Buffalo Turkey Cauliflower Skillet Recipe

Get ready for a flavor-packed weeknight hero: the Buffalo Turkey Cauliflower Skillet! This one-pan wonder is seriously satisfying, with all the spicy tang you crave from classic buffalo dishes—plus a big helping of veggies and lean protein to keep things light. It’s quick, wholesome, and the type of meal you’ll want to put on repeat.

this Recipe

Ingredients You’ll Need

It doesn’t take much to make magic in the kitchen! This Buffalo Turkey Cauliflower Skillet comes together with a handful of straightforward staples, each bringing something delicious to the table—think creamy, spicy, savory, and fresh all at once. Here’s what you’ll need and why:

• Ground turkey (1 pound): Lean and protein-rich, ground turkey sucks up all that buffalo flavor while keeping things light.
• Cauliflower (1 medium head or frozen riced): Whether you rice it fresh or grab the convenience of frozen, cauliflower creates that fluffy, hearty “grain” feel without any actual rice.
• Buffalo wing sauce (½ cup): The zesty star ingredient! Pick your favorite brand—mild, medium, or hot—depending on your spice tolerance.
• Salt and pepper: Just a few shakes to balance and bring together all the flavors in the skillet.
• Chopped green onions and/or cilantro: These fresh garnishes do wonders for brightness, color, and a little herbal zing right before serving.

Variations

The beauty of this skillet is just how flexible it is. Once you’ve nailed the basic Buffalo Turkey Cauliflower Skillet, you can switch things up with whatever you have on hand—or tailor it to suit your tastes, dietary needs, or the spice lovers (or haters) at your dinner table!

• Spicy & Cheesy: Stir in a handful of shredded cheddar, Monterey jack, or crumbled blue cheese at the very end for a creamy, melty finish.
• Add More Veg: Bulk it out with chopped bell peppers, carrots, or celery for extra crunch and color—just sauté them with the turkey before adding cauliflower.
• Whole30/Paleo: Use a compliant buffalo sauce and skip the cheese or blue cheese garnish—so easy to keep it health-focused!
• Vegetarian Swap: Use plant-based grounds in place of turkey for a meatless main that’s still full of spicy, tangy joy.

How to Make Buffalo Turkey Cauliflower Skillet

Step 1: Rice the Cauliflower

If you’re starting with a fresh head of cauliflower, wash and trim it, then pop the florets into your food processor. Pulse until you get a fluffy, rice-like texture—don’t worry about perfection! If using frozen riced cauliflower, you can skip this and move right along.

Step 2: Brown the Ground Turkey

Heat a large, lightly greased skillet over medium-high. Add the ground turkey and let it sizzle, breaking it up with your spatula so you get those deliciously craggy little bits. Cook until fully browned, then drain excess liquid or water—this keeps things from getting soggy later on.

Step 3: Cook the Cauliflower

Toss the riced cauliflower into the skillet with the turkey. Season generously with salt and pepper. Give it all a good mix, then cook for about 5 minutes, stirring every so often, until the cauliflower is tender and just starting to turn golden in spots.

Step 4: Add the Buffalo Sauce

Drizzle in the buffalo wing sauce and stir well so every bite is coated in that signature zippy flavor. Cook for just another minute or two, then remove from the heat—the smell at this point is absolutely irresistible!

Step 5: Finish & Serve

Right before serving, shower the skillet with chopped green onions or cilantro. This fresh final touch makes the buffalo and turkey pop, and livens up the whole pan with color and crunch. Grab your spoon and dig in!

How to Serve Buffalo Turkey Cauliflower Skillet

Garnishes

Don’t skip the finishing touches! A generous handful of chopped green onions and fresh cilantro adds brightness and a satisfying crunch—plus, they make your skillet look irresistible. If you love classic Buffalo wing flavors, toss a few blue cheese crumbles or a light drizzle of ranch right on top before serving. That little cool-and-tangy element is pure magic alongside the spicy buffalo heat.

Side Dishes

This Buffalo Turkey Cauliflower Skillet is filling enough to stand on its own, but it plays so well with others! Scoop it into lettuce wraps or sturdy greens for a low-carb meal, or serve with crusty bread, pita, or even alongside roasted sweet potatoes for extra comfort. Want something cooling? Crisp celery sticks or a simple cucumber salad on the side are spot-on.

Creative Ways to Present

If you’re entertaining or just want to jazz up dinner, try serving your skillet family-style in the center of the table with lots of toppings and sides. Or, spoon into hollowed bell pepper halves for fun, edible “boats.” For a cozy game-day snack, pile the Buffalo Turkey Cauliflower Skillet onto nachos and finish with cheese, scallions, and avocado—so crowd-pleasing!

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Leftovers of the Buffalo Turkey Cauliflower Skillet hold up beautifully! Simply scoop them into an airtight container and pop in the fridge for up to four days. The flavors develop overnight, making your next lunch or dinner even more delightful.

Freezing

You can absolutely freeze this dish! Portion cooled skillet into freezer-safe bags or containers and stash them for up to two months. Thaw overnight in the fridge before reheating for best texture; the cauliflower will soften just a tad but is still so tasty and satisfying.

Reheating

To reheat, simply warm individual servings in the microwave or toss everything back into a skillet and stir over medium until hot. If it looks a bit dry, a splash of water or extra buffalo sauce brings it back to life. Add fresh garnishes right before you eat for the best flavor and crunch!

FAQs

Final Thoughts

If you’re craving big, bold flavor without the fuss or guilt, the Buffalo Turkey Cauliflower Skillet is about to become your new go-to. It’s so satisfying, versatile, and unbelievably easy—give it a try this week and watch everyone at your table ask for seconds!

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