These Ground Turkey Tacos will put a healthy spin on your plans for Taco Tuesday!
Without a doubt, tacos are a dish I could eat multiple times a week without getting tired of it. There’s something about blending together the right spices, cheese, and hearty beef, all wrapped in a warm tortilla, that will always “hit the spot” for me. And so, Taco Tuesdays have quickly become a tradition in my household. Making tacos requires minimal planning, and the result is always delicious. However, despite my enduring love for traditional taco dinners, the desire to branch out beyond the beef taco will sometimes hit me.
Recipes like this one, using lean meat like ground turkey, help switch up our Taco Tuesdays with a healthier, yet flavorful, twist. Whenever you’re cooking with lean ground turkey in place of ground beef, the result will be a high protein meal that’s lower in fat. But with the right mix of spices and sauce, flavor is never sacrificed. Besides being a delicious alternative to beef tacos, this meal is also inexpensive and quick to prepare, making it a great fit for an easy weeknight dinner or meal prep.
Ground turkey has a subtle flavor that easily absorbs the taste of the other ingredients it’s paired with. The homemade seasoning for this recipe blends chili powder, cumin, paprika, oregano, and minced garlic with the heat of diced green chilis added right at the end. The addition of tomato sauce adds extra richness, while also keeping the tacos juicy and delicious. The result is a meaty taco mixture so irresistible that you’ll wonder why ground turkey wasn’t your first choice to begin with.
More Than Just Tacos
I get it. Sometimes you really want to switch things up. Or perhaps you’ve made a double batch of the taco filling and are looking for other tasty ideas to repurpose it. If tacos aren’t really what you’re craving, why not use the filling as a topping for a healthy grain bowl instead? Try it with rice or quinoa, and garnish the bowl with toppings such as diced avocado, fresh salsa, and chopped scallions. What about using the filling as a delicious topping for baked potatoes? Other great ideas include making low-carb lettuce wraps, loaded nachos, and even a Mexican-inspired pizza. Plenty of reasons to double up, I’d say!
FAQs & Tips
How Do I Store Leftovers?
Leftover tacos can be stored refrigerated in an airtight container for up to 4 days. It’s best to store the leftover meat mixture separately from the tortillas so the tortillas do not become soggy. The meat can be reheated in a skillet or the microwave, whichever you prefer. Just make sure it’s piping hot before filling the warmed tortillas.
Can I Prep These Ahead?
Absolutely. As mentioned, this meal is a great option to cook in double batches as part of meal prep and freeze for future use. Once cooled, the filling can be frozen for up to 4 months when stored in a freezer-safe container. Thaw the filling in the refrigerator overnight before reheating in a skillet or microwave-safe bowl.
Which Toppings Pair Best With These Tacos?
Shredded cheeses like cheddar, Monterey Jack, or a Mexican blend are a must for your ground turkey tacos. Fresh avocado slices are another yummy choice to add on as a topping. They happen to be a great source of healthy fats, too! Other options for toppings or sides include fresh cilantro, salsa, sour cream, guacamole, chopped onion, or crisp shredded lettuce. You can really go all out for your Taco Tuesday and have all of these options available, experimenting to see which topping combo you enjoy most!
Serving Suggestions
Your Mexican-inspired dinner wouldn’t be complete without another flavor-packed side dish or two. These tacos will pair well with this Avocado Corn Salad or a classic Elote (Mexican street corn). You can even try this Corn Salsa as a side served with tortilla chips or even as another fun topping for your tacos. If corn isn’t your favorite option, whip up some Refried Beans instead. And why not make some tasty taco bowls with Baked Rice?
If you’re looking for more ways to add ground turkey to your meal rotation, these Healthy Turkey Meatballs are perfect to have on hand as a high-protein lunch option. Or, if you’re looking for heartier dinner recipes, a Turkey Meatloaf or Turkey Lasagna are delicious (and healthy!) options, too. With so many fun dishes, it’s true that turkey does not have to be saved for Thanksgiving or lunch sandwiches only!
Ground Turkey Tacos
Ingredients
- 1/2 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 small onion diced
- 1 pound ground turkey
- 3 cloves garlic minced
- 8 ounces tomato sauce
- 1/4 cup water
- 1 tablespoon chili powder
- 2 teaspoons cumin
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 4 ounces canned diced green chilis
- Tortillas corn or flour, for serving
- Shredded cheese for topping
Instructions
- In a large skillet, heat olive oil over medium-high heat. Add diced onion and ground turkey. Cook, breaking up the turkey with a spoon, until the turkey is browned, about 5 minutes.
- Mix in minced garlic, tomato sauce, water, chili powder, cumin, paprika, oregano, salt, and black pepper. Reduce heat to low and let the mixture simmer for 10 minutes, stirring occasionally, until it thickens. Stir in the green chilis.
- Warm the tortillas and spoon the turkey mixture onto each tortilla. Add shredded cheese and any other desired toppings. Serve immediately.
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