When you’re short on time but still want something nourishing and satisfying, this turkey and asparagus skillet is a lifesaver. Made with lean ground turkey, crisp-tender asparagus, and flavorful seasonings, it’s a healthy one-pan dinner that comes together in 20 minutes or less.
The simplicity of this dish is what makes it so appealing. All you need is ground turkey, fresh asparagus, garlic, onion, and a few pantry spices. The turkey is browned until golden, then paired with asparagus that stays crisp yet tender, offering a perfect texture contrast. A little lemon juice or zest at the end brightens the entire dish.
This meal is naturally low in carbs, high in protein, and great for anyone watching their macros. It’s also gluten-free, dairy-free, and adaptable, you can add mushrooms, zucchini, or cherry tomatoes if you want to mix things up. Want it spicy? Add red pepper flakes or a drizzle of sriracha.
Another bonus is the minimal cleanup. Since everything cooks in one skillet, you’ll spend less time washing dishes and more time enjoying your meal. It’s ideal for busy weeknights, and leftovers store beautifully in the fridge, making it a solid option for meal prep.
You can serve this turkey and asparagus skillet on its own or pair it with cauliflower rice, quinoa, or even a fried egg on top for extra richness. It’s also great tucked into a low-carb wrap or lettuce cups for a handheld option.
With wholesome ingredients and simple prep, this skillet meal is proof that healthy eating doesn’t have to be complicated. It’s fast, flavorful, and filling — a go-to recipe you’ll keep coming back to.

Ingredients
- 1 lb ground turkey
- 1 bunch asparagus trimmed and cut into 2-inch pieces
- onion small, diced
- 3 cloves garlic minced
- 1 tsp thyme dried
- 1 tsp dried oregano
- 1 tsp paprika
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/4 tsp black pepper
- 1/4 cup chicken broth low-sodium
- 1 tbsp olive oil
Instructions
- Heat the olive oil in a skillet over medium heat.
- Add the ground turkey and cook until browned, breaking it up into small pieces.
- Add the diced onion and minced garlic to the skillet and cook until the onion is soft and translucent.
- Add the asparagus pieces to the skillet and season with dried thyme, dried oregano, paprika, salt, and black pepper.
- Pour in the chicken broth and stir to combine all the ingredients.
- Cover the skillet and let the mixture simmer for about 10 minutes, or until the asparagus is tender.
- Serve the turkey and asparagus skillet hot and enjoy!
Asparagus is gross, sorry! Not gonna try this. 🤮
Hmmm, I questioned cooking asparagus with turkey. Seemed weird… but it actually worked!
I was skeptical too, but the combo is actually delicious! Who woulda thought?
Turkey?! Asparagus?! Yuck! I’ll stick to my beef and broccoli, thank you very much.
I dunno, it was kinda bland. I added some hot sauce and it helped a little. Maybe next time I’ll add some cheese?
I totally agree! I found it a bit lacking too. Cheese sounds like a great idea! Maybe some feta for a tangy twist? 🤔
Simple. Good! Turkey & spears are for real. Gonna make again!
Not feeling this one. Asparagus isn’t my thing. 🤮
This was a fantastic recipe! The flavors were just right. My kids loved it!
I don’t get the thyme + oregano + paprika—seemed like too many dried herbs. But surprisingly it worked. Still, I’d cut back on oregano a bit.
Took too long to cook. Asparagus should be crunchy, not mushy!
I thought it was fine. My asparagus was super crunchy, like perfect! Maybe you cooked it too long?
I agree, asparagus is best when it’s crunchy! Maybe try reducing the simmer time next time?
Not what I expected… too bland for my taste. Maybe needs more spices?
I totally agree! I added cayenne and it made a huge difference. Spices can really elevate a dish!
Eh, I thought it was fine… you just gotta spice it up yurself if u think its bland.
I don’t like turkey much, but it was ok. I guess it’s healthy.
Can you use frozen asparagus? I always forget to buy fresh.
This was super easy to make and my family loved it! The asparagus was a nice touch.
So glad to hear it was easy and that your family enjoyed it! It’s a great way to sneak in some veggies. 😊
This was a hit with my family! The flavors were excellent and the asparagus was cooked perfectly. Definitely making this again!
Too much garlic for my taste. Made it hard to eat. Could use less garlic.
Simple and quick. Can I use chicken instead? 🤔
Yes, chicken should work just fine! Just watch the cooking time a bit. 😋
Yum! I added some cheese on top and it was delicious! Will make again!
The recipe calls for ground turkey. The photo depicts deboned baked turkey cut into cubes. Not ground. How disappointing.
Yummy! Made it for dinner and it’s a hit at my house!
So glad you liked it! It’s one of my favorites too! 🥳
Good!
Thanks! I love how quick this comes together—turkey stays lean and the asparagus doesn’t take forever.
Looks decent, but 10 minutes might make asparagus mushy. I’d start checking at like 6-8 mins and keep it bitey. Also thyme + oregano is a lot—still good though.
Yum! This was a hit at my house. Healthy and quick to throw together. Definitely making it again!
Did not like it at all. The turkey was dry and the asparagus was too crunchy. I guess I expected more.
Nah, it was too bland. My husband said he wanted pizza instead. 🙁
Eh. Wasn’t what I expected. Maybe I just don’t like asparagus? Like, should I even be eating it? Confused.
