This Southwest Turkey and Egg Breakfast Skillet is a delicious and filling way to start your day! Southwest seasoned ground turkey and scrambled eggs are topped with cheese, tomatoes, avocado, cilantro and salsa. It’s perfect for meal prep, a weekend breakfast or even dinner!
A ground turkey egg scramble is one of my favorite easy, healthy, and delicious breakfasts. As a busy mom, I’m always looking for quick breakfast ideas that I can whip up in minutes but will still keep me feeling full and energized. This protein-packed scramble is the perfect solution.
In this comprehensive guide, I’ll walk you through everything you need to know to make the perfect ground turkey egg scramble, from ingredients and cook time to extra add-ins and serving suggestions Whether you’re a scramble rookie or a breakfast pro, you’ll learn some tasty tips and tricks for taking your scramble to the next level Let’s get cracking!
A ground turkey egg scramble is basically scrambled eggs cooked together with ground turkey meat and vegetables It’s similar to a classic bacon and egg breakfast but swaps out the bacon for leaner, more protein-heavy ground turkey.
Ground turkey has fewer calories and fat than ground beef or pork sausage, making this a lighter and healthier breakfast option Turkey is also packed with nutrients like vitamin B, zinc, and niacin Plus, it’s budget-friendly and easy to cook.
The simple combination of protein, veggies, and fluffy eggs keeps you feeling satisfied for hours. I like to think of it as the perfect way to “scramble up” a nutritious breakfast in minutes flat.
Benefits of Ground Turkey Egg Scrambles
There are so many great reasons to add this scramble into your morning rotation:
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High in protein: You’ll get a good hit of muscle-building protein from the ground turkey and eggs. This helps keep you feeling full and energized.
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Low calorie: Compared to dishes like bacon and eggs or sausage and eggs, this breakfast is lighter at around 200 calories per serving.
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Quick: From start to finish, you can have this protein-packed scramble on the table in 15 minutes. Perfect for busy mornings!
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Endlessly customizable: Add any veggies, cheeses, or spices you like to make it your own.
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Budget-friendly: Ground turkey is cheaper than ground beef. Eggs and veggies make this an affordable breakfast.
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Nutritious: In addition to protein, you’ll get nutrients like B vitamins, iron, zinc from the ingredients.
With all of these benefits, it’s easy to see why this scramble is great any day of the week. Now let’s talk about how to put together the perfect scramble.
Ingredients Needed for a Ground Turkey Egg Scramble
One of the best parts of a scramble is that you likely have all the ingredients on hand already. Here’s what you’ll need:
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Ground turkey: I like to use lean 93% lean ground turkey, but you can use 85% or even ground chicken.
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Eggs: Eggs are the glue that binds everything together. Plan on 2-3 eggs per serving.
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Vegetables: Spinach, bell peppers, onions, mushrooms, or any veggies you like!
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Cheese (optional): Add some cheddar, feta, or Monterey Jack for extra flavor.
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Herbs/spices: Season with salt, pepper, chili powder, garlic powder, etc.
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Oil: For cooking the ground turkey and veggies, use olive oil, avocado oil, or coconut oil.
That covers the basic ingredients. Now let’s talk about add-ins and substitutions.
Possible Add-Ins and Substitutions
One of the great things about egg scrambles is customizing them to your taste. Here are some delicious mix-ins to try:
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Diced ham, bacon, or sausage
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Onion, mushrooms, spinach, tomatoes, or any veggies
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Shredded hash browns or tater tots
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Beans or lentils for extra protein
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Salsa, guacamole, or avocado slices
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Hot sauce or salsa for a kick
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Grated cheese like cheddar, pepper jack, feta
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Fresh herbs like parsley, cilantro, chives
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Spices like paprika, cumin, chili powder
Get creative with add-ins based on what you have on hand! For substitutions:
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Use ground chicken or a veggie substitute instead of ground turkey.
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Replace regular eggs with egg whites or scrambled tofu for a vegan/dairy-free option.
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Use olive oil or vegetable broth instead of cheese for a vegan version.
The beauty of a scramble is you can swap ingredients to suit your tastes and what you have in the fridge. Now let’s get to the fun part: cooking this baby up!
Step-by-Step Guide to Cooking a Ground Turkey Egg Scramble
Cooking up a tasty scramble is easy. Just follow these simple steps:
1. Cook the ground turkey
Heat 1 tsp oil in a skillet over medium-high heat. Add 1 pound ground turkey and cook for 5-7 minutes, breaking it up with a spoon as it cooks. Cook until browned and cooked through.
2. Cook the vegetables
If adding veggies, add 1-2 tbsp oil to the pan after removing the turkey. Cook veggies until tender-crisp, about 5 minutes. Veggies release moisture, so wait until this evaporates before adding eggs.
3. Whisk the eggs
While the veggies cook, whisk 3-4 eggs in a bowl. Season with a pinch each of salt, pepper, garlic powder, chili powder.
