Spiced Turkey & Zucchini Skillet
When you're healing insulin resistance, or just trying to eat in a way that keeps you clear, energized, and stable, you need meals that work with your metabolism, not against it.
This spiced turkey and zucchini skillet is one of my go-tos:
High in protein
Full of warming, digestive-supportive spices
Low in carbs, but full of flavor and comfort
It’s quick, satisfying, and deeply balancing. Ayurvedic enough to feel grounding, metabolic enough to keep you in fat-burning mode.
Why this recipe is good for us:
Ground Turkey
Ayurvedic View: Turkey is considered a sattvic, easy-to-digest meat, lighter and less heating than red meats, making it ideal for reducing kapha without aggravating pitta. It's nourishing to mamsa dhatu (muscle tissue) and supportive for those rebuilding strength or recovering from depletion.
Metabolic View: High in complete protein, turkey helps preserve lean muscle mass and keeps you satiated longer, both crucial for reversing insulin resistance and regulating hunger hormones like ghrelin and leptin.
Zucchini
Ayurvedic View: Zucchini is laghu (light) and sheeta (cooling), making it excellent for clearing excess pitta and kapha. Its high water content gently supports elimination without irritating digestion and helps counter summer heat and internal inflammation.
Metabolic View: Low in carbohydrates and high in fiber, zucchini supports stable blood sugar while adding bulk and hydration to meals, making it ideal for those with insulin resistance or sluggish digestion.
Turmeric
Ayurvedic View: Turmeric is a classic deepana-pachana (digestive stimulant and toxin reducer). It balances all three doshas in small amounts, strengthens agni, and clears ama (metabolic waste), especially from the liver and blood.
Metabolic View: Rich in curcumin, turmeric has been shown to improve insulin sensitivity, reduce inflammation, and support liver detoxification, all foundational for metabolic repair and hormonal balance.
Spiced Ground Turkey & Zucchini Skillet
A one-pan meal that’s low in carbs, high in protein, and easy to digest—perfect for building insulin sensitivity without sacrificing flavor.
Servings: 3–4
Total Time: 25 minutes
Ingredients:
1 Tbsp ghee or olive oil
1 lb ground turkey
½ tsp cumin seeds
1 tsp ground coriander
½ tsp turmeric
¼ tsp cinnamon
½ tsp sea salt (plus more to taste)
2 small zucchini, diced
1 small shallot, minced
Juice of ½ lemon
Optional: chopped cilantro
Instructions:
Heat the ghee in a large skillet. Add cumin seeds and let them sizzle for 30 seconds.
Stir in shallot and cook until soft. Add ground turkey, breaking it up as it cooks.
Once browned, add turmeric, coriander, cinnamon, and salt. Mix well.
Add zucchini and sauté until tender, about 7–10 minutes.
Finish with a squeeze of lemon and a sprinkle of cilantro if using.
Why it works:
Ground turkey is high in protein and easy to digest.
Zucchini is light, cooling, and gentle on blood sugar.
Spices like turmeric and cinnamon support glucose metabolism and reduce inflammation.