Asparagus can be hit or miss for people! Maybe try it with a different recipe next time? It tends to taste better when roasted, not boiled!
I dont like asparaguss too! It tastes weird. Maybe just leave it out? The turkey is nice tho.
Really did not like this. The turkey was too bland for my taste, and I expected more flavor.
Good recipe but needs salt for sure. My family said so too.
I totally agree! A pinch of salt can really enhance the flavors. Maybe next time try adding a little more?
Hmmm, didn’t like the texture of the turkey. What a shame. I thought turkey was supposed to be healthy. Ugh.
Made this tonight—so easy and the flavors actually taste like they were planned. The paprika + thyme combo is 🔥. Will definitely repeat.
This is like the best! Easy to make and tastes amazing. I added some cheese on top.
Adding cheese sounds great! I’m definitely going to try that next time. Thanks for the tip!
Really? I found it kinda bland. Could be better with more spices or something. Just my opinion.
Asparagus?? Never heard of puttin it with turkey. Is that even a thing? Not my vibe.
Asparagus is great with turkey! You should give it a try, it’s delish! 😋
I dunno, seems weird to me. Can’t imagine that tasting good together. 🤨
This dish is amazing! I never thought turkey could taste this good with asparagus. My kids even loved it!
I made this with ground beef by accident!! LOL but it was still good.
But isn’t turkey healthier? Beef’s a bit fatty. Just saying…
LOL, that sounds great! Ground beef is tasty too. Glad it still turned out good! 😄
I don’t know, it was okay but I’ve had better. Needed more flavor or something.
I hear you! I thought it could use some kick too. Maybe add some hot sauce next time?
I think it’s good as it is! I liked the flavors. Everyone has different taste buds!
Why do you need chicken broth? Just water is better.
Water don’t taste like much, but chicken broth gives flavor! Trust me, try it!
I don’t like turkey, so I used chicken instead. It turned out great!
Ground turkey always comes out dry for me, and this was no exception. I covered it, simmered, but it felt a bit… meh. Tasted okay with extra broth though.
I dunno, it was kinda bland. I added some chili flakes and it helped but still not my favorite.
Pretty solid weeknight meal. I added a pinch of red pepper flakes and a squeeze of lemon at the end. Onion cooked down nicely and the asparagus stayed a little crisp.
Didn’t have chicken broth, so I used beef broth instead. Turned out fine! Gotta improvise, right?
This was delish! I added some chili flake and it gave it a kick. Yum!
I thought this was kinda bland. Added some chili flakes for more flavor but it still didn’t impress me.
I really liked this recipe! Maybe you could try adding some soy sauce or a splash of lemon juice next time for extra zing.
Bland? Really? I mean, it’s supposed to be healthy, not a flavor explosion. Just add salt if you need more!
This was so quick and easy! Loved it.
Tasty! I used fresh thyme and added a sprinkle of parmesan on top. Yum! 😋
OMG, so easy and healthy! I just made it for dinner, and it was a total hit. Thanks for sharing!
This is the kind of recipe I can do without thinking. Everything goes in one pan, and cleanup is fast. Family ate it, and that’s saying something!
Eazy to make, but the asparagus was still kinda hard. Should I have cooked it longer or somethin?
I think they should be fine, but I like my veggies crunchy. Just try cooking em longer next time!
You might wanna cook it a bit longer. Asparagus can be tough if not cooked right. Maybe another 5 minutes?
OMG! I can’t believe how delicious this is! I didn’t have chicken broth, so I used vegetable stock, and it still turned out great! Will make again for sure!
Didn’t have chicken broth, so I used water. It was alright but felt something was missing.
Maybe try adding some soy sauce for extra flavor next time. Water ain’t the same! 🤷♂️
Kinda sad I missed the garlic… I think I forgot it. Tasted alright tho.
Garlic makes everything better! Glad it turned out okay even without it. Next time, don’t forget! 😄
Super easy to make! I tossed in some carrots too, it turned out great. Thanks for the recipe!
Glad you liked it! Carrots sound like a great addition! 👍
Not bad, but I think it needs more garlic. Also the measurements are a little weird—“onion small” isn’t super specific. Still tasty though.
Totally fair—“onion small” is vague. I usually just use about 1/2 a medium onion (or ~1 cup diced). And yep, more garlic would never hurt. 😄
Save the asparagus, this meal just ain’t it. Didn’t enjoy this one at all.
I love turkey! Finally a recipe that’s not chicken 😂. Will make again for sure.
Ehh, it’s ok. Just turkey and veg, nothing special really. Might just stick to pizza.
I was skeptical about 10 minutes for the asparagus, but it came out tender like the recipe said. I used low-sodium broth and it still had good flavor.
This was super easy to make! My kids loved it, and I feel good about serving turkey instead of beef. Thanks for the recipe!
I followed it exactly, but mine was kinda bland. Next time I’ll double the salt/pepper or add some soy sauce. Could be my broth was flat.
5 stars for convenience. I served it over rice and it tasted like a legit meal prep dinner. Might try mushrooms next.
Yes! Love when it’s actually good straight out of the skillet—meal prep wins 😄 I’ve done it with rice too and it’s perfect. Mushrooms would be a great add.
5 stars for convenience, sure, but I’m wondering… does 10 minutes really get asparagus tender? Mine always needs longer. Still, flavor sounds solid. Might add a squeeze of lemon next time.
So good and healthy! I used fresh herbs instead of dried and it was much better! 🌱