Cook up this easy skillet dinner of ground Turkey Tacos for a satisfying (and affordable) dinner that’s easy enough to pull off on a busy weeknight.
Ground Turkey Tacos
I’m always looking for satisfying options for taco night in our house, and while we often keep that meal vegetarian by relying on beans, we sometimes incorporate less expensive proteins like ground turkey for our taco meat.
This meal comes together easily in a skillet, has a veggie in the mix, and has plenty of flavor (without being too much for the kids). It’s great in taco shells, or you can even serve it with rice.
The meat is also easy for little kids to pick up as finger foods or to eat with a spoon or a fork.
Ingredients You Need
Here’s a look at the ingredients you need to make this easy taco recipe.
- Ground turkey: This is a very lean meat option and is usually very inexpensive. You can swap in ground beef or chicken if you prefer, too.
- Sweet potato: I love the flavor of sweet potato in Mexican-style dishes.
- Onion: I rarely call for chopping onions in my recipes since I know it can be hard to do with little kids underfoot, but using one here adds nice flavor.
- Tomato sauce: A small can of this adds moisture to ensure the veggies are soft and cooked through, and flavor.
- Cumin, chili powder, garlic powder: These three spices add flavor to the taco mixture.
We usually have these with soft corn or flour tortillas and classic taco toppings including shredded lettuce, cheese, guacamole, and/or sour cream.
Step-by-Step Instructions
Below is a look at how to make this recipe so you know what to expect. Scroll down to the full instructions at the end of this post when you’re ready to cook.
- Peel and dice the sweet potato and onion. The sweet potato should be fairly small to ensure it cooks through evenly.
- Add the oil to the pan to warm, then add the turkey, vegetables, and spices.
- Cook, breaking up with a wooden spoon and stirring occasionally.
- Serve with tortillas and any desired taco toppings.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do you add flavor to ground turkey?
In this recipe, we add flavor with onion, sweet potato, and tomato sauce. Plus spices including cumin, oregano, and garlic powder.
Are turkey tacos better than beef?
Ground turkey is very lean and usually very affordable. You can also use ground beef if you’d like and you can choose a leaner ground beef if you prefer. A lot of this for me comes down to flavor and price, which may vary.
How to Store
Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 5 days. Or freeze in a storage container for up to 6 months.
Best Tips for Success
- Dice the sweet potato finely to ensure it cooks through.
- Use corn or flour tortillas, as you like. Warm them slightly before serving.
- Try the taco meat with rice as burrito bowls.
- Serve them deconstructed for younger kids for easy eating.
Dinner