If you’re looking for a lighter twist on classic tacos, these turkey tacos are for you. I promise they’re bursting with flavor and will easily beat any store-bought seasoning mix. Made with a blend of jalapeño, garlic, and spices, they’re quick to prepare and endlessly customizable. Perfect for any taco night, they’re almost guaranteed to please.
Here’s the turkey tacos recipe along with some helpful tips to make it perfect.
Turkey Tacos: What to expect
- Taste: These turkey tacos have a nice kick from the jalapeño, garlic, and cumin. The cilantro adds a fresh finish that balances everything out perfectly.
- Texture: The ground turkey has a soft, juicy texture, and when you add the crispy taco shells and the creamy avocado, it all comes together perfectly for that satisfying bite.
- Foolproof factor: This recipe is beginner-friendly and easy to get right. Just make sure to cook the turkey all the way through, chop the vegetables evenly for consistent cooking, and adjust the spice level by adding more or less jalapeño to suit your taste. It’s simple, customizable, and hard to mess up.
- Timing: You can have these turkey tacos ready in about 30 minutes, making them an ideal choice for a quick and flavorful weeknight dinner.
Turkey tacos ingredients and how to use them
This recipe uses a few simple ingredients that bring big flavor. Here’s what you’ll need:
- Ground turkey: 3/4 lb. It’s lighter than beef but still gives you that satisfying, meaty bite that makes these tacos so good.
- Onion: 1 medium, chopped. Adds a sweet, savory base once it’s cooked down — makes everything taste better.
- Olive oil: 2 tablespoons. This is what you’ll use to sauté the veggies, adding some richness and helping things not stick.
- Garlic: 2 cloves, minced. Brings that classic aromatic flavor that makes everything pop.
- Jalapeño pepper: 1, seeded and minced. Adds a bit of heat — adjust how much you use depending on how spicy you like it.
- Chili powder: 1 1/2 tablespoons. Gives a smoky depth that ties all the flavors together.
- Ground cumin: 1 teaspoon. Adds that warm, earthy taste that makes tacos taste like tacos.
- Salt and pepper: To taste. Essential for bringing out all the other flavors — make sure to season as you go.
- Canned chopped tomatoes: 3/4 cup. These add some moisture and a little acidity to balance out the spices.
- Chicken broth: 1/3 cup. Keeps the turkey juicy while it cooks, adding a bit of extra flavor too.
- Fresh cilantro: 1/4 cup, finely chopped. Adds a fresh kick right at the end to brighten everything up.
- Tortillas or taco shells: 12 (5-inch). You can use soft tortillas or crunchy taco shells — whichever you like best.
Optional toppings
- Romaine lettuce: Just thinly slice it up. It adds that perfect crunch to balance all the warm, spicy flavors in the filling.
- Tomatoes: Dice them up. They bring a burst of freshness and a bit of juicy flavor to each bite.
- Avocado: 1-2, diced. You can’t go wrong with some creamy avocado — it helps mellow out the spice.
- Monterey Jack cheese: Shredded. This melts beautifully over the hot filling, giving you that ooey-gooey cheesy finish.
- Sour cream: Totally optional, but it adds a nice, cool creaminess if you’re looking to balance the heat a bit.
Equipment needed to make turkey tacos
You don’t need any fancy equipment for this recipe. Just grab a medium skillet, a chopping board, a knife for chopping, a ladle for stirring the meat, and a measuring cup or spoon.
Similar recipes to try
If you’re in the mood for more taco-inspired dishes, here are a few more recipes to try:
- Beef Tacos Recipe: Slow-cooked beef seasoned just right, ready to pile high with your favorite toppings — super easy and always a hit.
- Chicken Fajitas Recipe: Juicy chicken cooked with bell peppers and onions, perfect for wrapping in tortillas with all the extras you love.
- Shrimp Tacos Recipe: Shrimp with a kick, paired with crispy bacon and fresh toppings — wrap it all up for a quick, tasty meal.
- Chicken and Black Bean Taco Salad Recipe: Grilled chicken, black beans, and crisp lettuce tossed together with a zesty dressing — everything you love about tacos in a hearty salad.