4. Add the eggs and scramble
Pour the eggs into the skillet and let sit for 10 seconds. Then gently scramble, stirring frequently, until eggs are cooked but still moist, 1-2 minutes.
5. Add cheese and herbs (optional)
Remove from heat and stir in 1/4 cup shredded cheese and 2 tbsp fresh herbs if using.
That’s all it takes to make a tasty and protein-packed scramble in just 15 minutes!
Cooking Tips for the Perfect Ground Turkey Egg Scramble
Here are a few tips to help you nail the perfect scramble every time:
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Use a nonstick skillet and cook over medium heat to prevent sticking. Stainless steel is also fine if well-seasoned.
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Cut any vegetables small so they cook quickly and mix nicely into the eggs.
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Let eggs sit for 10 seconds after pouring into the pan so they start to set before stirring. This prevents overly sticky eggs.
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Gently move cooked portions to the center and tilt the pan so runny egg hits the hot surface to cook.
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Don’t over-mix the eggs. Stop stirring just before they finish cooking to prevent dry, rubbery eggs.
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Add any cheese right at the end so it melts nicely without overcooking the eggs.
It just takes a little practice to get your scramble technique dialed in. Tweak the timing and temperature as needed based on your stove.
Serving Suggestions
A scramble isn’t complete without perfectly paired sides. Here are some delicious options:
- Toast or biscuits
- Home fried potatoes or hashbrowns
- Yogurt or fresh fruit
- Avocado slices
- Bacon or breakfast sausage
- Salsa, guacamole, or hot sauce
I love wrapping my scramble up in a warm flour tortilla for an easy breakfast burrito. Meal prepping a batch of scrambles in advance makes mornings a breeze. Just reheat and serve!
Top Flavor Combos for Ground Turkey Egg Scrambles
Here are a few of my favorite ground turkey scramble recipes to give you some inspiration:
Tex-Mex Turkey Scramble: Ground turkey, onion, bell pepper, cheddar, salsa, cumin, cilantro
Mediterranean Turkey Scramble: Ground turkey, spinach, tomato, feta, basil, oregano
Southwest Turkey Scramble: Ground turkey, sweet potato, black beans, pepper jack, chili powder
Broccoli-Cheddar Turkey Scramble: Ground turkey, broccoli, cheddar, garlic powder
Pesto Turkey Scramble: Ground turkey, mushrooms, mozzarella, pesto, chives
As you can see, the possibilities are endless when it comes to flavor combinations! Start with my basic recipe, then get creative with your own ingredients.
FAQs
How long does a ground turkey egg scramble keep in the fridge?
Cooked egg scrambles will keep in the fridge for 3-4 days. I suggest storing them in individual servings so you can easily reheat one at a time.
Can you freeze ground turkey egg scrambles?
Yes, they freeze well for 1-2 months. Let cool completely before freezing, then reheat directly from frozen in the microwave or skillet.
What’s the healthiest way to cook ground turkey?
I suggest cooking ground turkey in a nonstick skillet over medium heat with a teaspoon of olive or avocado oil. Cook through then drain excess grease before adding to the eggs.
Do you need to cook ground turkey before adding eggs?
It’s best to fully brown and crumble the ground turkey before adding
Why you’ll love it
High protein breakfast – Having a high quality breakfast with plenty of protein is a sure fire way to keep you from hitting a wall later in the day. Protein is satiating and a great way to rebuild muscle.
One pan – You know I love a good one pan dinner, so why do the same for breakfast! No need to dirty multiple pans when you make this breakfast skillet.
Meal prep – If you struggle to make breakfast in the mornings this hearty egg skillet is perfect for meal prepping. Make it on a Sunday then all you have to do is reheat portions in the morning.
- Ground turkey – I like to use 90/10 ground turkey. The flavor is better and it won’t dry out as much as extra lean.
- Chili powder, cumin, garlic, smoked paprika – The spice blend to season the turkey.
- Onion – Yellow or white onion can be used.
- Salsa – Use your favorite jarred salsa. Red or green salsa can be used.
- Eggs – A combination of whole eggs and egg whites are used.
- Milk – Any type of milk can be used.
- Hot sauce – If you like a little heat in your food, add a few dashes of hot sauce.
- Cheese – Gooey and so good mixed in with eggs.
Ways to Serve a Breakfast Skillet
This is a hearty breakfast to serve on it’s own, but it does come up short on carbs. I recommend adding a serving of carbs using one of the suggestions below.
- Serve with a side of sourdough or whole wheat toast.
- Use it as a filling for breakfast tacos or burritos.
- Add it to plain oatmeal and make savory oatmeal, like I did with this southwest savory oatmeal.
- If you make it for dinner (brinner) serve it on top of white or brown rice.
- Eat it on top of a toasted english muffin or make a bagel breakfast sandwich with it.
Once the breakfast skillet has cooled, transfer it to an airtight container and store it in the refrigerator for 3-4 days.
Reheat in a skillet on the stove over medium-low heat until warmed through or you can reheat it in the microwave.