This 20 minute Turkey and Pepper sauté is Paleo, gluten-free, whole 30 and low-carb, so pretty much everyone can enjoy it! It’s made with ultra lean turkey tenderloin filets, sweet bell peppers and onion with herbs and fire roasted tomatoes.

20 Minute Low Carb Turkey and Peppers | Paleo | Whole 30 | Gluten Free | 30 minutes or less | Dinner | Healthy Seasonal Recipes | Katie Webster

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Why I Love This Low Carb Turkey Tenderloin Recipe

While ground turkey is in my shopping cart every week for Turkey Pinto Chili, Turkey Meatloaf and Ground turkey enchiladas, I rarely think of buying turkey cutlets. But that is about to change now that I have discovered how good turkey breast cutlets can be sauteed with peppers, onions and tomato sauce.

Friends, get ready to fall in love with turkey breast!

I know it sounds impossible because turkey breast is so lean and plain it’s hard to believe someone could “fall in love” with it. But with this 20 Minute Low-Carb Turkey and Pepper recipe you will! 

Cooking Tips

The Turkey:

When you’re shopping, look for Turkey Cutlets or Turkey Filets.

If you can’t find that, look for a package of turkey tenderloin, and cut it into thin filets yourself.

The Pan:

You know I love my cast iron skillet folks, but for this recipe, I recommend using a ceramic non-stick pan.

I bought this set a few months ago, and I am really happy with it so far. In the past, I have found that these ceramic (non-toxic) non-stick pans aren’t durable, the surface breaks down after repeated use, and then it isn’t non-stick anymore.

Control Browning with Moisture:

I found that since this is a one-pot meal, the pan heated up a lot so I adjusted the recipe by controlling the heat and I used my lid to use the moisture to prevent too much browning. You can read more about moisture and caramelization here.

How To Make Low-Carb Turkey and Peppers

Full printable instructions and measurements are written below in the recipe card. 

Season and Sauté The Turkey

  1. Season the turkey.
  2. To prevent overcrowding the skillet, which will inhibit browning, split the turkey in half and cook it in two batches.
  3. Sear half of it it in the skillet in the oil.
  4. Reduce heat under the skillet and repeat with the second half of the turkey adding more oil. 
  5. Take the turkey out of the skillet and set both batches on a plate with foil over it. 

Sauté The Peppers and Onions

  • Next, add the onion and bell peppers to the skillet and cook them.
  • You’ll want to keep it covered to trap the steam in with them to help them soften quickly.
  • Stir them often and cook them until they’re tender and starting to brown. 

Add Seasoning and Tomatoes

  • Before adding any liquid add the Italian seasoning and pepper to bloom the spices in the hot oil. They’ll become fragrant within about 30 seconds.
  • Add in the vinegar and let it evaporate.
  • Add tomatoes and simmer.

Finish Cooking the Turkey in the Sauce

Now add the turkey back into the skillet with any accumulated juices from the plate and bring it all up to a simmer.

Then just simmer on medium-low heat to thicken the sauce and cook the turkey all the way through

What To Serve With This Low-Carb Turkey and Peppers

FAQs

What to do with leftovers

Store leftover turkey in the pepper sauce in an airtight container up to three days. Reheat in a skillet or in the microwave until steaming hot. In the skillet, it may dry out a bit so you can add in a little broth to thin out the sauce if it gets too thick.

Can you freeze leftover cooked turkey tenderloin?

We do not recommend freezing the leftover turkey tenderloin because it gets dried out.

Are tomatoes, peppers and onions okay on a keto diet?

Make sure to check with your doctor or dietitian if following a strict ketogenic diet. As written a serving of this dish has 8 grams net carbs and is suitable for most low-carb diets.

20 Minute Low Carb Turkey and Peppers | Paleo | Whole 30 | Gluten Free | 30 minutes or less | Dinner | Healthy Seasonal Recipes | Katie Webster

Thanks so much for reading! If you are new here, you may want to sign up for my email newsletter to get a free weekly menu plan and the latest recipes right to your inbox. If you make this recipe, please come back and leave a star rating and review. I would love to hear what you thought!

Happy Cooking! ~Katie

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20 Minute Low Carb Turkey and Peppers | Paleo | Whole 30 | Gluten Free | 30 minutes or less | Dinner | Healthy Seasonal Recipes | Katie Webster

20 Minute Low Carb Turkey and Peppers


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4.8 from 8 reviews

  • Author: Katie Webster
  • Total Time: 20 minutes
  • Yield: 4 servings 1x

Description

This 20 minute Turkey and Pepper sauté is Paleo, gluten-free, whole 30 and low-carb, so pretty much everyone can enjoy it! It’s made with lean turkey, sweet bell peppers, onions, herbs and fire roasted tomatoes in just one pan making it the perfect weeknight dinner.


Ingredients

Units Scale
  • 1 teaspoon salt, divided
  • 1 pound turkey tenderloin, cut into thin steaks about 1/4-inch thick
  • 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil, divided
  • 1/2 large sweet onion, sliced
  • 1 red bell pepper, cut into strips
  • 1 yellow bell pepper, cut into strips
  • 1/2 teaspoon Italian seasoning
  • 1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper
  • 2 teaspoons red wine vinegar
  • 1 14ounce can crushed tomatoes, preferably fire-roasted
  • Chopped fresh parsley and basil for garnish (optional)

Instructions

  1. Sprinkle ½ teaspoon salt over turkey. Heat 1 tablespoon oil in a large non-stick skillet over medium high heat. Add half of the turkey and cook, until browned on the bottom, 1 to 3 minutes. Flip and continue cooking until cooked all the way through, 1 to 2 minutes. Remove the turkey to a plate with a slotted spatula, tent with foil to keep warm. Add the remaining 1 tablespoon oil to the skillet, reduce heat to medium and repeat with the remaining turkey, 1 to 3 minutes per side.
  2. Add onion, bell peppers and the remaining ½ teaspoon salt to the skillet, cover and cook, removing lid to stir often, until the onion and peppers are softening and brown in spots, 5 to 7 minutes.
  3. Remove lid, increase heat to medium high, sprinkle with Italian seasoning and pepper and cook, stirring often until the herbs are fragrant, about 30 seconds. Add vinegar, and cook, stirring until almost completely evaporated, about 20 seconds. Add tomatoes and bring to a simmer, stirring often.
  4. Add the turkey to the skillet with any accumulated juices from the plate and bring to a simmer. Reduce heat to medium-low and cook, turning in the sauce until the turkey is hot all the way through, 1 to 2 minutes. Serve topped with parsley and basil if using.

Notes

Look for turkey breast cutlets or slice turkey tenderloin into 1/4 inch thick steaks.

  • Prep Time: 20 minutes
  • Cook Time: 15 minutes
  • Category: Main Course
  • Method: Stove Top
  • Cuisine: American

Nutrition

  • Calories: 230 calories
  • Sugar: 7 g
  • Sodium: 635 mg
  • Fat: 8 g
  • Saturated Fat: 1 g
  • Carbohydrates: 11 g
  • Fiber: 3 g
  • Protein: 30 g