The Best Turkey Tacos

With over 400 5-star reviews, this Turkey Taco recipe is one of the most popular recipes on Culinary Hill. I spent years developing the perfect recipe that was packed with flavor, not dry, and even better than ground beef tacos. Once my kids starting asking for “taco Tuesday” more than once per week, I knew I had a hit!

Meggan’s notes

The secret is in the sauce: Just one can of tomato sauce added to the meat makes all the difference. It takes ground beef from dry to juicy, and you’ll never make it any other way!

Taco meat isn’t just for tacos, either. Try this turkey taco meat on quesadillas, salads, burritos, lettuce wraps, nachos, and more.

Ground Turkey Tacos Recipe Ingredients

At a Glance: Here is a quick snapshot of what ingredients are in this recipe.
Please see the recipe card below for specific quantities.

Ingredient notes

• Taco seasoning: Make it yourself with 1 Tbsp. chili powder, 1 ½ tsp. ground cumin, ¾ tsp. paprika, ½ tsp. ground coriander, ¼ tsp. cayenne pepper, and salt to taste (I like ½ tsp.). 
• Ground turkey: Look for 93% lean ground turkey. If you get the 99% fat-free ground turkey breast, your meat is going to be dry.
• Brown sugar: Leave this out if it sounds weird to you.

How to Make Turkey Tacos

2. In a large skillet over medium-high heat, heat oil until shimmering. Add onion and cook until softened, about 5 minutes. Stir in taco seasoning, garlic, and oregano until fragrant, about 30 seconds.

3. Add ground turkey and cook, breaking up clumps with a wooden spoon, until almost cooked through but still slightly pink, about 2 minutes.

4. Stir in tomato sauce, vinegar, and brown sugar. Bring to a simmer and cook until thickened, about 4 minutes. Season to taste with salt and pepper.

5. Serve the meat hot with the tortillas and all your favorite taco toppings like lettuce, tomatoes, sour cream, cheese, and diced avocado.

Recipe tips and variations

• Yield: This recipe makes about 4 cups (1 quart) of delicious Turkey Taco meat. That’s enough for 4 servings, 1 cup of meat each, enough to make 3 or 4 tacos per person.
• Storage: Store leftovers covered in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.
• Freezer: Cool the cooked meat, then transfer it to a freezer-safe bag and press flat to gently squeeze out the air from the bag as it seals. Label, date, and freeze up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator (never at room temperature). Reheat on the stovetop or in the microwave.
• Slow cooker:  Sauté the onions in a skillet on the stove. Add the taco seasoning, garlic, and dried oregano. Add the ground turkey and cook until almost done. Transfer the turkey to the slow cooker and add the sauce, brown sugar, cider vinegar, and tomato sauce. Cover and cook on HIGH for 2-3 hours or on LOW for 6-7 hours.
• Dried spices: Cooking out of the pantry? Substitute ½ teaspoon garlic powder and 1 tablespoon onion powder or 3 tablespoons dried onion flakes for the fresh garlic and onion.
• Taco toppings: Load it all up! Try lettuce, tomato, avocado (or avocado sauce), guacamole, shredded cheese, sour cream, black olives, minced white onion, cilantro, and minced jalapeños.
• Salsa: Try mild tomato salsa (pico de gallo), hot salsa, green tomatillo salsa, or corn salsa.
• Crunchy taco shells: Fry corn tortillas until crispy on the stove or in the oven.
• Lettuce wraps: This taco meat is delicious on butter lettuce or romaine leaves.
• Taco salad or bowl: Add the cooked meat to a bowl with chopped lettuce, cooked black beans, tomatoes, scallions, and a creamy cilantro lime dressing. Add cooked brown rice to make a hearty turkey taco bowl. Serve with tortilla chips.
• Add quinoa: Add cooked quinoa to the mixture to make it more filling or stretch it further.
• More ground turkey recipes: Turkey Meatloaf and Turkey Chili are tasty ways to eat more ground turkey, and Turkey Meatballs are one of the most popular recipes on this site.
• Ground Chicken Tacos: Easy Ground Chicken Tacos are juicy, perfectly seasoned, and perfect for hectic weeknights. They are also lightning fast, ready in about 15 minutes!
• Ground Beef Tacos: Delicious Ground Beef Tacos are full of flavor and are also done in 15 minutes or less. A couple of surprise ingredients can really elevate your standard beef taco recipe beyond just that packet of seasoning.

