Sweet potato and turkey couscous is a wholesome, colorful dish that combines tender roasted sweet potatoes, savory ground turkey, and fluffy couscous into a satisfying and nutritious meal. It is packed with flavor, texture, and vibrant ingredients, making it perfect for a quick weeknight dinner or a healthy meal prep option.
The star of this dish is the sweet potato, which brings natural sweetness and a soft, comforting texture. Roasted until caramelized on the edges, it pairs beautifully with the lean, savory ground turkey that is cooked with aromatic spices like cumin, paprika, garlic, and a touch of chili flakes for subtle warmth.
The couscous acts as the perfect base, soaking up all the flavorful juices from the turkey and spices. Its light, fluffy texture balances the heartiness of the sweet potato and the protein-rich turkey. You can use traditional couscous, whole wheat couscous, or even pearl couscous for a slightly chewier bite.
Fresh herbs like parsley or cilantro add brightness and a pop of color to the dish. A squeeze of lemon or a drizzle of olive oil before serving elevates all the flavors, making the meal taste fresh and vibrant. Some versions even toss in toasted almonds, pine nuts, or dried cranberries for added crunch and a hint of sweetness.
This dish is not only delicious but also nourishing, offering a great balance of protein, healthy carbs, and fiber. It is versatile enough to enjoy warm or cold, making it a great option for packed lunches or next-day leftovers.
Sweet potato and turkey couscous pairs wonderfully with a crisp white wine like Sauvignon Blanc or a refreshing glass of sparkling water with lemon. A light salad on the side completes the meal beautifully.
Whether you are looking for a simple dinner or a nutritious meal to enjoy throughout the week, sweet potato and turkey couscous delivers on flavor, comfort, and ease. It is a colorful, hearty dish that satisfies without feeling heavy.
Ingredients
- 1 cup couscous
- 2 cups water for cooking couscous
- 1 medium sweet potato peeled and cubed
- 200 grams turkey breast cut into bite-sized pieces
- 1 tablespoon olive oil for cooking
- 1 teaspoon cumin ground
- 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
- to taste salt and pepper
- 1/4 cup fresh parsley chopped
Instructions
- Bring water to a boil in a large saucepan, then stir in couscous. Remove from heat, cover, and let stand for 5 minutes. Fluff with a fork.
- In a large skillet, heat olive oil over medium heat. Add turkey pieces and cook until browned and cooked through, about 8-10 minutes.
- Add sweet potato cubes to the skillet and cook until tender, about 10 minutes.
- Stir in cumin, cinnamon, salt, and pepper. Mix well to coat the turkey and sweet potatoes with the spices.
- Combine the cooked turkey and sweet potatoes with the couscous. Stir in chopped parsley just before serving.
I tried this last night, but I think I overcooked the turkey. It was dry. Any tips for juicy turkey?
Sweet potatoes and turkey? Sounds weird. Not sure about this combo. Why not just use chicken?
Easiest recipe ever! Definitely making this again next week. My kids loved it!
This recipe is a game changer! I love the flavors, especially the cumin and cinnamon together. 10/10!
Sweet potato? No thanks. I prefer regular potatoes! Can I substitute?
I dunno if regular potatoes will work as well… Sweet potatoes have a different flavor, y’know? Just sayin’!
You can totally substitute regular potatoes! Just cook them longer so they’re nice and soft. 😊
I thought couscous was a type of pasta? How can it be gluten-free? 🤷♂️
Couscous is actually made from semolina, which is derived from wheat, so it does contain gluten. Maybe there’s gluten-free couscous made from other grains, but be careful! 🤔
Couscous is a grain, not pasta! Some are made from gluten-free ingredients. You should really check the label. Good luck! 👍
5 stars! Best dish I made this month! Couscous is always good!
I don’t get why people like sweet potato so much. It’s too sweet! Maybe I did something wrong?
I was skeptical about the cinnamon in a savory dish, but it actually works! Surprised my family, they loved it!
Super easy to make, but I thought it was too bland. Maybe try adding more spices?
I think you might be right! A few extra spices could really bring out the flavors. I’ll try that next time.
Yum, I swap turkey for chicken and it still turned out great. So tasty! 😋
I dunno, is chicken really better than turkey? Turkey’s more healthy, right? 🤔
I love that you swapped turkey for chicken! It just shows how adaptable recipes can be. 😍 Definitely gonna try that!
I messed up the cooking time and ended up with mushy sweet potatoes. Oops! But my family still ate it.
Honestly, if you follow the instructions, it shouldn’t be mushy. Maybe try a timer next time?
Mushy sweet potatoes can still be good! It’s all about the flavor, right? Glad your fam enjoyed it!
Yummy! I added raisins for a sweet kick and it was delicious. Thanks for sharing!
Sweet potato and turkey? YUCK! I hate sweet potatoes, wasted my food 🙁
I didn’t have sweet potatoes so I used regular ones. It was okay, not bad!
Ehh, I dunno. Turkey and sweet potato? Sounds odd. My husband liked it tho.
This recipe is amazing! The flavors are incredible. The sweet potato and turkey together are just yum!
The cinnamon threw me off, but I tried it anyway. Kinda weird but I guess it was okay.
I loved the cinnamon! It added a unique twist to the dish. Don’t knock it till you try it! 😍
Cinnamon in savory foods? That’s a bit odd, I agree. I think I’d skip that next time.
I substituted quinoa for couscous because I didn’t have any, and it turned out great! Thanks!
Really? I’ve never tried quinoa for couscous, sounds kinda weird but if it worked for you, cool.
That’s awesome! Quinoa is a great substitute, way healthier too! Glad you enjoyed it.
Not sure about the cinnamon in savory dishes. It tasted a bit weird, but my friend loved it.
Is 1 tablespoon of olive oil really enough? I added more because I like it a bit greasy. But it was still tasty!
This recipe is amazing! I made it last night and my whole family loved it. Definitely a keeper!
I made this for dinner and my kids loved it! They even asked for seconds!
Really? Kids? Mine would never eat sweet potatoes! How did you get them to like it?
That’s awesome! I’m so glad your kids liked it! It’s always a win when they ask for more.
This recipe is amazing! I love how the sweet potato and turkey go so well together. Definitely a keeper!
This was kind of bland. Needs more salt or something. 🥱
Totally agree! I added some garlic and it was way better. Just a little seasoning can make a big difference!
Delicious!! Made it twice already. Will be adding it to my meal prep rotation.
I’ve made it once and it was okay, but I think it needs more spice for my taste.
So glad you liked it! It’s one of my favorites too! 🥰
It was okay, but the couscous turned out a bit mushy. Maybe I overcooked it? Not sure if I’ll give it another shot.
I think overcooking the couscous is easy to do! Next time try a timer or just keep checking! It’s still a tasty dish.
Mushy couscous, huh? I’ve been there. Maybe try less water? It can be tricky to get it right.
Super easy and quick! I’ll be making this again for sure. Thanks for sharing!
Quick and simple! Just what I needed after a long day. I added some garlic too.
This was super! Love the parsley at the end, makes it look so fancy! 😍
Isn’t couscous just tiny pasta? Not sure it’s worth boiling water for this.
Quick and healthy! I made this in under 30 mins. Perfect for a weeknight dinner. Gonna try it with chicken next time!
This recipe is absolutely delicious! The flavors mingle so well. I added some garlic for an extra kick and it was perfect. Will definitely make it again!
Sounds great but I don’t like turkey much. Can I use chicken instead? Does it taste the same? 🤷♂️
I tried this recipe too and was blown away! The garlic really does add something special. I’m glad you enjoyed it!