If you’re looking for a flavor-packed, nutritious dinner that’s quick enough for busy weeknights but bold enough to impress, the Buffalo Turkey Cauliflower Skillet is your new go-to recipe. Imagine tender ground turkey sautéed with fragrant garlic and onions, tender bites of cauliflower, all tossed in zesty buffalo sauce and topped with melty cheddar — you get a comforting skillet meal that hits all the right notes. Whether you’re craving a little heat or aiming to keep things low-carb and wholesome, this one-pan wonder brings big taste with minimal fuss, making it ideal for meal prep, family dinners, or those what’s-for-dinner moments when you want something truly satisfying.

Ingredients You’ll Need

Buffalo Turkey Cauliflower Skillet Recipe - Recipe Image

Ingredients You’ll Need

Every ingredient in this Buffalo Turkey Cauliflower Skillet has a purposeful role, creating a vibrant dish where taste and texture shine. No fancy shopping lists needed — just a few staples and fresh picks that combine into something crave-worthy.

Ground Turkey: Lean and protein-rich, it gives this dish that hearty bite while soaking up all the flavorful buffalo sauce.
Cauliflower (florets or riced): An absolute star for adding bulk and tenderness; use riced for a lighter feel or florets for a chunkier skillet.
Olive Oil: Just a splash helps everything brown beautifully and draws out the aromatics’ flavors.
Onion (diced): Adds natural sweetness and depth — don’t skip it if you love dimensional flavor.
Garlic (minced): The aromatic backbone that ties the skillet together; fresh garlic is best.
Buffalo Sauce: The signature kick; use your preferred brand, and feel free to adjust the heat to your liking.
Chicken Broth: Keeps the skillet juicy and helps balance the spicy buffalo notes.
Smoked Paprika: Brings a subtle smokiness that elevates the skillet beyond the ordinary.
Onion Powder: Amplifies the savory flavor without overpowering the other ingredients.
Salt and Black Pepper: Essential basics for seasoning every layer to taste.
Shredded Cheddar Cheese (optional): For melty richness; leave it out for a dairy-free version or double up if you’re feeling cheesy.
Green Onions (for garnish): A pop of color and freshness to finish everything off.

How to Make Buffalo Turkey Cauliflower Skillet

Step 1: Brown the Turkey

Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the ground turkey, breaking it up with a spoon as it cooks. You’ll want to keep stirring until it’s mostly browned with just a few pink spots left — this is where all that savory flavor starts to build.

Step 2: Sauté Onion and Garlic

Toss the diced onion and minced garlic into the skillet with the turkey. Cook them together until the onions soften and the garlic becomes fragrant — usually just a couple of minutes. This is where the kitchen starts to smell amazing and those foundation flavors really develop.

Step 3: Add Cauliflower

Stir in the cauliflower florets or riced cauliflower, mixing well to let everything get to know each other in the pan. Sauté for 5–7 minutes, until the cauliflower starts to tenderize but still has a little bite. This keeps the dish hearty and adds great texture.

Step 4: Pour in Buffalo Sauce and Broth

Now the magic happens! Pour in the buffalo sauce and chicken broth, stirring thoroughly so all the turkey and cauliflower are evenly coated. The broth helps mellow the spice and keeps the skillet moist as everything simmers together.

Step 5: Season and Simmer

Sprinkle in the smoked paprika, onion powder, and a good pinch of salt and pepper. Turn the heat down to a gentle simmer and cook for another 3–4 minutes, allowing the sauce to thicken just a bit. Taste and adjust the seasoning or hot sauce as needed.

Step 6: Top with Cheese and Garnish

If you’re adding cheese, sprinkle it evenly across the top of the skillet. Cover the pan and let it sit for 1–2 minutes until the cheese melts into gooey perfection. Finish by scattering sliced green onions over the top for fresh crunch and a burst of color.

How to Serve Buffalo Turkey Cauliflower Skillet

Garnishes

Make your Buffalo Turkey Cauliflower Skillet pop with a shower of sliced green onions, a little extra shredded cheddar, or a drizzle of ranch or blue cheese dressing. You can also go wild with chopped parsley or a fresh lemon wedge if you want to brighten things up even more.

