Ground Turkey Tacos
Ground Turkey Tacos offer a quick, flavorful, and healthy dinner option that combines lean ground turkey with vibrant spices and fresh toppings. Ready in under 20 minutes, this recipe is perfect for busy weeknights and provides a versatile, family-friendly meal suitable for various dietary preferences.
- Author: Kathy
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Total Time: 20 minutes
- Yield: 8 tacos 1x
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Mexican-inspired
- Diet: Gluten Free (when using corn tortillas)
Main Ingredients
- 1 lb ground turkey
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 1 medium onion, finely chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 tsp taco seasoning (blend of cumin, chili powder, paprika, oregano)
- 1 cup diced tomatoes, drained
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- 8 soft flour or corn tortillas
Optional Toppings
- Shredded lettuce
- Grated cheese (cheddar, pepper jack, or preferred type)
- Diced avocado
- Salsa
- Sour cream
Optional Variations
- Diced jalapeños or hot sauce for spice
- Seasoned black beans or lentils to replace ground turkey (vegetarian option)
- Lettuce leaves instead of tortillas (low-carb option)
- Fresh cilantro and lime juice for garnish and flavor
- Prepare Ingredients: Finely chop the onion and mince the garlic. Measure the taco seasoning and drain the diced tomatoes so all ingredients are ready to use.
- Cook the Turkey: Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Sauté the onion until soft and translucent, about 3-4 minutes. Add the ground turkey, breaking it apart with a spatula, and cook until fully browned and no longer pink.
- Add Garlic and Seasoning: Stir in the minced garlic and cook for another minute until fragrant. Sprinkle taco seasoning evenly over the turkey and mix well to coat thoroughly.
- Simmer with Tomatoes: Add the drained diced tomatoes to the skillet and stir to combine. Let the mixture simmer for about 5 minutes, allowing flavors to meld and the filling to become juicy but not watery.
- Warm the Tortillas: While the filling simmers, warm the tortillas in a dry pan or microwave until soft and pliable.
- Assemble and Serve: Spoon the ground turkey filling onto each tortilla and add desired toppings such as shredded lettuce, cheese, salsa, avocado, and sour cream. Serve immediately for best taste and texture.
Notes
- Don’t overcrowd the pan to ensure even browning and better texture; cook turkey in batches if needed.
- If the turkey mixture seems watery, drain off excess liquid for a less soggy filling.
- Use fresh and crisp toppings to add flavor contrast and exciting texture.
- Start seasoning with less taco mix and adjust according to taste to avoid overpowering.
- Warm tortillas before serving to soften and prevent cracking when folded.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 taco
- Calories: 220
- Sugar: 2g
- Sodium: 350mg
- Fat: 10g
- Saturated Fat: 2.5g
- Unsaturated Fat: 6g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 15g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 20g
- Cholesterol: 65mg
Keywords: ground turkey tacos, healthy tacos, quick dinner, lean protein tacos, gluten free tacos, easy taco recipe, weeknight dinner