These are super flavorful Ground Turkey Tacos! A perfect blend of lean turkey, spices, and fresh toppings for a quick, delicious meal that’s great for any taco night!
I would love to say these turkey tacos are an alternative to ground beef tacos for those who don’t eat red meat, or want a leaner protein, which, they are both those things. However, truth be told, they’re a fabulous taco in their own right and are second to none.
Step-by-step photos and instructions are below, but you can jump right to the recipe card if you wish!
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You’ll love this turkey tacos recipe. Ground turkey is lower in fat, but doesn’t have the most robust flavor, so we are not skimping on the seasoning. We’re using plenty of taco seasoning, tomato sauce, brown sugar, and vinegar giving a balanced flavor, along with moisture and juiciness without it being too runny.
I have the best homemade taco seasoning that has a permanent place on my spice rack, however, in a pinch, a store-bought packet works too.
Prep time is 15 minutes and dinner is ready to serve in 15 minutes. Serve the filling on warm tortillas piled high with your favorite toppings. Taco night has never been so simple or delicious!
Check out my Baja Shrimp Tacos for the best shrimp tacos!
Why you’ll love this recipe:
- The filling is made with simple, fresh ingredients, it’s healthy, and has tons of flavor.
- Easy tacos make a quick and easy weeknight meal, and leftovers make quick lunches. Meal prep on a Sunday and get ready for a busy week!
- You can make serving it extra fun by setting up a taco bar and having everyone serve themselves.
- We love ours served in warm tortillas, but you can easily use the turkey taco meat as a salad topper or as part of a rice bowl!
- Make for a party, keep the turkey taco meat in a slow cooker!
Frequently Asked Questions
Should you season ground turkey before cooking it?
No, wait until it has cooked through, then add the seasoning. Otherwise, the salt will draw out moisture, leaving the meat dry.
Which is the best ground turkey to use for tacos?
I use the 93/7 blend of ground turkey. Quite lean, and no residual grease that needs draining.
Can I double this recipe?
You sure can. As is, it does serve 12, which is plenty, however, if you want to make extra filling to freeze some for later you can.
What to serve with Ground Turkey Tacos
Here’s where the fun begins! If you’ve got both on hand, offer a choice of warm flour tortillas or corn tortillas. Or use whichever you prefer.
Sides of Cilantro Lime Rice, or Mexican Black Beans round this meal out. For a party spread, set out a bowl of warm queso dip with tortilla chips – it’s an irresistible addition to taco night.
It’s always nice to have an assortment of toppings for people to get creative with. Here are some of our favorites:
- Sour cream
- Cotija cheese
- Green onions
- Shredded Mexican blend
- Cheddar cheese.
- Avocado slices
- Refried beans
- Fresh lime juice
- Shredded romaine lettuce
- Salsa
I have included step-by-step photos and instructions, as well as tips and tricks in the post. If you’d rather skip all that, scoot right on down to the full recipe card located at the bottom of the post.
Kylee’s Notes
What to do with leftovers
Keep them in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. You may need to add a splash of water when you’re reheating it in the microwave so it doesn’t dry out.
Substitutions/Additions
Make a taco salad instead! Serve the turkey taco filling over lettuce. Crumble tortilla chips on top and serve with toppings.
Make a rice bowl. Swap the lettuce with rice and black beans, add your filling on top, and again, add any extra toppings you’d like.
Or nachos! Use the turkey taco meat as a nacho topping. Spoon it overtop, add some cheese, and into the oven to bake.
Toss in extra veggies. This is a great opportunity to clean out your fridge! Add some diced red bell peppers, mushrooms, zucchini, or even some sweet corn.
Add heat. Sprinkle in some cayenne pepper to amp up the spice level.
A different protein. As far as taco recipes go, there are so many variations out there! Use this recipe to make chicken tacos, pork tacos, or beef tacos.
Freezing instructions
Once completely cooled, store ground turkey taco meat in a freezer bag or freezer-safe container for up to 3 months. Thaw in the refrigerator overnight then reheat to enjoy again!
Key Recipe Ingredients
Remember: this is just an overview and the why of the ingredients I choose here. The full list of ingredients and amounts is found in the printable recipe card below.
- Olive oil. Can use vegetable, canola, or avocado oil
- Onion. I use either white or red onion.
