Turkey Tacos
These healthy turkey tacos are a family favorite in my household! They are so light and refreshing, made with my homemade taco seasoning and served on top of a warm corn tortilla. They are very versatile so you can dress them up anyway you want with the toppings of your choice. We love ours topped with a fresh mango avocado salsa and Cotija cheese. Let me tell you something, you need these tacos in your life, like..right now! I promise that you will not be disappointed.
Spring has sprung! The flowers are blooming and the warmer weather has finally decided to make its appearance here in Upstate New York after a very long winter that seemed to be never ending. So I figured this is a great time to share this amazing taco recipe with you all. They are fun, bright and healthier than your typical beef tacos using the packaged seasoning.
The simple ingredients that you will need to make the Turkey Taco Meat:
- Ground turkey – The star of the dish! I typically use 93% lean ground turkey but you can choose whichever you prefer.
- Tomato paste – This important ingredient is added to enhance the flavor of the taco meat and to give it that deep, vibrant color.
- Fresh water – We all have it at home and it essentially creates a sauce for the meat to simmer in. It also gives the taco meat the right consistency.
- Taco seasoning – Can’t have tacos without it and I like making my own way more than using the store-bought packaged seasoning. It really is so simple to make. The packaged seasoning tends to have a lot of added sodium and preservatives among other additives. By making your own, it gives you total control over what goes in it. Check out my recipe- taco seasoning.
For the toppings:
- Corn tortilla – I always prefer to serve my tacos on corn tortillas rather than the traditional flour tortillas. They are healthier because they tend to have more fiber and less calories than flour tortillas plus I like the flavor better overall.
- Cotija cheese – I love using this cheese to top my tacos! It is a Mexican cheese that can be found at your local grocery store that gives this dish a salty bite. If you cannot find this specific cheese, Feta cheese makes for a great alternative.
- Mango avocado salsa – My favorite. Simple and refreshing! Try this recipe to make your own!
- Plain Greek yogurt – Greek yogurt is an excellent healthier substitute for sour cream but either of them makes for a delicious topping for the tacos.
Additional toppings:
- Fresh chopped tomatoes
- Lettuce
- Red onion
- Cilantro
- Jalepeno peppers
- Salsa
- Black olives
- Pico de Gallo
How to make these seriously delicious and easy Turkey Tacos:
- Heat 1 tablespoon of olive oil in a skillet on medium heat. Add the ground turkey, breaking it up with a wooden spoon or spatula. Cook until it is no longer pink, stirring frequently.
- Once the meat is cooked, stir in the tomato paste and the taco seasoning. Cook until fragrant, about 1-2 minutes. Then begin to slowly add the water, consistently stirring.
- Cook the meat on low to medium heat until most of the sauce has evaporated.
- Warm up the corn tortillas by using the microwave or a skillet on the stove top. Add the cooked taco meat and the toppings of your choice. Serve immediately and enjoy!
Make-ahead:
These turkey tacos are the ultimate weeknight meal for your whole family. They are super quick and easy and also make for a great make-ahead meal. The meat can be made before hand and stored in the fridge for up to 3 days before serving. Simply reheat the meat and serve it with your favorite toppings.
Chop your veggies for toppings ahead of time, as well!
Helpful tips and substitutions for these Turkey Tacos:
For the taco meat- Instead of using ground turkey, you can try ground beef, chicken or shrimp.
For the cheese- Try feta cheese or shredded cheddar cheese rather than the cotija cheese.
It is always the best to warm up the corn tortillas before serving. Simply warm them up for a few seconds in the microwave or if you prefer it a bit crunchy, try heating it up on the stove top in a skillet. I sometimes put it directly on the burner on my stove to give it a bit of char!
Try not to overcook the meat. Turn off the heat just as most of the sauce has evaporated otherwise your meat will be too dry.
Did you try this recipe? Let me know how you liked it! I would love to hear about it. Leave a comment down below.
Turkey Tacos
Ingredients
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 1 lb ground turkey
- 1 tbsp tomato paste
- 2 tbsp taco seasoning or more to taste (recipe linked)
- ¾ cup water
- corn tortillas warmed, for serving
For the toppings
- Mango avocado salsa (recipe linked)
- 1 tomato chopped
- lettuce
- Cotija cheese crumbled
- Plain Greek yogurt
Instructions
- Heat olive oil in a skillet on medium heat. Add the ground turkey, breaking it up with a wooden spoon or spatula. Cook until it is no longer pink, stirring frequently.
- Stir in the tomato paste and the taco seasoning. Cook until fragrant, about 1-2 minutes.
- Slowly add the water, consistently stirring.Cook the meat on low to medium heat until most of the sauce has evaporated.
- Warm up the tortillas. Place the taco meat and toppings on the tortilla. Serve immediately and enjoy!
Notes
- Try using ground beef, chicken or shrimp for this recipe instead of turkey.
- Feta cheese makes for a great alternative to Cotija cheese! Shredded cheddar cheese is also great on top of these tacos.
- It is best to warm up the tortillas prior to serving by using the microwave or a skillet on the stove top.
- Make-ahead: Cook the taco meat before hand and store it in the fridge for up to 3 days prior to serving.