Turkey & Lentil Stuffed Sweet Potatoes

Cozy, colorful, and packed with nourishing ingredients, these Turkey & Lentil Stuffed Sweet Potatoes make a satisfying iron-rich meal. Savory ground turkey, hearty lentils, spinach, and tomatoes are piled into tender roasted sweet potatoes for a wholesome dinner that’s full of flavor and easy to make.

Ingredients

• 4 medium sweet potatoes
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 1 pound lean ground turkey
• 1 cup cooked lentils, drained and rinsed
• 2 cups fresh spinach, roughly chopped
• 1 small onion, diced
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 cup diced tomatoes
• 1 teaspoon ground cumin
• 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
• ½ teaspoon dried oregano
• ½ teaspoon salt, or to taste
• ¼ teaspoon black pepper
• Juice of ½ lime
• Fresh parsley or cilantro, chopped, for garnish

Instructions

1. Roast the sweet potatoes: Preheat the oven to 400°F. Pierce the sweet potatoes a few times with a fork and place them on a baking sheet. Roast for 45–55 minutes, or until tender when pierced with a fork.
2. Cook the turkey: While the sweet potatoes are roasting, heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the onion and cook for 2–3 minutes until softened. Add the garlic and cook for about 30 seconds.
3. Brown the turkey: Add the ground turkey to the skillet and cook for 5–7 minutes, breaking it apart with a spoon, until fully cooked and no longer pink.
4. Add the seasonings: Stir in the cumin, smoked paprika, oregano, salt, and black pepper.
5. Add the lentils and tomatoes: Stir in the cooked lentils and diced tomatoes. Cook for another 3–4 minutes, allowing the flavors to come together.
6. Add the spinach: Stir in the chopped spinach and cook for 1–2 minutes, just until wilted. Finish the filling with the fresh lime juice.
7. Stuff the sweet potatoes: Carefully slice each roasted sweet potato lengthwise and gently open it. Fluff the inside with a fork, then generously spoon the turkey and lentil mixture into each potato.
8. Serve: Sprinkle with fresh parsley or cilantro and serve warm.

Iron Tip

Why this meal works: Turkey and lentils provide iron, while spinach adds another plant-based source. The tomatoes, sweet potato, and fresh lime provide vitamin C, which helps your body absorb the non-heme iron found in the lentils and spinach more effectively.

Nutrition Highlights

• Turkey: Provides high-quality protein along with iron, vitamin B12, and other important nutrients.
• Lentils: A nutritious plant-based source of iron, protein, fiber, and folate.
• Spinach: Adds iron, folate, and other vitamins and minerals.
• Sweet potatoes, tomatoes & lime: Provide vitamin C, which helps your body absorb the plant-based iron in the lentils and spinach.

Serving Suggestion

Serve these stuffed sweet potatoes with a crisp green salad or a side of roasted vegetables for a complete meal. For an extra burst of vitamin C and fresh flavor, add a spoonful of tomato salsa or an additional squeeze of lime just before serving.