Paprika Turkey Steamed Green Beans
By the QuiteRecipes team (Jamy & Kaïna) | Food Service Professional, Early Childhood Expert & Parents
Smoky paprika turkey breast with crisp steamed green beans and lemon — a lean, high-protein weeknight dinner under 350 calories.
Smoky paprika turkey breast with crisp steamed green beans and a squeeze of lemon, a lean high-protein dinner under 350 calories. The paprika gives the turkey real character while the beans keep everything light. Fast, fresh, and genuinely flavorful.
🥄 Ingredients
- 🫗 1 (130g) turkey breast cutlet
- 🫗 200g green beans, trimmed
- 🫗 1 tablespoon smoked paprika
- 🫗 1 clove garlic, minced
- 🫗 1/2 lemon, juiced
- 🫗 1 teaspoon olive oil
- 🫗 Pinch of cayenne pepper
- 🫗 Salt and black pepper, to taste
Nutrition Facts*
*Nutritional information is an estimate and may vary based on ingredients, brands and portion sizes. Values are provided per serving.
👨🍳 Instructions
Season the turkey cutlet on both sides with the smoked paprika, cayenne, salt and pepper.
Heat the olive oil in a skillet over medium heat and cook the turkey for 5-6 minutes per side until cooked through (165°F / 74°C). Rest 3 minutes.
Meanwhile, steam the green beans in a steamer basket for 4-5 minutes until crisp-tender.
In the last minute, add the minced garlic to the pan with the turkey to lightly soften.
Toss the green beans with the lemon juice and a pinch of salt.
Slice the turkey, plate it with the beans and spoon any pan juices over the top.
⚠️ Common Mistakes
- ✕
Cooking the turkey too long, which dries out lean breast meat.
- ✕
Oversteaming the beans until they go limp and gray.
- ✕
Adding the cayenne heavily at once — it builds heat quickly on lean meat.
🔄 Variations
Swap green beans for asparagus or broccolini.
Use a ras el hanout or za'atar rub instead of paprika.
Add a spoonful of plain Greek yogurt as a cooling sauce.
🧊 Storage
- 📦
Store leftovers together in the fridge for up to 2 days.
- 📦
Reheat gently in a covered pan to avoid drying out the turkey.
💡 Chef Tips
Tip 1: Pound the turkey cutlet to an even thickness so it cooks evenly and stays tender.
Tip 2: Rest the turkey before slicing so it stays juicy.
Tip 3: Steam the beans until just tender, then finish quickly with lemon for a bright taste.
❓ FAQ
Why smoked paprika? It gives the lean turkey a deep, savory char flavor without any added fat or sugar.
How much protein is in this plate? About 39g from the turkey breast.
Can I grill the green beans instead of steaming them? Yes, grilled beans get nicely charred, just add a minute or two of cooking time.
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About the Authors
This recipe and guide was developed, tested, and approved in our home kitchen and daily life. Jamy is a retired Food Service District Manager and Early Childhood Program Manager who spent his career overseeing multi-site restaurant operations, large-scale culinary production, and daycare menu management. Kaïna brings the ultimate real-world test: making sure it brings ease and joy to our kids on a busy weeknight.
Read more about our professional background and philosophy →