Spicy Turkey Tacos
Zesty Ground Turkey (or Chicken) Tacos – Make this easy, healthy, versatile and delicious taco meat recipe with your choice of ground turkey or ground chicken!
Ground Turkey Taco Recipe
Hands up if you love tacos!
Tacos are basically held parties. Tasty tortillas loaded with a savory filling and fresh toppings are exciting for the whole family. Each bite includes a bit of everything and is utterly satisfying while still making you want more.
We wanted to share an easy taco filling recipe, something lighter and leaner than standard ground beef tacos, but still packs BIG flavor. Because let’s be honest – one taco is never enough…
So we swapped the red meat for healthier ground turkey! Not only does using ground turkey (or chicken!) cut the fat and calories, you still get a great serving of protein without losing any of that crave-worthy classic taco meat flavor you know and love.
The Best Spicy Ground Turkey Tacos Recipe (or Ground Chicken!)
Our wonderfully simple, ridiculously easy recipe for the best, most savory, and tasty Spicy Turkey Tacos (or Spicy Ground Chicken Tacos) is sure to please the whole family. Make it for a quick weeknight meal or a nearly effortless weekend dinner.
The filling is extremely low carb and can be served on regular flour tortillas or corn tortillas, or on our keto tortillas. It’s also great on taco salads and in wraps!
However, if you choose to enjoy this flavorful ground turkey taco meat, rest assured you are making the right decision.
Ingredients You Need
There are only 10 wholesome ingredients needed to make the best healthy turkey or chicken tacos recipe from scratch:
- Oil – or butter
- Medium Onion – peeled and chopped
- Garlic – minced
- Cilantro – chopped
- Lean Ground turkey – or ground chicken!
- Seasonings – ancho chile powder (or cayenne pepper), ground cumin, smoked paprika, salt
- Tomato paste – jarred or canned
Plus your favorite tortillas and taco toppings!
How to Make Spicy Turkey Taco Meat
Ground chicken or turkey taco meat is perfect to make ahead and enjoy for a quick dinner and/or your weekly meal prep plan. It’s an easy recipe that requires just 3 simple steps and is ready in only about 15 minutes.
- First, heat oil in a large skillet/pan over medium heat. Add the chopped onion, garlic, and most of the cilantro. Saute for a few minutes, until the onions become a bit soft.
- Then add the ground turkey or chicken, along with the spices and tomato paste.
- Stir and break the ground meat into small pieces with a wooden spoon. Continue to cook and brown the taco meat for 5-7 minutes.
- Brown the meat as you stir continuously, combining the tomato paste and seasonings with the ground turkey. Cook through until the meat has crumbled and is no longer pink.
- Once the taco meat is cooked through, spoon it into tortillas and garnish with your favorite taco toppings.
Serve warm in tortillas, on taco salads, or use healthy ground turkey taco meat to make delicious burritos or enchiladas with all your favorite toppings.
Get the Complete (Printable) Spicy Turkey Tacos or Spicy Chicken Tacos Recipe Below. Enjoy!
Frequently Asked Questions
How can I enjoy ground turkey taco meat as part of a low-carb meal?
Use this recipe as a base to make our fabulous Keto Stuffed Taco Peppers, Burrito Bowls, or simply serve with your favorite low-carb taco tortillas. Or you can make lettuce wrap taco shells for a low-carb option.
What garnishes go well on ground chicken tacos (or ground turkey tacos)?
Load healthy turkey or chicken tacos with chopped fresh cilantro, diced onions, zesty salsa, sour cream or Greek yogurt, crumbled cotija, or shredded cheddar cheese, lime wedge for taste, guacamole/avocados – or any goodies you love!
Can this recipe be made ahead?
Definitely! Once the ground chicken or turkey has cooled, transfer it to a sealed container and keep in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. Use in your meal preps, or enjoy quick lunches or easy dinners throughout the week.
How do I freeze ground chicken or ground turkey taco meat?
Let the taco meat cool and put it in an airtight and freezer-safe container. Store in the freezer for up to 3 months, and defrost in the fridge overnight before reheating in a skillet or microwave.
Looking for More Easy and Delicious Taco Recipes?
- Chicken Tinga Tacos (Instant Pot & Stovetop)
- 2-Ingredient Crock Pot Taco Meat
- Tacos al Pastor Recipe
- Green Chile Steak Tacos
- Instant Pot Perfect Carnitas
- Crazy-Good Baha Fish Tacos
Check the printable recipe card below for the nutrition information including calories, carbohydrates, protein, trans fat, cholesterol, and sodium. potassium, fiber, vitamin c, and calcium percentages.
Spicy Ground Turkey Tacos (or Ground Chicken Tacos!)
Video
Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons oil or butter
- 1 medium onion peeled and chopped
- 5-6 cloves garlic minced
- ¼ cup chopped cilantro
- 2 pounds ground turkey or ground chicken
- 2 tablespoons ancho chile powder
- 2 teaspoons ground cumin
- 2 teaspoon ground smoked paprika
- 2 teaspoons salt
- 2 teaspoons tomato paste
- 16 Flour, corn, or low carb tortillas
- Possible Garnishes: Pico de gallo salsa, avocado, guacamole, Cotija cheese, limes
Instructions
- Set a large sauté pan over medium heat. Add the oil. Once hot, add in the chopped onion, garlic, and cilantro. Sauté for 3-4 minutes to soften the onions.
- Then add in the ground turkey (or ground chicken) along with the ancho chile, cumin, paprika, salt, and tomato paste.
- Stir and break the ground meat into small pieces with a wooden spoon. Continue to cook and brown the taco meat for 5-7 minutes.
- Once the taco meat is cooked through, spoon it into tortillas and garnish with your favorite taco toppings.
Thank you for this awesome recipe, it’s my first time trying tacos using gound turkey and it’s so delicious! These are the best tacos I’ve ever had!
These tacos were perfect. We make them often and love the flavor. So good!!
This Ground Turkey Tacos recipe is just what I’ve been looking for! It’s utterly satisfying. Such a savory and tasty
Great tacos meat! So delicious and easy to make!
This is going to be such a delicious dinner! My family is going to love this! Very excited to make this tonight!
So tasty and delicious! I like the texture better than beef.
These turkey tacos are so great! I stopped eating so much red meat, so these have been the perfect thing when I want that taco fix!