Forget Tuesdays—every night can be taco night with this quick and easy recipe for delicious Ground Turkey Tacos!
I’ve been making tacos at home for as long as I can remember. My mom used to whip them up for a fast and fun dinner when my siblings and I were kids. I loved selecting from all the toppings she put out in little bowls! It was my first taste of making decisions on my own—and an example of the joys of dining at home that’s stayed with me all these years.
This ground turkey tacos recipe brings me warm feelings of nostalgia—while dovetailing with my goals of healthier eating. I love how the turkey, onions, and garlic create a savory base for everything. The seasonings are bold enough to wake up my taste buds but not so spicy that I need a glass of milk. And the options for toppings are literally limitless! My roommate and I make this dish about once a week, laying out a ton of fresh chopped veggies and store-bought condiments for a variety of flavor profiles.
Whether it’s for a fun weekend lunch with my nieces and nephews or a quick weeknight dinner that feels festive, these ground turkey tacos are always a hit.
Tips for custom turkey tacos
Expanding your culinary horizons is easy when you make a batch of this filling—which can be easily doubled or tripled to feed big groups or take advantage of leftovers. Plus, it’s a versatile recipe you can customize to your taste preferences. For example, if you don’t like ground turkey, simply sub in ground chicken, lamb, beef, pork, or veal—or go meatless with plant-based substitutions like this Roasted Chickpeas Recipe or Air-Fryer Tofu. You can also amp up the veggie content of your taco filling with an assortment of chopped red, yellow, and orange peppers. A few chopped jalapeño peppers would crank up the heat in the dish. Adding cooked corn kernels towards the end of cooking is another fun option. Drained, canned green chilis are another way to add a little more spice and flavor to the meat. One small can per pound of ground turkey is all you need.
How do I store leftovers?
Allow ground turkey taco filling to cool slightly before storing, but do not leave it at room temp for more than 2 hours after cooking. Store the leftover filling in an airtight container for up to 4 days. Once chilled, you can also freeze it in freezer bags or containers for up to 3 months. Defrost the meat in the refrigerator overnight before reheating on the stovetop or in the microwave.
It’s a bad idea to store fully assembled tacos in the fridge, even for a short time. They’ll quickly become soggy and unappealing. Instead, store the filling, shells, and any toppings separately. Then you can warm the filling and assemble tacos with fresh shells and toppings when you’re ready.
Serving suggestions
Ground turkey tacos are a delicious and fun meal that can be served in soft corn tortillas, as described in the recipe. Other great complements include Taco Shells In Oven, Cheese Taco Shells, Keto Tortillas, and Gluten-Free Tortillas. Serve some Cheesy Mexican Rice, this Refried Beans Recipe, and this Salsa Roja Recipe for a complete and delicious meal. The ground turkey filling also makes a great topper for this Mexican Chopped Salad or these Air-Fryer Nachos. And it’s a quick and easy substitution for the shredded chicken in this Chicken Enchilada Casserole recipe.
Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 small onion chopped
- 1 pound lean ground turkey
- 3 cloves garlic minced
- 2 teaspoons chili powder
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- 1 1/2 teaspoons ground cumin
- 3/4 teaspoon dried oregano
- Salt to taste
- Black pepper to taste
- 1/2 cup tomato sauce
- 1/4 cup water plus more as needed
- 8 corn tortillas
- Toppings like shredded lettuce, diced tomatoes, shredded cheddar cheese, sour cream, diced avocado optional
Instructions
- Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the chopped onion and cook until softened, about 5-7 minutes.
- Add the ground turkey and minced garlic. Cook while breaking the meat apart until the turkey is browned, about 6-8 minutes.
- Mix in the chili powder, paprika, ground cumin, dried oregano, salt, and black pepper. Cook for about 1 minute, or until the spices are fragrant.
- Add the tomato sauce and water; reduce the heat. Allow the mixture to simmer until the flavors meld, about 5 minutes. If the mixture appears dry, add a little more water.
- Heat the corn tortillas in a separate pan over a low flame, if you like.
- Spoon some of the turkey mixture onto each tortilla. Add your preferred toppings like shredded lettuce, diced tomatoes, shredded cheddar cheese, sour cream, and diced avocado. Serve immediately.
Nutrition Info:
Nutrition information are estimates only and may vary based on the specific brands, ingredients, and portion sizes you use. This data is provided for informational purposes only.
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