Southwest Stuffed Sweet Potatoes with Ground Turkey, Beans, Corn, and Cheese provide over 23 grams of protein and 9 grams of fiber per serving. A hearty and healthy dinner!
stuffed sweet potatoes
I love a good sweet potato. If you’ve ever made vegetarian baked sweet potatoes, shepherd’s pie stuffed sweet potatoes, or sloppy joe stuffed sweet potatoes, you already know how versatile and satisfying they are. This Southwest-inspired version is no exception. Roasted sweet potatoes are stuffed with seasoned turkey, black beans, charred corn, and jalapenos, then finished with melty cheese. The result is a high-protein, high-fiber meal that’s flavorful, comforting, and perfect for a weeknight meal.
Why We Love These Turkey Stuffed Sweet Potatoes
I love filling sweet potatoes with all kinds of toppings and flavors. It’s the ultimate blank canvas for healthy, comfort food. If you’re new to stuffed sweet potatoes, start with my classic baked sweet potatoes recipe. It’s the perfect base.
- Full of Flavor: There’s just enough heat from the smoky turkey, sweet corn, and jalapenos.
- Nutritional balance: It’s rich in protein and fiber, which helps keep you full and energized.
- Great for meal prep: Make the filling in advance and fill it with potatoes when you are ready to eat.
- Easy weeknight dinners: Simple ingredients, minimal preparation, satisfying results.
- Dietary Restrictions: Weight Watchers Friendly, Gluten Free, High Protein, High Fiber, Dairy Free (Alternative Cheese and Greek Yogurt)
materials needed
Here are all the ingredients for this easy southwestern sweet potato recipe: See recipe card below for exact measurements.
- sweet potato: Buy sweet potatoes of the same size so they cook evenly. Before baking, prick the whole thing with a fork to allow the steam to escape.
- avocado oil (or neutral cooking oil) Grease the pan.
- pepper: Poblano for smokiness and jalapeno for heat.
- Aromatic: Yellow onion (can also be white or red) and garlic
- 93% ground turkey For lean protein
- seasoning: Kosher salt and cumin
- Black beans: Rinse and drain canned black beans, a simple source of protein and fiber.
- frozen roasted corn It’s a great shortcut. You can enjoy all the flavors without any preparation.
- master For freshness and color
- Pepper Jack Cheese Melt over ground turkey filling for a creamy contrast.
- Greek Yogurt A lighter alternative to sour cream.
How to make stuffed sweet potatoes
If you don’t have time to bake sweet potatoes in the oven, try making slow cooker sweet potatoes (cooked by hand!) or air fryer roasted sweet potatoes (ready in about 40 minutes). See recipe card below for printable instructions.
- Roast sweet potatoes Cook at 400°F for 45 to 60 minutes until tender. Check for doneness by inserting a butter knife into the center.
- Prepare turkey filling: In a large skillet, cook peppers and onions until soft. Add the turkey and garlic and mash the meat with a wooden spoon or meat mincer. Season with salt and cumin. Then mix in the black beans and corn. Remove pan from heat and stir in cilantro.
- Fill the sweet potatoes with: Cut the potatoes in half. Using a measuring cup, scoop out half of the filling and press it into the potatoes with the back of the cup. Sprinkle with cheese and bake for a few minutes until melted. Don’t leave! Broilers can take everything from golden to burnt, so keep an eye on them.
- Southwestern Stuffed Sweet Potato Tops This dish is served with more Greek yogurt and cilantro.
Tips for Success (and Easy Meal Prep)
- Buy Sweet Potatoes Smooth skin, no wrinkles, cracks or tender spots.
- Please choose the correct size. Look for sweet potatoes that weigh about 8 ounces for the filling. To check size, weigh them using the scales found in the produce section of your supermarket.
- Double your charge Freeze half for later. We’ve included meal prep and reheating tips below.
- Kid-friendly tips: If your kids haven’t yet learned to love sweet potatoes, try topping them with plain baked potatoes or rice. You can also add them to flour tortillas or corn husks for tacos.
