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.
Ingredients
Substitutions
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. If you like your tacos a little spicier, add ¼ - ½ teaspoon of cayenne or chipotle chili powder to the spice blend.
Tomato Paste - This gives your tacos that classic Tex-Mex taco taste. If you don't have tomato paste, you can omit it. I don't recommend tomato sauce, as it will make your taco meat too wet.
Olive Oil - This helps the ground turkey cook without 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.
Full ingredient list with quantities in the recipe card below
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
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.
Prepare Spices and Toppings
While the turkey cooks, mix the taco seasoning in a small bowl and prepare your toppings.
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.
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 (without the tomato paste) in an airtight container. It will stay 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.
Ground Turkey Taco with Homemade Seasoning (20 Minutes)
Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon chili powder
- ½ teaspoon table salt
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon ground cumin
- ½ teaspoon onion powder
- ½ teaspoon pepper
- 1 tablespoon olive oil or avocado oil
- 1 pound ground turkey 7% fat*
- 2 tablespoons tomato paste
- ¾ cup water
- 8 flour or corn tortillas
- 1 cup shredded Mexican cheese
- shredded lettuce
- diced tomatoes
Instructions
- In a small bowl, combine the chili powder, salt, garlic powder, cumin, onion powder, and black pepper. Set aside.
- Heat the oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the ground turkey and cook, breaking it up with a spoon, until it is no longer pink and most of the liquid has evaporated, about 5-7 minutes.
- Reduce the heat to medium. Add the spice mixture, tomato paste, and water. Stir until the turkey is evenly coated. Cook for 2-3 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the sauce thickens and clings to the meat. Taste and add more salt if needed.
- Warm your tortillas in a dry skillet or microwave.
- Divide the turkey mixture among the tortillas. Top with shredded cheese, lettuce, and diced tomatoes. Serve immediately.
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!