Seasoned Ground Turkey Taco Meat is so easy to make, and it's great for meal prep! Enjoy this delicious recipe with tacos, taco salad, or burrito bowls. Once you try homemade taco seasoning, you will never go back to store bought again!
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Why You'll Love This Recipe!
Once you try homemade taco seasoning, you're never going to use store-bought taco seasoning again! This recipe has amazing flavor, and it only requires a few simple ingredients!
Taco night has always been a family favorite in our house! We love that they're great for busy nights because it's a quick and easy meal to make when you don't have a lot of time.
Once you cook the seasoned ground turkey, the options are endless for serving. You can use it for homemade tacos with tortillas, burrito bowls, or taco salad.
It's also great for meal prep! Double the recipe and use leftover turkey meat for lunch the next day.
🍴Ingredient Notes
- Ground Turkey - Ground beef or ground chicken will work with this recipe too!
- Olive Oil - Because ground turkey is a leaner meat, you will need a little oil to prevent it from sticking to the pan. Avocado oil or coconut oil will work too!
- Spices - You'll need Chili Powder, Salt, Cumin, Garlic Powder, and Paprika.
🍴How to make Ground Turkey Taco Meat
Step 1: Cook Ground Meat
Add olive oil to a large skillet with ground turkey. (I used a cast iron skillet, but any large skillet will work!) Cook the meat on medium-high heat for about 5 minutes while you break up the meat with a spatula or meat masher.
Step 2: Add in Spices
Next, add salt, chili powder, cumin, garlic powder, and paprika to the ground turkey. Continue breaking apart and stirring the meat until it's evenly coated with spices. Cover the skillet and let cook for an additional 5 minutes.
Step 3: Finish & Serve
Remove the cover for the remaining 5 minutes or until meat is cooked through. Serve hot!
Expert Tips
- Use a meat masher tool to break up the meat. It saves so much time!
- Do not overcook the meat. Lean ground turkey can easily become dry.
- If you're meal prepping this recipe for lunch the next day, try the Good Foods Avocado Mash Cups! They're so convenient.
- For best results, use a nonstick skillet or cast-iron skillet for this recipe.
- If you're using tortillas, make sure you warm them up before serving!
Serving Suggestions
There are a variety of ways to serve this seasoned turkey meat!
For a classic option, serve it with your favorite corn tortillas or grain-free tortillas to make tacos. I love using Siete Almond Flour Tortillas & Rise & Puff Gluten-Free Tortillas.
For a low carb option, serve the seasoned meat with lettuce wraps or salad. My Whole30 Pepper Nachos are great too!
Enjoy it with my Cilantro Rice to make a simple rice bowl or load it up with all the toppings to make a burrito bowl.
You can also use the seasoned taco meat for homemade nachos with tortilla chips!
Recipe Variations
Toppings
Some of my favorite taco toppings include avocado, black beans, red bell pepper, fresh cilantro, salsa, guacamole, dairy-free feta, and finely chopped jalapenos.
To finely chop vegetables, use a veggie chopper! It saves on prep time.
Add-In's
To give this seasoned ground turkey a little flavor boost, add in finely chopped onion or red onion, chopped cilantro, and finely chopped garlic cloves.
Spice
If you like adding some heat to your taco meat, try a ¼ teaspoon of cayenne pepper. You can also add a tablespoon or two of your favorite hot sauce!
Meat
Simply swap the lean ground turkey for ground beef to make beef tacos!
How to store leftovers
Store leftover taco meat in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 3-4 days.
You can also freeze leftovers in a freezer safe container for up to two months!
Do not make tacos ahead of time. The tortilla will get soggy.
More Taco Recipes You'll Love!
After you make this Seasoned Ground Turkey Taco Meat, make sure to leave a comment & rate the recipe!
Recipe Card
Seasoned Ground Turkey Taco Meat
Equipment
- 1 Cast Iron Skillet Or any non-stick skillet.
Ingredients
- 1 Pound Ground Turkey You can also swap for ground beef or ground chicken.
- 1 Tablespoon Olive Oil
- 2+½ Teaspoons Chili Powder
- 1 Teaspoons Salt
- 1 Teaspoon Cumin
- 1 Teaspoon Garlic Powder
- ½ Teaspoon Paprika
Instructions
- Add olive oil to a large skillet with ground turkey. (I used a cast iron skillet, but any large skillet will work!) Cook the meat on medium-high heat for about 5 minutes while you break up the meat with a spatula or meat masher.
- Next, add salt, chili powder, cumin, garlic powder, and paprika to the ground turkey. Continue breaking apart and stirring the meat until it's evenly coated with spices. Cover the skillet and let cook for an additional 5 minutes.
- Remove the cover for the remaining 5 minutes or until meat is cooked through. Serve hot!
Notes
Expert Tips
- Use a meat masher tool to break up the meat. It saves so much time!
- Do not overcook the meat. Lean ground turkey can easily become dry.
- If you're meal prepping this recipe for lunch the next day, try the Good Foods Avocado Mash Cups! They're so convenient.
- If you're using tortillas, make sure you warm them up before serving!
How To Store Leftovers
Store leftover ground turkey in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 3-4 days. You can also freeze leftovers in a freezer safe container for up to two months! Do not make tacos ahead of time. The tortilla will get soggy. ** See full post for more information and helpful tips!Nutrition
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