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Garlic Butter Ground Turkey & Green Beans – Fast, Flavorful, and Satisfying

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Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 15 minutes
Total Time 25 minutes
Servings: 4 servings
Ingredients Method

Ingredients
  

  • 1 pound ground turkey (93% lean works well)
  • 12 ounces green beans, trimmed and cut into 1.5-inch pieces
  • 3 tablespoons unsalted butter, divided
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil (or avocado oil)
  • 5 cloves garlic, minced (about 2 tablespoons)
  • 1 small yellow onion, finely diced
  • 1 teaspoon kosher salt, plus more to taste
  • 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
  • 1 teaspoon paprika (smoked or sweet)
  • 1/4 to 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional, for heat)
  • 2 tablespoons low-sodium soy sauce (or tamari/coconut aminos)
  • 1 tablespoon lemon juice (freshly squeezed)
  • 1/4 cup chicken broth or water (as needed, for steaming green beans)
  • 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley (or chives)
  • Lemon wedges, for serving (optional)

Method
 

  1. Blanch or steam the green beans: Add green beans to a skillet with 1/4 cup water and a pinch of salt. Cover and cook over medium heat for 3–4 minutes, until bright green and just tender. Drain any excess water and transfer beans to a plate.
  2. Brown the turkey: In the same skillet, heat 1 tablespoon olive oil over medium-high. Add ground turkey, breaking it up with a spatula. Season with 1/2 teaspoon salt and 1/4 teaspoon pepper. Cook 5–7 minutes until browned and mostly cooked through. Push turkey to one side of the pan.
  3. Sauté the aromatics: Reduce heat to medium. Add 1 tablespoon butter to the empty side of the skillet. Stir in onion and cook 2–3 minutes until softened. Add garlic and cook 30–60 seconds until fragrant.
  4. Season and combine: Sprinkle in the remaining salt and pepper, paprika, and red pepper flakes if using. Stir the turkey and aromatics together until evenly seasoned.
  5. Make it saucy: Add soy sauce and lemon juice. Stir to coat. Add the remaining 2 tablespoons butter and let it melt, creating a glossy garlic butter sauce that clings to the turkey.
  6. Add the green beans back: Return green beans to the skillet. Toss everything together for 1–2 minutes. If the pan looks dry, splash in a tablespoon of broth to loosen. Taste and adjust with more salt, pepper, or lemon.
  7. Finish and serve: Remove from heat. Stir in chopped parsley. Serve hot as-is or over rice, quinoa, or cauliflower rice. Add lemon wedges on the side if you like brightness.