The Best Ground Turkey Tacos
These Ground Turkey Tacos are simple, flavorful, and absolutely delicious. The addition of salsa verde not only adds to the incredible flavor, but ensures that you won’t end up with dry meat. I promise that no one will miss the beef!
Why these are the BEST Ground Turkey Tacos
While I occasionally like to substitute ground beef for turkey in some of our favorite recipes, I often find that they fall a little flat. Normally I don’t mind, because the health benefits outweigh the slightly less-devourable results. Ground Turkey Tacos was one of those recipes that just never quite hit the same. I decided it was time to change that. The final results made me very, very happy. Not only are these the best ground turkey tacos I’ve ever had.. they are the best tacos I’ve ever made. When you find yourself continually sneaking a forkful out of the pan, you know you have a winner.
I decided to add beef bouillon to boost the flavor and mimic that ‘beef’ flavor. And to combat the dreaded dryness that so often comes with ground turkey, I added some salsa verde. Add the usual lineup of Mexican spices, and boom. The result is one of the most incredibly flavorful tacos you’ve ever had. This is a simple, easy, weeknight dinner recipe that you will turn to time and time again.
Ingredients for Ground Turkey Tacos:
- Ground Turkey– We used a lean ground turkey for these tacos. We’ll add moisture in, so you really don’t need the extra fat. But you can use whatever fat content you prefer- just drain any excess fat. Ground chicken also works great!
- Garlic– We use fresh garlic whenever possible! To substitute garlic powder, you’ll use 1/2 teaspoon.
- Olive Oil– Any neutral oil will work here, avocado oil is also one we use regularly.
- Chili Powder– This is major flavor player in these tacos, so make sure you use a chili powder that you love! The flavor will change quite a bit from brand to brand.
- Ground Cumin
- Onion Powder
- Dried Oregano
- Salt
- Salsa Verde– Because this recipe only calls for 1/2 cup, and there are so many seasonings, it doesn’t really matter which brand you use. We just grabbed an inexpensive one. You could also use a smooth salsa.
- Beef Bouillon– Our very favorite bouillon is the Better Than Bouillon brand. We always keep it on hand.
- Tortillas– We usually serve ground turkey tacos with crunchy shells, but you can use flour tacos if you prefer.
How to Make Ground Turkey Tacos:
- Heat a large skillet. Add the olive oil, ground turkey, garlic and spices. Cook over medium high heat until mostly cooked through, breaking up into small pieces as you go.
- Lower the heat. Add the salsa verde, bouillon, and water. Stir to combine and simmer for another 5 minutes or so to allow the flavors to meld and the liquid is mostly absorbed.
- Serve ground turkey tacos on your choice of taco shells, and top with lettuce, tomatoes, avocado, onion, and cheese if desired.
Tips & Suggestions
Variations:
- Use ground chicken or even tofu crumbles instead of ground turkey.
- Use the filling for ground turkey taco salads.
- Use red salsa instead of salsa verde.
- Use leftovers for nachos or add to quesadillas.
Ground Turkey Taco Topping Ideas:
- fresh tomatoes
- diced avocado
- shredded lettuce
- shredded cabbage
- sliced radishes
- grated cheese
- fresh lime juice
- fresh cilantro
- sliced olives
- diced bell peppers
- guacamole
- diced onion
- salsa
- plain greek yogurt or sour cream
- avocado lime crema
Heat your taco shells!
For truly delicious tacos, make sure to heat your taco shells before serving! Place crunchy taco shells on a baking sheet and heat at 400 degrees for 3-4 minutes or until nice and crispy. If using flour tortillas, heat on a hot, dry skillet for 20-30 seconds per side until heated through and nicely browned.
More Easy Weeknight Dinner Recipes:
Ground Turkey Tacos
Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 pound lean ground turkey
- 2 cloves garlic minced
- 1 tablespoon chili powder
- 1 teaspoon ground cumin
- 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
- 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 cup salsa verde
- 2 tablespoons water
- 1 tablespoon beef better than bouillon paste
For Serving
- tortillas or taco shells
- lettuce or shredded cabbage
- shredded cheese
- salsa
- guacamole or avocado slices
- sour cream or plain Greek yogurt
Instructions
- Heat a large skillet over medium/high and add olive oil.
- Add ground turkey, garlic and spices. Using a wooden spoon or meat chopper, break up the turkey until it is in small pieces. Continue to cook until it is mostly browned. This should take about 6 minutes.
- Turn the heat down to medium and add the salsa verde, water, and better than bouillon paste. Stir to combine and simmer for 3-4 more minutes or until cooked through and the liquid has mostly absorbed. Remove from heat.
- Serve with your favorite taco toppings: tortillas or taco shells, lettuce, cabbage, shredded cheese, guacamole, salsa, diced tomatoes, and sour cream or plain Greek yogurt. Enjoy!
Nutrition
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Natalie Monson
I'm a registered dietitian, mom of 4, avid lover of food and strong promoter of healthy habits. Here you will find lots of delicious recipes full of fruits and veggies, tips for getting your kids to eat better and become intuitive eaters and lots of resources for feeding your family.
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