Ground Turkey Tacos
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These ground turkey tacos are juicy, flavorful and come together in about 20 minutes. They’re an easy, high-protein dinner that’s perfect for busy weeknights.
These ground turkey tacos are one of my go-to weeknight dinners. They’re quick, packed with flavor and made with simple ingredients I almost always have on hand.
Ground turkey can sometimes get a bad rap for being dry, but this recipe solves that. The seasoning and sauce keep the meat juicy and flavorful every time.
I love serving these in tortillas with all the toppings, but they’re just as good turned into bowls just like my chicken burrito bowl, or paired with something fresh like my Mexican street corn salad for an easy, customizable meal.
Table of Contents
Why I Love These Turkey Tacos
- Weeknight lifesaver: This is one of those dinners I lean on when I have no plan and need something fast that I know will turn out.
- Actually juicy ground turkey: The combo of spices and tomato sauce makes a big difference here. It keeps the turkey tender and full of flavor instead of dry and crumbly.
- Family-friendly: Everyone can build their own tacos with their favorite toppings, which always makes dinner easier.
- Great for leftovers: The taco meat reheats really well, so I’ll often make extra and use it for bowls or salads the next day.
“I’ve tried a few ground turkey taco recipes and they always turned out dry, but not this one! The meat was so flavorful and actually stayed juicy. I made these for dinner and everyone went back for seconds.”
Ingredients Needed
- ground turkey – the main source of protein in the recipe, ground turkey is leaner than other types of meat and provides a good amount of protein without being too heavy or fatty. I like using 93% lean for the best balance of flavor and texture.
- olive oil or avocado oil – for sautéing the onions, garlic and ground turkey.
- yellow onion and garlic – two key flavors in these ground turkey tacos.
- seasonings – chili powder, cumin, paprika, oregano, sea salt and black pepper. You can also use a taco seasoning blend if you prefer.
- tomato sauce and water – these are used to create a rich, saucy consistency for the taco filling, ensuring each bite is juicy and delicious.
- tortillas – I typically use soft corn tortillas but feel free to use flour tortillas or hard shell tacos.
Find the full ingredient list with measurements in the recipe card below.
How to Make Ground Turkey Tacos
Step 1: Heat oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the onion and garlic and sauté for 3–5 minutes, until softened and fragrant.
Step 2: Add the ground turkey and cook, breaking it up with a spoon, until browned and fully cooked through, about 5–7 minutes.
Step 3: Stir in the spices and cook for 1–2 minutes. Add the tomato sauce and water, stir to combine and let simmer for 5–7 minutes
Step 4: Assemble the tacos by spooning the turkey mixture onto the tortillas and topping them with your desired toppings.
Brittany’s Tips
- Don’t skip cooking the spices: Letting the spices cook for a minute before adding liquid makes a big difference in flavor. It deepens everything and keeps the tacos from tasting flat.
- Use 93% lean turkey: Super lean turkey (like 99%) tends to dry out. I’ve found 93% gives you the best balance of flavor and moisture.
- Simmer until saucy, not watery: Let the mixture cook down until most of the liquid is absorbed. This is what makes the tacos juicy without being messy.
- Break the meat up well: Use a wooden spoon to break the turkey into small crumbles as it cooks so you get an even texture in every bite.
How to Serve Ground Turkey Tacos
I love keeping these tacos simple, but adding a few toppings and sides really takes them to the next level.
- Toppings: I usually load mine up with things like shredded lettuce, pico de gallo, cheese and a squeeze of fresh lime. For extra flavor, I love adding pickled red onions, guacamole or pineapple salsa. You can also throw on things like shredded cabbage, hot sauce or a dollop of sour cream or Greek yogurt.
- Add some sides: If you’re serving these for dinner or hosting, I like pairing them with something simple like chips and salsa, black beans or rice. For something a little more fun, black bean dip, avocado salad or roasted Mexican sweet potatoes are all great options.
- Drinks: If you’re making these for a get-together, a skinny margarita or skinny paloma is always a good idea.
- Make it a bowl: If you’re not in the mood for tacos, turn everything into a bowl with cilantro rice, lettuce and toppings for an easy, meal prep–friendly option.
