Here is one of my favorite ground turkey recipes! Savory, punchy, and full of bold flavor, baked sweet potatoes are filled with ground turkey seasoned with gochujang. A quick, easy weeknight meal, this high-protein, high-fiber dinner is comforting and satisfying. Vegan-adaptable.

Ground turkey stuffed sweet potatoes on a wood serving board with a garnish of peanuts and fresh herbs.

Gochujang Turkey Stuffed Sweet Potatoes are one of those back-pocket dinners I lean on when I have no plan. They come together quickly with very little effort, but taste like you really thought it through. The sweet heat pairs beautifully with the tender, caramelized goodness of baked sweet potatoes - it's such a cozy, satisfying combo. My family absolutely gobbles these up every time, and honestly? They're delicious enough to serve to company. Comforting, flavorful, and always a hit, this easy weeknight dinner was inspired by Bon Appétit.

Why you’ll love this family favorite recipe!

Fast & easy with simple ingredients. While the sweet potatoes bake, prep the filling, then stuff. If you multitask, this is fast! A great weeknight dinner if you have sweet potatoes, ground meat, and gochujang on hand. Everything else is likely already in your pantry! Sub vegan-plant-based meat.

Satisfying flavor! The combination of sweetness from the potatoes, heat from the gochujang, and rich, savory taste from the meat creates a melt-in-your-mouth flavor.

A high-protein, high-fiber meal. Repurpose any leftover filling into tacos, or bowls. I’ll often make a double batch of the filling to repurpose or freeze.

Family friendly, great for a crowd! This satisfying meal is perfect for all ages, and it looks beautiful on a serving platter for friends. Plus, you can substitute plant-based meat for vegetarians or vegans.

What is Gochujang?

Gochujang is a flavorful Korean chili paste made from fermented soybeans, glutinous rice, Korean red chili pepper, and salt. It has a thick, paste-like consistency (similar to tomato paste) and is known for its deep, umami flavor and vibrant red color.

It tastes slightly sweet, savory, and mildly spicy. The fermentation also adds a complex flavor that enhances dishes. It has a spicy kick but is generally milder than other hot sauces, providing a pleasant warm undertone rather than overpowering heat. You can add more or less to taste.

Gochujang Sweet Potato Ingredients

ground turkey sweet potato recipe ingredients labeled and arranged - peanuts, sesame seeds, cilantro, ground meat, sweet potatoes, garlic, shallot, gochujang, soy, sesame oil, ginger, honey, rice vinegar, scallions.

Sweet potatoes: Look for medium-sized sweet potatoes (yams) that are roughly the same size for even baking.
Gochujang: Adjust the Korean chili paste to taste, as it can vary in spice levels. My favorite brand of Gochujang is Sempio Organic.
Shallot, garlic cloves, and ginger: Adds fragrant, aromatic flavor to the meat.
Ground meat: There are many choices here! Use ground turkey, ground chicken, ground pork, ground beef , or a vegan substitute like Beyond Beef or Impossible Beef.
Soy sauce: I prefer to use low-sodium soy sauce here to better control the salt content. Or sub GF liquid aminos.
Honey: Or maple syrup, for sweetness to balance the savory, spicy flavors.
Rice vinegar: Adds a nice acidity to elevate the flavors.
Toasted sesame oil: Adds richness and depth.
Green onions: Add a nice pop of color and a hint of pungent flavor.
Garnishes: These are optional, but roasted peanuts, sesame seeds, and fresh cilantro make the presentation beautiful and add texture and fresh, herby flavor.

How to Make Gochujang Turkey Sweet Potatoes

1. Prep the sweet potatoes. Preheat the oven to 400°F. Cut the sweet potatoes in half lengthwise, then brush or spray the cut sides with olive oil. Place cut side down on a parchment-lined baking sheet. Rub with salt.

2. Bake the sweet potatoes for 30-50 minutes, until tender. Baking time varies depending on the size of the potatoes.

Tip: See our complete guide to baking sweet potatoes!

skillet with sautéed onions, garlic and ginger.

3. Make the filling. Add oil to a large pan and stir-fry shallots, garlic, and ginger until fragrant. Add the ground meat, breaking it up with a spatula. Sauté until just cooked through and no longer pink. Add the gochujang paste, soy sauce, honey, rice vinegar, and sesame oil. Combine. Taste and adjust for salt, adding more salt or soy sauce as needed. Turn off the heat and add the green onions.

stir frying the ground turkey and onions.

skillet with gochujang ground turkey filling and spatula.

4. Stuff the sweet potatoes. When the sweet potatoes are tender, flip them and slit the middle gently with a paring knife. Add generous scoops of the meat mixture on top of the potatoes.

5. Garnish and serve. Garnish each sweet potato with more scallions, cilantro, roasted peanuts, and sesame seeds.

Chef’s Tips

Use a fine sea salt for the potato skin. Use fine-ground Celtic sea salt, Himalayan pink salt, or a mineral-rich salt like Baha Gold.
Feel free to add other vegetables to the filling. Even beans are a great addition! Stir in spinach and wilt,or add bell pepper, mushrooms, or other quick-cooking stray veggies.
How to tell when sweet potatoes are done baking: Bake until fork tender or the internal temp reaches 205-212°F. If you don’t have a thermometer, a knife should slide in with zero resistance. The potato will also gently collapse, weep caramelized sugars, or look slightly wrinkled.
Double the filling. The ground turkey stir fry can be microwaved and served over noodles or pasta, or spooned into tacos or warm pita bread, or create a rice bowl with salted cucumbers. Great for meal prep!
If you want extra heat, drizzle the sweet potatoes with sriracha before serving!

six gochujang ground turkey sweet potatoes on wood serving board stuffed with meat and topped with fresh herbs, sesame seeds, and peanuts.

Serving Suggestions

These Gochujang Sweet Potatoes make a complete meal all on their own on busy weeknights, but they also pair well with a whole grain or side salad. Add a side dish of our Jasmine Rice, Kimchi Fried Rice, Korean Cucumber Salad, or Cucumber Kimchi Pickles.

Make-Ahead, Storage & Reheating

Make-ahead: Bake and assemble the Gochujang Sweet Potatoes, then reheat and garnish when ready to serve.
Storage: Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days.
To reheat: Cover, then place in a 350°F oven for about 15-20 minutes until warmed through.