Which ground turkey is best for tacos?

We want lean ground turkey, but not fat-free ground turkey! A little bit of fat helps keep the turkey taco meat stay delicious and juicy. In my experience, fat-free ground turkey always gets pretty dry and bland, so I do feel strongly about it!

How to add flavor to ground turkey?

We're adding flavor to the turkey meat in a few different ways. Through lots of spices and seasonings, through proper salt, and through the addition of cooking it with flavorful salsa.

How to cook ground turkey without drying it out?

Use ground turkey with a little fat in it so that it doesn't dry out. This is the most important aspect in my opinion. You also don't want to overcook it, so just cook until it's cooked through.

Easy Ground Turkey Tacos (Fast & Family-Friendly!)

Description

Your family will love these flavorful and easy ground turkey tacos! Packed with spices and salsa this quick recipe is healthy and delicious.

Ingredients

Units Scale

1 Tbsp. olive oil
1 lb. ground turkey (don’t use 99% fat-free)
3/4 tsp. sea salt
1 tsp. ground cumin
1/2 tsp. garlic powder
1/2 tsp. chili powder
1/4 tsp. smoked paprika
1 cup salsa
tortillas
toppings: guacamole, shredded sharp cheddar cheese, sour cream, salsa, pico de gallo, hot sauce, quesadilla sauce, corn salsa, diced tomatoes, cilantro, diced onion, sliced jalapeno, lime wedges

Instructions

Prep toppings. Measure out the spice mix in a small pinch bowl.
Heat oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat.
Add ground turkey and cook 3-4 minutes.
Add dry spices to a skillet and mix everything well, letting spices toast a bit.
Pour salsa into the skillet and stir in with the turkey. Turn down heat to low and simmer for 5-7 minutes, stirring frequently, until the liquid has evaporated and the mixture has thickened. **Depending on your salsa, this may take more or less time.
Serve tacos with warm tortillas or hard taco shells and a variety of toppings.

Notes

Nutrition facts do not include toppings
Storage: Store leftover turkey taco meat in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 2-3 days. Reheat taco meat in the microwave or a hot skillet until heated through.
Ingredient notes: Look for lean ground turkey, but not fat-free ground turkey! We want a bit of fat to help keep the turkey taco meat stay delicious and juicy. In my experience, fat-free ground turkey always gets pretty dry and bland so I do feel strongly about it! I used a jarred medium salsa, but really anything works, go with something you love! You could add more or less spice, a smooth salsa, or more of a chunky salsa. Either will work fine.
Prep ahead: You can cook the turkey meat and reheat it before dinner. You can also prep toppings.
Special tools: This $5 tray is not fancy, but it’s perfect for taco night so you can put out a variety of toppings.
Serve with: Refried black beans, cowboy caviar, elote in a cup.