Ground Turkey Tacos

Our recipe for Ground Turkey Tacos is a lightened-up take on the well loved ground beef version usually served in crunchy taco shells. To make the filling, diced onion and protein–packed ground turkey are cooked in a skillet before being combined with chili powder, tomato paste, and chicken broth. After a brief simmer, the saucy filling is ready to spoon into crispy shells. Serve them alongside assorted toppings like shredded cheese and lettuce, diced tomato and onion, pico de gallo, sour cream, and avocado. You can also use the turkey mixture to fill burritos or burrito bowls, taquitos, or quesadillas.

What Kind of Turkey to Use for Tacos

Just like shopping for ground beef, you're bound to find a few different types of ground turkey for sale at the store. While any type of ground turkey will work in this recipe (we prefer a mix of light and dark meat), it's important to know how they all stack up:

Dark vs. White Meat

Most ground turkey you'll find at the store contains a mix of dark and light meat (if the package doesn't specify, assume it's a combination). For the leanest option, look for ground turkey labeled "ground turkey breast" or "extra lean"—it'll also be lighter in color than the other options.

Fat Content

Packages of ground turkey will almost always list the fat content on the front, just like with ground beef. You're likely to see ratios of 85-percent lean to 15-percent fat, 93-percent lean to 7-percent fat, and 99-percent lean to 1-percent fat. The higher the percentage of fat, the more moist and flavorful the meat will be after cooking.

Make Ahead

To get a head-start on dinner, you can make the taco filling and prep the toppings up to 3 days ahead of time (but wait to cut the avocado until you're ready to serve). Keep all of the components stored in airtight containers in the refrigerator.