Flavorful Turkey Taco Meat

Transform your taco night with this Flavorful Turkey Taco Meat recipe—a healthy, delicious alternative to traditional beef tacos that’s bursting with bold, smoky spices. Made with lean ground turkey, this dish is elevated with a tantalizing medley of chili powder, cumin, smoked paprika, and a touch of crushed red pepper for just the right kick. A quick simmer with tomato paste and chicken broth creates a rich, savory sauce, while fresh cilantro adds a bright, herbaceous finish. Ready in just 35 minutes, this versatile filling pairs perfectly with taco shells, tortillas, or even as a topping for nachos or taco salads. Whether you're meal prepping or hosting a festive taco dinner, this turkey taco meat is sure to be the star of the table. Perfect for those seeking a quick, flavorful, and healthier taco recipe!

Nutriscore Rating: 74/100

Prep Time:10 mins

Cook Time:25 mins

Total Time:35 mins

Servings: 4

Ingredients

• 1 pound ground turkey
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 1 medium yellow onion, finely chopped
• 3 cloves garlic cloves, minced
• 2 teaspoons chili powder
• 1 teaspoon ground cumin
• 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
• 1 teaspoon dried oregano
• 0.5 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
• 0.5 teaspoon salt
• 0.25 teaspoon black pepper
• 2 tablespoons tomato paste
• 0.5 cup chicken broth
• 0.25 cup fresh cilantro, chopped

Directions

Step 1

Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat.

Step 2

Add the finely chopped onion to the skillet and sauté for about 3-4 minutes, or until the onion is translucent.

Step 3

Stir in the minced garlic and cook for an additional minute until fragrant.

Step 4

Add the ground turkey to the skillet. Cook and break up the turkey with a spatula until it is browned and cooked through, about 5-7 minutes.

Step 5

Drain any excess grease from the skillet if necessary.

Step 6

Reduce the heat to medium and sprinkle the chili powder, ground cumin, smoked paprika, dried oregano, crushed red pepper flakes, salt, and black pepper over the turkey.

Step 7

Stir in the tomato paste, ensuring it coats the turkey evenly.

Step 8

Pour in the chicken broth, stirring to combine all ingredients. This will help to deglaze the pan and create a sauce.

Step 9

Let the mixture simmer for about 8-10 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the sauce has thickened and the flavors have melded together.

Step 10

Remove from heat and stir in the chopped fresh cilantro.

Step 11

Serve the turkey taco meat in taco shells or tortillas, or use as a filling for burritos, taco salads, or nachos.

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	817.2 grams (817.2g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	919

Total Fat 48.20g	62%
Saturated Fat 12.40g	62%
Polyunsaturated Fat 1.30g
Cholesterol 322mg	107%
Sodium 1913mg	83%
Total Carbohydrate 29.80g	11%
Dietary Fiber 9.00g	32%
Total Sugars 9.90g
Protein 92.50g	185%

Vitamin D 0IU	0%
Calcium 128mg	10%
Iron 11mg	59%
Potassium 872mg	19%

*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.

Source of Calories

Fat: 47.0%

Protein: 40.1%

Carbs: 12.9%