• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
Recipe Index

Feasting not Fasting

Because life's too short to be hungry

  • Home
  • About
    • Work With Me
    • Contact
  • Recipe Index
    • 30-Minute Meals
    • Appetizers
    • Baked Goods
    • Breakfast
    • Desserts
    • Drinks and Smoothies
    • Lunches
    • Main Dishes
    • Salads
    • Sauces and Condiments
    • Side Dishes
    • Snacks
    • Soups & Stews
  • By Method
    • Air Fryer
    • Blender
    • Crock Pot/Slow Cooker
    • Freezer
    • Instant Pot
    • Oven
  • By Diet
    • Dairy-Free
    • Gluten-Free
    • Keto
    • Low-Carb
    • Vegan
    • Vegetarian
  • Appetizers
  • Baked Goods
  • Breakfast
  • Desserts
  • Main Dishes
  • Salads
  • Side Dishes
  • Snacks
Home » Recipes » Main Dishes
5 from 1 rating

Ground Turkey Tacos

August 3, 2019 by Christy Gurin (updated June 23, 2025) | 10 Comments

Pin Jump to Recipe

This post may contain affiliate links. Read my disclosure policy.

Pin598
Share
Tweet
Yum196
794 Shares

These ground turkey tacos are loaded with peppers and spices and, this recipe comes together in 30 minutes or less! We eat this all the time – it’s simply the best!

Small plate with three tacos on it

Ground Turkey Tacos

Tacos are probably my favorite food, but aren’t they everyone’s favorite food? There is just so much variety in the taco world, it’s hard not to find a taco that you’ll love.

Using a lean protein like ground turkey satisfies the taco craving while keeping the fat down, but without sacrificing flavor.

I’ve been making a variation of these ground turkey tacos for yeeears! The other day, it hit me that it’s high time I share them with you. I mean, it is only fair when a recipe is this good that I don’t hoard it to myself. So, I whipped up a few batches, and actually took notes on how I made them.

If you’re a taco fan and love an easy dinner, definitely check out my Crockpot Shredded Chicken Tacos recipe too. It only takes just 5 minutes of prep and then the crockpot does the rest!

Overhead picture of taco plate with a bite taken out of one taco

Ingredients

Lean ground turkey makes for delicious tacos, plain and simple. And with all of the seasoning in this turkey taco recipe, they taste decadent even with all the added veggies! Eat beef when you can taste the difference, like in a nice steak, but for an every day, quick 30 minute dinner, this is the meat you want.

That being said, there several variations in types of turkey based on fat content. There’s “Ground Turkey,” down to “Extra Lean Ground Turkey” which can have significantly less calories and fat. So, just pay attention to labels when buying ground turkey.

You can buy ground turkey breast or extra lean varieties, not just “ground turkey.” Turkey breast is all white meat without any of the fattier dark meat which can result in a drier end product in some recipes. Luckily, in this turkey taco recipe, the added veggies put some moisture back into the meat so you don’t notice dryness.

overhead picture of three tacos on a white platter, surround by tortilla chips, guacamole, and salsa.

Why You Should Make These Ground Turkey Tacos

Because they’re absolutely delicious of course! Well that, and quick to make (30 minutes total), healthy, budget friendly, loaded with veggies, low cholesterol (my husband needs this), and overall the best damn tacos you’ve ever had. Ha, is that enough reasons?

One thing I love about this over other turkey taco recipes is the veggies. They make it kind of fajita-like, adding a whole new element of flavor. The peppers fit seamlessly in the recipe so you don’t feel like you’re adding a veggie just to get a vegetable snuck into the meal, they actually elevate the end product. Check these veggies out and tell me you don’t want to eat them. I dare you.

chopped green pepper, red pepper, and onion in a pan with a wooden spoon

How to Make This Recipe Perfectly

Luckily, this recipe is extremely easy to make so even novice cooks shouldn’t be intimidated. If you’ve tried turkey tacos before and they were too bland, don’t let that scare you away. These ones aren’t bland in the slightest. Here are my key tips for making sure these ground turkey tacos are the best you’ve ever eaten:

  • Make sure to sauté the spices in with the ground turkey while it cooks. This infuses the spices into the meat making it more flavorful.
  • Make sure the veggies get a good sear to them by cooking over medium-high heat, waiting a minute or two between each stir. This makes sure the veggies soften but some will also get a nice brown sear mark in the process which adds extra flavor.
  • Use decent tomatoes. I know, I know – they’re hard to find in the winter. Canned tomatoes can be subbed in a pinch.
  • Choose your favorite type of tortillas! I am a flour tortilla person all the way and can’t get behind corn ones but some people prefer them. Don’t conform to other people’s tastebuds on this and get the ones you like best so they taste good to you. If you’re looking for a low carb option, try lettuce leaves or these low carb tortillas.
  • For the love of god, serve your tacos with guacamole and all the fixings.

