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Turkey Taco Rice Skillet

This Turkey Taco Rice Skillet is a quick, easy, and flavorful one-pot meal packed with ground turkey, rice, beans, corn, and melty cheese. Ready in 40 minutes and perfect for busy weeknights, this healthy, family-friendly dinner is bursting with bold taco flavors — with minimal cleanup!
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 30 minutes
Total Time 40 minutes
Servings: 6 servings
Course: Dinner, Main Course
Cuisine: American, Mexican-Inspired
Calories: 410

Ingredients
  

  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 1 lb ground turkey (85/15 or 93/7 lean)
  • 1 sweet onion, finely diced
  • 2 cups beef broth (or beef stock)
  • 1 can (15 oz) corn, drained
  • 1 can (15 oz) pinto beans, drained and rinsed
  • 1 can (14.5 oz) petite diced tomatoes
  • 3/4 cup long grain white rice, dry and uncooked
  • 1 teaspoon cumin
  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1 teaspoon onion powder
  • 1 teaspoon chili powder
  • 1 teaspoon kosher salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon ground coriander
  • 1/2 teaspoon brown sugar
  • 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
  • 1 1/2 cups shredded cheese (Colby Jack, cheddar, or Mexican blend)

Equipment

  • Large nonstick skillet with lid
  • wooden spoon or spatula
  • Can opener
  • Measuring cups and spoons

Method
 

  1. Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add ground turkey and diced onion. Cook for 5–7 minutes, breaking apart meat, until no longer pink. Drain excess grease.
  2. Stir in beef broth, corn, pinto beans, diced tomatoes with juices, dry rice, and all seasonings. Mix well and bring to a boil.
  3. Once boiling, cover the skillet tightly with a lid. Reduce heat to medium-low and cook for 25 minutes without removing the lid. The rice will absorb all liquid and become tender.
  4. Remove lid and stir. Check that the liquid is fully absorbed and rice is cooked through. Sprinkle shredded cheese evenly over top. Cover again for 2–3 minutes to melt.
  5. Serve hot with your favorite taco toppings like sour cream, salsa, avocado, cilantro, or crushed tortilla chips.

Notes

Pro Tips:
• Use long-grain white rice only — instant rice won’t work.
• Don’t lift the lid during simmering to ensure even cooking.
• Brown sugar balances the spices perfectly — don’t skip it!
• Drain beans and corn well to prevent excess moisture.
Storage:
Refrigerate leftovers up to 4 days. Reheat with a splash of broth or water to keep moist. Freezes well up to 3 months.
Serving Ideas:
Serve in bowls, stuff into burritos or tacos, or layer over tortilla chips for a quick nacho-style dinner.

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