If you’re looking for a comforting, flavor-packed dinner that comes together in under 30 minutes, Garlic Butter Ground Turkey with Cauliflower Skillet is about to become your new weeknight hero. This dish delivers juicy ground turkey, buttery cauliflower, and the irresistible warmth of garlic in every single bite. Everything simmers together in one skillet for an easy, fuss-free meal that’s satisfying yet light, filled with protein and wholesome veggies, and perfect for any night you need something both cozy and low-carb. Trust me, you’ll find yourself turning to this Garlic Butter Ground Turkey with Cauliflower Skillet again and again—it’s just that crave-worthy.
Ingredients You’ll Need
Ingredients You’ll Need
The best part of this recipe is that it calls for everyday, fuss-free ingredients, yet each plays a vital role in taste and texture. Let’s celebrate how the basics can come together to create a skillet dinner that feels anything but ordinary!
- Olive oil: This brings a wonderful richness and helps the ground turkey brown beautifully.
- Unsalted butter: The secret to the dish’s luxurious mouthfeel, making the garlic flavor truly shine.
- Ground turkey: Lean yet juicy, it’s the perfect protein to soak up all those savory flavors.
- Garlic cloves: The real star—freshly minced garlic infuses every bite with fragrant, zesty depth.
- Small onion: Provides subtle sweetness and complexity as it melds into the skillet.
- Cauliflower: When cut to bite-sized florets, it turns tender and golden as it absorbs the buttery sauce.
- Italian seasoning: A beautiful blend of herbs that elevates everything, adding that classic Italian flair.
- Crushed red pepper flakes (optional): Just a hint adds a gentle, warming kick that balances the richness.
- Salt and black pepper: The dynamic duo to bring out and highlight every other flavor.
- Low-sodium chicken broth: Simmering everything together, it creates a silky sauce for the cauliflower.
- Grated Parmesan cheese: Sprinkled in at the end for cheesy goodness and savory depth.
- Fresh parsley: Adds a hit of fresh, grassy color and brightness right before serving.
How to Make Garlic Butter Ground Turkey with Cauliflower Skillet
Step 1: Sauté the Turkey in Garlic-Infused Butter
Start by heating your olive oil and butter in a large skillet over medium heat. Once the butter has melted and starts to foam, add your ground turkey. Use a wooden spoon to break it up into crumbles, spreading it out for even cooking. Let it sizzle for several minutes, stirring occasionally, until it’s nicely browned and the kitchen smells incredible from the garlicky, buttery goodness.
Step 2: Add Onion and Garlic for Fragrant Flavor
With your turkey almost browned, toss in the minced garlic and chopped onion. These two together create that classic aroma no one can resist! Stir them into the turkey and let everything cook for another 2 to 3 minutes—just until the onion softens and the garlic is deeply fragrant but not browned. By now the flavors should be mingling like old friends.
Step 3: Introduce Cauliflower and Seasonings
Time to make things hearty! Add the cauliflower florets to the skillet. Sprinkle in the Italian seasoning, a dash of salt and pepper, and red pepper flakes if you’re craving a gentle heat. Stir to coat all the cauliflower in those savory, buttery turkey juices—every floret should be glistening and ready to soak up even more flavor.
Step 4: Simmer with Chicken Broth for Tender Perfection
Pour in the chicken broth, then cover the skillet with a lid. The broth will help the cauliflower steam and become wonderfully tender without losing all of its bite. Let it cook for about 8 to 10 minutes, stirring once or twice, until you can easily pierce the cauliflower with a fork. Remove the lid, then let any extra liquid bubble away for just a minute, building up the flavor.
Step 5: Finish with Parmesan and Fresh Parsley
To bring it all together, sprinkle the grated Parmesan cheese into your Garlic Butter Ground Turkey with Cauliflower Skillet. Stir until the cheese melts and everything is irresistibly creamy. Taste, adjust the seasoning, and finally, shower the skillet with fresh parsley for a vibrant finish. Serve straight from the pan and watch it disappear!
How to Serve Garlic Butter Ground Turkey with Cauliflower Skillet
Garnishes
A handful of fresh parsley is classic, but you can also toss on extra Parmesan, a few grinds of black pepper, or a sprinkle of red pepper flakes if you love a pop of color and a peppery edge. Lemon zest is another wonderful touch that makes every bite bright and refreshing.
Side Dishes
The beauty of Garlic Butter Ground Turkey with Cauliflower Skillet is that it’s filling on its own, but you can easily pair it with simple sides. Try a crisp green salad with a light vinaigrette for freshness, or spoon this skillet over cauliflower rice or zucchini noodles for extra veggies and texture. Warm crusty bread for sopping up the buttery juices is always a winner if you’re not low-carb.
