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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.
Table of Contents
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
- 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, breaking up clumps with a wooden spoon, 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 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.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are turkey tacos healthier than beef tacos?
Ground turkey is lower in cholesterol and saturated fat than ground beef, so by that measurement, it’s healthier. Lean beef can be enjoyed in moderation depending on your goals.
Is turkey a good substitute for beef?
There are many recipes where ground turkey is a fantastic, maybe even preferable, substitute for beef. Meatloaf, meatballs, tacos, spaghetti sauce, and chili are some of the best ways. You won’t even miss the beef!
What fat to add to ground turkey?
Olive oil and avocado oil are two great fats to consider when cooking with ground turkey.
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
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Ground Turkey Tacos Recipe
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.
Ingredients
- 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
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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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These are truly the best. So delicious and juicy and no gamey turkey aftertaste. I have never liked turkey tacos and refused to eat them. I love beef. I didn’t want to have to make turkey tacos for my hubby and something else for myself, so I figured there has to be a way to make ground turkey taste good. I followed the recipe exactly. I used 85% ground turkey. I now will prefer these to beef and chicken. This recipe made me a believer. THANK YOU! I now need a spahetti sauce w ground turkey and a turkey burger recipe to help me make the switch. Please help. I trust you have the perfect recipes.
Hi Danielle! I’m so happy you loved these, thank you! Turkey spaghetti and turkey burgers sound great, adding them to my list to test out! In the meantime, I have a great turkey meatballs recipe, if you would like to try it – https://cash-surge.live/turkey-meatballs/%3C/a%3E. Thank you! – Meggan
This is bomb!!! Thank you. I have IBS, so I left out the onions & garlic, but it was still bomb. Great recipe!
Hi Victoria, so glad you loved it! – Meggan
This is by far THEE BEST turkey taco recipe I have tried. I will FOREVER make this recipe for my turkey tacos. I’m so glad I found your site and looking forward to making more dishes. THANK YOU!!!!!! I made the recipe as is but omitted the salt and cayenne pepper. There was plenty of salt already in the tomato sauce and the finished product was not missing the additional salt. Thanks again!!! 🙂
Thank you so much Jackie! I’m so glad you loved them! – Meggan
So, so good. The flavor was on point and for once my turkey wasn’t dry!
Every time I do this ground Turkey taco recipe, it’s always a hit.
Thanks Victoria! – Meggan
All I can say is WOW!!!!!! These were exceptionally delicious! Not going to lie when I read the ingredients I was puzzled and thought ain’t no way this is gonna be good but I was so desperate for something new I decided why not!? Apple cider Vinegar? Tomato sauce? Brown sugar? Can’t be right! But man!!!! Let me tell you it is a MUST TRY! These were so flavorful and good this recipe will be a staple in my home now! My man loved them too and ate 6! Lol so good!
Thank you so much Mika! So glad you enjoyed. – Meggan
This is fast becoming a family favorite! I made it exactly as described and it turned out great. Thank you!
Amin (Vancouver, Canada)
Thanks Amin, so glad you all love it! – Meggan
This is a very tasty recipe and I have cooked it several times. Since it’s January and everyone is on a diet, I wanted to track my serving on fitness pal. I did see you have the calories and nutrition information on the bottom, but it does not say what ounce serving the 168 calorie taco is. Also, I’m not sure if the calories include a taco shell. (Probably not)? Could you also provide the ratio of fat to lean turkey you used?
Thank you,
Hi Evelyn, thank you for the comment! I’m glad you’re enjoying them! I’ve updated the recipe, it makes about 4 cups total. And yes, correct, it doesn’t include the tortillas or any additional toppings. (they are generated by a program and may vary.) I prefer 93% lean turkey, I found that 99% resulted in dry taco meat. Take care! – Meggan
This is the best. I’ve made it for our Bible study group for our taco bar lunch and I will see how they like it. Thanks
Thanks Bonnie, hope everyone enjoys! – Meggan
This is the best. I’ve made it for our Bible study group for our taco bar linch and I will see how they like it. Thanks