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Two sweet potato halves topped with ground turkey, avocado, sour cream, pickled red onions and cilantro on a plate with a fork.
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Ground Turkey Stuffed Sweet Potato Bowls

These Ground Turkey Stuffed Sweet Potato Bowls are one of those easy dinners that checks all the boxes. They're healthy, filling, and packed with flavor. Roasted sweet potatoes are topped with a savory ground turkey mixture loaded with spices, tomatoes, and veggies, then finished with creamy avocado and a sprinkle of cheese. A simple meal that's perfect for busy weeknights or meal prep!
Course Main Course
Cuisine American
Keyword ground turkey stuffed sweet potato bowls
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 1 hour
Total Time 1 hour 10 minutes
Servings 4 people
Calories 356kcal
Author Tawnie Graham of Kroll's Korner

Equipment

Ingredients

Sweet Potatoes

  • 4 medium sweet potatoes, halved lengthwise
  • 2-3 Tbsp. olive oil
  • Kosher salt and black pepper

Turkey Filling

  • 1 Tbsp. olive oil
  • 1 Tbsp. unsalted butter
  • 1/2 cup white onion, diced
  • 1/2 red bell pepper, diced
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 lb ground turkey, can subtitute ground beef as well
  • 1 Tbsp. tomato paste
  • 1 tsp. red pepper flakes
  • 3/4 tsp. ground cumin
  • 1 tsp. smoked paprika
  • 1/2 tsp. garlic powder
  • 1/2 tsp. dried oregano
  • 1/2-1 tsp. kosher salt, to taste
  • 1 tsp. Worcestershire sauce
  • 1 (14 oz.) can petite diced tomatoes, with juices

Topping Ideas

  • 1 avocado, diced
  • 1/4 cup shredded cheddar or white cheddar cheese
  • Cilantro
  • Green onions
  • Pickled red onions
  • Lime wedges
  • Greek yogurt or sour cream
  • Hot sauce or chili crisp
US Customary - Metric

Instructions

  • Prep potatoes: Preheat the oven to 400°F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Pat the halved sweet potatoes dry and place them cut-side down on the prepared baking sheet.
    4 medium sweet potatoes
  • Poke holes: Using a fork, poke several holes through the skin side of each potato half.
    Side-by-side of poking holes in both sides of the sweet potatoes.
  • Brush with oil: Brush/rub both sides generously with olive oil.
    2-3 Tbsp. olive oil
    Side-by-side of brushing both sides of the sweet potatoes with olive oil.
  • Season potatoes: Season all over with kosher salt and black pepper.
    Kosher salt and black pepper
    Side-by-side of sprinkling sweet potatoes with salt and pepper.
  • Bake: Flip the potatoes so the flesh side is facing down. Bake for 30-35 minutes Start Timer, or until the potatoes are fork-tender and caramelized around the edges.
    Side-by-side of roasting prepared sweet potatoes on a parchment-lined baking tray for 30-35 minutes.
  • Make the turkey filling: While the potatoes bake, heat the olive oil and butter in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the onion and bell pepper and cook for 7-8 minutes Start Timer, stirring occasionally, until softened and lightly caramelized.
    1 Tbsp. olive oil, 1 Tbsp. unsalted butter, 1/2 cup white onion, 1/2 red bell pepper
    Side-by-side image of adding onions and bell peppers to skillet with oil and butter and cooking until soft.
  • Add garlic and turkey: Add the garlic and cook for 30 seconds until fragrant. Add the ground turkey and cook, breaking it apart with a wooden spoon, until browned and cooked through.
    2 cloves garlic, 1 lb ground turkey
    Side-by-side of cooking garlic and adding ground turkey to cooked onions and peppers.
  • Add seasonings: Stir in the tomato paste and cook for 1 minute to deepen the flavor Start Timer. Add the red pepper flakes, cumin, smoked paprika, garlic powder, oregano, salt, and Worcestershire sauce. Stir to coat the turkey.
    1 Tbsp. tomato paste, 1 tsp. red pepper flakes, 3/4 tsp. ground cumin, 1 tsp. smoked paprika, 1/2 tsp. garlic powder, 1/2 tsp. dried oregano, 1/2-1 tsp. kosher salt, 1 tsp. Worcestershire sauce
    Side-by-side of adding tomato paste and seasonings to ground turkey mixture.
  • Simmer: Pour in the diced tomatoes and their juices and simmer for 8-10 minutes Start Timer, stirring occasionally, until the flavors meld together. Taste and adjust seasoning as needed.
    1 (14 oz.) can petite diced tomatoes
    Side-by-side image of adding diced tomatoes to ground turkey mixture.
  • Assemble: Flip the sweet potatoes over and gently fluff the flesh with a fork. Fill each sweet potato half generously with the turkey mixture. Top with shredded cheese while the filling is hot so it gets slightly melty.
    1/4 cup shredded cheddar or white cheddar cheese
    Three images side-by-side showing how to assemble stuffed sweet potatoes.
  • Finish with toppings: Top with diced avocado, cilantro, green onions, pickled red onions, and a squeeze of fresh lime juice. Add a dollop of Greek yogurt or sour cream and finish with your favorite hot sauce if desired.
    1 avocado, Cilantro, Green onions, Pickled red onions, Lime wedges, Greek yogurt or sour cream, Hot sauce or chili crisp
    Side-by-side of the stuffed sweet potatoes finished on a tray then served on a plate with toppings.

Video

Notes

  • Instant Pot Sweet Potato Instructions: Place the trivet down in the Instant Pot. Pour in 1 cup water and place the sweet potatoes on the trivet. Secure the lid and set to sealing. Cook on HIGH PRESSURE for 15 minutes for a small/medium sized sweet potato. If your sweet potatoes are large, I would cook it from 18-20 minutes on high pressure. Once done, let the pressure naturally release for another 10-15 minutes. Switch the valve to venting to release any extra pressure (there shouldn’t be any, though, after the natural release). Carefully remove the sweet potatoes from the Instant Pot and serve with the ground turkey.
  • Update: This recipe was updated in July 2026 with updated instructions for baking the sweet potatoes and a few additional ingredients to make the turkey more flavorful. It was also updated with new photos.

Nutrition

Serving: 1serving | Calories: 356kcal | Carbohydrates: 54g | Protein: 27g | Fat: 14g | Saturated Fat: 3g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 8g | Cholesterol: 7mg | Sodium: 297mg | Potassium: 1102mg | Fiber: 11g | Sugar: 11g | Vitamin C: 32mg | Calcium: 141mg | Iron: 2mg