Ground turkey tacos are a little lighter on the fat content but packed with flavor! This turkey taco recipe is a family favorite in my house and I bet it will be in yours too.
Y’all know that I am a Certified Taco Fanatic.
I will literally eat tacos every day of the week and I will never grow tired of them.
Usually, we just do the standard American taco that I grew up with – ground beef seasoned with a packet of taco seasoning + shredded lettuce + shredded cheddar + a soft tortilla. If I’m feeling fancy, I’ll toss on some sour cream or diced tomatoes.
Lately, though, we’ve been trying to eat a little lighter and so I started making turkey tacos.
You guys. We are all converts. Turkey taco converts.
This ground turkey taco recipe is literally the best. I snagged the recipe from America’s Test Kitchen, sooooo you know I’m right when I say THE BEST.
Are you ready to do this?
How to make turkey tacos:
First, we’re going to cook the turkey, garlic, and diced onion in a little bit of oil. I’m really loving avocado oil lately, but you could also use olive oil.
Once the meat is cooked through, add in your seasonings.
We’re skipping the packet today and instead using a can of diced green chiles, plenty of chili powder, cumin, coriander, salt, and cayenne pepper. So much flavor!
Stir that around good to really coat the meat in the seasonings.
Add in some tomato sauce, chicken broth, and apple cider vinegar and bring that mixture to a boil. Reduce to a simmer and let the meat cook for about 10 minutes or until the mixture has thickened.
These ground turkey tacos seriously pack so much flavor! You won’t miss the beef or the seasoning packet, promise.
We like these turkey tacos because there are no funky ingredients, you know exactly what is going into your meat, and the seasoning is spot on.
I am not above using a seasoning packet, but I find that for turkey tacos you just need something more to amp up the flavor.
This recipe does that thanks to the spices and tomato sauce!
Turkey taco toppings:
You can top your ground turkey tacos with all the same toppings you’d use for traditional beef tacos!
Our favorites include shredded lettuce, shredded cheddar, my restaurant style salsa, and our favorite hot sauce: Cholula!
Slices of avocado, a squeeze of lime juice, and some fresh cilantro add bright, fresh flavors to these tacos.
More taco recipes to try:
Taco Casserole: Layered like a lasagna with all the flavors of tacos!
Crockpot Chicken Tacos: Easiest recipe ever!
Chicken Taco Soup: Zero weight watchers points!
Taco Stuffed Shells: Pasta + tacos!
Fried Tacos: The meat and the shell are fried together and it’s seriously magic.
Slow Cooker Ground Beef: Cook your beef right in the crockpot!
Turkey Tacos
Ingredients
- 2 teaspoons avocado oil
- 1 pound lean ground turkey
- 1 small sweet onion diced
- 2 cloves garlic minced
- 4 ounces diced green chiles from a can
- 2 tablespoons chili powder
- 2 teaspoons cumin
- 2 teaspoons ground coriander
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon cayenne pepper
- 4 ounces tomato sauce
- 1/2 cup chicken broth
- 2 teaspoons apple cider vinegar
- 1 teaspoon brown sugar
Instructions
- Heat the oil in a large non-stick skillet over medium heat.
- Add the ground turkey, diced onion, and garlic to the skillet and brown the turkey, breaking it up as it cooks.
- When turkey is cooked through, add the green chiles, chili powder, cumin, coriander, salt, and cayenne pepper. Stir well to coat the meat.
- Add the tomato sauce, chicken broth, apple cider vinegar, and brown sugar to the pan and stir to combine.
- Bring to a boil and then reduce heat to a simmer. Simmer for 10 minutes or until thickened.
- Serve with tortillas or over a bed of lettuce with your favorite taco toppings.
Helen Sibley says
My favorite taco recipe!
Karly says
Oh, that’s awesome! Thanks, Helen!
Michelle says
This recipe is the best tasting tacos! Definitely will be my go to recipe for sure!
Karly says
Love to hear that! 🙂
Ella says
So yummy! Perfect flavor, will be my to-go recipe for turkey taco meat!
Sharmel henderson says
This recipe was a hit. My kids loved it! Will be using this all the time
Karly says
Thanks, Sharmel!
Rick says
Second time making this recipe and it was even better the second time!
Karly says
Love to hear that!
Rayna McClinton says
this was sooo good. Some of the ingredients i wouldn’t normally use in tacos but WOW! soooo good.
Karly says
Thanks, Rayna!
Shannon says
Why the chicken broth, apple cider vinegar and brown sugar?
Karly says
They all add flavor to the dish.
Lisalen says
My husband and teenage son who are normally disappointed when I don’t make tacos with beef or pork, were really happy with the flavor of these turkey tacos! A few extra ingredients added a ton of flavor.
Sarah t says
Are the calories just for the turkey or for the avacado and tortilla wrap too?
Karly says
Hi Sarah! The nutrition info is for everything listed in the ingredients list – so no tortillas or toppings, since everyone uses different toppings/sizes and types of tortillas.
Kim says
THIS WOULD HAVE BEEN VERY TASTY IF THE SALT CONTENT WAS LESS. I KNEW IT SEEMED TOO MUCH BUT I FOLLOWED THE RECIPE. WAY TOO OVERPOWERING A D RUINED THE RECIPE FOR ME, UNFORTUNATELY
Mireille | The Tortilla Channel says
Karly, I love turkey tacos!!! These look so delicious. Pinned it to my tacos board!
Karly says
Thanks, Mireille!
Robert Gantt says
The only thing I would change is to use whole wheat tortillas
Valentina @Valentina's Corner says
Karly, these turkey tacos look amazing. I love that you added a homemade seasoning, I can just smell the aroma! Pinning for later. 🙂
Bell says
This is one of our favorite recipes…so easy and healthy, and great flavor! I typically use less oil, more turkey (16oz), and more veggies. Sometimes I substitute the peppers with whatever I have on hand. I always use a couple of tomatoes because we like extra. We usually ditch the taco shells and serve with cilantro lime rice and black beans. Thanks for the great recipe! It’s a keeper!!