Toppings and Variations
- Don’t you like sweet potatoes? While sweet potatoes get a lot of attention when it comes to nutrition, russet potatoes are still a healthy choice. They provide vitamins and minerals such as vitamin C and potassium, along with some fiber and protein.
- Adjust the heat: Remove the ribs (long white lines inside the pepper) and seeds from the jalapenos to keep them mild. If you want your potatoes to be a little spicier, eat them with hot sauce without removing the seeds.
- Experiment with spices: Add chili powder, dried oregano, and paprika, or make homemade taco seasoning or adobo seasoning.
- Try swapping black beans For pinto or great northern beans.
- Corn Options: If you can’t find roasted frozen corn, you can use regular frozen corn or fresh corn kernels. If you add it a few minutes before the turkey is done cooking, it will burn a bit.
- Do you hate cilantro? Skip it.
- Try changing the cheese. Try it with Mexican Blend, Monterey Jack, and Cheddar Cheese.
- Dairy Free: Omit the cheese and Greek yogurt or use a vegan alternative.
- Vegetarian and Vegan Stuffed Sweet Potatoes: Replace ground turkey with more beans and corn. You can also add additional vegetables, such as bell peppers, mushrooms, or spinach.
- Topping Ideas: Top potatoes with sour cream, salsa, pico de gallo, guacamole, sliced avocado, chives, or hot sauce.
How to Prepare Stuffed Sweet Potatoes
There are two ways to prepare Southwestern stuffed potatoes as a meal. You can make it a day early and reheat it or freeze it for later. Here’s how to prepare it a day ahead:
- eve, Make ground turkey stuffing and roast sweet potatoes. Cool in a separate airtight container and refrigerate.
- freeze the ground Turkey for up to 3 months. Before serving, thaw the turkey in the refrigerator overnight and then reheat.
produce: night soil
Serving Size: 1 Fill with potatoes and ⅔ cup
Preheat oven to 400°F and line a rimmed baking sheet with parchment paper.
Place sweet potatoes on prepared baking sheet and prick potatoes a few times with a fork. Transfer the sweet potatoes to the oven and bake for 45-60 minutes, until very tender and easily pierced with a knife. Take it out of the oven and let it cool slightly.
Meanwhile, prepare the filling. Heat avocado oil in a large nonstick skillet over medium heat. Add poblanos, jalapenos, and onions to pan. Cook, stirring occasionally, until vegetables are slightly softened, 5 to 7 minutes.
Add turkey and garlic to pan. Using a wooden spoon, break the turkey into small pieces. Season with salt and cumin and cook, stirring occasionally, until turkey is cooked through, about 7 minutes.
Add black beans and corn, mix and heat. Remove from heat, add cilantro and stir to mix well.
Once the sweet potato has cooled slightly, cut it lengthwise and spread the potato out to make space for the filling. Using a measuring cup, fill in the filling and compact the filling slightly. Top with cheese and cook until cheese is melted and bubbly, 2 to 3 minutes.
Top with Greek yogurt and chopped cilantro.
Final step:
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clothing material: 1 Fill with potatoes and ⅔ cup, calorie: 413.5 calorie, carbohydrate: 54.5 g, protein: 23 g, province: 11.5 g, Saturated Fat: 4 g, Cholesterol: 71 mg, sodium: 483.5 mg, fiber: 9 g, sugar: 11 g
FAQ
Refrigerate leftovers for up to 4 days. If you’re taking it to work, pack potatoes, turkey, and cheese together in an airtight glass container.
Yes, sweet potatoes are healthy. It is an inexpensive plant-based protein high in fiber, vitamins A and C, and manganese. Then take it to the next level by adding nutrient-dense foods.
More Stuffed Sweet Potatoes You’ll Love
For more high-protein and high-fiber meals, check out: Five Delicious Stuffed Sweet Potato Recipes To inspire your next meal!
