Ground turkey tacos is perfect for when dinner needs to happen quickly but you still want something homemade. Ground turkey cooks in minutes, and because its flavor is fairly mild, it takes on taco seasonings really well. Add warm tortillas and whatever toppings are already in the fridge, and you can have dinner on the table in about 20 minutes without much planning.

I also like how easy these tacos are to change from one night to the next. Sometimes a simple combination of lettuce, tomatoes, cheese, and sour cream is enough, while other times I’ll add Classic Guacamole, Pico de Gallo, or Mango and Pineapple Salsa and pile everything a little higher. Since the seasoned turkey keeps well too, you can make extra and use the leftovers for taco bowls, salads, or lunch the following day.

Why You Will Love These Ground Turkey Tacos

What I love most about ground turkey tacos is how quickly the filling cooks. Since there is no marinating or slow cooking involved, you simply add the turkey and seasonings to a skillet and let everything cook together. As a result, this is an easy recipe to pull out on evenings when you haven’t planned much ahead.

Ground turkey is also a good choice when you want something different from traditional ground beef tacos. It has a mild flavor, so cumin, smoked paprika, chili powder, garlic, and onion really stand out. Meanwhile, a spoonful of tomato paste adds a little richness and keeps the filling from tasting plain.

Another reason these tacos work so well is that everyone can build their own. Put the meat, tortillas, and toppings on the table, then let everyone choose what they want. This is especially helpful when you’re feeding people with different preferences.

Finally, the recipe is inexpensive and easy to double. One pound of turkey makes around 8 to 12 tacos depending on how generously you fill them, but you can easily cook two pounds if you’re feeding a larger group.

What You Will Need

You will need a large skillet for cooking the turkey. Cast iron works particularly well, although any large nonstick or stainless steel skillet will do.

A wooden spoon or meat masher also comes in handy because you’ll want to break the turkey into small pieces while it cooks. In addition, prepare a cutting board and sharp knife if you’re using fresh toppings such as tomatoes, avocado, cilantro, or onions.

Ingredients

For the Ground Turkey

• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 1 pound lean ground turkey
• 1 tablespoon chili powder
• 1 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
• 1 teaspoon onion powder
• ½ teaspoon ground cumin
• 1 heaping tablespoon tomato paste
• Salt, to taste
• Black pepper, to taste

For Serving

• Flour or corn tortillas
• Shredded lettuce, optional
• Chopped tomatoes, optional
• Shredded cheese or crumbled cotija, optional
• Sour cream or Greek yogurt, optional
• Chopped cilantro, optional
• Sliced avocado or Classic Guacamole, optional
• Pico de Gallo or your favorite salsa, optional
• Chopped red onion or green onions, optional
• Lime wedges, optional
• Hot sauce, optional

How to Make Ground Turkey Tacos

First, prepare any toppings you plan to use. Since the turkey cooks quickly, having everything chopped and ready means you can assemble the tacos as soon as the meat comes off the stove.

Next, heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the ground turkey, followed by the chili powder, garlic powder, smoked paprika, onion powder, and cumin.

Cook the turkey for about 8 to 10 minutes, breaking it into smaller pieces with a wooden spoon as it cooks. Continue stirring occasionally until you no longer see any pink and the turkey has cooked completely through to 165°F.

Once the turkey is almost finished, stir in the tomato paste. Continue cooking for another minute or two so the tomato paste blends evenly with the meat and seasonings.

Then, taste the turkey and season with salt and black pepper as needed. If the mixture seems a little dry, stir in a small splash of water or chicken broth.

Meanwhile, warm the tortillas using your preferred method. Once they’re soft and warm, spoon the seasoned turkey into each tortilla.

Finally, add your favorite toppings. Serve the ground turkey tacos immediately with lime wedges and extra salsa or hot sauce on the side.

Tips for the Best Ground Turkey Tacos

Ground turkey can dry out more easily than ground beef, so avoid cooking it longer than necessary. Once it reaches 165°F and you no longer see any pink, you can move on to finishing the filling.

Additionally, don’t be afraid to adjust the seasonings. Chili powders can vary quite a bit in flavor and heat, so taste the cooked filling and add more if necessary.

If you prefer juicier taco meat, ground turkey thigh is a great option because it usually contains a little more fat than ground turkey breast. However, lean ground turkey breast will work just fine.

Another helpful trick is adding a splash of water or chicken broth if the meat looks dry. Let it simmer briefly with the seasonings and tomato paste, and you’ll end up with a slightly saucier filling.

Finally, prepare your toppings before or while the turkey cooks. That way, you can eat the tacos while both the meat and tortillas are still warm.

How to Keep Ground Turkey From Drying Out

Because turkey is lean, the biggest mistake you can make is simply cooking it for too long. Keep the heat around medium-high and remove the pan from the heat once the meat has cooked through.

The olive oil and tomato paste also help. However, if you prefer particularly juicy taco meat, add 2 to 4 tablespoons of chicken broth or water after adding the tomato paste. Let it simmer for a minute or two, then serve.

