These 20-minute turkey tacos are perfect for busy weeknights. The trick to juicy and flavorful turkey taco meat is my go-to turkey taco spice blend and tomato paste. I like to top these with Mexican cheese, shredded lettuce, and tomatoes.
I updated this recipe from just turkey taco seasoning to the full recipe for ground turkey tacos! I still use the same delicious seasoning blend, but now I've included all the step-by-step directions you need to make the perfect tacos.
Ingredients & Substitutions
Olive Oil - This helps cook the ground turkey without it sticking to the pan. It also helps keep the ground meat moist. You can substitute olive oil with avocado oil or another neutral oil like vegetable or canola oil.
Ground Turkey - For juicy taco meat, go for the fattier options, like 93% or 85% lean. This keeps the meat from being too dry. You can also use Ground Chicken for these tacos.
Turkey Taco Seasoning - I used my go-to Turkey Taco Seasoning for this recipe. You will need chili powder, salt, garlic powder, cumin, onion powder, and pepper. You can also use a store-bought packet of taco seasoning, but the homemade version is truly better.
Tomato Paste - This gives your tacos that classic Tex-Mex taco taste. If you don't have tomato paste, you can omit it. Tomato sauce will make your taco meat too wet.
Tortillas - You can use flour tortillas or corn tortillas. To warm them up, wrap the tortilla in a damp paper towel and microwave it for 20-30 seconds until warm, or heat them in a dry skillet over medium heat for 30-60 seconds per side.
Shredded Mexican Cheese - I like to use shredded Mexican cheese for my turkey tacos. You can also use cheddar cheese or Monterey Jack cheese.
Toppings - I have shredded lettuce and diced tomatoes as the toppings for this recipe. Other toppings you can use are onions, sour cream, Guacamole, salsa, Pico de Gallo, or jalapeños.
Full ingredient list with quantities in the recipe card below
Questions?
How can I make this recipe spicier?
This recipe is mild, but you can easily turn up the heat by adding chili flakes, cayenne pepper, or a splash of hot sauce.
How is Turkey Taco Seasoning Different?
Ground turkey is less flavorful than ground beef, so it requires more seasoning. This seasoning blend is full of flavor and includes tomato paste for an extra punch of flavor. After you add this seasoning blend to your turkey, it will taste AMAZING.
How to Make Ground Turkey Tacos
Step 1 | Cook Ground Turkey
Heat the olive oil in a skillet over medium heat. Add the ground turkey. Cook until it's fully cooked and any excess liquid has evaporated.
Step 2 | Prepare Spices and Toppings
While the turkey cooks, mix the taco seasoning in a small bowl and prepare your toppings.
Step 3 | Season the Meat
Once the ground turkey is cooked, add the seasoning mixture, tomato paste, and water to the skillet. Stir to combine. Cook the mixture for around 2-3 minutes until it thickens.
Step 4 | Assemble Your Tacos
Warm your tortillas and assemble your ground turkey soft tacos!
Tips & Notes
Don't Overcook Turkey: Ground turkey can dry out quickly. Cook it just until it's no longer pink, and all the extra liquid in the pan has evaporated.
Make Turkey Taco Seasoning in Batches
This recipe makes enough for 6 pounds of ground turkey. Use 2 ½ tablespoons of seasoning and 2 tablespoons of tomato paste per pound of turkey.
- ⅓ cup + 2 tablespoons chili powder
- 2 tablespoons table salt
- 2 tablespoons garlic powder
- 2 tablespoons ground cumin
- 1 tablespoon onion powder
- 1 tablespoon pepper
- ¾ cup tablespoons of tomato paste*
Store the spice blend in an airtight container; it stays fresh for up to 6 months.
*I like to use a tube of tomato paste, which is good for 30-45 days in the fridge after opening. You can also freeze tomato paste for later use.
Sides
- No Fail Queso Dip and Chips - Classic combo to go with your tacos.
- Mexican Rice - A classic, easy side that pairs perfectly with tacos.
- Guacamole and Chips - Fresh and creamy, a must-have for taco night.
- Refried Beans - Creamy, savory, and great for scooping up with tortilla chips.
- Texas Margarita - Round out your taco night with a classic margarita.
Juicy Ground Turkey Tacos (20 Minutes)
Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon olive oil or avocado oil
- 1 pound ground turkey 7% fat*
- 1 tablespoon chili powder
- 1 teaspoon table salt
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon ground cumin
- ½ teaspoon onion powder
- ½ teaspoon pepper
- 2 tablespoons tomato paste
- ½ cup water
- 8 tortillas flour or corn
- 1 cup shredded Mexican cheese
- shredded lettuce
- diced tomatoes
Instructions
- Heat the olive oil in a skillet over medium-high heat.
- Add the ground turkey to the skillet. Cook until the turkey is fully cooked through and any excess liquid has evaporated.
- While the turkey cooks, combine chili powder, salt, garlic powder, cumin, onion powder, and pepper in a small bowl, and prepare your toppings (shred the lettuce, dice the tomatoes, and have the cheese ready).
- Once the turkey is cooked, add the seasoning mixture, tomato paste, and water to the skillet. Stir to combine. Cook the mixture for around 2-3 minutes until it thickens.
- Warm your tortillas in a dry skillet or microwave.
- Assemble the tacos.
Notes
Nutrition
The nutritional information provided is an estimate and may vary based on the ingredients used.
Did you make this recipe? Let me know!