Creative Ways to Present
For a dinner party twist, spoon the turkey and cauliflower mixture into hollowed-out roasted bell peppers or serve it in lettuce cups for a fun finger-food approach. You can also pile it into meal prep bowls with cooked quinoa or roasted sweet potatoes for future lunches. However you plate it, the colors and aroma will always shine!
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Let any extra Garlic Butter Ground Turkey with Cauliflower Skillet cool to room temperature, then portion it into airtight containers. It will happily keep in the refrigerator for three to four days, making healthy lunches or quick dinners a breeze. The flavors only deepen as it sits!
Freezing
This skillet dinner freezes surprisingly well. Pack completely cooled portions into freezer-safe containers or zip-top bags (pressing out extra air) and store for up to three months. When you’re ready to eat, defrost overnight in the fridge for best texture.
Reheating
To reheat, simply warm the skillet in a pan over medium heat with a splash of broth—or pop it in the microwave, loosely covered, to reawaken all those delicious flavors. Add a touch more Parmesan or fresh parsley to brighten everything up before serving.
FAQs
Can I use ground chicken instead of turkey?
Absolutely! Ground chicken works beautifully in this dish, absorbing all the buttery garlic flavors in the same way as turkey. Just keep an eye on cooking time, as chicken may cook slightly faster.
Is Garlic Butter Ground Turkey with Cauliflower Skillet kid-friendly?
Yes! Most families find this dish super approachable. If you have little ones sensitive to spice, simply skip the red pepper flakes. The buttery garlic and parmesan keep it flavorful and mild.
How can I make this recipe dairy-free?
It’s easy to adapt: use extra olive oil instead of butter and swap the Parmesan for a plant-based, dairy-free cheese or nutritional yeast. The result is still rich and delicious!
Can I add other vegetables?
Definitely. Chopped spinach, kale, or bell peppers all blend seamlessly into the skillet—just stir them in with the cauliflower. This flexibility is part of what makes this Garlic Butter Ground Turkey with Cauliflower Skillet such a dinner staple.
Does this dish work for meal prep?
Yes, it’s a fantastic meal prep option. Cook up a batch, store individual servings, and enjoy hearty, healthy lunches all week long. The flavors actually improve as they meld in the fridge.
Final Thoughts
If you’re hunting for the ultimate one-pan dinner that’s fast, wholesome, and bursting with flavor, Garlic Butter Ground Turkey with Cauliflower Skillet is your answer. It’s endlessly adaptable, made with real ingredients, and guaranteed to win you over. Grab your skillet—you have to taste this one to believe it!
Print
Garlic Butter Ground Turkey with Cauliflower Skillet Recipe
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Non-Vegetarian
Description
This Garlic Butter Ground Turkey with Cauliflower Skillet is a flavorful and easy-to-make dish that’s perfect for a quick weeknight meal. Tender ground turkey is cooked with garlic, onions, and cauliflower, then finished with Parmesan cheese and fresh parsley for a delicious low-carb dinner option.
Ingredients
Ingredients:
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 1 pound ground turkey
- 4 garlic cloves, minced
- 1 small onion, finely chopped
- 1 medium head cauliflower, cut into small florets
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- 1/2 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes (optional)
- Salt and black pepper to taste
- 1/4 cup low-sodium chicken broth
- 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley (for garnish)
Instructions
- Heat olive oil and butter: In a large skillet over medium heat, heat the olive oil and butter.
- Cook ground turkey: Add the ground turkey to the skillet and cook until browned, breaking it apart with a spoon.
- Add garlic and onion: Stir in the minced garlic and chopped onion, cooking until fragrant and softened.
- Include cauliflower and seasonings: Add the cauliflower florets, Italian seasoning, red pepper flakes, salt, and black pepper. Stir to combine.
- Pour in broth and cook: Pour in the chicken broth, cover, and cook for 8-10 minutes until cauliflower is tender.
- Finish with cheese: Remove the lid, allow excess liquid to cook off, then sprinkle in Parmesan cheese and stir.
- Garnish and serve: Adjust seasoning if needed, garnish with parsley, and serve.
Notes
- You can substitute ground chicken for turkey if preferred.
- Add spinach or kale for extra greens.
- For a dairy-free version, use olive oil only and omit the Parmesan cheese or use a plant-based alternative.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1/4 of recipe
- Calories: 320
- Sugar: 3g
- Sodium: 480mg
- Fat: 22g
- Saturated Fat: 8g
- Unsaturated Fat: 12g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 9g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 24g
- Cholesterol: 85mg
