MSG Free Apple & Sage Turkey Skillet

Total time40 min

Prep time15 min

Cook time25 min

4.5

(16)

Sweet, savory, and warmly spiced, this skillet dinner is the kind of weeknight meal that feels far more special than the effort it requires. Thinly sliced apples and fresh sage bring a bright, autumnal character to seasoned ground turkey, while turmeric, ginger, and Ceylon cinnamon layer in gentle warmth without overwhelming the dish. A splash of apple cider vinegar and a touch of honey balance the pan sauce beautifully, giving it that perfect sweet-tart finish. Cooking without MSG can get tricky when you rely on packaged seasonings or store-bought broths that sneak in glutamates under various names. Here, every ingredient is whole and straightforward — bone broth, fresh herbs, and real spices do all the heavy lifting, so you know exactly what's going into the pan. There's no seasoning packet, no shortcut sauce, and no guesswork about hidden additives. The technique is simple: brown the turkey, build the aromatics, let the apples soften into the spices, then bring it all together with a quick pan sauce that reduces into something silky and deeply flavorful. Finished with a scatter of fresh parsley, it's a genuinely satisfying one-pan dinner that comes together in a single skillet and cleans up just as easily.

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Ingredients

4 servings

1 ½ lb ground turkey
2 tbsp coconut oil, divided
1 medium yellow onion, thinly sliced
3 cloves garlic, minced
2 medium apples (such as honeycrisp or fuji), cored and thinly sliced
2 tbsp fresh sage leaves, thinly sliced
1 tsp fresh thyme leaves
½ tsp ground turmeric
¼ tsp ground ginger
¼ tsp ceylon cinnamon
¾ cup bone broth
1 tbsp apple cider vinegar
1 tsp honey
1 tsp salt, plus more to taste

For serving

2 tbsp fresh parsley, roughly chopped (optional)

Instructions

1
Heat 1 tbsp of the coconut oil in a 12-inch skillet over medium-high heat until shimmering. Add the ground turkey and cook, breaking it into large crumbles with a wooden spoon, until no pink remains and an instant-read thermometer inserted into the thickest portion reads 165°F (74°C), about 7–9 minutes. Transfer the cooked turkey to a plate and set aside.
2
Reduce the heat to medium and add the remaining 1 tbsp coconut oil to the skillet. Add the onion and cook, stirring occasionally, until softened and translucent, about 5 minutes.

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