And that’s pretty much it! These tacos are so easy to make that they don’t need many pro tips.

up close picture of a half eaten ground turkey taco.

Sides for Ground Turkey Tacos

In my opinion, tacos are just fine to serve on their own without sides, but I like to add a side or two when having guests over. Here are some ideas for making this a full meal:

  • Just add some guac, chips and salsa and call it a day.
  • Serve with a salad like salad with cilantro lime dressing.
  • Add an appetizer like this layered bean dip, this simple blender bean dip or this avocado hummus.
  • Make margaritas or mojitos!
  • Add chimichurri rice and some beans for a full meal.
hand dipping a tortilla chip into bowl of tomato salsa.

Toppings for Turkey Tacos

Part of the fun with tacos is the toppings! I’m a topping gal and will load mine up to the max. Having good toppings is just as important as good taco meat in my opinion. While the options are endless, these are some of my absolute favorites:

  • Chopped Tomatoes
  • Chopped Lettuce
  • Salsa
  • Guacamole
  • Pickled red onions
  • Cheese – either cheddar or cotija are my favorites
  • Black olives
  • Chopped cilantro
  • Mango salsa with avocado
  • Sour cream
  • Red chimichurri or cilantro chimichurri
3 soft tortillas piled high with lettuce, cheese, tomatoes, and other toppings, served on a white platter.

Ways to Use Turkey Taco Meat

In the off chance you end up with leftovers (or for you smarties that make a double batch), there are more ways than I can count to use up those leftovers.

  • Tacos (duh)
  • Burritos
  • Burrito bowls
  • Taco salad
  • Taco casseroles (delicious added to this black bean casserole!)
  • Enchilada casserole (just swap for chicken!)
  • Lettuce wraps (this vegetarian lettuce wrap taco recipe shows how to do this)
  • Taquitos (could easily be added to this taquitos recipe)
  • Quesadillas
  • Nachos

Plus, this recipe is freezer friendly so you can keep freeze cooked turkey taco meat and keep this list handy for quick weeknight dinners. Having pre-cooked meat is one of my main go-to ways to keep weeknight meals quick, healthy, and easy.

up close photo of ground turkey tacos on soft tortillas. One half of a taco has been eaten.

Substitutions

This taco recipe is flexible, so you can confidently swap many of the ingredients. Here are some easy swap ideas:

  • A regular green pepper can be used instead of poblano.
  • The peppers can be swapped out for mushrooms, zucchini, or whatever veggie you prefer.
  • I’ve left the onion out before when I didn’t have one and used 1/2 Tbsp. onion powder instead. If leaving the garlic out, sub with 1 tsp. garlic powder.
  • Lean ground beef can be used instead of ground turkey.
  • While not ideal, canned tomatoes can be used instead of fresh.

I wouldn’t mess with the spices too much unless you add more ingredients and need to add more to accommodate them. Use the listed amount and then tweak upward from there once the turkey is cooked and you can taste and see what it needs.

I’m sure there are other swaps that I’ve missed so please comment if you try a different variation to let us all know how it turns out!

three tacos on a plate
Recipe
Three tacos on a rectangular plate topped with shredded cheese, sour cream, lettuce, and diced tomatoes. Lime wedges in a bowl and salsa in the background.
Recipe
5 from 1 rating
click the stars to rate!