Side Dishes

Since this skillet is a meal on its own, you won’t need much on the side, but a crisp green salad or some roasted vegetables make lovely partners. For a heartier spread, consider serving warm crusty bread or fluffy quinoa to soak up any extra sauce.

Creative Ways to Present

Try spooning your Buffalo Turkey Cauliflower Skillet into lettuce cups for a fun low-carb twist, or pile it into a baked sweet potato for a comforting, colorful bowl. You can even use leftovers as a spicy filling for wraps or quesadillas!

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Keep any leftover Buffalo Turkey Cauliflower Skillet in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. The flavors actually deepen as it sits, making lunchtime meal prep so much more exciting.

Freezing

This skillet meal freezes surprisingly well! Just cool it completely before transferring to freezer-safe containers. Freeze for up to 2 months, and thaw overnight in the fridge before reheating for best results.

Reheating

To reheat, just pop individual servings in the microwave until steamy, or warm the whole batch on the stovetop over medium heat, stirring occasionally. If needed, add a splash of broth to loosen up the sauce.

FAQs

Can I use ground chicken or beef instead of turkey?

Absolutely! Ground chicken makes a great lean substitute, and ground beef will add richer flavor. Just follow the same steps, adjusting for fat content as needed if you use beef.

Is the Buffalo Turkey Cauliflower Skillet very spicy?

The heat level entirely depends on your choice of buffalo sauce. Most brands offer mild, medium, or hot varieties, so start light if you’re spice-shy. You can always stir in an extra dash for an extra kick!

Can I make this dish dairy-free?

Definitely. Simply leave out the cheese, and make sure your buffalo sauce is dairy-free (most are). To add creaminess, you might try a dairy-free ranch drizzle on the finished skillet.

What’s the best way to rice cauliflower for this recipe?

You can use a food processor to pulse fresh cauliflower into rice-sized pieces, or buy pre-riced cauliflower from the produce or freezer section. Go with whichever method saves you the most time!

Is Buffalo Turkey Cauliflower Skillet good for meal prep?

Without a doubt! It holds up beautifully in the fridge or freezer, reheats quickly, and makes a protein-packed, satisfying lunch or dinner throughout the week.

Final Thoughts

I wholeheartedly recommend giving this Buffalo Turkey Cauliflower Skillet a spot on your dinner table this week. It’s wholesome, easy, and bursting with tangy-spicy comfort — perfect for sharing (or saving all for yourself). Dive in and let me know how you make it your own!

Buffalo Turkey Cauliflower Skillet Recipe

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4.8 from 25 reviews

Author: admin
Total Time: 30 minutes
Yield: 4 servings
Diet: Non-Vegetarian

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Description

This Buffalo Turkey Cauliflower Skillet is a flavorful and easy-to-make dish that combines ground turkey with cauliflower in a zesty buffalo sauce. Perfect for a quick weeknight dinner!

Ingredients

Ground Turkey:

1 pound

Cauliflower Florets or Riced Cauliflower:

4 cups

Olive Oil:

1 tablespoon

Onion (diced):

1 small

Garlic (minced):

2 cloves

Buffalo Sauce:

1/2 cup

Chicken Broth:

1/4 cup

Smoked Paprika:

1/2 teaspoon

Onion Powder:

1/2 teaspoon

Salt and Black Pepper:

to taste

Shredded Cheddar Cheese (optional):

1/2 cup

Green Onions (sliced for garnish):

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Instructions

Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add ground turkey and cook until browned, breaking it up with a spoon.
Add onion and garlic and sauté until softened and fragrant.
Stir in cauliflower florets or riced cauliflower and cook for 5–7 minutes until tender.
Pour in buffalo sauce and chicken broth, stirring to coat everything evenly.
Season with smoked paprika, onion powder, salt, and pepper. Simmer for 3–4 minutes until sauce thickens slightly.
Top with shredded cheddar cheese if using, cover for 1–2 minutes to melt, and garnish with green onions. Serve hot.

Notes

Adjust the buffalo sauce to your spice preference.
For a low-carb meal, use riced cauliflower; for a heartier version, add cooked pasta or rice.
This dish also works well as a meal prep option.

Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 20 minutes
Category: Main Course
Method: Stovetop, Skillet
Cuisine: American