Ingredients:

  • 2 Tbsp Extra Virgin Olive Oil
  • 1 lb (450 g) Lean Ground Turkey (93% lean recommended)
  • 1 Medium Yellow Onion, finely diced
  • 3 cloves Garlic, minced
  • 1 (14.5 oz / 411 g) can Diced Tomatoes, undrained
  • 1 Tbsp Chili Powder
  • 1 tsp Ground Cumin
  • 1/2 tsp Dried Oregano
  • 1 tsp Sea Salt
  • 1/2 tsp Black Pepper, freshly ground
  • 2 Medium Zucchini (Courgette), trimmed and diced into 1/2-inch cubes
  • 1 (15 oz / 425 g) can Black Beans, rinsed and drained well
  • 1 cup (160 g) Frozen Sweet Corn Kernels
  • 1/2 cup (60 g) Cheddar or Monterey Jack cheese, shredded (Optional)
  • 1/4 cup Fresh Coriander (Cilantro), chopped (Optional)
  • 1 Tbsp Fresh Lime Juice

Instructions:

  1. Prep Ingredients: Dice the onion and zucchini, mince the garlic, rinse and drain the black beans, and gather all spices (this is your mise en place—essential for speedy cooking).
  2. Heat the Oil: Place the skillet (10-12 inch) over medium-high heat. Add the olive oil until shimmering.
  3. Brown the Turkey: Add the ground turkey to the hot skillet. Break it up with a spoon and cook until fully browned and no pink remains (approx. 5–7 minutes). If using higher fat turkey, drain excess grease now.
  4. Sauté Aromatics: Add the diced onion to the turkey and cook for 3 minutes until softened. Add the minced garlic and cook for 1 minute more until fragrant.
  5. Toast the Spices: Reduce the heat slightly. Add the chili powder, cumin, oregano, salt, and pepper directly to the meat mixture. Stir constantly for 30–60 seconds until the spices are fragrant. This step wakes up the flavor molecules.
  6. Introduce Zucchini and Tomatoes: Add the diced zucchini and the entire can of diced tomatoes (liquid included) to the skillet. Stir well to combine everything.
  7. Add Beans and Corn: Stir in the rinsed black beans and the frozen sweet corn. Bring the mixture to a gentle simmer.
  8. Simmer for Flavour: Reduce the heat to low, cover the skillet partially, and let it simmer for 8–10 minutes. The zucchini should be tender-crisp (not mushy).
  9. Finish Seasoning: Uncover the skillet. Taste the mixture and adjust salt and pepper if necessary. If the dish looks a bit wet, increase the heat to medium-high and stir constantly for 2–3 minutes to allow some liquid to evaporate.
  10. Garnish and Serve: Remove the skillet from the heat. Stir in the fresh lime juice. If using cheese, sprinkle it evenly over the top and cover briefly (1 minute) to melt. Finish with a generous sprinkle of fresh coriander/cilantro and serve immediately.