Ground Turkey Tacos

Created by: Christy Gurin
Prep Time 10 minutes mins
Cook Time 20 minutes mins
Total Time 30 minutes mins
Print Recipe
Pin Recipe
Prep Time 10 minutes mins
Cook Time 20 minutes mins
Total Time 30 minutes mins
8
These ground turkey tacos are loaded with peppers and spices and, this recipe comes together in 30 minutes or less!
Prevent your screen from going dark

Ingredients
 

  • 1 Tbsp. avocado oil (or whatever type you prefer)
  • 1 medium onion (diced)
  • 1 red pepper (seeded and diced)
  • 1 poblano pepper (seeded and diced)
  • 1 Tbsp. minced garlic
  • 2 lb. ground turkey
  • 1 Tbsp. chili powder
  • 2 1/2 tsp. ground cumin
  • 2 tsp. paprika
  • 1 tsp. oregano
  • 2 – 2 1/2 tsp. salt
  • ½ tsp. pepper
  • 2 medium tomatoes, chopped (about 2 cups)

Instructions

  • Heat oil over medium-high heat. Add onions and peppers and sauté for 6-7 minutes until veggies start to soften.
  • Add garlic, turkey, chili powder, cumin, paprika, oregano, and 2 tsp. salt, and pepper. Break turkey up with a large spoon or spatula and cook for 7-10 minutes until cooked through.
  • Once turkey is cooked, add tomato and continue cooking for 2-3 minutes. Taste and adjust salt level if desired. Remove from heat and serve.
  • Serve with tortillas, and toppings like salsa, guacamole, sour cream, chopped lettuce, diced tomato, shredded cheddar cheese, cilantro, olives, and your favorite other taco toppings.

Notes

Taco meat leftovers freeze well in freezer safe ziplocks for several months. Defrost in refrigerator overnight.

Nutrition

Calories: 179kcal | Carbohydrates: 7g | Protein: 28g | Fat: 4g | Cholesterol: 62mg | Sodium: 95mg | Potassium: 583mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 2g | Vitamin A: 1980IU | Vitamin C: 36.9mg | Calcium: 39mg | Iron: 2.8mg

did you make this recipe?

Make sure to follow on Pinterest @feastingnotfasting and on Instagram @feastingnotfasting

Recipe originally published on May 4, 2017. Post has been updated since then to include more details and tips. 

posted in: 30-Minute Meals, Dairy-Free, Dinner, Gluten-Free, Keto, Low-Carb, Main Dishes, Meal Prep, Paleo, Quick and Easy, Recipes, Stovetop, Turkey, Whole-30

Previous
Soba Noodles with Peanut Sauce
Next
Crustless Quiche with Broccoli and Ham

Reader Interactions

    5 from 1 vote

    Leave a Review Cancel reply

    If you love this recipe, please consider giving it a star rating when you post a comment. Star ratings help people discover my recipes online. I read every review and your support means a lot to me!

    Sincerely,
    Christy

    Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

    Recipe Rating




    This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

    Comments & Reviews

  1. Kim says

    June 4, 2021

    Is the 179 kcals with or without the taco shell? This recipe looks great, I’m excited to try it out!

    Reply
    • Christy says

      June 6, 2021

      The recipe serves 8 so those calories are for 1/8th of the taco meat and should make 2-3 tacos per serving depending on the tortilla size. The tortilla isn’t included in those nutrition facts. Hope this helps!

      Reply
  2. Nancy Rocks says

    March 3, 2021

    I make this all the time now! Thank you 😉

    Reply
    • Christy says

      March 9, 2021

      Oh yay! That’s the greatest compliment and I’m so honored my recipe has made it into your regular rotation!!

      Reply
  3. Lesley Pearson says

    August 19, 2019

    Awesome. Will make this again! Easy too!!!

    Reply
    • Christy says

      August 20, 2019

      Yeah! So happy to hear it! 🙂

      Reply
      • Cynthia DEJESUS says

        October 11, 2020

        Can this be baked?

      • Christy says

        November 12, 2020

        It might be possible but I’ve never done it and don’t know how you would get the ground turkey evenly browned in the oven. If you are able to get it to work though let me know, I’d love to try it!

  4. Ara says

    August 28, 2018

    5 stars
    This recipe turned out fantastic! However, I do have a question: what are the measurements for the serving size? Would it be 1 cup or 1 1/2 cup?

    Reply
    • Christy says

      September 10, 2018

      Happy you liked the recipe too! I know for the nutrition facts provided there are eight servings in the recipe so a serving would be 1/8th of the total amount but I did not measure out how much that actually is. Next time I make the recipe I’ll update and add that information!

      Reply

Primary Sidebar

A person with long hair and a striped dress smiles while holding a pan outside. There is greenery in the background.

