracked black pepper right before serving makes this skillet sing!
Side Dishes
Enjoy your Low Carb Ground Turkey and Zucchini Skillet as a stand-alone, low-carb meal, or serve it over a bed of mixed greens for a nourishing lunch. If you aren’t strictly low carb, a scoop over brown rice or fluffy quinoa turns this into a filling family dinner.
Creative Ways to Present
Spoon the skillet mixture into hollowed-out zucchini boats and bake for a fun, built-in presentation! Or divide it among meal-prep containers for grab-and-go lunches that are colorful, balanced, and anything but boring.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Leftover Low Carb Ground Turkey and Zucchini Skillet keeps well in the fridge for up to 3 days. Store it in an airtight container to lock in freshness and keep those flavors vibrant.
Freezing
Freezing isn’t ideal here—the zucchini tends to release water and become mushy upon thawing. For best results, prepare only as much as you’ll enjoy in the next few days, or simply halve the recipe.
Reheating
To reheat, transfer the skillet mixture to a non-stick pan, add a splash of water, cover, and warm gently over low heat. Stir occasionally until hot all the way through—this keeps the turkey juicy and the zucchini tender!
FAQs
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Can I use regular tomatoes instead of grape tomatoes?
Absolutely! Regular tomatoes work well in this recipe—just chop them into bite-sized pieces. Keep in mind, they may break down a bit more as they cook, resulting in a slightly saucier skillet (which is never a bad thing!).
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Can I make this dish dairy-free?
Yes—just use a dairy-free pesto and skip the Parmesan cheese (or try a vegan Parmesan alternative). The Low Carb Ground Turkey and Zucchini Skillet remains deliciously flavorful!
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What’s the best way to slice zucchini for this skillet?
The thinner, the better—use a sharp knife or mandoline slicer for even rounds about 1/4 inch thick. This helps the zucchini cook quickly and soak up all the vibrant sauce, staying bright and tender every time.
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Can I use less ground turkey to make a smaller batch?
Definitely. Feel free to halve the ground turkey and other ingredients if you’re cooking for fewer people or want a lighter meal. You’ll still get all that wonderful flavor, beautifully balanced with veggies and pesto!
Final Thoughts
If you’re looking for a recipe that’s as easy as it is crave-worthy, this Low Carb Ground Turkey and Zucchini Skillet is about to become a staple in your kitchen. Give it a try—you’ll love how quick, wholesome, and totally delicious dinner can be!
Print
Low Carb Ground Turkey and Zucchini Skillet Recipe
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Total Time: 25 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Skillet
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Low Calorie
Description
This Low Carb Ground Turkey and Zucchini Skillet is a flavorful and healthy one-pan meal that is easy to make and perfect for a quick weeknight dinner.
Ingredients
Ground Turkey:
- 2 lbs lean or extra lean ground turkey
Zucchini:
- 2.5–3 lbs zucchini cut into thin slices
Onion:
- 1 medium onion finely chopped
Grape Tomatoes:
- 1 pint grape tomatoes cut in halves
Pesto:
- 3/4 cup pesto
Salt:
- 1/4 tsp salt
Parmesan Cheese:
- 2 tbsp Parmesan cheese grated
Oil:
- 1 tsp oil
Instructions
- Preheat skillet: Preheat a large ceramic non-stick skillet on medium heat and swirl oil to coat. Add onion and cook for 3 minutes, stirring occasionally.
- Cook turkey: Add ground turkey and cook for 5-7 minutes, breaking into pieces and stirring.
- Add zucchini: Add zucchini, stir, and cook for another 3-4 minutes, stirring occasionally.
- Finish dish: Turn off heat, add tomatoes and pesto, then stir. Garnish with Parmesan cheese and serve as desired.
Notes
- Store: Refrigerate in an airtight container for up to 3 days. Do not freeze as zucchini do not freeze well. If this recipe is too much, cut it in half.
- Reheat: Reheat in a skillet with a splash of water while covered. Simmer on low, check and stir every 3 minutes until warmed through.
- Ground turkey: Use 1 lb of ground turkey meat for an even healthier skillet.
- Tomatoes: Regular tomatoes will work too, they just break down more.
- Parmesan cheese: It is best to use freshly grated Parmesan and not from a shaker. More flavor and healthier this way.
- Onion: Can be replaced with about 1 tbsp of onion powder or flakes.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 356 kcal
- Sugar: 9g
- Sodium: 510mg
- Fat: 16g
- Saturated Fat: 3g
- Carbohydrates: 13g
- Fiber: 4g
- Protein: 41g
- Cholesterol: 87mg