Do I Have to Use Tomato Paste?

No. The tomato paste adds color and a little extra richness, but you can leave it out when you want an especially quick taco filling.

Alternatively, if you like saucier taco meat, increase the tomato paste slightly and add a splash of water or broth. Let everything simmer together until it reaches the consistency you prefer.

Can I Use Taco Seasoning Instead?

Yes. A packet of taco seasoning is an easy shortcut when you don’t want to measure individual spices.

However, making the seasoning yourself allows you to control how smoky, spicy, salty, or garlicky the meat tastes. You can also increase the cumin or smoked paprika depending on your preference.

How to Warm Tortillas

For flour tortillas, wrap a stack loosely in foil and place them in a 375°F oven while you prepare the taco filling. After about 10 minutes, they should be soft and warm.

For corn tortillas, I prefer warming them individually in a dry skillet for roughly 20 to 30 seconds per side. Keep the finished tortillas wrapped in a clean kitchen towel so they stay warm and flexible until you’re ready to eat.

Best Toppings for Ground Turkey Tacos

This is where you can really change the tacos depending on what you have in the refrigerator. Lettuce, tomatoes, shredded cheese, cilantro, onions, and sour cream are all easy choices.

For something a little more substantial, add sliced avocado or Classic Guacamole. Meanwhile, Pico de Gallo gives the tacos plenty of fresh tomato flavor without needing many additional toppings.

If you want something fruity and fresh, try Mango and Pineapple Salsa. You can also add sliced jalapeños, pickled onions, cotija cheese, lime juice, or your favorite hot sauce.

Can I Add Vegetables to the Turkey?

Absolutely. Finely chopped bell peppers, zucchini, mushrooms, or corn can all be cooked directly with the turkey.

If you’re using onion or bell pepper, sauté them in the olive oil for a few minutes before adding the meat. Meanwhile, vegetables that cook quickly can go in while the turkey browns.

This is also an easy way to stretch one pound of turkey when you’re feeding several people.

Can I Make Ground Turkey Taco Bowls?

Yes, and taco bowls are particularly useful for leftovers. Start with Cilantro Lime Rice or Mexican Red Rice, then add warmed ground turkey.

From there, add lettuce, tomatoes, corn, cheese, avocado, salsa, and whatever else you like. Finish with Chipotle Crema or a squeeze of fresh lime juice.

What to Serve With Ground Turkey Tacos

For a simple taco night, Mexican Red Rice or Cilantro Lime Rice makes an easy side. You can also serve Black Beans and Corn Salad alongside the tacos if you want something that can be prepared ahead.

Of course, dips and toppings are always welcome. Classic Guacamole, Pico de Gallo, and Mango and Pineapple Salsa all work particularly well, while Mexican Street Corn (Elote) turns the tacos into a more filling dinner.

For drinks, Watermelon Lemonade or Classic Homemade Lemonade gives you something cold and fresh to serve alongside the meal.

How Many Tacos Does One Pound of Ground Turkey Make?

One pound of ground turkey generally makes about 8 to 12 tacos, depending on the size of your tortillas and how much filling you put into each one.

For four people, plan on roughly 2 to 3 tacos per person when you’re also serving toppings and sides. However, if you’re feeding particularly hungry adults or want leftovers, doubling the meat mixture is a good idea.

How to Store Ground Turkey Taco Meat

Let the cooked turkey cool before transferring it to an airtight container. Then, refrigerate it for up to 3 to 4 days.

Keep the meat separate from the tortillas and fresh toppings so everything maintains a better texture.

When you’re ready to eat, reheat the turkey in a skillet over medium-low heat until completely hot. If it has dried out slightly in the refrigerator, add a splash of water or chicken broth as it reheats.

You can also freeze the cooked taco meat for up to 3 months. Thaw it overnight in the refrigerator before reheating.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use ground turkey breast?

Yes. Ground turkey breast works well, although it tends to be leaner than ground turkey thigh. Just watch the cooking time carefully so it doesn’t become dry.

Are ground turkey tacos spicy?

This version has plenty of seasoning but isn’t intended to be especially hot. If you want spicy ground turkey tacos, add cayenne pepper, crushed red pepper, diced jalapeño, or hot sauce.

Can I make the taco meat ahead of time?

Yes. Cook the turkey and seasonings, let everything cool, and refrigerate the mixture in an airtight container. Then, reheat it just before serving.

Can I use ground chicken instead?

Yes. Ground chicken can replace ground turkey without requiring major changes to the recipe. Since it can also be quite lean, avoid overcooking it and add a splash of broth if needed.

Can I use corn tortillas instead of flour tortillas?

Absolutely. Either works well, so choose whichever you prefer. Just make sure corn tortillas are warmed properly because cold corn tortillas tend to crack when folded.

What can I do with leftover taco meat?

Besides making more tacos, use the seasoned turkey for quesadillas, burritos, taco salads, nachos, rice bowls, or stuffed baked potatoes. You can even add it to scrambled eggs for a quick breakfast.