Hi, I'm Christy

I started cooking, baking, and helping in the kitchen when I was old enough to reach the counter. I am a food lover with a focus on quick and easy dinners using wholesome ingredients that are approachable for the home chef. If you crave flavor but always find yourself short on time, you’re in the right place.

More About Me
almond flour blueberry muffin on a plate with bite taken out

Simple healthy recipes straight to your inbox!

Subscribe to the newsletter for all the latest recipes delivered straight to you.

Sign up

Featured Recipes

  • A bowl of Mediterranean salad with grilled vegetables, feta cheese, pine nuts, and fresh herbs on a striped cloth.
    Mediterranean-Style Roasted Eggplant Salad with Feta 
  • A spoon rests in a bowl filled with a reddish-brown spice mix, containing visible flecks of different textures.
    Chicken Taco Seasoning
  • close up picture of kale salad on a white plate
    Lemon Kale Salad
  • A skewer with melon, prosciutto, mozzarella, pesto, and balsamic glaze on a white plate.
    Prosciutto Melon Skewers
  • Baked pear halves with nuts and cranberries on black plates, surrounded by a honey dipper, whole pear, and silver spoon on a wooden table.
    Baked Pears with Honey and Almonds
  • A tall glass of purple smoothie topped with seeds, placed on a white napkin. A metal spoon with seeds is in the background. A polka dot straw is in the glass.
    Beet Smoothie with Strawberries and Kale
Allure Logo.
Boston Mag Logo.
Buzzfeed Logo.
Glamour Logo.
Healthline Logo.
The Huffington Post Logo.
MSN Logo.
sheknows Logo.
almond flour blueberry muffin on a plate with bite taken out

Simple healthy recipes straight to your inbox!

Feasting Not Fasting

About

  • About
  • Blog
  • Web Stories
  • Contact Us
  • Disclosure Policy
  • Collaboration

By Method

  • Air Fryer
  • Blender
  • Slow Cooker
  • Freezer
  • Instant Pot
  • Oven
  • Stovetop

By Diet

  • Dairy-Free
  • Gluten-Free
  • Keto
  • Low-Carb
  • Meal Prep
  • Paleo
  • Vegan
  • Vegetarian

By Course

  • Appetizers
  • Baked Goods
  • Breakfast
  • Dinner
  • Lunches
  • Main Dishes
  • Salads
  • Side Dishes
©2025, Feasting not Fasting. About Contact Privacy Policy Back To Top
Design by Pixel Me Designs
×

Simple healthy recipes straight to your inbox!

We use cookies on our website to give you the most relevant experience by remembering your preferences and repeat visits. By clicking “Accept”, you consent to the use of ALL the cookies.
Do not sell my personal information.
Cookie SettingsAccept
Manage consent

Privacy Overview

This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. Out of these, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. But opting out of some of these cookies may affect your browsing experience.
Necessary
Always Enabled
Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. These cookies ensure basic functionalities and security features of the website, anonymously.
CookieDurationDescription
cookielawinfo-checkbox-analytics11 monthsThis cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Analytics".
cookielawinfo-checkbox-functional11 monthsThe cookie is set by GDPR cookie consent to record the user consent for the cookies in the category "Functional".
cookielawinfo-checkbox-necessary11 monthsThis cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookies is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Necessary".
cookielawinfo-checkbox-others11 monthsThis cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Other.
cookielawinfo-checkbox-performance11 monthsThis cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Performance".
viewed_cookie_policy11 monthsThe cookie is set by the GDPR Cookie Consent plugin and is used to store whether or not user has consented to the use of cookies. It does not store any personal data.
Functional
Functional cookies help to perform certain functionalities like sharing the content of the website on social media platforms, collect feedbacks, and other third-party features.
Performance
Performance cookies are used to understand and analyze the key performance indexes of the website which helps in delivering a better user experience for the visitors.
Analytics
Analytical cookies are used to understand how visitors interact with the website. These cookies help provide information on metrics the number of visitors, bounce rate, traffic source, etc.
Advertisement
Advertisement cookies are used to provide visitors with relevant ads and marketing campaigns. These cookies track visitors across websites and collect information to provide customized ads.
Others
Other uncategorized cookies are those that are being analyzed and have not been classified into a category as yet.
Save & Accept

Rate This Recipe

Your vote:




A rating is required
A name is required
An email is required

Recipe Ratings without Comment

Something went wrong. Please try again.