More easy dinner ideas

Mediterranean Recipes

Pan-Seared Halibut with Peppers and Olives

Fish and Seafood Recipes

Baked Salmon

30 Minute Meals

Chicken Vesuvio

Main Dishes

Sheet Pan Greek Chicken and Potatoes

Ground Turkey Tacos Recipe

By Meggan Hill

Ground turkey shows up where you least expect it, in the best Turkey Taco you've ever had. This recipe has a few tricks up its sleeve to make sure every bite is juicy and perfectly seasoned. Coming to tortillas near you in about 15 minutes. 

Prep Time 3 minutes mins

Cook Time 12 minutes mins

Total Time 15 minutes mins

Servings 4 servings (1 cup each)

Course Main Course

Cuisine American, Mexican

Calories 212

4.99 from 407 votes

ReviewPrint

Ingredients 

US CustomaryMetric

• ▢ 1 teaspoon olive oil
• ▢ 1 medium onion peeled and finely chopped
• ▢ 1 packet taco seasoning (see note 1)
• ▢ 3 cloves garlic minced
• ▢ 1 teaspoon dried oregano
• ▢ 1 pound ground turkey (see note 2)
• ▢ 1 (8-ounce) can tomato sauce
• ▢ 2 teaspoons apple cider vinegar
• ▢ 1 teaspoon brown sugar packed (see note 3)
• ▢ Salt and freshly ground black pepper
• ▢ corn tortillas or flour tortillas, shredded cheddar cheese, shredded lettuce, diced tomatoes, ands our cream, for serving

Instructions 

• In a large skillet over medium-high heat, heat oil until shimmering. Add onion and cook until softened, about 5 minutes. Stir in taco seasoning, garlic, and oregano until fragrant, about 30 seconds.
• Add ground turkey and cook, stirring occasionally, until almost cooked through but still slightly pink, about 2 minutes.
• Stir in tomato sauce, vinegar, and brown sugar. Bring to a simmer and cook until thickened, about 4 minutes. Season to taste with salt and pepper.
• Serve in tortillas with all your favorite toppings like cheese, lettuce, tomatoes, sour cream, and sour cream.

Recipe Video

Notes

1. Taco seasoning: To DIY a packet’s worth of homemade taco seasoning, whisk together 1 Tbsp. chili powder, 1 ½ tsp. ground cumin, ¾ tsp. paprika, ½ tsp. ground coriander, ¼ tsp. cayenne pepper, and salt to taste (I like ½ tsp.). Add 1 tsp. cornstarch if you prefer a thickener in your taco seasoning.
2. Ground turkey: Look for 93% lean ground turkey. If you get the 99% fat-free ground turkey breast, your meat is going to be dry.
3. Brown sugar: Leave this out if it sounds weird to you.
4. Yield: This recipe makes about 4 c. of turkey taco meat. That’s enough for 4 servings, 1 c. of meat each, enough to make 3 to 4 tacos per person.
5. Storage: Store leftovers covered in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.

Nutrition

Serving: 1 cup meatCalories: 212kcalCarbohydrates: 7gProtein: 22gFat: 11gSaturated Fat: 3gPolyunsaturated Fat: 3gMonounsaturated Fat: 4gTrans Fat: 1gCholesterol: 84mgSodium: 116mgPotassium: 368mgFiber: 2gSugar: 2gVitamin A: 932IUVitamin C: 3mgCalcium: 60mgIron: 3mg

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