Ground Turkey Tacos

Taco night is always a family favorite, and for good reason! With so many fillings, toppings and tortilla options, taco dinners are always super versatile, customizable and flavor-packed. You can’t beat the classic taste (or weeknight convenience) of a package of ground meat and a packet of taco seasoning.

This ground turkey taco recipe comes together fast, and lean turkey is a simple swap for beef that cuts down on calories and fat without sacrificing flavor. The hardest part? Deciding which toppings to serve! We recommend the classics—lettuce, shredded Mexican blend cheese, pico de gallo and fresh avocado—but the sky’s the limit. I serve family-style tacos, so everyone gathered around the table gets to build the ground turkey tacos to their liking.

Ingredients for Ground Turkey Tacos

• Ground turkey: You’ll need 1 pound of lean ground turkey for the filling. Look for turkey labeled 93/7—93% lean and 7% fat—for fewer calories and less fat than ground beef.
• Taco seasoning: This recipe calls for a store-bought packet of taco seasoning, but homemade taco seasoning is a good option to customize the salt and spice level. If you have a club-sized container of taco seasoning, 3 or 4 tablespoons is the equivalent of a 1-ounce packet.
• Tortillas: These turkey ground beef tacos will taste equally superb if your preferred taco vessel is a crunchy shell, a soft flour tortilla or a rich corn tortilla. Warm the tortillas in a preheated oven for five minutes before serving for the best flavor and texture.
• Shredded Mexican cheese: No taco is complete without cheese! Serve the ground turkey recipe for tacos with a shredded Mexican blend, sharp cheddar or Monterey Jack.
• Lettuce: Shredded lettuce adds freshness and crisp texture. Either iceberg or romaine works well with tacos.
• Pico de gallo: Look for this fresh salsa in the refrigerated section at your grocer, or you can make a batch of pico de gallo by chopping tomatoes, onion and jalapenos and tossing them with fresh cilantro, lime juice and salt.
• Avocado: Ripe avocado adds a creamy element to tacos. You can peel and chop the avocado or mash it into guacamole.

Directions

Step 1: Cook the turkey

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In a large nonstick skillet, heat the oil over medium heat. Add the turkey and use a wooden spoon to break it apart. Cook over medium heat until no pink remains.

Editor’s Tip: Warm the taco shells in a 325℉ oven while the turkey cooks. This will make hard shells crisper and soft tortillas more flexible.

Step 2: Season the turkey

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Add the taco seasoning and 3/4 cup water to the skillet, and stir to combine.

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Bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce the heat to simmer. Cook, stirring often, until the sauce thickens, three to four minutes.

Step 3: Assemble the tacos

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Fill each taco shell or tortilla with 1/4 cup of the turkey mixture.

Serve the tacos warm with cheese, lettuce, pico de gallo and avocado.

Editor’s Tip: Taco night is the perfect meal to serve family-style. I set a big bowl of taco filling on the table and all the toppings in individual bowls so each person can assemble their tacos.

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Recipe Variations

• Pump up the protein with beans: Stretch your taco filling further by adding a can of drained and rinsed black or pinto beans to the turkey mixture. Not only will you get more servings out of the meal, but canned beans are a nutritious choice and add extra protein and fiber to these tacos.
• Turn it into a taco salad: Make a turkey taco salad by serving the turkey over chopped romaine and tomatoes. Add taco toppings and crush hard taco shells or tortilla chips over everything for crunch.
• Switch up the toppings: Try other Tex-Mex condiments, like red salsa, salsa verde or taco sauce, instead of pico de gallo. Mash the avocado with lime juice, a pinch of salt and chopped cilantro for a quick guacamole, or add a spoonful of sour cream to your tacos for tang and richness. Add a punch of flavor with pickled red onions or sliced jalapenos, or try thinly sliced radishes or cabbage slaw for crunch.

How to Store Ground Turkey Tacos

Let the ground turkey recipe for tacos cool, then transfer it to an airtight storage container and refrigerate it for up to four days. If you have leftover taco toppings, store them in individual containers in the fridge. Cut avocados quickly turn brown due to oxidation, but tossing them in lemon or lime juice will help them last longer.

Can you freeze ground turkey for tacos?

You can freeze the cooked and seasoned ground turkey for long-term storage. Once cooled, transfer the turkey mixture to a freezer-safe container and freeze it for up to three months. Thaw overnight in the fridge the day before you plan to reheat it.

How do you reheat ground turkey tacos?

Reheat the seasoned turkey in a skillet set over medium heat or microwave it until warm. Add a splash of water or broth to prevent the turkey from drying out and help make it saucy again.

Ground Turkey Taco Tips

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Is ground turkey better than ground beef for tacos?

Either ground turkey or beef makes a tasty, protein-packed taco filling, and the better choice depends on personal preference. Ground beef tastes richer and meatier due to its higher fat content, while ground turkey has a lighter taste and leaner texture because it contains less fat and fewer calories.

If you’re trying to decide which meat is more nutritious, it depends on the fat content of your ground meat. Ground turkey typically contains around 7% fat, which is much leaner than 80/20 or 85/15 ground beef. However, lean ground beef—usually labeled 90/10 or 93/7—is comparable to ground turkey in terms of nutrition.

Why is my turkey taco filling dry?

If cooked for too long or on high heat, ground turkey can lose most of its moisture and turn dry. Ground turkey contains very little fat, so it can quickly dry out. Cook your turkey tacos over medium heat to keep them juicy and tender, and add moisture by adding a teaspoon or two of oil or a splash of chicken broth to the skillet.

Can ground chicken be used instead of ground turkey?

You can swap in ground chicken for the ground turkey in this taco recipe. Both are lean proteins and will produce a lighter, low-fat taco filling. Ground chicken, like turkey, can turn dry if you overcook it, so follow the tips mentioned above.

What can you serve with ground turkey tacos?

We don’t consider taco night complete without a big bowl of tortilla chips, plus salsa and guacamole for dipping. Round out your plate with a helping of savory Spanish rice, refried beans, or corn and black bean salad. Serve a classic Mexican dessert, like tres leche cake or wedding cookies, for a sweet finish to taco night.