How to Store Leftovers
Refrigerator: Let the taco meat cool, then store it in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4–5 days.
Store separately: Keep toppings in separate containers so everything stays fresh and crisp.
Reheat: Warm the turkey in a skillet over medium heat or in the microwave until heated through, then serve in fresh tortillas with your toppings.
Frequently Asked Questions
This is the biggest issue with ground turkey, and I’ve definitely had my fair share of dry batches. The trick is not overcooking it and letting it simmer with the sauce at the end. That step really helps lock in moisture and keeps everything juicy.
Yes! I do this all the time. I’ll make the taco meat ahead and just reheat it when I’m ready to eat. It’s perfect for busy nights when you don’t feel like cooking but still want something homemade.
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If you enjoyed this recipe, please consider leaving a ⭐ star rating and let me know how it went in the 📝 comments below.
Easy Ground Turkey Tacos
Ingredients
- ½ Tablespoon olive or avocado oil
- 1 yellow onion, diced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 lb ground turkey
- 1 Tablespoon chili powder
- 1 teaspoon cumin
- ¼ teaspoon paprika
- ¼ teaspoon oregano
- 1 teaspoon sea salt
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
- 8 ounces tomato sauce
- ¼ cup water
- Corn or flour tortillas
Toppings
- Shredded cheese
- Romaine lettuce
- tomatoes, pico de gallo or salsa
- Cilantro
- Sour cream or Greek yogurt
- Lime wedges
Instructions
- Add oil to a large skillet over medium heat. Add onion and garlic and sauté for 3-5 minutes.½ Tablespoon olive or avocado oil, 1 yellow onion, 2 cloves garlic
- Add ground turkey and cook until brown, about 5-7 minutes. Use a wooden spoon to break up the meat while cooking.1 lb ground turkey
- Add the chili powder, cumin, paprika, oregano, salt and pepper. Cook for an additional 1-2 minutes.1 Tablespoon chili powder, 1 teaspoon cumin, ¼ teaspoon paprika, ¼ teaspoon oregano, 1 teaspoon sea salt, ¼ teaspoon black pepper
- Pour in the water and tomato sauce and stir to combine. Let the mixture simmer for 5-7 minutes, or until the liquid has been absorbed.¼ cup water, 8 ounces tomato sauce
- While turkey mixture is simmering, heat the tortillas in a dry pan over medium-high heat, or wrap them in foil and heat in a 350°F oven for 5-10 minutes.
- Assemble the tacos by spooning the turkey mixture onto the tortillas and topping with your desired toppings
Notes
- Use 93% lean turkey: I’ve found this gives the best balance of flavor and moisture without being too greasy.
- Don’t skip the simmer: Letting the turkey cook with the sauce for a few minutes is key for keeping it juicy and flavorful.
- Break the meat up well: Smaller crumbles give you a better texture and make the tacos easier to eat.
- Storage: Store leftover taco meat in the fridge for up to 4–5 days and reheat before serving.
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
Like This Recipe? Rate & Comment Below!
I’ve tried a few ground turkey taco recipes and they always turned out dry, but not this one! The meat was so flavorful and actually stayed juicy. I made these for dinner and everyone went back for seconds.
Yay! So glad you enjoyed these tacos, Lauren. Thanks for coming back to leave a review. I really appreciate it!
Great recipe, it was delicious!
Yay! So glad you enjoyed these tacos, Janet. Thanks for coming back to leave a review. I really appreciate it!
This was really good, i did’t have turkey or chicken so i tried it with veal.
I am so glad this recipe turned out great for you, Sylvie. Thank you for sharing your review & star rating, I really appreciate it!
Do you drain the turkey? I thought the tomato sauce was a strange add; meat was a little more like sloppy joe. If sauce omitted, would the meat be too dry?
Overall, great recipe… Thank you for sharing.
Hey Laura, You don’t need to drain the turkey before cooking. The tomato sauce helps to keep this mixture moist and prevent the turkey from drying out! As the sauce simmers it should reduce down and shouldn’t be “wet” or like sloppy joes. Hopefully that helps!