- Garlic. Use fresh garlic!
- Ground turkey breast. I use the 93/7 blend of lean ground turkey. Any ground meat can be used. Try ground chicken, pork, or beef.
- Taco seasoning. Store-bought taco seasoning mix is found in the spice aisle, but the ingredients are chili powder, garlic powder, onion powder, oregano, paprika, cumin, salt and pepper. My recipe for taco seasoning.
- Tomato sauce. This helps flavor the turkey but also gives it moisture.
- Apple cider vinegar and brown sugar. These two ingredients balance the flavors in the taco meat.
- Tortillas. Corn or flour tortillas work. I like the small street taco or taco-sized ones. If you are looking for a low-carb option, use butter lettuce leaves.
- Toppings: I use shredded lettuce, pico de gallo, or diced tomatoes, cheddar cheese, avocado, and sour cream. Sometimes guacamole!
Recommended Equipment/Tools
(affiliate links may be used here, which helps me earn some pennies – with no increased pricing to you)
- Large nonstick skillet
- Wooden spoon (or meat chopper)
How to make this recipe
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This next part is only a photo tutorial of the recipe steps. The full list of ingredients, quantities and instructions can be found in the printable recipe card below.
Get prepped
Have everything ready to go when you need it. Dice the onions, mince the garlic, and chop any extra veggies you want to add.
You can also prepare your toppings in advance, like shredding the cheese, and ensuring your lettuce is washed and dried before shredding.
Make the taco meat
Cook onion in a large skillet over medium-high heat until softened (translucent). Then, add the garlic and cook for 1 minute more until fragrant.
Add the ground turkey to the skillet, and brown the meat breaking up with a wooden spoon as you cook.
Add the taco seasoning, tomato sauce, apple cider vinegar, and brown sugar and simmer until liquid has reduced. The turkey mixture should not be liquid-y.
Warm the tortillas
Heat the tortillas in a paper towel in the microwave until soft and pliable. Alternatively, heat in a dry skillet on the stovetop over medium heat.
Assemble the tacos
Load the tortillas with taco meat filling, and pile on the lettuce, pico de gallo, cheddar, and any of your favorite taco toppings.
Dollop a little sour cream over the top and dig in!
More ground turkey recipes:
- Green and white turkey chili – a 30-minute low fat, high protein comfort meal that is even better the next day!
- Turkey pesto meatballs – super easy and flavorful lean turkey meatballs can be used with pasta, in soups, or eaten all alone.
- Skillet turkey chili mac – tender pasta, juicy ground turkey, plus it’s saucy and cheesy. It’s got it all!
- Turkey bolognese – a lighter take on a classic sauce, this turkey bolognese is loaded with veggies, and plenty of seasoning, and tastes just like it’s been simmering for hours!
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Ground Turkey Tacos
Ingredients
Taco Meat
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 cup onion (diced)
- 1 tablespoon garlic (minced)
- 1 lb ground turkey
- 1 tablespoon taco seasoning
- 8 ounces tomato sauce
- 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
- 1 ½ teaspoons brown sugar
For the Tacos
- 12 corn or flour tortillas
- lettuce (shredded)
- Pico de gallo
- cheddar cheese
- sour cream
Directions
Make the taco meat
- Heat 1 tablespoon olive oil in a large skillet over medium high heat. Add 1 cup onion and cook until softened (translucent), then add 1 tablespoon garlic and cook 1 minute more.
- Add 1 lb ground turkey, and cook, breaking up with a wooden spoon as you cook.
- Add 1 tablespoon taco seasoning, 8 ounces tomato sauce, 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar, and 1 ½ teaspoons brown sugar and cook until liquid has reduced. This should not be liquidy.
Assemble the tacos
- Heat 12 corn or flour tortillas in a paper towel in the microwave until soft and pliable. Alternatively, heat in a dry skillet over medium heat.
- Load the tortillas with lettuce, taco meat, Pico de gallo, and cheddar cheese.
- Dollop a little sour cream over the top.
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Notes
Make a taco salad: Serve over lettuce, and crumble tortilla chips over the top for a taco salad
Can serve with guacamole if desired.
Nutrition Facts
Disclaimer
Nutritional information is an estimate and provided to you as a courtesy. You should calculate the nutritional information with the actual ingredients used in your recipe using your preferred nutrition calculator.
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